Editing Choosing a trailer

==Wood or steel decking?== Trailer decking is typically either wood, pressure-treated wood, or steel. In addition, [http://www.rumber.com/ Rumber] has been recommended as an alternative trailer decking solution. Rumber is "lumber" made from recycled tire rubber and plastics. According to the manufacturer, it's durable, non-slip, easy to clean, impervious to water, UV-resistant, and it will not crack, rot, or split. ===Advantages of wood decking=== *Won't rust. *Your load won't slide around as much, and the deck won't get oily and slippery when hauling cars leaking fluids. Although, diamond-plate decks help with slipping. *Wood can loosen, crack, and warp. Fluids soak in, leaving a mess. *With a wood deck, you can screw things down to secure them. ===Advantages of steel decking=== *Won't rot. *Wood decks will have to be replaced periodically. Factor in the time to remove the old wood and fasteners, and then buy, cut, and install new wood. ==Advantages of enclosed trailers== *Keep nosy people and thieves wondering. Makes for better piece of mind when you are stopped to eat or rest. *Useful as storage. * Vehicle is clean when you get to the event. ==Advantages of open-pit trailers== *Less weight. *Oils and fluids leak onto the ground, rather than onto your trailer. *You can work on the car, under the trailer. ==Coating a trailer deck== Whether your deck is wood or metal, it will need to be coated. The coating provided by the manufacturer is often inadequate. Ideally, coat the decking top and bottom. Recommended coatings: bedliner, [http://www.westsystem.com/ West System Epoxy], or this "farmer fix" method: *Change your tow car's oil, and save the oil. Add 1 quart of aluminum paint and one gallon of thinner, diesel, or any oil-based liquid. Brush it on with a shop broom, and let it sit in the sun for several days. As an alternative, half used motor oil and half diesel fuel has also been recommended. ==Buying a trailer== Look for trailers to buy at race tracks. There are people there with a trailer and no car. ===Enclosed trailer buying tips=== *V-nose trailers use less fuel to pull. *If you buy an enclosed trailer with a lay-down rear door, there are no ramps to load/unload or setup. *White enclosed trailers are cooler...temperature wise. *Dual axle trailers pull better than single axle trailers. ===Wood trailer buying tips=== *Look for pressure-treated wood. ===Suppliers and manufacturers=== *Dargo *Long Haul *[http://trailtech.com Trailtech] *Sloan *Fleet *[http://www.paceamerican.com/ Pace American] *Kings Trailer *[http://www.abutrailers.com/ ABU Trailers] ==Trailer winches== *Recommended features: free-wheel option to let the cable out, reel speed that isn't very slow. *When examining ratings: don't forget that drag weight and rolling weight are two different things. *Can be hooked up to battery, or powered through a 20 amp cigarette lighter plug. *A snatch block can be used to double the power of the winch. ==Towing recommendations== *Practice driving with the trailer with no load on it, to see how it handles and brakes. *If the trailer is not level, it can hit a slight bump and "bounce" for a while. *Be wary of the tongue weight. It should only be about 10% of the towing weight. *Use a coupler that is rated for AT LEAST the load of a fully loaded trailer. *Make sure your trailer tire gross load ratings add up to the weight of the total load. Be sure to also use trailer-rated rims. *If the tongue weight is too much, try moving the car back on the trailer. However, be cautious, because with the weight in the rear, the load can weave. ===Braking=== *Always remember that you need more room to stop when towing, so leave a good gap in front of you when driving. One car length per 10 mph has been recommended. Other drivers have a tendency to pull in front of you into this wide gap, so be attentive. *An electronic proportional brake controller is recommended, such as the [http://www.tekonsha.com/prodig.html Prodigy controller from Tekonsha]. *States have different requirements for brakes on axles. Ideally, you should have brakes on all trailer wheels. ===Securing your load=== *Chains and binders may be best, but sometimes can't be used if the paint will be damaged. *Cross the tie-down straps. *Check your straps and chains frequently as you stop, or if you hit a significant bump. *Use high-quality, high-rated straps for securing your load. Where a strap will be rubbing against steel, use a piece of cardboard as a buffer. *Tie-down loops or rails can be used for extra support. Rebar makes a decent tie-down rail, and the ridges on it provide traction for tie-down straps and rope. ===Miscellaneous towing tips=== *Tongue jack should be fixed at the top AND the bottom. *Removable fenders are helpful for towing lowered vehicles. *Torsion axles are recommended. *Carry a spare tire that fits the trailer. ==Miscellaneous trailer tips== *A box on the tongue is useful for holding jacks, chocks, tie-down straps, hand tools, etc. *Some wood deck trailers are not pressure-treated wood, and won't last long at all. ==References== [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/trailer-recommendations-wood-deck-115912.html Trailer recommendations], ''Hotrodders Bulletin Board'', June 21, 2007.

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