Enclosed trailer/toy hauler advice

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Duane

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In the near future I am planning a new enclosed trailer purchase. I know there has been some threads about the length and size, but I want to be able to also use my trailer as a poor mans RV when racing and not racing.
So I am asking for input on what's on or in your trailer as far as say windows, vents,
Special features etc.
Pics would be great.
 
I have a 32' Millenium LQ tag trailer, 20' garage and 12' fully self contained living quarters so I can take my show or race car and stay in it. The only thing needed is a generator or electricity to plug into when at shows. They are a true car hauler trailer with living quarters unlike a toy hauler that usually has smaller garages. I had mine built in 2004 and still use it today. www.milltrailers.com
 
Duane. A 24 footer minimum. This way you can haul a A-B-F cars and have room for your other track stuff.Even a cot or 2.
And yes you can squeeze a C body in there.
At least 2 roof vents and a front side vent and a rear to vent the trailer while driving.
I do not have windows but a awning type that opens out works well while you are waiting for the rain to stop.
Driver side escape door makes it nice to get in and out of the car when the car is inside.Good for old guys like me.
I like to up grade to 5,000 lbs axles but 3,500 will do depending on how heavy a load you will be carrying,plus how far you drive to and from.Rear entry loading lights are nice to have.

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Darter6 said:
Duane. A 24 footer minimum. This way you can haul a A-B-F cars and have room for your other track stuff.Even a cot or 2.
And yes you can squeeze a C body in there.
At least 2 roof vents and a front side vent and a rear to vent the trailer while driving.
I do not have windows but a awning type that opens out works well while you are waiting for the rain to stop.
Driver side escape door makes it nice to get in and out of the car when the car is inside.Good for old guys like me.
I like to up grade to 5,000 lbs axles but 3,500 will do depending on how heavy a load you will be carrying,plus how far you drive to and from.Rear entry loading lights are nice to have.

View attachment 1715786338 View attachment 1715786342
Click to expand...
What are your thoughts on a v nose?
 
Duane said:
What are your thoughts on a v nose?
Click to expand...
I have had dozens of trailers and though I like V-Nose for extra storage they can sometimes be detrimental depending on wind direction. If the wind is blowing directly at either side of the V-nose it tends to push the trailer around even with sway bars. I have really not noticed much difference in fuel mileage, but I did have a trailer with a sloped nose and notice more than a mile per gallon gain!
 
V-Nose is great. I ran one for a few years while I was promoting MATS Vegas Show..BUT you will give up inside space unless you are crafty and build racks and the like.If going with a V-Nose I would go longer than 24'.
Don't know if you need A/C in Canada but if you are ordering you can have the trailer prepped .
 
At the bare minimum a 24' footer, you will be surprised how fast to fill it up going to the races. We had a 42' goose neck, hauling a 2000 Dakota running crate motor in IHRA. It was equipped with living quarters & in the Texas heat, it was a great blessing to be able to shower & sleep in the AC.
 
Minimum 24Ft and upgrade the plywood tip ramp at the very least if it comes that way anymore. Spring for a full mat floor covering and get the road side door. Mine didn't have one until I had a fortunate accident at the exact spot where one needed to be. I did a factory style install of one and it's the second best thing I did for the racing loading/unloading program.

Oh, and watch out for bolt patterns on your axles. Most have 6 lug but there are 5 and even 8 lug out there.

I ended up doing my own mat later (haulmark trailer) and had to replace an oil spotted floor panel. You can get what you need from here (and they are having a sale) and save money on a DIY if you're into that.

American Floor Mats
 
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Duane said:
In the near future I am planning a new enclosed trailer purchase. I know there has been some threads about the length and size, but I want to be able to also use my trailer as a poor mans RV when racing and not racing.
So I am asking for input on what's on or in your trailer as far as say windows, vents,
Special features etc.
Pics would be great.
Click to expand...
What will you tow it with? 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton or bigger? Gas or diesel?
 
Darter6 said:
Duane. A 24 footer minimum. This way you can haul a A-B-F cars and have room for your other track stuff.Even a cot or 2.
And yes you can squeeze a C body in there.
At least 2 roof vents and a front side vent and a rear to vent the trailer while driving.
I do not have windows but a awning type that opens out works well while you are waiting for the rain to stop.
Driver side escape door makes it nice to get in and out of the car when the car is inside.Good for old guys like me.
I like to up grade to 5,000 lbs axles but 3,500 will do depending on how heavy a load you will be carrying,plus how far you drive to and from.Rear entry loading lights are nice to have.

View attachment 1715786338 View attachment 1715786342
Click to expand...

everybody i know with an enclosed says to get a 28 footer or better so you have plenty of room for a golf cart, etc.
Most guys started with 24 foot, then when ultimately replacing it, opted for 28 foot….sure provides more room
 
I went from a 29' v-nose with door on one side of the v that would accept a golf cart, you could even lower it onto the back of your pickup and drive the golf cart on there, then went to a 26' v-nose to a 24' flat front as I found that I didn't need all the extra room for what I was doing. As mentioned above, it really does depend on what truck you have also. A 1/2 ton trunk can pull a 24' easily, but once you start getting bigger then a 3/4 or 1 ton truck makes a huge difference even with today's heavy half tons. ALWAYS go with 5200 lb axles...
 
HemiSSDart said:
. A 1/2 ton trunk can pull a 24' easily, ..
Click to expand...

I would not recommend that to anyone. Ya you might get away with it, but............no, not even for open bed. By the time you get your "stuff" personal, tools, car, etc, a 1/2T is up against it. The heavier duty axles, bearings and brakes will be worth it
 
67Dart273 said:
I would not recommend that to anyone. Ya you might get away with it, but............no, not even for open bed. By the time you get your "stuff" personal, tools, car, etc, a 1/2T is up against it. The heavier duty axles, bearings and brakes will be worth it
Click to expand...
I pulled my 11K lb 32' LQ trailer with my 2000 Ram 4x4 1500 5.9 gas engine through the mountains of PA with no issues, and the modern half tons can tow 12K lbs! I do agree though, I haven't pulled with a 1500 for 15 years now...
 
He’s almost talking about two different trailers. To get one fixed up with a nice living area he’s going to need probably at least a 32 foot if he wants a shower and everything. Some of the single guys have some really nice trailers then all the sudden you get married and make babies. The. Your baby is for sale and a motorhome is next. My 24 footer with workbench, alcohol for weekend, generator fuel for week, tools, 250 quad, etc was tight. My property sucks (hilly) so I bought a new 26 footer and that extra two foot is great, but I have the motorhome for long weekends. I tow with my truck for one day races. I do have an air mattress in case I decide to stay and have a few adult beverages with friends.
 
pittsburghracer said:
He’s almost talking about two different trailers. To get one fixed up with a nice living area he’s going to need probably at least a 32 foot if he wants a shower and everything. Some of the single guys have some really nice trailers then all the sudden you get married and make babies. The. Your baby is for sale and a motorhome is next. My 24 footer with workbench, alcohol for weekend, generator fuel for week, tools, 250 quad, etc was tight. My property sucks (hilly) so I bought a new 26 footer and that extra two foot is great, but I have the motorhome for long weekends. I tow with my truck for one day races. I do have an air mattress in case I decide to stay and have a few adult beverages with friends.
Click to expand...
You have a nice setup.
I guess the wife didn't make you sell it all off.
Did I ever tell you that you have too many toys, well you do. lol
FWIW please use at the very least a 3/4 ton to pull your toys, preferably a 1 ton.
 
Bobzilla said:
What will you tow it with? 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton or bigger? Gas or diesel?
Click to expand...
1996 Dodge Ram 12 valve 2500. It's in good shape. It was a southern truck. Had it for a lot of years. Wish I had bought a dually
Now though. I'm too close to retirement to buy a new truck now lol.
 
pittsburghracer said:
He’s almost talking about two different trailers. To get one fixed up with a nice living area he’s going to need probably at least a 32 foot if he wants a shower and everything. Some of the single guys have some really nice trailers then all the sudden you get married and make babies. The. Your baby is for sale and a motorhome is next. My 24 footer with workbench, alcohol for weekend, generator fuel for week, tools, 250 quad, etc was tight. My property sucks (hilly) so I bought a new 26 footer and that extra two foot is great, but I have the motorhome for long weekends. I tow with my truck for one day races. I do have an air mattress in case I decide to stay and have a few adult beverages with friends.
Click to expand...
Not getting married again, and my baby making days are long over lol. 3 was plenty. 24 ft is the longest I can go because of parking constraints. My truck has a nice high cap on the back. I was going to do tools,generator, and fuel etc out of the bed of the truck. I can't afford to do trailer and motor home. So was trying to dual purpose the trailer.
 
Darter6 said:
V-Nose is great. I ran one for a few years while I was promoting MATS Vegas Show..BUT you will give up inside space unless you are crafty and build racks and the like.If going with a V-Nose I would go longer than 24'.
Don't know if you need A/C in Canada but if you are ordering you can have the trailer prepped .
Click to expand...
Race season is real hot here. Not Nevada hot but hit enough.
More humidity here. Winter is real cold. I was thinking of doing a mini split ac. Much quieter at night.
 
Darter6 said:
Duane. A 24 footer minimum. This way you can haul a A-B-F cars and have room for your other track stuff.Even a cot or 2.
And yes you can squeeze a C body in there.
At least 2 roof vents and a front side vent and a rear to vent the trailer while driving.
I do not have windows but a awning type that opens out works well while you are waiting for the rain to stop.
Driver side escape door makes it nice to get in and out of the car when the car is inside.Good for old guys like me.
I like to up grade to 5,000 lbs axles but 3,500 will do depending on how heavy a load you will be carrying,plus how far you drive to and from.Rear entry loading lights are nice to have.

View attachment 1715786338 View attachment 1715786342
Click to expand...
I like the diamond plate on the tongue. Never seen that before.
 
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