How Much Trailer is To Much?

[garyl62]

http://beckercustomtrailers.com
best price on a neo I have found

Ever look at Stealth trailers?

Can get a 7 x 21' or 23' that weights just around 2ooo lbs. Saves you a little weight.

http://www.trailersmidwest.com/trailer-types.cfm?id=226

I got my 7 x 17 from them. Awesome trailer and was a pleasure to deal with them.

Plan to talk with Becker again, but having a hard time getting numbers from them. John's has a "Limited" model that only they get and the price point is lower but very few options available and only comes in 3 sizes which is fine with me.

Did look at Stealth's but the 23' is about $1,500 more than the NEO at base price. Has more on it like fuel doors, two tone color, interior finish etc. The Stealth has radials and aluminum rims, if I upgrade the rims and tires on the NEO it's about a $1,300 difference. Only thing I'd spend money on after that is the interior finish, but then I'd only be willing to pay for the materials as I'd do it myself. I do think they are nice trailers but seems like the NEO is a slightly better value.

 

[snowdance]

Gary162,

Take this for what it's worth. But, I can talk from experience thats it's not all about the weight (drag plays a big factor). I just purchased a new (used) vehicle, because I blew my engine coming home from my last trip in April. My situation is a little different, but the results are what you might be interested in.

I tow a 2-place enclosed Bearcat 12' trailer. My tow vehicle WAS an 03' Mazda Tribute, W/tow package and 3.0 L V6. It is rated to tow 3500 lbs. I figure the trailer loaded with 2 sleds weighs about 2500 lbs. i'm 1000 lbs under the tow limit, so i'm good right? Well the Tribute, would struggle with long inclines and head winds, which would make it kick down a gear and run 4500 RPMs until I crested the hill. Even though I didn't tow that often apparently it took its toll and I ended up stranded on the freeway 2.5 hours North of where live after a great last trip. At least it was on the way home.

Bottom line is I now own an 07' GMC Envoy Denali W/ 5.3L V8... Choose wisely because in the long run you're better to play it safe. I now have a nice car payment after not having one for 5 years!

 

[IOWASLEDDER]

I purchased a 7x23 stealth trailer aluminum inline. Before purchasing I looked at the neo also. Between the 2 I thought the stealth was the better value. Yeah more money, but like you said, the stealth has cool looking wheels, fuel doors, and I upgraded to the finished interior and torsion axles. I traded my atv trailer and my triton 8x10 snowmobile trailer in on it. I got it for $6900 than my trades came off of that amount. It's a '12. I pulled it with a 1/2 ton chevy and I just didn't feel comfortable towing it with that truck. Fuel economy was terrible!! The power was good but man I was white knuckling it, even though roads would be clear. But when it was windy or slick, whew!! Maybe if I had torsion bars I would've felt more comfy?? So I traded that for a '13 2500hd duramax and oh baby, where have you been the whole time! So towing a trailer like mine behind your sport trac, I personally wouldn't think about doing it. Yeah, granted my trailer weighs in at 2000 lbs. empty. Have you maybe looked into the triton 7x16 enclosed? I hear that is a light trailer.

 

[garyl62]

Gary162,

Take this for what it's worth. But, I can talk from experience thats it's not all about the weight (drag plays a big factor). I just purchased a new (used) vehicle, because I blew my engine coming home from my last trip in April. My situation is a little different, but the results are what you might be interested in.

I tow a 2-place enclosed Bearcat 12' trailer. My tow vehicle WAS an 03' Mazda Tribute, W/tow package and 3.0 L V6. It is rated to tow 3500 lbs. I figure the trailer loaded with 2 sleds weighs about 2500 lbs. i'm 1000 lbs under the tow limit, so i'm good right? Well the Tribute, would struggle with long inclines and head winds, which would make it kick down a gear and run 4500 RPMs until I crested the hill. Even though I didn't tow that often apparently it took its toll and I ended up stranded on the freeway 2.5 hours North of where live after a great last trip. At least it was on the way home.

Bottom line is I now own an 07' GMC Envoy Denali W/ 5.3L V8... Choose wisely because in the long run you're better to play it safe. I now have a nice car payment after not having one for 5 years!

Now we're going down the second road of this same topic.... Since I've been pulling an enclosed 10' or 12' drive on/off for the past several years with the Sport Trac I know how it pulls. Really have no issues with it (keep it out of O/D when hilly) but I've tried to do some research on the deckover vs inline and wind resistance in the past. I've looked all over and read a lot of posts (including a thread here from back in 2010) that debated wind resistance of open, clam shells, deckovers and inlines. While many people felt strongly about their opinions, it seems most agree the inlines have less drag when pulling. The debate was a little less clear when discussing side wind but generally came down to people felt they were about equal when comparing the same size trailer. Meaning a 2 place to 2 place, 3 to 3 or 4 to 4. While the inline is longer in each case, it is also lower and unless you're set up in a wind tunnel it's really hard to get objective data. What was interesting was how many people referred to their 2 place clamshell as a "sail" and said after moving to the inline they'd never go back as it pulled much easier.

So here we go, I'm sure there are plenty of opinions out there so lets hear what you all think

 

[Hoosier]

Now we're going down the second road of this same topic.... Since I've been pulling an enclosed 10' or 12' drive on/off for the past several years with the Sport Trac I know how it pulls. Really have no issues with it (keep it out of O/D when hilly) but I've tried to do some research on the deckover vs inline and wind resistance in the past. I've looked all over and read a lot of posts (including a thread here from back in 2010) that debated wind resistance of open, clam shells, deckovers and inlines. While many people felt strongly about their opinions, it seems most agree the inlines have less drag when pulling. The debate was a little less clear when discussing side wind but generally came down to people felt they were about equal when comparing the same size trailer. Meaning a 2 place to 2 place, 3 to 3 or 4 to 4. While the inline is longer in each case, it is also lower and unless you're set up in a wind tunnel it's really hard to get objective data. What was interesting was how many people referred to their 2 place clamshell as a "sail" and said after moving to the inline they'd never go back as it pulled much easier.

So here we go, I'm sure there are plenty of opinions out there so lets hear what you all think

Plus your explorer is much more of a tow vehicle than a tribute, which is the same as an escape, i think.

 

[snowdance]

Plus your explorer is much more of a tow vehicle than a tribute, which is the same as an escape, i think.

Yes, the Tribute is the same as the Escape as far as motor. I was sharing my experience. I realize he is on a different scale, but is talking about pushing the limits and I wanted to just give some food for thought. I wasn't insinuating the Explorer was comparable to the Tribute.

 

[garyl62]

Yes, the Tribute is the same as the Escape as far as motor. I was sharing my experience. I realize he is on a different scale, but is talking about pushing the limits and I wanted to just give some food for thought. I wasn't insinuating the Explorer was comparable to the Tribute.

I hear you snowdance. You were only using 2/3 of your max and I'm talking about using 90% of mine. That was the point I took and that's why I started talking about wind resistance and drag. You can be real light on weight but if you have a huge wind block behind you you're pushing the limits of the tow vehicle just the same.

 

[Hoosier]

I hear you snowdance. You were only using 2/3 of your max and I'm talking about using 90% of mine. That was the point I took and that's why I started talking about wind resistance and drag. You can be real light on weight but if you have a huge wind block behind you you're pushing the limits of the tow vehicle just the same.

How do you like that sport rack anyway? Do you find the bed useful? I imagine the passenger area is roomy compared to a truck.

 

[garyl62]

How do you like that sport rack anyway? Do you find the bed useful? I imagine the passenger area is roomy compared to a truck.

Not to go to far down that path and go off topic, but for me its the right vehicle for now. Not as big as a full size truck inside but better than a Colorado or some other small truck. Course it does have a full back seat so if you don't have a quad cab this would be better. I'm hauling very few tools now and almost no material except for myself so the bed is fine. I do have a hard locking cover, and flip out bed extender bars and if I didn't have those things I would not like it nearly as much. I refer to it as my "Gentlemen's Truck"

 

[SledTL]

Not to go to far down that path and go off topic, but for me its the right vehicle for now. Not as big as a full size truck inside but better than a Colorado or some other small truck. Course it does have a full back seat so if you don't have a quad cab this would be better. I'm hauling very few tools now and almost no material except for myself so the bed is fine. I do have a hard locking cover, and flip out bed extender bars and if I didn't have those things I would not like it nearly as much. I refer to it as my "Gentlemen's Truck"

I love my sport trac. The bed is a bit small at times but the extender helps alot, and it is nice to have the interior of an explorer plus a truck bed. I also have the hard locking top. This truck is a lot nicer than a Colorado or Tacoma in my opinion. I also love my power sliding window in the rear, it always surprises people beind me.

 

[sixball]

I pulled my 23' Legend last year with my 2012 Explorer. I do not pull with it in the winter but I was very surprised how well the Explorer pulled the trailer. It was empty but a very windy day. I was thinking I would be blown all over the road. It was not.
We have pulled very heavy trailers with other vehicles and just would say. With brakes on all axles and weight distributing hitch you can pull large heavy trailers. Now with that said you have many more factors in the winter with ice and snow. Other factors, how fast do you run? If I am pulling large trailers with lighter vehicles I think a weight distributing hitch is a must...... also common sense!!!!! You can also get into sway control with weight distributing hitches. things like the wheal base of the tow vehicle will have a lot to do with the comfort of towing. A weight distributing hitch is 100% better the just air bags.

 

[garyl62]

Here's a twist on the max trailer question. The vehicle is rated for 5,080 max trailer weight. Knowing everything we've talked about regarding GCWR etc, and assuming I'm within all those limits, I'm looking at a trailer that has a GVWR of 6,000 lbs. If I don't have it loaded more than my vehicle is rated for am I still within the limits if I'm pulled over?

 

[Rupp Collector]

sixball,

Be very careful if you ever use a sway control on snow/ice covered roads. If you get er sideways a little, you probably will not get er back. I know the sway control I've used for years on the camper has warnings advising against the use of their product in slippery conditions.

 

[garyl62]

http://beckercustomtrailers.com
best price on a neo I have found

Finally got to talk to them today and get some numbers from them. Not sure how everyone else got a deal, but their best number on a 23' unfinished inside, only option of aluminum wheels and radial tires, with me picking up in MI was $6,295. That was a flat top with 24" OC roof and walls. Johns in IN has the round top which is 4" taller inside and 16" OC walls and roof for $5.615 and I pick it up from them which is 75 miles closer to me.

Am I missing something here? I really thought Becker would be a toss up on pricing with Johns. Anyone have any insight?

 

[sixball]

sixball,

Be very careful if you ever use a sway control on snow/ice covered roads. If you get er sideways a little, you probably will not get er back. I know the sway control I've used for years on the camper has warnings advising against the use of their product in slippery conditions.

We never used sway control, so I don't know much about them just know the weight equalizing hitches are a must. for trailering heavy or a good thing if you are approaching vehicle limits. If your not into heavy duty trucks. Question are you talking vehicle sway systems or hitch sway control bars? Just wondering.

 

[Rupp Collector]

We never used sway control, so I don't know much about them just know the weight equalizing hitches are a must. for trailering heavy or a good thing if you are approaching vehicle limits. If your not into heavy duty trucks. Question are you talking vehicle sway systems or hitch sway control bars? Just wondering.

I was guessing from your post when you mentioned sway control, you were talking just that, a sway control that links the tow vehicle to the trailer with the resitance type controller. I don't know of other types if they're out there or not.

 

[garyl62]

....know the weight equalizing hitches are a must. for trailering heavy or a good thing if you are approaching vehicle limits. If your not into heavy duty trucks....

This is a good direction to head. As I've been looking at this trailer question I'm wondering more about these. I'm going to start a new thread asking about them so maybe some other people will jump in that are not following this one.

 

[sixball]

I was guessing from your post when you mentioned sway control, you were talking just that, a sway control that links the tow vehicle to the trailer with the resitance type controller. I don't know of other types if they're out there or not.

I was. I was thinking you may be talking about some of the new sway control built into vehicles. Thanks for the info.

 

[garyl62]

I know this is an old thread, but just wanted to say I ordered a new 3 place NEO from John's Trailers last week. Got in on the Pre-Season pricing which was cheaper than the show pricing they have listed on Craigslist in both Kalamazoo and Milwaukee. I'll put up some photos when I pick it up in about 6 weeks. Ordered the flat top two tone black and "Arctic Green" similar to the one six photos down on the left side of this link. http://neotrailers.com/products_trailers_nasf.php#

Pretty pumped up about it, now I'll have to see how I end up customizing it out after I get it to the shop.

 

[snobuilder]

Not much to add that hasn't been mentioned so far except.....
as far as side wind?....fergetaboutit!!!!
You can always count on a head wind both coming and going!!!!LOL

I made the plunge this year and will be getting the NEO 7x23 from John's Trailers. Got a good price and don't have to travel to P/U because of the snow show.
Unless I upgrade before winter, I will be pulling with a 4.7 dingo in 3rd gear at around 2600 RPM.