I'm starting to plan a trailer purchase in the not too distant future.

Right now I'm looking at aluminum and steel 16' (load area) full deck trailers. It seems most on-line sources have some issue with listing the weight of the trailer, so can any of you offer some input?

I found one 16' aluminum unit that weighed in at 980 pounds, dual axle, brakes on both axles, etc. It was not cheap ($4000+).

At this point, I just want a good weight comparison between steel and aluminum. I'm going to tow with my anemic little Tundra V-8 so I might be willing to pay more for a lighter trailer - if it is significant. I don't think 1000 lbs for aluminum vs 1500 lbs for steel is enough to fuss over. I will fuss over 1000 lbs difference though.

Right now, the heaviest car I plan to tow would be the new Celica, and that probably tips the scales at 2600 lbs with a full tank of gas. Add another 400-500lbs for stuff, and I'm barely over 3000 lbs of load...

Thanks for the input.

Scott

 

Open deck steelies are around 1500 - 1700 depending on the length.

I think you'll be fine w/ an open deck steel one, though you may want to get class 4 trailer hardware.

Warren

 

I think Warrens guesstimate on weight is pretty good.

One thing to keep in mind is most of the cheap steel trailers only come with brakes on one axle as standard equipment. Since the Tundra is kind of on the light side it might be a good idea to order brakes on both axles if you go the steel route. I know there are a couple of guys here with Tundras so maybe they will speak up.

Even with the 6000lb 3/4 ton truck sometimes I wish I had brakes on both axles.

Joel

 

I just bought a full-deck trailer after shopping for 3 months (2 years, really). Here's what I found out:

Kaufman full-deck 16' = 2100# (!!) ~$1500
Kaufman open-center 16' = 1600(?)# ~$1300

Superior full-deck 16' = 1600# ~$1600

Kraftsman full-deck 16' = 1600# ~$1550
Kraftsman open-center = 1300# ~$1350

I almost bought the Superior, but then got turned on to Kraftsman by another H-Ter here (can't remember who). Went to Ramseur, talked to Paul Kaufman, and ordered one on the spot. Been very, very happy so far.

I think a 1300# trailer would do fine behind your little rice-burning truck You can get the open center, and add plywood when full-deck is needed. Also, don't forget about my "trailer survey" from last year at: http://www.nogumracing.com/technical/trailers.html

Here's my trailer:

 

Check out Classis Trailers in Sturgis, MI. I have one of their open center trailers and love it. Has the metal runners and brakes on both axles and sits pretty low. Also has the ramp storage in the rear under the deck.

Good luck

 

I have been tugging my Kraftsman trailer (best bang for the buck for sure) around for all this summer with couple of different trucks. I haven't had any problems at all except you need to have the load tied down tight and keep in mind the length of your tow truck is very important. I found that with short trucks you can really feel the trailer wiggle. I am now usuing a Dodge extened cab truck and can't feel a thing.

Your Yota may benefit better with the open center...just to keep the weight down. I know when I was looking around at trucks I wanted to keep at least 25% of the max tow weight as a working margin. You never want to tow at or near your max. Also you will find out that some routes are more trailer friendly than others, but you want your truck and trailer to be able to hanlde short steep grades if you have to. The best example of this is coming out of VIR at the main gate. I have seen some trucks back up and take a couple of shots at it.....I don't want to be that guy.


Ciao'

PS..I can't spell

 

Whitney's trailer is nicey nice. If I were getting a new one that's what I'd get.

 

I really like this one (as shown)

http://www.aluminumtrailer.com/open.html

But the price is just a little too high to make me happy. I like the featherlights too (same price range).

Time to start being really nice to my wife!

Open deck is certainly an option at this point. Originally I wanted a full deck for the utility, but we were planning a sport-ute at that time. With the truck, I can haul most of the basics and leave the trailer at home.

Scott

 

Along with lighter weight, another advantage of an open deck trailer is access to the car's guts from underneath. Nice for oil changes and other under car work with out taking it off the trailer at home. Hooking up your tie downs can be a little easier too.

 

no matter which trailer you buy be sure to put that red & white reflective tape on it. Users of other transportation appliances will NOT see your trailer without it. They may still not see it, but at least you tried.

Joel

 

So my Trailer weighs in at a mammoth ~1800lbs.

It will probably out last my car and me. It is built out of thick steel and has a full wood deck. It has brakes on one axle and with a car on it you need that extra braking power.

I just towed it with the Pathfinder (V6 240hp) the first time this weekend with my 2600lb car on it and it towed just fine. With this combo the tow vehicle and the trailer weighed approximately the same.

Shawn

 

I also have a SR5 Tundra V-8 and I towed my civic which is just under 2400 lbs. and I borrowed my friends home built steel truss w/ 2x8 decking weighing in at about 1500 or so pounds maybe more and he has no trailer brakes at all on it. I could tell the car was back there when I was slowing down but other than that it towed just fine. I don't think you'll see much of a difference between open center or full deck. The Tundra is rated up to 7200 but I would never get near that weight myself, I thought that 4000 was enough to pull around but I doubt I will ever attempt trying to tow more than 5000.