[pookie]

So I just bought a 05 Mustang GT to use in SCCA autocross events (nearest ones are 2 hours away, unless I tale up rallycross) and do some track days at Road Atlanta and Mid Atlanta Motorsport Park (just over 3 hours to both) I don’t want to tag, title, and my company won’t insure something. I’m using on track. Which leads me to towing. My wife has a 2011 GX 460 V8 tow rating of 6500 lbs. I used a UHaul steel trailer to pick up and tow the Mustang home and it towed fine behind the GX. I have space to store an open trailer, and don’t have the money for an enclosed trailer. So what are the basics of finding and using an open trailer? And what do I need for what I want to do?

[HoodPin]

If you can spring for an aluminum trailer, it will cost more up front, but will hold its value over time. Plus, lighter than steel, so easier to tow, and most can be moved around on flat pavement (and maybe hard, smooth ground) by hand.

Trailex design allows for very nice tire rack. Fuel jug holder and tool box also available. 2 spare tires would be a very good idea (for any trailer). Electric brakes are best, but if wiring is an issue, or want to be able to tow trailer behind variety of vehicles, surge brakes will work (no wiring).

Used Trailex are out there; one less than 10 years old will have the latest ramps, springs, etc.

There's a number of inexpensive steel trailer manufacturers out there. But steel needs periodic maintenance (cleaning & painting). And adding tire rack and other features can be more challenging.

[Vicegrip]

Steel is cheap to buy and the devaluation is minimal.

Aluminum is better to live with but more upfront and you will not sell it for what you bought it for.

Steel and aluminum both loose value. Steel has much less upfront cost. One good thing about steel is if you can or you know someone that is weld/fabrication handy making your own tire racks and other storage like for fuel or tools and track stuff is way cheaper with steel.

Me? I have a 30+year old surge brake Trailex aluminum that is going strong. It sits and sits then gets called up for duty and is almost ready to go every time.

[Patrick3000]

Had one of these for a few years, cheap, easy and very good. I would recommend another.

http://www.econotrailer.com/Open.html

[jhsmith]

I'd recommend a Trailex if it fits your budget. Mine is now over 20 years old and still going strong.

[mlytle]

Second for econtrailer. Had one as first trailer. Bullet proof, sold for what I paid for it.

Trailex has a good reputation, but seems like a overgrown erector set to me. Trailerworld makes far more solid aluminum trailers. All welded, not just bolted together.
https://www.trailerworld.com/2018-am...gvwr-uGyh.html

[DrFraserCrane]

Originally Posted by mlytle

Second for econtrailer. Had one as first trailer. Bullet proof, sold for what I paid for it.

Third for Econotrailer -- I borrowed a friend's earlier this summer to 'test drive' and bought my own a few weeks ago. easy to deal with to order the trailer, delivery to your door (in most of this area) for free, and does what I need it to do.

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by mlytle

Second for econtrailer. Had one as first trailer. Bullet proof, sold for what I paid for it.

Trailex has a good reputation, but seems like a overgrown erector set to me. Trailerworld makes far more solid aluminum trailers. All welded, not just bolted together.
https://www.trailerworld.com/2018-am...gvwr-uGyh.html

]

Disagree that welding is in and of itself better than extruded track and T bolts.

I have a "bolted" together aluminum trailer and i also do a fair amount of aluminum welding. Welding aluminum has its issues. Knowing the limitations to welded aluminum and having reconfigured the bolted trailer a time or two i would not say welded is in any way better. Never had a bolted together joint move or squeak. On a welded trailer all the working components are bolted to the trailer so even a "welded" trailer is still bolted together in the ways that matter.
Long time ago my Trailex trailer was rear ended and damaged a bit. I got a good pay out from their insurance. Purchased a new rear cross member from Trailex for 1/12th the ins payout. 30 min with a socket wrench after the guy in the brown truck handed me the part and the trailer was back in business. Not saying that econo trailers are better or worse just that welding is not a criteria that makes them a step above.

A good deal and good maintenance makes for the best trailer. Plenty of used but not used up trailers out there. They are simple to maintain and the parts are cheap.

[pookie]

Thanks guys.

[HoodPin]

Originally Posted by mlytle

.......Trailex has a good reputation, but seems like a overgrown erector set to me. Trailerworld makes far more solid aluminum trailers. All welded, not just bolted together.

As VG also mentioned, Trailex uses a somewhat unique T-Bolt system, that is very strong, and facilitates the addition of accessories, like tire rack or fuel jug. Additionally, if the trailer is ever in an accident, it would be somewhat easier to disassemble the damaged components, and replace with new (Trailex AFAIK, makes available any section of the trailer).

Good points made about the upfront cost of steel trailer. But you'll need to clean and paint them periodically, and hopefully stay away from severe rusting issues. But you do hear about a lot of 20-30 year old alum trailers still pulling duty.