Topic: Enclosed Car Hauler

[68GTFastback]

I am considering purchase of a car hauler for my 68 GT Fastback.  I would like input on what to buy and what not to purchase. I am thinking that an 8.5' x 20' would be a satisfactory size; give me your thoughts please?

[carlite65]

what type of tow vehicle will you be using?? may make a difference in recommendations.

[69GT350H]

Two threads you might want to look at:

https://forums.vintage-mustang.com/general-discussion-non-vintage-mustang/1146100-enclosed-trailer-question.html

https://forums.vintage-mustang.com/general-discussion-non-vintage-mustang/1143278-what-suv-truck-should-i-get-hauling-car-trailer.html

[68GTFastback]

I have a 2002 Ford F-150 Extended cab with a 5.4, A/T, 4X4, and towing package. I recently purchased this truck with 94000 miles.

[Bossbill]

20' is too small for a Mustang. I have a 20' to haul my smaller race car and it's just too small for a Mustang. Go 24'. Get the widest trailer. I use enclosed trailers.

If you put anything else besides the car in the trailer opt for a 10K trailer. It has larger tires, brakes, and higher weight rating (duh) than the smaller 7.k rated trailer. You can hit 7.5k really fast. With a Mustang and an enclosed trailer combination you have almost no safety margin left.

If you ever consider towing with a mobile home, get the extended length (5') on the coupler end. You WILL hit the trailer with your RV if you tow with a standard length.

A full size F-150/F-250 size vehicle is the smallest I would consider for a tow vehicle. Wheelbase is an important consideration regardless of what the tow rating might be.

Prodigy controller for brakes (or newer truck with built in controller).

You MUST use a sway control and a load leveling hitch. The load leveler will even out the load across the two vehicles. Sway control will keep the whole affair in one lane. It also helps under braking.

If you want to drive in you should have an escape door. Then again most of us are at the age where we don't want to do all that twisting. After a decade of car racing I almost never drive the car into the trailer. Buy a really good winch. 3500 lb capacity or better and a battery in the trailer. Winch the car in and out and you don't need a side door. This may require a special rig on the front to keep the valance happy. 

Tie downs are another topic. So are tires.

[Bob Gaines]

I am considering purchase of a car hauler for my 68 GT Fastback.  I would like input on what to buy and what not to purchase. I am thinking that an 8.5' x 20' would be a satisfactory size; give me your thoughts please?

Everyone is different . For example 20 ft is the perfect size for me. It allows enough room for me to build in some cabinets in front for storage and tools plus still have ample room to tie down a 65-70 Mustang or Shelby. I even trailered my wide Ford GT in there too. It also pulls more easily and maneuvers in tighter confines spaces better then a longer one. Remember that your tow vehicle can limit and or needs to match your trailer for best experience too . I for instance have a E350 with a V10 so pulling isn't a issue if I had a longer trailer but I would hate to go through hilly country with something under powered especially with a longer then 20 ft trailer . There are compromises in speed etc. if you pull with too little of truck. I don't need the extra room in a trailer for a bunch of gear like golf cart etc. and like the pulling and maneuvering convenience more. Again that is just what works best for me . I have had 4 different 20 ft trailers over the years. I have pulled longer trailers for friends etc. and didn't like them for my needs as much. Take all the suggestions so that you can make a informed decision that will make the most sense for your situation.   

[Bob Gaines]

I would add that once you decide on a length other things like what Bill mentioned that are a necessity IMHO. As mentioned a escape door ,equalizer hitch ,sway control adjustment and electric tongue jack are top on my list.

[KevinK]

You don’t list where you are located. The F150/ 5.4 does ok but you probably don’t want to be hitting big mountains a lot. We did Utah, Grapevine, Donner Pass and it was fine. Adding high miles and misc. wear will increase the challenge. Flat country would be great. I regularly used and open trailer. When I did use an enclosed trailer, it was like towing a house behind the truck.

I still use an open trailer but upgraded to F250/6.2L.

[69GT350H]

Over on the Ford Truck Forum, trailering has been discussed a lot. 8k seems to be the break point for needing more than a good V8 or even Ford's V10.

[CharlesTurner]

Agree with Bob that a 20ft is probably the most versatile.  There won't be too much room in the front with a car in there, but with some cabinets, the space can be optimized.  I pull a 28ft trailer, fully finished inside, with a Ford Expedition, 5.4L.  It gets a whopping 6mpg hauling that one.  A diesel truck is best for pulling an open trailer, but it's hard to justify the expense if only using the trailer a couple times a year.

[kr3760]

I purchased a Trailex aluminum trailer. I use a 2000 Lightning to tow with.  It's like its not even back there.

[Bossbill]

I would add that once you decide on a length other things like what Bill mentioned that are a necessity IMHO. As mentioned a escape door ,equalizer hitch ,sway control adjustment and electric tongue jack are top on my list.

I forgot about the electric tongue jack! Actually, that was another reason for the battery in the trailer.

[J_Speegle]

Over on the Ford Truck Forum, trailering has been discussed a lot. 8k seems to be the break point for needing more than a good V8 or even Ford's V10.

Consideration of where you will be towing (mountains verses hills verses flat lands) and how often all play into choices so its often one size fits all - doesn't

Last 20 or so years I've had F250's with the 7.3 International's. Current one is almost 20 years old and still going great though no as pretty as it once was

[nham3407]

I would also agree with Bob Gaines feedback.  I have a 24 ft steel enclosed that I am pulling with a 14 Ram 1500, Hemi, 3.92 rear gear.  It does fine on flat runs, but start getting into some hills and it is getting a workout. I am pulling close to 8500 with trailer and 72 Mach 1. Truck is rated for 10K, but it makes me nervous to be that close.  Bought the truck in 2015 and that is when I started trailering.  Thought maybe 2 or 3 times per year to tow, but have done more than that. Just finished a 1300 mile trip before Thanksgiving and averaged 6.9 mpg at 70+mph and return trip averaged 9.2 mpg keeping it at 65mph and around 3300 rpm.  As soon as time and money permit I am going to get at least a 250 or 2500. I will be moving to a more mountainous area and need to torque of the diesel.

[tobkob]

Another thing to consider is the handling and stopping ability of a larger truck (I know the trailers have brakes but you really can feel the difference). 

With my F250 7.3 diesel I sometimes tow in the mountains and wish I had a little more power on some of the steep grades.

TOB