Thanks I saw your setup when poking through this thread. While the open deck does make sense from a strictly car hauling perspective, I find myself constantly going on Craigslist adventures picking up random crap and as such I want to find a closed deck trailer for the random hauls of stuff I continue to acquire.

But if Im understanding you correctly youre using a conjunction of wheel straps as well as t hooks? Care to link which exact products you have found that work well as there seems to be quite a variety. One comment I recall reading from Thai was that he prefers using the t hooks going into the frame vs strapping onto the suspension as it doesnt affect the alignment. Any feedback on that? Thanks!

Yeah that's exactly what I've been told hence my recent change of heart in regards to the decking.

 

Right, that's why it's nice that they offer a full/closed deck option.

I don't use wheel straps, just the direct hook Mac's Ultra package with T-hooks into the frame holes as Thai recommended. I went with the 8 ft straps and ended up having to get some high strength chain from Tractor Supply to use as extension for the front.


While I've been around here long enough to know not to poke at letsgetthisdone, a towel fixes the hot deck issue. Besides, at the end of the day, you're also getting roasted anyway by the heat coming off the rotors trying to reach behind the wheel to pass the tie down across to the tie down point.

Wood and steel decks both have their pros and cons and each require their own level of upkeep. If you're going to be using the trailer for a lot more, wood might be preferable. I just figured Northeast weather would dictate more maintenance for the wood, replacing boards, etc.

 

Thanks for the further details. Not to be dense but if Im understanding you correctly youre "hooking" the latch into the t hook? I understand how the t hooks engage the frame but Im wondering if there is a strap made that is a latch/ clasp, not sure the technical term on one side and the other side is a t hook?

I feel like I explained that poorly so I hope you understand what Im getting at. My crude analogy would be when I think of plumbing; it always pisses me off say going from a 3/4 to 3/8 pipe and I need to use 2 reducers 3/4 to 1/2 then 1/2 to 3/8. Sure if works fine but less is more. Does that make sense or did I further make myself look like the newb I am?

I do agree in regards to wood vs metal both having their pros and cons. Metal gets hot and can be slippery when wet. But it also should last longer before rotting out. However when it comes time to replace it the cost will be higher and while I can weld, lagging in a couple new boards is far simpler.

I guess I will continue to keep my eyes open on CL for a decent trailer or else Ill end up buying something new. No rush other than I cant decide if Ishould buy a new set of street tires or hold off buy my trailer and some Hoosiers. 1st world problems, lol!

 

See attached pic. The tie down straps have the big latch hooks on each end.

Slippery deck cured with . I used it on the tire rack, will probably put some on the deck this year. True on all other counts though.

Also keep an eye on the NASA forums, they have a classified area for trailers. Although they are usually the $$$$ enclosed, once in a while someone will post an open one on the East coast.

 

Thanks for the picture. Ill probably end up going that route with the straps too but I guess for starters I need to pick up the trailer to establish what Im working with and then I can take measurements to determine lengths needed and figure out how to attach them to the trailer.

Good call on the bed liner. Ill keep my eyes open and try my best to remain patient. Id prefer to not have to travel too far to pick one up and I also might be limited from a tag perspective since MA is the worst in regards to that stuff, although apparently Im told the way to get around that is to register the trailer in ME. Guess Ill cross that bridge when I get to it.

 

I was hoping to pick up a trailer one night last week that had popped up on CL used one time and looked mint but it sold within 24 hours so I missed out due to my lack of ability to execute.

One thing I happened to notice and hence why I hesitated was that it only had brakes on 1 axle, which to me seems like it would be far better to have brakes on both axles. What sort of difference in braking performance are we talking about here on an 18' trailer total load maybe just over 5000#. For the small difference in price I'd much prefer to have dual brakes but curious on feedback from you trailer gurus.

 

For an open deck trailer, brakes on just one axle is fine.

 

More current pic of my F150. Pulled the OEM 2" lift block out of the rear (standard on 4wd), and removed the 2.5" spacer lift in the front. Put Fox 2.0" internal reservoir shocks in the rear, and height (preload) adjustable Bilstiens 5100's up front. Set the front at 3/4" higher than stock. Has just the right amount of rake. Also installed 295/60r20 Nitto Ridge Grapplers. Also did 20% tint with 70% on the windshield. Should have done 10 and 50. Oh well..

 

Good looking truck Sean! Minus the chrome around the handles...get that ish outa there!

How do you like those tires? I'd like to pickup some A/T's but given that my current tires have plenty of life on them Im doing my best to leave well enough alone.

As for the trailer brakes you said open deck. By that do you mean literally open deck or moreso open trailer vs fully enclosed as Im looking to get a closed deck but not enclosed.

 

Yeah, I meant open trailer. Open trailer and open vs closed deck isn't a huge weight difference like open vs enclosed trailer.


The handles are sticky tape on, I tried pulling one off, and it took some paint with it, even using goo gone. So they're staying unfortunately.


Tires are awesome. Surprisingly quiet, good grip in dry, wet, and offroad conditions. Tow very well, nice and stable. Have 6k miles on them and they are wearing very good so far.

 

Yeah I assumed hence me asking for clarification as your comment didnt make much sense in that context. Now if you had the choice however would you opt for 2 brakes over 1 or do you really feel its not going to make a difference at all? Just seems like moar = better with brakes lol!

Gotcha on the handles...sorry sounds like a sore subject. Just seemed sorta out of place for an otherwise fairly black car. Im just not much of a chrome fan TBH but I can understand why theyre staying now.

And good to hear on the tires. I really want them bc well, honestly they look badass but I feel like my Wrangler SRA's will be lacking in the snow compared to what Im used to aka Eva killin it on snows!

 

Little late in the conversation but i bought a Ram last august with the 5.7 and 3.92 LSD. Avged 17-19 combined and 20-22 highway. The one opportunity I got to tow the evo with a borrowed trailer(also in the market for my one as well) I believe it was 14mpg on about a 5hr haul both ways over mountains, I was very impressed. Biggest sell for me was the lifetime bumper to bumper warranty Ram offers. Did you purchase that? My idea was that no more money ever had to go to the truck for repairs which gives me more for the evo/track time.

Attachment 260111

 

Idk how good the brakes are on the dodge, but brakes on 1 axle is fine for my truck. It's never going to stop like you're not towing, so just keep that in mind.

And, yeah, the SRA's are a bottom of the barrel "name brand" tire. I wouldn't feel bad about throwing them away immediately.

 

Your link doesnt work but good choice on the truck! Guess were RAM brothers too wahoo!! What year is yours? Im guessing you have the 8 speed given those MPG numbers as that seems high. I bought mine used with 42k on it but its a 13 so I didnt opt for any extended warranty. The one thing that it doesnt have that would have been good is the 8 speed. Other than that its loaded and spec'd exactly as I wanted it. I just filled her up last night so now I will start tracking MPG and see what I get as I dont trust the average MPG on the dash; I'd much prefer to keep track of miles and how many gallons I physically put in.

How did it feel towing? Any complaints?

I dont know how good the brakes are either. Im sure they're fine but cant comment on how they would compare to your F150. Im still adjusting to driving a truck TBH. Im used to DD'in my evo which between 650/800# springs and 285's I never felt the need to you know, brake before turning and things of that nature so this truck thing is all new to me The ride is far more compliant I will give it that.

And yeah I had a feeling the SRA's are pretty low grade but Im sure theyre fine for DD duties. I would love to get rid of them but not sure I can justify getting rid of them just yet. I need to figure out my rubber situation for Eva first.

But back on topic there is another trailer that just popped up locally that could be a decent deal. Still hesitant on a used trailer but might be worth checking out. Im not sure if it has 1 brake or 2 but I guess im still in the mindset that 2 is better than 1 granted 1 shouldnt be a dela breaker. I guess I could always use it as a bargaining chip and upgrade later if I want to...

 

Brakes on both axles is going to be hard to find on a simple 18-20ft 2 axle open trailer. I don't think I've ever seen one.
My dad's GMC 1500 Denali has the SRA's on it. Fine for driving around. But they definitely feel squishy when towing. Especially when compared to having a real 10ply/E load range tire like the Nitto's I have.