Lightweight covered trailer for the RX-1 ER

[ReX]

My candy apple 05 RX-1 ER should be in soon (month or so) and I need to figure out a trailer solution.

What is the lightest covered double trailer setup you know of? It needs to hold the 05 RX-1 and my wife's '98 Venture 700.

I'll be towing the sleds with my '00 Saturn SL2 so light and aerodynamic is a must.

I'm leaning towards a Northtrail 101"x10' with a plywood deck, electric brakes, and a pair of Toy Carriers (126 lbs each). You can see the covers at http://www.toycarrier.com/features.htm

 

[RobX-1]

With the trailer being aluminum and you going with the Toy Carrier covers, I don't think you'll find a much lighter setup out there.

 

[impalapower]

I don't think that the weight of the trailer and cover is going to make a difference on pulling. The wind resistance definately will. You need a bigger tow vehicle if you plan on doing any long distance towing. As far as a trailer is concerned, I have a Floe aluminum trailer with a Floe aluminum cap. I've had it for six years and have been pleased with it go to floeintl.com to find out more.

 

[impalapower]

I have a 10 foot drive on drive off with ramp and cap. It was $2800 six years ago, its probably a bit more now.

 

[tcona-AGT]

Hyland

Have you looked at Hyland Trailer?
www.hylandtrailers.com

 

[ReX]

With the trailer being aluminum and you going with the Toy Carrier covers, I don't think you'll find a much lighter setup out there.

It actually isn't aluminum. I had a good look at the Northtrail today. It weighs 670 lbs before the 126 lbs x 2 for the Toy Carrier covers - so 922 plus the sleds. It's getting up there weight wise. With the sleds and a bit of fuel, I'll be pulling around 2325 lbs.

One place I stopped at had an all aluminum "Karavan" trailer. I hadn't heard of the make before, but it only weighed 450 lbs so with everything loaded it will be a little more reasonable. It also uses a nice solid tongue attachment method (a pivoting a-frame). One negative or positive depending on how you look at it is it has a torqflex axle setup - better ride, but more expensive to swap out for one with electric brakes.

With either one I'll probably get a custom hitch made to handle the extra load (current hitch is rated at 2000 lbs).

 

[ReX]

I don't think that the weight of the trailer and cover is going to make a difference on pulling. The wind resistance definately will. You need a bigger tow vehicle if you plan on doing any long distance towing. As far as a trailer is concerned, I have a Floe aluminum trailer with a Floe aluminum cap. I've had it for six years and have been pleased with it go to floeintl.com to find out more.

The little Saturn does a pretty decent job of towing. Yes a bigger vehicle would tow a little better, but I like towing with the car (I have a 1 ton pick-up too, but fuel economy is horrible - it's good for the 10,000+ lbs trailers).

The car does have a top of the line inertial brake controller, significantly beefed up rear suspension (40% stiffer springs, 1.5" taller, stiffer struts, stiffer swaybar) plus a bunch of other mods for towing our 2000 lbs (when loaded) camper. It has 220,000 kms on it now, with around 70,000 kms of that towing 2000 lbs trailers (current sled trailer with the sleds weights just about 2000 lbs too).

The floe trailers look just like the Karavan I was looking at today.

 

[ReX]

Re: Hyland

Have you looked at Hyland Trailer?
www.hylandtrailers.com

I was looking for the link to them - thanks (couldn't remember the name).

I did look at them briefly last year. The inline double looks like a great idea as far as wind resistance. The potential problems I had with them is no one makes a lightweight enclosure for them and they weigh around 750 lbs right off the mark.

I'd bet they are the easiest to tow though.

 

[tcona-AGT]

Snowmobile Trailers - Deluxe Enclosed 144 D (double bed) 100 x 144
Completely redesigned for 2003. The improved radius reinforced enclosure is designed for strength, appearance and improved aerodynamics. All Exterior hardware and hinges are stainless steel.
This trailer meets or exceeds all Canadian and U.S. safety standards. Like all Hyland trailers, this model carries a full 1 year written warranty,
Standard features


Full 12' long interior length. (Double model only. Single model 11" interior length)
Trailer Wt: 401 kgs. or 882 lbs.
G.V.W.R. 1,359 kgs. or 2,990 lbs.
Tire Size: 13" with galvanized spoke rims
Axle: 3500 lbs.
galvanized rims
tilt shock support
Open position safety lock system
Heavy duty spring suspension. (Torsion axle optional).
spare tire
Fold up tongue jack with wheel
Full perimeter molded weather seal.
White plastic step fenders (single model only)
2" plated coupler
Interior dome lighting
Full pressure treated plywood deck
Interior tie down rings
Rear lockable latch c/w rubber hold downs
Tilt shock support
EZ lube hubs
Open position safety lock
Graphics optional
Product Code: ENC144D

 

[impalapower]

Being you have a full sized pickup, use that. I know the milage might be not as good compared to the car, but really, a larger tow vehicle would be a better match for what you are pulling, and safer too. You're killing that little car! Its a car, not a tow vehicle!

 

[BlgsRX-1mtn]

You could try Triton out if there is a dealer near you. I have a 12' V-nose With a salt gaurd. They do make a alluminum cover or you could go with the toyhauler covers. The Elite 12' trailer I have weighs 550 lbs. They have a spec sheet button on their sight along with a list of accessories. I am very happy with my Triton. I have a full season with no issues on any part of the trailer.

www.tritontrailers.com


Edit; Alumite Industries is the distributer for Ontario east of Thunder Bay Located in Orangeville, Ont. Fast Enterprises covers North West Ontario is located in Headingly, Man. Numbers for each are (204) 895-1727 (Fast) and (800) 668-8757 (Alumite). They will tell you where the closest dealer is. Hope this helps you.


Jim

 

[ReX]

Being you have a full sized pickup, use that. I know the milage might be not as good compared to the car, but really, a larger tow vehicle would be a better match for what you are pulling, and safer too. You're killing that little car! Its a car, not a tow vehicle!

I always enjoy these discussings...

The car/trailer is easier to drive and more stable than the truck/trailer combination and it stops faster (the hard compound deep lug mud tires on the truck don't have anywhere near the grip on the dry or the snow - I run Hakkapella 1's on the car in the winter and they grip very well). We did a little test comparing my car with the Hakkapella's to my wifes car with all seasons. Without the trailer brakes assisting I could stop in the same distance on hard packed snow. With the trailer brakes I could out brake her by about 30% (she now has 4 snow tires - after that exercise...).

As far as durability - 220,000 kms; 70,000 kms towing; original clutch, rear brake drums, rear brake pads, front rotors, doesn't burn any oil, very minimal repairs so far (only a set of front pads, a radiator, a set of rear struts, and new rear springs & rear sway bar when it was new). I also race it at the race track (road course). It has about 30 hours of flat out racing on it (different front rotors and race compound pads and dedicated tires/rims though).

I run Delvac 1300S 15w40 motor oil and Redline MTL transaxle fluid and change the fluids regularly, but that's it for driveline mods.

I'm hoping to get 500,000 kms out of it - with the way I use it.

 

[ReX]

Snowmobile Trailers - Deluxe Enclosed 144 D (double bed) 100 x 144
Completely redesigned for 2003. The improved radius reinforced enclosure is designed for strength, appearance and improved aerodynamics. All Exterior hardware and hinges are stainless steel.
This trailer meets or exceeds all Canadian and U.S. safety standards. Like all Hyland trailers, this model carries a full 1 year written warranty...

This one sounds pretty good and for the size the weight isn't bad. Too bad they don't make a 10' version. I figure with my shorter sleds there would be too much tongue weight and it is a little heavy to start with.

 

[tcona-AGT]

Just position the sleds inside to distribute the wieght to what you want.
I know a person who has one & pull it with a car. That fiberglass top is very aerodynamic.

 

[BigDog05]

My 2 cents. If you have to make an evasive movement to avoid hitting someone or somone hitting you and the trailer is forced off the berm is the trailer going to drag the car with it?