FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: cjshaker on December 29, 2015, 04:13:25 PM
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Since things are a bit slow over the holidays, I thought I'd post a few pictures of my new car hauler I picked up earlier this year to replace my open trailer. With a lot of research and help from guys on the forums, I made decisions for options that I thought would best suit my needs. I added a winch right after getting it, after looking at several different ways of mounting it so that it is out of the way. The cable pulley is able to be unhooked and kept out of the way. A big thanks goes out to Don Fotti, Dale P, Rory and Larry K. for helping me out on this, in many ways.
The truck is ready to haul it after finishing my trailer brake controller, which I'm in the process of wiring now. I absolutely HATE cheap electrical connectors and splices that cut into the factory wiring, they always cause problems down the road when you least need it. So I've made a separate harness using quality connectors and sealed connections. Hopefully it will be trouble free for years to come.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/cjshaker/IMAG2311.jpg) (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/cjshaker/media/IMAG2311.jpg.html)
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/cjshaker/IMAG2316.jpg) (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/cjshaker/media/IMAG2316.jpg.html)
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/cjshaker/IMAG2317.jpg) (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/cjshaker/media/IMAG2317.jpg.html)
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/cjshaker/IMAG2325.jpg) (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/cjshaker/media/IMAG2325.jpg.html)
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Congrats, nice looking rig. I'm sure you saw John V.'s advice on the other forum, but I thought it was good of marking enclosed trailers on the roof in case of theft so they can be identified. Vinyl lettering would probably work to keep it neat. Have fun with it.
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Kevin, I did see that from John, and yes, it seems like good advice. Theft is always a concern where I live because it's a pretty poor county, but they mainly steal scrap and anything that's easy to sell without tracing. I've already invested in some pretty good locking devices for the trailer and I'll be looking into a tracking GPS system for when it's on the road. The biggest theft deterrent I have for home is something I can't/wont discuss here on the forum...lol
My only towing concern is towing with a short frame truck. I'll just have to wait and see how that goes, but I'm a pretty safe and cautious driver.
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Really nice Doug.
I are jealous.
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very nice , I know you will have fun with that , congrads
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Nice looking trailer Doug! When can I borrow it? ;D ;D ;D
On the GPS tracker, this is the one I use. Seems to work pretty well, and not too expensive. You have to pay by the month for the GPS connection, but you can turn it on and off at your convenience.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JG8KCLO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00
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I solder & heat shrink all my connections. crimping just doesn't cut it.
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Nice car hole!
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I do plan on getting some good use out of it. While it's just going to be for fun, my new project will be aimed at a 95% strip car, so it will get some regular use with that, along with a yearly trip to the FE Reunion hopefully. I've been making some other upgrades inside like an air tank for tires, tool storage and of course a few Ford FE and 427 banners that I have :)
Nice looking trailer Doug! When can I borrow it? ;D ;D ;D
I'm not sure it would work for you, Jay. What size hitch does your Mustang have on it? ;D ;D
Thanks for that GPS tracker link. That's actually one of the ones I was looking at. Hopefully you can answer a couple of questions I had about it that I didn't see listed.
1: I assume the battery is internal since it did not list a battery type?
2: Do you know if you can cancel during winter months when it won't be in use, then resubscribe during the racing season? That would save some unnecessary expenditures when it's not needed.
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Yes and yes, the battery is internal and you can cancel the subscription when not in use. However, you do have to go online and cancel it; if you don't, they will automatically hit your credit card every month - Jay
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Nice trailer Dough
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That looks very impressive - I have never seen one on the road here in Australia ... but there must be some!!??
My only comment is probably useless but the guy wires for the ramp could appear invisible in some situations adding to a tripping danger etc. Would some small coloured flags/tags attached every few feet on the wires be a good idea? Again, I've never seen one so just an observation.
Graeme
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The common safety solution for the ramp door wires are to use swimming pool "noodles". They're usually on sale cheap here in the states during the summer.
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Pool Noodles would work and they are hard to miss with bright colors. After 10 years I finally got around to buy a couple lengths of Black foam 1/2" pipe insulation thinking it would be a clean look and do the job. Well, they did until I put the ramp door up and forgot they were on the cables. Shredded quite nicely while trying to roll up into the spool. Good thing they are cheap.
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Nice trailer! They are great for shade or a rainy day. The v-nose are nice and will help the 390 tow truck :)
What are the spec's and dimensions? Axles, tire size, gvw and suspension?
Nick
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Looks great, I love my 24 footer, works great for moving, hauling cars, and light storage when you need it. You'll love it.
Not as easy to toss around as an open trailer, but in the end, they are awesome
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family members like to borrow them when moving from one house to another and store their stuff while they are getting moved in , so always keep something , car, four wheeler , floor jack , anything in it , so you can say it it being used at this time
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Thanks for that info, Jay. And thanks, everyone, for the ideas on the wires. I like that pipe insulation idea, Dale, especially since I have gobs of the stuff at home from redoing my plumbing. I've got the west coast mirrors on my truck, which really helps with the towing and backing, although backing really is easier with a 2nd person.
The trailer itself is a 24', V nose, 5200# torsion axles for a 10,000# GTW (trailer weighs 3700#), optional aluminum 15" wheels. Along with the obvious visible options, I optioned a couple of things you cant see, like roof bows every 16" with full insulation top and sides (to stop the top from vibrating, which can lead to leaks). It also has 120 electric with lights and outlets, 2 spare tire wells and 2 winch plates, one for the winch and one for the center pulley system I installed. I'm also adding a battery system in the trailer for the winch, one that's recharged by the trucks alternator system.
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390 tow truck? I thought you were towing it with that ranger sitting a long side of it. I too, am jealous. Congrats.
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390 tow truck? I thought you were towing it with that ranger sitting a long side of it. I too, am jealous. Congrats.
Ha, I figured somebody would see the Ranger and comment that. I have a tendency to overload my trucks on occasion with wood, and that Ranger is no exception! 210,000 miles and still ticking like a Timex :) (knock on wood)
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Thanks for listening to the advice Doug. You are the first one I know of who took the advice on getting 2 spare tire wells despite my stressing it to several people. The trailer looks great and I really like those cabinets. Have fun with it.
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Thanks, Don. I really do appreciate you putting up with all the questions and letting me look over your trailer. Rather than learn the hard way (or expensive way), I always try to learn from people who have more experience than me, and you certainly have plenty of road experience. I also have a tendency to overdo things, so I knew if I got a flat, then I'd no longer have a spare, so of course a 2nd spare would be needed (probably why I have WAY to many projects and spare parts).
I also beefed up the trailer hitch that I mounted on the truck by welding plate to the rear frame and even a support plate under the hitch. I didn't forget the stories you told me...lol
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Nice rig, Doug.