Buying suggestions for all aluminum 28' race trailer
 

Just sold my 24' enclosed race trailer.

Considering going to a 26' or 28' trailer, but need to be able to pull with my 2014 1500 Silverado 4x4 with 5.3 engine and 3.42 gear. I am thinking I should go to an all aluminum trailer to keep the weight manageable. Main reason to upsize is to make room to drive a golf cart in from the rear and haul length wise with my 1980 Malibu. Of course there is not a budget for a new Featherlite or other top name brand. I have found a few new trailers bare around $10,000. One option suggested by builders is spread axles.

Any experience/suggestions with this type deal appreciated.

A golf cart is 1,000lbs added to the front of a trailer even if it's in the back. ( that just means you have to pull car all the way to the front) 28' trailer with a car and golf cart is to much for a 1/2 truck. It's not just about pulling it, it's about handling the weight and stopping it.
I have a 3/4 ton Duramax and my 24'er loaded with cart and truck is about all it wants to SAFELY haul and it a 3/4 ton (with weight distribution hitch.) I'm planning to buy a bigger trailer so I ended up buying a dually and now use it to haul the trailer. Hope you're not pulling more than a few miles and on pretty flat ground. I've totaled 2 trucks and a trailer at less than 45mph because of using a 1/2 ton truck to tow a big trailer. Trust me jackknifing and flipping the trailer and truck on top of us in the tow truck is not much fun! Calling 3 tow trucks to haul tow truck, race truck and one to haul the trailer is not much fine either.

Thank you Rabbit. That's some input I am looking for.

I have located a CRICKKET golf cart that only weighs 300#. But they are $4000 new. A baseline 26-28' all aluminum trailer is about 3500# bare and cost minimum $10,000. And the spread axle option for better distribution is another $500.

I am hauling less than 50 miles to our 3 local tracks and we are on flat ground here in central Illinois. I previously had a 2500 Silverado with 6.0 engine and 373 gears pulling a 28' trailer and that was the way to go back then. But that was with a 2200# car. Now I have a 3000# car

I know you have to be cautious braking with a trailer and lighter duty truck. At least this new truck has 4 wheel disc brakes

Just trying to make the right next move. 26 foot could be long enough for the Crickket, but maybe not a regular size golf cart. I have tried scooters at the track, but my wife is not comfortable on one by herself. She really liked the golf cart we had before and it helps to have a place to put an air tank and fuel jug.

Keep the suggestions/info coming guys. I have all winter to do something. But if I order an all aluminum one it could take 8 weeks to get one made.

no need for more info, rabbit gave you the correct answer but it sounds like its not the answer your looking for. the 1/2 ton trucks are way to light to do any serious hauling, they will pull it okay but getting it to stop is another.

I pull with a 1/2 3300lb car about 40 mi to the track on a open trailer. My next truck will be a 3/4 ton just for stability and I pull up and down hills. It was not a big deal when I lived 10 miles from the track but now I pull on the interstate it not worth chancing like rabbit said.

I tow a 24 foot steel v nose, my car is a 3600lb chevelle, tool box, fuel,cabinets,winch,jacks,spare tires, slicks, etc all add up, so I bought a quad, it is lighter than a golf cart. My tow vehicle is a 2001 yukon 2500 with the 496 bbc, I bought it when I bought my enclosed in 07. I think the newer 1500 have a bigger tow load. I like using the 2500.

Not sure how much a cricket weights. Rick Huff designed them and sells them here in Augusta. He can tell you. The problem isn't just the weight of the cart and car. When you start adding; generator, gas, jacks, spare parts, cabinets, tables, race suit, microwave, golf carts / 4wheeler ( which are lighter than golf carts),tool boxes, air compressor, grills, coolers, stuff, etc. it gets beyond what a 1/2 ton truck can safely HANDLE. It's not about pulling it, it's about handling the load and stopping the load.
I have friends that pull 24'ers with 1/2 ton trucks, but they can't add anything to the trailer other than BARE necessities.

A big wind gust can sure be dangerous to a big trailer and not enough truck.

Could someone get Mark to put his location in so I can be on the lookout for a 1/2 ton truck pulling a 28' trailer if he is close to me? Not the best idea in my opinion.

Curtis

I have been doing it for years off and on with 1/2 ton trucks. Never with a 28 foot though, just a 24 foot trailer that weighed 4450# empty. But I do not take very much with me to the local ILLINOIS tracks I go to. No generator or big tool boxes, Just a light bench and a few tote bins of necessities, cooler, gas, winch and a battery.

I can see the input has been negative to the idea. I don't take any offense as you guys know what works for you.

I no longer have the 24' trailer. I will buy something to use for next season. I think an aluminum frame trailer is the lightest reasonable option. A 26 foot is about 3600# and 100# less tongue weight empty, but at a $2000 additional cost. That's about 800# less than my old trailer. A Crikkett weighs 305#. I have driven them at car shows/swap meets where they were rentals, and they are alright for light use, but only have a 300# payload. There is a dealer for them within driving distance in Indiana. I have been there and they sell several, can service them and have parts in stock for them. They are not made in the USA, which I don't like.

I am looking at ATC 26' now. About $12,000 base price bare.

The Crickkett may or may not end up in there, we'll see.

The ATC trailers that I have looked at are nice pieces. A friend has one of the upper end units and I would love to have it. You are doing the right thing keeping the weight down. I would also use a weight distribution hitch and dampener so you can control the wag. I pulled a 20' enclosed just a short time with my 1/2 ton Supercrew. Crossed a river bridge running 60 mph with 45 mph gusting cross wind. You should have seen that white knuckle ride. LOL Granted my Supercrew is more of a car with a bed than a real truck. Just be as safe as you can. I wouldn't want to see any racer have a wreck.

That same day the wind was so bad wasn't much fun at the track either. Didn't mean to sound like an ass in my earlier reply. Sometimes funny doesn't translate.

Curtis

No offense taken. I really appreciate you guys caring enough to help set a racer straight and be concerned for the safety of fellow racers.

And your right, you can't tell if a guy is being serious or not sometimes from the other side of a screen.

This turned out to be a better subject than I thought. Too bad the rest of the RJ forums can't get a little something going.

The attach link is a photo of my Silverado 2500 HD, 4-WD with Duramax and Allison 6-Spd auto, 24ft Pace GT Shadow enclose trailer (28" OAL), with my golf cart pit vehicle and trailer (double tow). The gross weight is slightly under 10K and the 2500 HD handles this towing package without any problems. I do use the load-leveler hitch which makes everything extremely stable towing.

http://www.racingjunk.com/gallery/album/4583/738693

Kinda off the subject of the trailer, but

I've never weighted one, but I would have thought a battery operated one would probably weight more than 300lbs. The load capacity at 300lbs shouldn't be a problem. I think they have the same motor as a regular cart. I'm sure you can get all this info from your local dealer.
If it makes you feel any better Rick Huff (his place is almost next to my work) designed the crickets and spent some time in China with a manufacture to build them for him. I remember looking at the drawing of them before he went to China. He use to rebuild and sell club car and I thought he was crazy when he said he was going to quit and go with the crickets 100%. Club Car and EZ GO are both made here in Augusta and we have a lot of other (spin off) golf cart related businesses here.

I haven't been by his place in a few years, but if you need any info about a Cricket and unable to get it let me know and I will get it for you.

http://www.ricksesv.com/blog/

Edit. I just read on Rick's web page that it is 303lbs. Dang that's light! I may have to see that for myself!! lol

Thanks for the info Rabbit. The Cricket is well accepted in several venues, but unknown in drag racing as far as I can tell. It is a compromise and there are no used ones for sale that I can find. The closest dealer is about 75 miles away and they are capable of service and repair.

I have put down a deposit on a 26' all aluminum trailer and in process of approving prints right now. I did not buy a ATC, went with inTech instead. A base one is $12K list price. Elliott's Trailers in Warsaw Indiana is where I am buying it from in case anyone else is interested. Tony Elliott is a racer too and has better prices.

I haven't seen one of the Crickets at the tracks in Oklahoma, or Texas, don't believe anyone around here has one just yet. But, I plan to check them out when I finally see one! Also, post some photos of your new trailer when you pick it up. A lot of the trailers are made in Indiana, that is where my Pace GT Shadow was made.

I would like to post a pic of the Cricket on here as well as the new trailer when I get it. Don't know how to do a picture on this forum.

Link for Crickets?

www.ricksesv.com or just Goggle Cricket Golf Carts.

There are 2 kinds he sells thru dealers.

SW3 is the one that is a golf cart style.

They are 32" wide X about 60" long. If you need to minimize space and weight this will do it. They are about $4000 with options. If you need a full size cart, this is not it.

sometimes lite weight is good, pulling a race car is not one of those times. i would have no interest in this little guy.

A little history about the crickets.
Rick Huff use to sell refurbished and supped up Club Car golf carts all over the US. He got into it long before so many other people did. At some point he wanted a different market. This area is well known for horses. Polo, cutting, race horses, a couple different big futurities are here on a regular basis every year. He came up with the idea of the small golf cart so it could be driven in the side door of a horse trailer and the bed is just the right size to haul 1 square bail of hay. That was the original idea, but with anything you find other uses for them. It's small enough to drive down a boat dock, fits on a small hitch (rack) behind a motorhome, etc. I thought about buying one because they are so small, but never did. They cost as much as a full size cart.

The picture of the guy pushing the cushion in the cart is Rick. he's also wearing an orange shirt in the other picture.

http://www.ricksesv.com/

A good rule of thumb is to match the trailer weight fully loaded to the tow vehicle weight..equal or heavyer on the tow vehicle..as far as trailers go i only buy an use HAULMARK or a WELLS CARGO both are build heavy an strong..also only use 8 lug on every wheel 10 ply tires not 6 ply thats on your 1/2 ton an the biggest brakes they make...with a 6 speed trans in a HD 2500 chevy pulls the show like there is nothing behind it...also pulls west vir mountains well both up an down the mountains....also remember a perfect setup is level truck an level trailer..

My 26' all aluminum trailer is under construction right now. I have pictures of each faze of building. All the floor frame, uprights and roof are done. couple more weeks and I should have it home. Built by the Almish in Nappanee Indiana. Tony Elliot Trailer sales is who I bought it from in Warsaw Indiana. He advertises on Racing Junk under the trailer section for sale ads.

It will be about 500-600# lighter than the 24' steel trailer I was using successfully with my 2014 1500 Silverado, 5.3 engine, 3.42 gear. The aluminum bench I will ad and the Cricket golf cart may put it back to where I started weight wise , but I will have 2' more to work with in length for the cart.

Well, it has taken a while, but my new trailer is to be ready to pick up next week. Now just need the weather to cooperate, which does not look too good so far for central and northern Indiana.

mark if you choose to put decals or lettering on the trailer, shot me a text I got a guy that did mine came in at 1/3 the money and zero issues in 6 years 708-308-0282. Also not sure about the interior but my buddy and I finished mine and I was very pleased Go strait and fast !!!!

Thanks for the encouragement. I will keep the phone number handy.

I have been getting reports of the DOT picking on trailers with signage on them, saying they were professionals and were subject to increased rules and fines were being handed out. Going low profile for now.

Post up some pics when you get it home. Have a safe trip when you get to go after it.

Curtis

I have pictures now, but don't know how to post on the forum. If you private message me your email, I will send pictures to you.

I now have my new inTech 26' all aluminum trailer.

It is a nice unit and I think Tony Elliott did his job getting me what I wanted.

He has steel and aluminum trailers and custom golf carts in stock and will build what you want for a fair price. He advertises on Racing Junk in the Trailer ads.

ELLIOTTSCUSTOMTRAILERS.com

Warsaw, Indiana

Esquire Network is looking for those wanting to participate in the historic LeMons Race but need help searching for a car to compete!

If you are looking for a "lemon" to compete in the LeMons Race but can't seem to find the perfect fit, then our car expert is the guy for you!

Email us at [email protected] with your name, contact info, and what "lemon" you are looking for