Community Forums

nvs4602 · 10-12-2019, 10:04 PM

Looking to buy an aluminium enclosed car trailer, to pull behind our 2017 31ft leprechaun 311fs on E450 chassis. I think I want a 8.5 x 24 ft trailer 7ft tall inside. I might be able to get by with a 20ft. Or 22ft. But is there really a big difference in towing a 20ft vs 24ft.? I'm looking at a bravo silver star like this with escape door. https://www.premiercustomtrailers.co...zEDg%7CMT.html
Our car is a 2013 malibu eco. Any in put is welcomed.

A32Deuce · 10-13-2019, 07:18 AM

Weight! What is you hitch rated for? I tow an open deck 16 ft car trailer and with the Escape on it at max tow WEIGHT of 5000lbs.

winniman · 10-13-2019, 08:44 AM

That was my first thought. 20 foot plus trailers are usually only in the diesel pusher category. What are you putting in there, and what is your hitch rated for. Even an aluminum trailer that size is going to be well over 2000 lbs. My guess is you are going to be maxed out towing this rig. Stopping it might be the bigger concern.

GBRG07 · 10-13-2019, 08:52 AM

TrailerToad.com

I have seen a few guys tow a 24 foot trailer with a C class at the race track.
They used these trailer "toads".
I personally think it's way to much for a those frames but ….

Sandy Swede · 10-13-2019, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBRG07

TrailerToad.com

I have seen a few guys tow a 24 foot trailer with a C class at the race track.
They used these trailer "toads".
I personally think it's way to much for a those frames but ….

How do they prevent jackknifing during a hard brake using a TrailerToad? Seems to be two points of rotation.

twinboat · 10-13-2019, 09:35 AM

The brakes on the trailer should be pulling back, preventing jack knifing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Swede

How do they prevent jackknifing during a hard brake using a TrailerToad? Seems to be two points of rotation.

twinboat · 10-13-2019, 09:36 AM

My 2017 E450 Axis has a 7000 or 8000 lb hitch, although its not a 30ft MH.

A32Deuce · 10-13-2019, 10:18 AM

You have to realize its the total combined weight. Just because you see someone in the wrong doing it does not make it right. That toad has weight, the trailer is not light and what ever you put in it, the total combined will exceed your RV combined weight. I would not tow that combo to my local track even though its only 15 miles away!

1ciderdog · 10-13-2019, 11:47 AM

I pulled a 24 foot enclosed trailer from SW Oregon up to and around Alaska - in my previous motorhome (a 40 foot diesel pusher). That became complicated a few times at fuel stations and RV parks. What are you needing to haul? I had a car, ATV, BBQ, spare tires and a lot of tools. Became a heavy load. Not sure I'd try that with my current class C.

nvs4602 · 10-13-2019, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvs4602

Looking to buy an aluminium enclosed car trailer, to pull behind our 2017 31ft leprechaun 311fs on E450 chassis. I think I want a 8.5 x 24 ft trailer 7ft tall inside. I might be able to get by with a 20ft. Or 22ft. But is there really a big difference in towing a 20ft vs 24ft.? I'm looking at a bravo silver star like this with escape door. https://www.premiercustomtrailers.co...zEDg%7CMT.html
Our car is a 2013 malibu eco. Any in put is welcomed.

Mine is 7500lb tow capacity, with 750lb tongue weight.
I will be around 6800lb with trailer and car.

If i go to a 20' trailer I would be at 6100 lbs car and trailer. So I would have a little bit more of a safety cushion if i did need to put something else in the trailer.

A32Deuce · 10-14-2019, 07:32 AM

Just remember that it is also gross combined weight. What you put in the rv and the trailer could put you over. Just something to be aware of.

nvs4602 · 10-14-2019, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Just remember that it is also gross combined weight. What you put in the rv and the trailer could put you over. Just something to be aware of.

14500 lbs for motorhome and 22000 lbs combined is what the sticker says.

winniman · 10-14-2019, 11:47 AM

6800 lb trailer should have around 12 percent on the tongue for proper towing. That equates to 816 lbs. This is over your tongue weight. They recommend 12 to 15 %. Your payload capacity states 1683 lbs. That only leave you just over 800 pounds for cargo. A full tank of water is about 400 pounds if you have a 50 gallon tank. That leaves you not much for passengers, food, clothes, etc. You may find it also overloads your rear axle rating. If you were travelling locally this might be feasible, but I don't think I would plan cross country travel this way. That's not to say people don't do it, but as a general rule, maxing out your towing is not ideal. Any reason you couldn't dolly or four down the tow car.

nvs4602 · 10-14-2019, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winniman

6800 lb trailer should have around 12 percent on the tongue for proper towing. That equates to 816 lbs. This is over your tongue weight. They recommend 12 to 15 %. Your payload capacity states 1683 lbs. That only leave you just over 800 pounds for cargo. A full tank of water is about 400 pounds if you have a 50 gallon tank. That leaves you not much for passengers, food, clothes, etc. You may find it also overloads your rear axle rating. If you were travelling locally this might be feasible, but I don't think I would plan cross country travel this way. That's not to say people don't do it, but as a general rule, maxing out your towing is not ideal. Any reason you couldn't dolly or four down the tow car.

The 2013 Malibu is not able to tow 4 down. I had a tow dolly and the nose of the car hit the dolly and you had to use long boards to load it, then you have to take boards with you and that is a pain. To setup up a car as a 4 wheel down toad is expensive and i don't want to be strapped to buying just cars that are 4 down towable. With a trailer I could put any car in it with out having to setup each one for 4 wheel down towing. Not to mention having the protection from the elements in the trailer.