What do you think about Car Hauler (Trailer)?

[WyoFree]

Hey guys, So what about it... What about a Car Hauler? We’re here at an RV park and have been surprised at how many I’ve seen. I get the convenance part of maybe having to move it at the park. But there’s something to be said about getting the car completely off the road.

The only experience I’ve had is years ago when I rented a diesel U-haul and pulled our SUV on a hauler. Didn’t have a single problem. Although that’s not RVing.

So what say you?

[Craig1960]

I used to haul an enclosed 24' behind my m/h and it was a bit of a pain because we would only be there for a night or maybe two sometimes when traveling to a race. Most places would make me unhook and park it in the overflow or somewhere like that.
A few times we made a bit of a holiday traveling to a race and then it wasn't a problem at all, garage for the car and a place to carry more stuff.

[BOOZE TRAVEL]

If you are just hauling a toad I don't see any advantage.
I have been planning to buy a 20' 10k open car trailer to make it a stacker and carry a sxs also. It would keep weight a little lower and I could use it for general hauling too. If not taking other toys I would keep towing the Jeep 4 down.

[Bill Gail]

Originally Posted by WyoFree

Hey guys, So what about it... What about a Car Hauler? We’re here at an RV park and have been surprised at how many I’ve seen. I get the convenance part of maybe having to move it at the park. But there’s something to be said about getting the car completely off the road.

The only experience I’ve had is years ago when I rented a diesel U-haul and pulled our SUV on a hauler. Didn’t have a single problem. Although that’s not RVing.

So what say you?

I say do what works for you .

We do both , 4 down with our rural/urban assault vehicle and , at times trailer our MG .

We have the process to the point where either tow takes about the same time to hook-up .

Just be sure to have brakes and brake away capability on what ever you tow.

[MemByTheMile]

Most people seem to like toads vs trailers.

We are recent full-timers and use a trailer. Our trailer is 24’ partially enclosed (nose section enclosed). This trailer allows us to have bikes and other storage items kept dry inside and be able to keep our loved SUV (which is not capable of being a toad).

Yes, takes more planning for the trailer, but in our first six months and in our next 12+ months of planning, we have been able to visit/book any area that we want.

We do not usually overnight at a campground but will use a dry docking option where we can just keep everything hooked up. If we used campgrounds for overnight stops, that would make things more challenging as unloading the SUV and unhooking the trailer would add a little more time.

Good luck in your choice!

[WyoFree]

Thanks guys and MemByTheMile, it doesn’t seem like you’ve found the hauler to be an inconvenience. We also dry camp on the way to our destination.

I just watched a video where a guy at an RV park, left the hauler attached to the motorhome. When he left in the car he drove off the hauler and when he came back just drove back up on it. Thereby not needing to park the hauler somewhere else. I’d of not thought of that.

Are there specific brands that have good reputations I
Should look at?

[153stars]

There a some vids and articles of advantages and disadvantages of each.
A tow dolley can easily be stowed away and most people can drag one around so you don't have to really back up to it.
Tow bar you drive toad to MH it right in front of you.
A trailer is the only one that adds weight to rear axle 10-15% on tongue is necessary to keep it from getting squirrelly begging you. A rear camera will help backing up to it.
All will need some form of brakes. The toad will have most options to consider for what works for you.
There's a tow section that your post will get probably moved to with lots of info.

[yeloduster]

In terms of towing stability the three methods are most stable in this order:

1. Twin axle trailer
2. Tow dolly
3. 4 down

The larger your motorhome the less the stability matters. Ya can't feel it back there regardless of your towing method if your motorhome is big enough.

I do not have a trailer but I have towed on a trailer and I prefer that method because of the lower wear and tear on the toad. I've used all and but west I don't have a preference really. They all have their virtues and they all have their evils. Pick you poison.

[Isaac-1]

I own an 18 ft metal deck car hauler, though I don't drag it around behind the RV, I have only actually hauled a car on it a few times, more often I use it to equipment, lumber, etc. (the local hardware store / lumber yard has a policy that they will not load any trucks or trailers with sides on them with a fork lift. Like the one in this link: https://tophattrailers.com/catalog/p...l-car-hauler/#


the biggest issue I have loading cars onto it, is that most modern cars are so low to the ground that I need extended ramps, and also it is often impossible to open the doors of the car once they are loaded as the line up with the wheel fenders. In addition to this while towing you have to watch out more for clipping things going around corners, etc. than you would with a dolly or a TOAD as if you have one like mine it is a 102 inch maxi-width trailer so the width as a modern class A coach, where a TOAD or even a Dolly will tend to stay much more within the shadow of the path of the coach due to being much narrower. (ok technically the Dolly may be up to 102 inches wide, but it is a lot closer to the back bumper of the coach at its widest point).


p.s. the only way I would pick a trailer over a dolly or TOAD would be if I was toying a toy that could not easily be towed otherwise.

[Barneyb]

If we were to tow our toad on a trailer I would just purchase an 18’ aluminum open trailer. One advantage I see with a trailer is you can back up your entire rig anywhere whereas with a toad we cannot even back into our driveway hooked up.
We recently retired from racing and we were 75’ total length, stayed in many RV parks while traveling across the country we just made sure they offered long pull through spots. We even stayed at Graceland RV park in Memphis and had no issue maneuvering in and out of the park.
Good luck one which ever you decide.

[ScttBvr]

We are actually getting ready to pick up our stacker here in a couple of weeks, 24 foot, should hold small car and a couple of motorcycles. I have towed a 20 foot car hauler trailer for years. Dual axle is a must for an enclosed trailer. I like enclosed trailer because of extra space for things that I might need on a trip (firewood, grill etc etc) depending on the trip we were taking. I did a car dolly prior to that because my toad couldn't do 4 wheel down, IT SUCKED. I was nervous the whole time. to many stories of straps coming loose. I am all for a enclosed trailer if you need more space for stuff, if it is Just for the car. 4 wheel tow would be the way to go just so you don't have the weight.

COMMING SOON 8.5x20' Car hauler for sale.

[WyoFree]

I’ve been surprised how difficult it is to get prices. I’ve looked at the websites for
Econ Trailer
Load Trailer
Max XD trailers
And none of them give prices. Can you think of any reason that price is a closely guarded secret?

Do you know a good dealer who carry these brands where prices would be shown?

[Barneyb]

Originally Posted by WyoFree

I’ve been surprised how difficult it is to get prices. I’ve looked at the websites for
Econ Trailer
Load Trailer
Max XD trailers
And none of them give prices. Can you think of any reason that price is a closely guarded secret?

Do you know a good dealer who carry these brands where prices would be shown?

I don’t think any manufacturers will give you pricing, you have to find a dealer. I’ve never heard of any of those trailer manufacturers so I can’t help.
Good luck with your search.

[ScttBvr]

Originally Posted by WyoFree

I’ve been surprised how difficult it is to get prices. I’ve looked at the websites for
Econ Trailer
Load Trailer
Max XD trailers
And none of them give prices. Can you think of any reason that price is a closely guarded secret?

Do you know a good dealer who carry these brands where prices would be shown?

A lot of the dealers are wanting you to reach out to them so they keep pricing close hold. I found that once you call them then they attempt their high pressure sale crap to try to get you to buy when you are only price shopping. depending on the type of trailer you are looking for you can spend as little as 5k to 70k