Trailer Transportation

Jmurrz said:

Maybe it's not the proper way, but I always transported it like this.

I just picked up an enclosed (last week) for a deal I couldn't pass up and I think I am going to be strapping it the same way.

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Enclosed trailers suck!

I used one to haul my cobra to kc and drop it off, my 5.4 f150 could barely pull it loaded or unloaded. You could almost watch the gas gauge fall and the best I could do was 60 mph. Also climbing out of the car dukes of hazard style just tears up the car.

When I went to pick up the cobra I used an open trailer. It was much easier to load the car and I was able to tow it back 75mph no problem. Just make sure you masking tape the front bumper.

Unless your a very large guy and cant get under the car at all I'd really suggest strapping around the a arms and rear axle/control arms. I cringe every time I see cars on trailers or on the dyno strapped around wheels, especially expensive ones. Over time it will leave small scuffs/scratches on them. At my work we pick up/drop off expensive cars weekly and never strap thru wheels. And this is with a 60 year old driver moving around in an enclosed trailer so if he can do it you can too!

cj428mach said:

Enclosed trailers suck!

I used one to haul my cobra to kc and drop it off, my 5.4 f150 could barely pull it loaded or unloaded. You could almost watch the gas gauge fall and the best I could do was 60 mph. Also climbing out of the car dukes of hazard style just tears up the car.

When I went to pick up the cobra I used an open trailer. It was much easier to load the car and I was able to tow it back 75mph no problem. Just make sure you masking tape the front bumper.

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So far I have to disagree...

I am towing it with a big turbo Duramax most of the time, so power is not an issue. It tows like you don't know its behind you. I would say that a F150 is not suited for towing this much weight, so if I had to guess that's probably why you had issues.

As far as getting in and out, I open the door and get out like I would normally. I am not a tiny guy either. As long as you pull closer to the passenger side you don't have to climb out the window.

Jmurrz said:

So far I have to disagree...

I am towing it with a big turbo Duramax most of the time, so power is not an issue. It tows like you don't know its behind you. I would say that a F150 is not suited for towing this much weight, so if I had to guess that's probably why you had issues.

As far as getting in and out, I open the door and get out like I would normally. I am not a tiny guy either. As long as you pull closer to the passenger side you don't have to climb out the window.

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Its not really a weight issue its an aerodynamics one. My truck struggled more pulling the enclosed back empty than the open trailer loaded with my car. A diesel would help.

The enclosed trailer I had the doors wouldn't clear the inner fenders.

Wind drag on an enclosed trailer sucks. My buddy pulls his with his Cummins diesel and he said he notices a huge difference vs an open trailer. Has nothing to do with lack of power.

I use a 6k lb empty utility trailer for my car, I use a 6.2L F150 to pull it and it pulls without an issue at 75 on the highway. Sometimes I can't even tell its back there.

The downside to using over the wheel straps are if your tires are soft or loose pressure, your straps will loosen. I have protective covers on my axle straps and I use micro fiber towels when I go through my wheels and there are no marks from them. I have an acrylic clear coat option on my TF wheels too.

I start with the car on the trailer in neutral with wheels blocked untill i get the front straps on the lower control arm, rear straps i hook up to the factory mounts in the rear upper fender (if you look you will see them) snug down then engage parking break but leave in neutral.I then tighten rears to load the sespension , not bottomed out just enough to take the movement out of the rear, tighten fronts and always re snug after some driving just to check.I find trailer feels much better without car bouncing around as much plus no more scratched wheels or loosening straps.I have done a 9000 mile trip every year for the past 6 years and never had an issue with anything.

I wrapped the straps with long microfiber towels. Traveled 300 miles with them on there an not scratched or scuffed wheels when I unloaded.