[JD_]

For those that tow your cars to the track, if you had it to do over again, would you get an 18-foot or 20-foot trailer?

I am leaning towards the 20-footer just to have a little extra deck space for fuel cans, spare set of wheels, etc., but if its really not necessary and I can save a few $$ that would be preferable.

thanks,
JD

[Provoste]

Definitely 20 foot, you need the length to keep your tongue weight in check.

[kdeja]

Yep, 20 ft. As mentioned above, allows you to keep the car back a bit to help reduce some of the tongue weight.

[Stephen12ZL1]

I have an 18' Featherlite and it is fine. Car fits perfectly and I have room to spare. Some manufacturers make 19' units as well such as Sundowner. My purchase was a used deal so I can't complain

[Move_Over]

Either will fit however the 20’ leaves much more room for other stuff. I’ve had both in the last year and 20’ is definitely the way to go.

[94boosted]

I tow mine on a 16' open deck and have no issues with tongue weight (~11.5%). Though I'd prefer an 18'.

[apexit53]

Originally Posted by 94boosted

I tow mine on a 16' open deck and have no issues with tongue weight (~11.5%). Though I'd prefer an 18'.

omg i want this setup!

[Choda]

I had a 16 foot open deck for years and towed everything you could think of on it. I dont see a use for the trailer to hold gas cans or tires or whatever when you have the back of the truck. The 16 footer was able to park anywhere and move by hand whenever and where ever. I am thinking more and more about getting another one. Econo Trailer in PA has the best price on them.

[Move_Over]

Originally Posted by Choda

I had a 16 foot open deck for years and towed everything you could think of on it. I dont see a use for the trailer to hold gas cans or tires or whatever when you have the back of the truck. The 16 footer was able to park anywhere and move by hand whenever and where ever. I am thinking more and more about getting another one. Econo Trailer in PA has the best price on them.

I usually have a tent, loads of tools, fluids, compressor etc and luggage in the back of my truck bed. Most tonneau covers won't close with tires and fuel cans in the truck bed and i definitely wouldn't want all that stuff getting wet in case of rain.

[JD_]

Thanks everyone and an extra thanks to those who posted pics of your trailer setup. I have settled on a 20 foot aluminum trailer, with a full deck.

[ember1205]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

I have an 18' Featherlite and it is fine. Car fits perfectly and I have room to spare. Some manufacturers make 19' units as well such as Sundowner. My purchase was a used deal so I can't complain

Can you provide some detail on how you secure the rear of the car to the trailer?

[ember1205]

Originally Posted by 94boosted

I tow mine on a 16' open deck and have no issues with tongue weight (~11.5%). Though I'd prefer an 18'.

For me, that's "too much squat" in the tow vehicle and I would be looking to reduce that tongue weight a touch or I would put on a WDH.

[Move_Over]

Originally Posted by ember1205

For me, that's "too much squat" in the tow vehicle and I would be looking to reduce that tongue weight a touch or I would put on a WDH.

If the tongue weight is proper, you don’t want to reduce any tongue weight as you’ll start to sway. He may have a bed full of equipment as well. I would encourage everyone to grab a tongue weight scale, or once fully loaded up go see your local trailer dealer and have them measure your TW. Most of these modern 1500’s will squat if you look at them wrong. I usually add a set of airbags in my 1500’s for squat reduction. Makes for a less wallowy ride too.

[ember1205]

Originally Posted by Move_Over

If the tongue weight is proper, you don’t want to reduce any tongue weight as you’ll start to sway. He may have a bed full of equipment as well. I would encourage everyone to grab a tongue weight scale, or once fully loaded up go see your local trailer dealer and have them measure your TW. Most of these modern 1500’s will squat if you look at them wrong. I usually add a set of airbags in my 1500’s for squat reduction. Makes for a less wallowy ride too.

I agree that reducing the tongue weight has to be done 'cautiously' as having enough tongue weight is key for proper handling of the trailer. My biggest concern over the level of squat that I see in that pic is that the wheel wells over the rears are definitely showing that the rear end is down, but the fronts show that the front end has been lightened. A WDH could help put some of that front weight back in place to ensure that the tow vehicle handling is proper as well.