Trailer - Gotta Have Upgrades

[rbsWELDER]

There has been a great deal of technical discussions on trailers in the last week or two.

I was thinking about car haulers and I was wonder what your 'must have' upgrades are or what are the things that you would recommend to other new trailer owners.

[Kevin Seward]

Good question Mark,

The main thing I recommend is an on board battery to operate the lights without being connected to the truck and a wire to recharge it when running down the highway. I also particularly like the backup lights on mine because for my work I do move the trailer around at night and they help a bunch when doing this by myself. Because I also work out of this trailer I have added several shelves for storage. I also use the on board battery to operate my trailer brakes rather than the small battery hanging on the tongue of the trailer which supplies power to the electric brakes when the trailer would become disconnected. Aluminum treadplate on the floor under the middle of the car to make any leaks easy to clean up with out soaking into the wood or carpet or what ever the floor covering is made of. Pop out side vents to help with air circulation, heat build up and any fumes. One last thing I have also added a light on the outside of my side door which lights up when the light inside is on. that has saved me several times from walking off and leaving the lights on running down my battery.

I am thinking about adding LED lights to the interior just so the battery lasts longer.

Hitec

[Bob Lemke]

Tie downs
Spring assisted ramp door
interior 12 volt lights on a switch
roof vents
one side door

[Ron Pope]

Here are a few must haves.

Beaver tail in rear floor.
Radial tires.
Like Kevin said an on board battery, with extra interior lights.
V nose, for better fuel mileage.


We are looking at selling our 24' trailer, and getting a 30-32' one. If you might be interested in the 24 let me know.

[Bob Lemke]

Show Mark your trailers so he can get an idea of what he might like. Since Ron is on board, no speeding trailers. lol

[rbsWELDER]

Good question Mark,

I also particularly like the backup lights on mine because for my work I do move the trailer around at night and they help a bunch when doing this by myself.
Hitec

Great input all!

Specific questions/comments:

Kevin:
- How did you wire the B/U lights? Was it through the connector?
- On the PowerBlock show this morning, they added two length of the trailer lights, using Oracle LED Strip Lights, to a trailer that they were building. My brief search indicated that they are VERY expensive (Over $13.00 per foot)

Ron:
-After a conversation with Bill Darr, at the Nats, I am prestty focused on a 20' rig. So thanks Ron, but I will pass on your offer.

Bob:
- Pictures of upgrades would be interesting, pics of trailers would not be of much help to me.

[Bob Lemke]

The pictures showed the upgrades of a rock guard, spring assisted loading ramp/door, interior lights, tie downs, and roof vents.

[Kevin Seward]

Hey Mark,
Yes the backup light was wired through the 7 pin plug and an extra wire was added the length of the trailer and tucked into the loom bundle. I then changed out the standard brake lights on the ramp door to include the back up option. I did it with the help of a friend about 10 years ago, so I don't recall exact specifics at this minute, but can get pictures in a couple days as the trailer in out of town right this minute. I also recommend putting the battery in a case to protect it and use wing nuts to connect the wires so that it is easy to remove + an inline fuse.

Another option I added to mine to aid in driving into the trailer was to paint a black line on the ramp door to track the front left tire on so I would not rub my tires too much. I have very little clearance between the tires and door opening. I have also added a protrusion to the wheel box on the passenger side to pull the tire into as a stop when I trailer the car. I will get pictures of the additions I have installed to mine over the years.

I bought the trailer used but near new and it was not specifically built as a car hauling trailer, it was a cargo trailer without the beaver tail. This required me to build the floor up so I didn't drag the headers and oil pan.

I would definitely go with the V nose today if doing this as an ordered unit.

Later,

Hitec

[Krovette]

Lollie suggest you have cabinets to store the pots and pans . I also put a 110 volt circuit in with lights and an outlet in case I can plug into a power source so I can save the 12 volt battery. I have a winch in the bottom cabinet I can use to pull a car in by opening the cabinet door and pulling the cable out.

[rbsWELDER]

Lollie suggest you have cabinets to store the pots and pans . I also put a 110 volt circuit in with lights and an outlet in case I can plug into a power source so I can save the 12 volt battery. I have a winch in the bottom cabinet I can use to pull a car in by opening the cabinet door and pulling the cable out.

Keith,

What size is your winch?

Thanks,