Open trailering poll

[Belliott3]

This is a piggyback off my other post on T trailering, which was amazingly helpful! This poll is only for those who trailer their T’s on an open trailer. I understand the argument for buying an enclosed trailer, but at this time and for my needs, which are only short local trips, an open trailer is my choice for now. So please only respond if you currently trailer with an open trailer: not if you once did and now have horror stories to convince me to buy enclosed. Now that that’s out of the way, if you currently use an open trailer for towing, what size is it and is it a single or dual axle? Please keep it as simple as those two questions and your satisfaction on your choice. Thanks!

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Single axle, open trailer, with 2 channels to drive the T onto. Leaf springs. Open deck. Completely satisfied.

[Belliott3]

What size is it Jerry?

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

What size is it Jerry?

No idea Bill. Just big enough to fit under a Model T.

[JohnM]

I have a twin axle tilt back with electric brakes that was custom made for a T. My car is not a trailer queen, I don't mind if it gets rained on. Would I like an enclosed trailer? Sure. But this one meets my needs just fine.

[Bob Solak]

We use three different trailers. Two enclosed and one open. The open is a tiltable, double-axle with brakes. And is older than me!

Satisfied with it and if I only could have one I wouldn't mind having an open one, unless I was moving around T's during the winter (road salt)

Pros:
- much easier to move yourself around the car and strap it down
- can tow with a lower towing capacity vehicle
- better rear visibility while driving it
- slightly better gas mileage
- can back it into the garage if we want to
- cheaper!

Cons:
-weather, obviously
-have to put the top down, pull the floorboards or weigh them down, etc.
-less storage for other stuff
-less security
-dead bugs in radiator/windshield!
-potential for road damage from pebbles,etc.

[Rich in Colorado]

Bill,

I have two open trailers. Both are 18 foot, one has a dovetail. I like the dovetail better, for Model T's, easier loading. Both have tandem axles. I prefer using a duel axle due to the weight (car plus trailer) and safety in case of a blowout.

I know you don't want to hear about things done to haul, but one thing I do is tie down the hood to keep it from coming off while traveling. Simple fix.




I run a PVC conduit though the hood latches. Its flexible enough to push it in, it's stays where put. Doesn't scratch anything. The hood latches cannot turn. Ford made different latches so find a conduit that's the right diameter. I happened to have some electric conduit that fit.

Sorry to over answer your question.

Rich

[tvw]

My uncle built this one in the early 70's and passed it along to me. I've run it across the western states twice now, works great! Tandem axles are preferred these days but the lightness and ease of a smaller single axle hauler is appreciated. Because uncle set the balance so well 2 people can easily roll a T up on it. The front has 2 big turnbuckles that hook to the front axle of the car that hold it in place, I use tie downs as well but the T would stay there without them. Of course open trailering does require that you pay attention to any loose items.

[DHort]

This is a photo of my single axle utility trailer. It is made by Sure-trac if you want to look it up. I think it is 16 foot, and the best part is the full size tires on it. The the rinky dink trailer tires. I put rings in the floor to tie the car down. Nice long ramp with a spring so easy to put up or down.

I have driven it from Milwaukee to Detroit, and to Nebraska. Works great.

I wanted a double axle, but it is too big for me to man handle. It is a tight fit next to the house and my reverse driving skills are about 2 out of 10.

bungee.jpg (7.65 KiB) Viewed 3726 times

Like Rich I tie my hood down with wide straps like this. I get them at Menards. The orange size is perfect for a hood.

[Ed Fuller]

I had an 2 axle open trailer.

[Humblej]

I use a 12 ft dual axle open trailer.

[walber]

I use a 6 by 12 single axle trailer since 1989. It has electric brakes (you didn't ask that but I'm a believer in them). Light enough that I can manage it on my own.

I live near Seattle and tow almost anywhere. It's been as far East as Tennessee, South as Naches, MS and Arizona, and North as Calgary. I strap to the axles and haven't had any problems. No idea how many miles on it but a lot. I've had two tire failures, neither caused issues other than inconvenience.

[jiminbartow]

In 2001, I hauled my 1926 coupe on an open U-Haul trailer 1,400 miles from York, Maine to Bartow, Florida with absolutely no problems. I pulled it onto the trailer using a 12v battery operated winch and hauled it behind my F-150 Ford truck and at times, I forgot I was even hauling anything. I highly recommend it. The only worry was when I had to stay overnight in a hotel, I was worried that someone would mess with the car, but you won’t have this worry if you are only hauling locally. Since it was restored in 1972, my T has never been exposed to rain, so I would have worried about rain, but the weather was perfect. Jim Patrick

[mtntee20]

I use an 8 x 18 (16' deck + 2' dove tail), solid wood deck, twin axle with brakes on all 4 wheels, 7000lb capacity, and 1/2 ton pick up towing. Currently hauling a 2600lb TT and a light delivery truck. Trailer and truck handle the roads and loads great.

The TT did NOT like the 14' trailer and jumped off twice. She sure likes that 16' deck to ride on.

[DanTreace]

Haul with open trailer for years, like the lightweight too for best milage. Do have a 14' L x 8' W Enclosed steel frame trailer which serves well too, and becomes a garage at tours if needed or at home.

The open is custom 14' L alum x 7' W, 4 wheel elec. brakes, dual axle with torsion axles for low slung, easy loading ramps store under at the rear. Prefer 4 wheels for safety in case of a blowout.

Open T has custom cover prevents loosing stuff, and is weather resistant. However, the enclosed trailer is nice carefree when parking overnight at motels, for security of the T, its parts and things that crumb bums would mess with.

27 touring cover for open trailer.jpg (154.07 KiB) Viewed 3648 times

[WayneJ]

I bought a used 14ft. Triton aluminum, single axle trailer with brakes. I really like the light weight of the aluminum trailer.

[Allan]

This is the 5th tilting, single axle trailer I hàve
built. At the 2010 National T Rally, all 5 were there!
It has a bed of 6' x 12'
It has a toolbox on the drawbar for the jack and tiedowns, and some spare wheel bearings.
It has a hand winch for breakdowns, but I drive on.
It has electric brakes
It is light and tows excellently at legal highway speeds.
It has a jockey wheel which allows me to push it into tight spaces with ease.
I can even adjust the axle fore and aft for unusual loads, but have never done so.
It has had two blow-outs in 20 years of use, both with loads and without incidents.

Allan from down under.

[TWrenn]

In 2001, I hauled my 1926 coupe on an open U-Haul trailer 1,400 miles from York, Maine to Bartow, Florida with absolutely no problems. I pulled it onto the trailer using a 12v battery operated winch and hauled it behind my F-150 Ford truck and at times, I forgot I was even hauling anything. I highly recommend it. The only worry was when I had to stay overnight in a hotel, I was worried that someone would mess with the car, but you won’t have this worry if you are only hauling locally. Since it was restored in 1972, my T has never been exposed to rain, so I would have worried about rain, but the weather was perfect. Jim Patrick


IMG_8496.jpeg

Those U-Haul trailers really are not only nice looking, but sturdy as heck. When my folks wised up and moved to Arizona from Ohio to live out the rest of their golden years, they used one of these behind their 24' U Haul box truck...about 2000 miles, hauling a full sized 1985 Chevy Caprice. Like you said, never knew it was back there. Gotta remember, U-Haul are hauling PROS...so you can bet it's had any "kinks" worked out of it for safety sake. I wonder if Bill could buy one used from U-Haul?

[Dan Hatch]

Google “Uhaul sell used trailer “ see what you get.

[TWrenn]

Google “Uhaul sell used trailer “ see what you get.

Ha ha, guess I shoulda thought of that. Answered that question! It's "nope"!! Too bad. Probly the usual liability fears thanks to our wonderful lawyers.

[TMiller6]

Hi Bill,

I usually tow enclosed but occasionally use a 16’ landscaping trailer I purchased from the place on Telegraph on the north end of Monroe.

It has a wood deck and I Installed several tie down points. It does not have electric brakes on its tandem axles. The axles have the flanges in install the backing plates if I decide to do so. The mesh tailgate supports my Model T without bending. The floor is flat with no rails. The crossed belts hold it in place.

I’ve never had problems with stopping or fishtailing but would consider installing brakes for longer distances.

All loose stuff inside the car gets thrown in the truck. I’ve never had a hood come loose in the short distances I haul.

[Dennis Prince]

I use a double axle trailer with a 15ft deck, it is a bit of overkill but T's aren't the only thing I use it for. If I was only towing a T, I would have a single axle trailer that had channels for the tires to set in and over the tire loop straps to tie it down. I would also have stops for the front tires so that I knew that I had the right amount of tongue weight.

[Belliott3]

Wow, great response as well as encouraging! I don’t think I’ve heard anyone claim a blowout on a single axle open trailer, while towing a T, caused any dreadful experience other than the usual pain in the neck tire change. Also, in my mind a 12’ trailer would be too small to fit a touring T comfortably, but apparently I’m wrong! Lots of options open to me now that I’ve heard from experienced others: thank you!

[Ken Buhler]

Thanks everyone for all the input.
All timed-out U-Haul trailers are destroyed. If they were sold, you wouldn't rent one.

[Craig French]

I've used both open and enclosed trailers for many years. I currently have both styles of trailers. I made my open trailer using an old boat trailer for the frame and installed new axle with electric brakes along with new decking and rails. The deck is about 12 feet long by 8 feet wide. It has an electric hoist to load and unload the cars. It is easy to haul since it isn't very long.

I also have a converted fifth wheel hauling truck that I use for long range hauling. It is a 2004 Sterling, a Canadian version of a Freightliner. It has four doors with air ride rear axle and cab along with four captains chairs. I extended the bed about three feet and lowered the center section about 8 inches. I removed the fifth wheel hitch arrangement and covered the entire deck with aluminum diamond plate. I have a 5000 pound electric winch and two folding aluminum ramps. The truck has a CAT diesel engine with a five speed automatic transmission. The total length is 28 feet compared with my previous SUV and open trailer being over 40 feet. I find that driving this diesel truck is much easier than driving my older unit. I also have it licensed as a RV here in CA so I don't have to get a commercial license and stop at all weigh stations or have health inspections. I've driven this truck on three national tours that total over 8000 miles. I get over 12MPG with this truck, compared with less than 10 MPG with my old SUV. If anybody is interested in how I converted this truck, please contact me.

[Allan]

Bill, mine have all been 12' long for a particular reason. When I build them I use three 4' x 8' sheets of 2mm plate. Each is folded to form the sides and coaming rails in one piece, giving a 6'deck width and low enough sides that a modern car can be driven on and still be able to open the doors.Then all are seam welded to the frame. They become a structural member rather than an add-on. Today, I can buy 5" x 8' sheets, and i would use one of these in the centre section to make the trailer deck a foot longer. If you look closely at the photo you will see that the T is run about 4" over the front of the deck to a restraining bar. when the car is tied down at the front, all the tie downs do is pull the axle to the bar. There is no load at all on the radius rod or its ball on the pan.

Allan from down under.