Young and Stupid needs advice from Old and Wise

[drewRoberts]

Even if your young and wise you still have one up on me



Anyway, Ive come to a point where I'm running out of room in my apartment in terms of storage. Also, Since I got my little PlayToyota back up and running my entire family is now requesting its assistance for light yard work and light hauling.



So, to get the best of both world I started looking at an enclosed car trailer so I dont have to depend on others to get me back home, and a place to keep tools and other stuff.



At the most I would have my yoda in it (Tacoma SR5 2wd x-cab). so I was thinking something along the lines of a 16-20 foot trailer w/dual 3500 axels. with the 18 footer most likely being the best for me. . . I think. But I know that going with a good used trailer would be the way to go.



anyway, I am looking for some advice as to what I need to look for, look out for, and things that would be a must have.



I looked at three different manufacturers; Pace, something hauler , and another that escapes my mind :{ (I feel bad now )



Impart some knowledge on a young pup before I make a mistake

 

[Turbo Thom]

Drew... ... ... ... I fit part of your requirements. I'm old, but stupid also. Pace builds a pretty good trailer but I like the Haulmark for steel trailers and Featherlite for aluminum ones. That is the enclosed trailers...



. . pt.

 

[ndurbin]

Get a trailer that is alil overbuilt for your needs. Heavier axles, bigger brakes, stronger hitch, stuff like that. Always better to error on the heavier side than the lighter side.



Nathan

 

[Babyfat]

HEY we have a 28' haulmark 10k gvw making a trip from mich to warner robbins and it may be for sale, interested in something that size?

 

[drewRoberts]

28 foot. . . woah , thats a good bit more than what I need. 20 foot might be a bit on the long side for what I need.



but just like shirts, pants and shoes, people out grow them. so I'll think about it if the price is right.

 

[DCaswell]

Trailers are like fishin equip, beer & trucks. There is no such thing as too much

 

[drewRoberts]

Trailers are like fishin equip, beer & trucks. There is no such thing as too much

ha ha ha :-laf

thats what I hear as well. also, if your thinking about a 16 footer, go for 18, and if you want an 18 go for a 20

 

[Slow Six]

If some is good. more is better and too much is just right! Be sure to get lots of tire and axle. After owning and towing lots of trailers I will never have one with less than a 16'' wheel. They just flat out tow better and tires last a lot longer. The one trailer I still use had 15" wheels and I changed them to 16" and it made a world of difference. Be cautious going for a light axle as springs and bearings are on the weak side. Also light axles bend easily. I agree with previous posts that a trailer is usually never to big. I went through about 6 flat decks before I finally ended up with enough trailer.

 

[Fireman]

Drew,



Let me give another perspective. This may be a bad idea entirely. Apartment complexes attract all kinds of undesirables, and so many people come and go at all hours of the day and night that no one pays any attention to what goes on around there. Thieves know this and if you load your truck and tools into a trailer that just makes it easier to take. Locks and chains will only be a slight annoyance to them (locks keep HONEST PEOPLE honest). Even if you are insured, you will lose if you get ripped off. First you have to pay your deductable then the insurance co. depreciates your stuff and while you recover something it isn't nearly what the loss was worth.



I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just want you to know some of the possibilites. Another possibility might be to find a small house to rent in a decent neighborhood, who knows you may even find one with a garage or a basement. Better yet, use the money that you would spend on a trailer to make the down payment on a house and start paying rent to yourself.



Not what you wanted to hear, eh ? Well, that is what you get when you as for age and experence :-laf



What ever you do, good luck,

Fireman

 

[drewRoberts]

That was something else I was thinking about that I just need to wait. and that seems to be the one thing I'm afraid of since my apt had been broken into two years ago. Ive been weighing the options and that is the one thing that always comes up when I think about this. My apartment complex is a gated community, an 8 foot iron fence was put up about a year and a half ago, there are security cameras all over the place and there are also 4 security guards employed part time by the complex. But cars still get broken into and stolen on occasion. It is in a slightly rough area, but the people here still look after scrawny white boy Ive got plans on leaving this area and moving someplace better. When I first moved where I am it was that it was closer to work, but then things turned down about a year after I was there. Yea, I'm getting tired of paying for something and getting nothing in return. so i guess it might be best if I hold off a bit longer. The things I read here and the advice I'll remember when I do finaly get a trailer for general use so this thread wasnt in vain Oo.



Stubbs. . . I work with a guy with that same last name, He's also my Plt Sgt in my guard unit. not a name you realy see alot of. besides, you didnt rain on my paraide, you just reinforced some of the cons I was thinking of