Best Electric Winch & Tie-Downs For Enclosed Trailer? - Page 2

Marty Roth · May 24th, 2009

Hi Windjammer,

My older trailer, a 1978 Tow-Eze came new with a front access door like the one you built -- all trailers should have this access -- really makes life easier.

The new Forest River has a wedge & tapered front with room to walk around, but i have to lay on the floor to tie-down the newer and lower cars.

Life was much easier when we could tie down from outside, sitting as you do, or even standing on the ground, but the benefits of the new trailer are significant.

msmazcol · May 25th, 2009

Marty,
We have the Forest River also. Our roof was bumped up to handle taller trucks.
So far I love the wedge and slope nose. The overhang on the front end of my Willys fire engine makes it a reach for the front axle. We had two four foot side doors directly across from each other so I can get easy access from them. I sure love the extra floor room in the nose though.
The laying on the floor part is OK with me though. Great chance for a nap!!

ps. We have had no trouble with Sam's Club tie downs. They are priced fair and DOT rated.

Marty Roth · May 25th, 2009

Msmazcol,

We also had the roof raised by one foot, so it is 7-1/2 ft at the sides and slightly taller at the center due to the rounded roof -- that way we can drive in the earty Brass cars without lowering the top.

I wish I had thought of the door in the nose of the trailer, but may ask for that when it goes back to Elkhart for warranty repair next month.

We had ours built with a 4ft curb door and a 54" driver access door, but are expanding the driver-side access with a second door, extending by 2ft forward, so that the biggest cars can still open the door to allow egress.

Ours is a 24ft plus about 5ft nose, and the floor is raised so that the wheel boxes are only 7" to allow car doors to open through the access door.

msmazcol · May 25th, 2009

Marty,
Sounds very similar to our's. We raised the roof 18" because my Dad's trailer was built with the extra 12" and his Pack-age-car milk truck was so tight at the roof line you could not even look while it went in. I optioned a bit more room and am glad I did. My Divco is a tall one too.
I'm not so sure the door in the wedge will be such a help. I'm not sure the reach will do you any good. My load is not that far forward. I would be concerned about being water tight taking all the wheel spray from your tow vehicle.
Just curious what your tow vehicle is? We're using a 3/4 ton 2000 GMC. It does a nice job but as soon as the money tree gets going better I would like to go to a 4500 Top Kick. My local GMC dealer is keeping an eye open for me. The crew cab and air ride puts a new one in the ouch range!!
Thanks

The photo was taken on our way to Mason City IA.

Marty Roth · May 26th, 2009

MSMAZCOL,

YUP, very similar - ours was special ordered through Trailerworld - they are no longer a dealer for Forest River. A couple of differences - I think mine sits taller over the axles (2@ 6,000# with 235/80-R16 Load Range E tires) to enable a low 7" wheelbox height; access door is over left tires.

You are right about water intrusion at the wedge - I'll leave that alone.

I'd love to see the Divco, as well as thePack-age-car. Some years ago I took some shots of the H P Hood trucks at the Owlshead Museum in Maine, and could email them.

Marty Roth · May 26th, 2009

MSMAZCOL,

To answer your question per our tow vehicle, one is a 2002 Chevy Suburban 2500 Series (3/4-ton) with the 8.1 Litre V-8; the alternate is our 1986 Chevy Suburban 3/4-ton with a 454 ci and Turbo-Hydramatic 400 tranny.

I'd love to try pulling with a Dura-Max Diesel and the Allison transmission, but I've been told that combination will not be available in a Suburban, and I just do not have any need for a pickup at this time.

Marty

msmazcol · May 26th, 2009

Thanks Marty,
We optioned the 6000# axles also with a 2" blocked axle. Same tire size. I went with the double 4' side doors to allow us to side load a golf cart. As I have voiced before the escape doors never seemed usable for our stuff. We use the winch in and out method.
Both of our trailers were built in Elkart by Cargo Mate. When you pick them up it's all coming from the Forest River plant. Go figure. John Brown is the plant manager and did a great job of working with us on our Equalizer Brand hitch.
I have also heard good things about the Duramax from good'ole GM. I would like just a bit more truck in front of the trailer some day.
Take care.

Marty Roth · May 27th, 2009

Per Forest River and Cargo Mate,

I've been working with Cory who is their Warranty person, and he has been excellent to work with. I'll drop mt trailer at Elkhart for warranty and several upgrades.

I noticed that you have wood floor and walls.

ours is all aluminum - frame, floor, walls, but I wish the floor panels had run front to rear, instead of side to side which mahes it harder to clean out.

seeing the name on your beautiful trucks helps me understand your "handle".

msmazcol · May 27th, 2009

Marty,
We have noticed that car trailers can get wild in options, etc. Our first Cargo Mate is over ten years old trouble free. I considered the aluminum also. I'm curious if you know what it weighs in at empty?
I like the wood interior a whole lot. I sealed all the walls and floor with some real tough gym floor urethane. As you can see I have drug stuff across it and it marks but stays strong. To us a enclosed trailer is just another parking spot rent free. As long as it tows right and is water tight we can live with that.
Have you considered a yard blower for cleaning out your trailer? Just a thought.

Marty Roth · May 28th, 2009

The trailer is 30ft overall length, and you are right about options:

4 overhead lights, 4 more in the lower sidewalls, and 4 more LEDs in the aluminum floor under the cars axles to tie-down in the dark without holding a flashlight with my teeth.

Left and Right side-wall vents -- 2 crank-open roof vents each covered with MaxxAir boxes
LED lighting - 4 Tail/Brake lights
LED Back-up lights
Electric Tongue-Jack
Electric Warn Winch with remote

The leaf blower is a neat idea, but when we have oil drips, it can only be wiped side-to-side so now we use a solvent

my best guess on the weight is 3320 lb, pretty good for its size and capacity -- easy to pull too.
The list goes on and on