When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I’ve had 3 enclosed trailers now and each time of purchase I lusted after aluminum one, but in the end could not justify the extra cost. For the same money you can get a fully loaded regular one and in the end,
it’s just a box to haul a car in.
I bought a used 20 ft Featherlite for $7500.00 10 years ago. Would buy another in a heartbeat, great trailer. I think I could sell it for a good bit more than I paid for it now. I think mine new would be 20k now. Don't discount a used, but I will tell you the quality of a Featherlite is hard to beat.
I bought new a 2019 Sundowner 28' enclosed all aluminum race trailer, there is no wood in this trailer its all aluminum including the floor decking. Getting a high quality aluminum trailer for 25k is going to be tough. The cost increases on trailers over the last 4 years has been wild !! Just because its aluminum doesn't always mean its going to be light weight. This trailer unloaded from the factory is 5700 lbs. on the sticker. Its even heavier after I added extra battery, 12k winch, refrigerator, another tool box base cabinet, tools, gas jugs, generator ect.... Go with a good brand that uses quality axles this way you can find spare/service brake and bearing parts later on down the road. Try to get a trailer with 16" rim and tire combination.
Might look for a lightly used model. I bought this 2 year-old (at the time) ATC Quest 305 for not much over $25K from a friend who was upgrading to a stacker. It was in perfect condition with new tires. It even has a full array of solar panels and an observation deck. Good luck in your search.
I have a Aluminum open trailer from ALUMA. I have been looking to get an aluminum enclosed trailer for a while, sort of naïvely hoping the prices would come down or at least level out. I, like you probably are doing, have done a lot of research. ATC, Featherlight and Sundowner are some of the best, but the prices are way up. Even used trailers are much higher than, say, 4 or so years ago. One bright spot I have found is a company ,ALCOM makes a "race car" trailer called EZ Hauler. They seem like a good enclosed trailer and the prices are pretty good. You can get a pretty well optioned 20-24ft enclosed for under $25k at a distributor outlet place in Waco Texas that sells them (Phil's trailer sales). I'm in Arizona and everything seems more expensive here. I'm leaning towards going there (to Texas) to get one...Also, you can look on Facebook Marketplace for good deals, but I haven't found any close to me.
I bought the lightest one I knew of 11 years ago, a Trailex. 2,200# with winch, tire carrier, 2 spares and minor shelving. Great behind an SUV but that means you can't stand up in it. Have trailer-ed my race cars in it from coast to coast, TX to MN. New they are ridiculously expensive, used 1/3 the cost. This is an 04.
I’d love to see some of the inside modifications of these trailers. Actually any improvements you have made.
Here are some photos of the inside of mine. The side "escape door" is a must have. It makes tying the car down much easier and you can enter/exit the car with it in the trailer. The inner fender on that side lifts out for even more clearance. My C1 gets swallowed up in the trailer.
The back ramp has a "flip down" extension that makes the entry angle very shallow.
A shout out to T&E Auto Haulers....... Built by Racers for Racers..... they build a quality product that is intended for use week in, week out, and to be towed all over the country..... If you want something that will last, and not have issues due to cut corners, add them to your list to consider.... They make everything from tag-alongs, 5th wheel goosenecks, stackers, all the way up to semi-trailer transporters......
01-21-2024, 08:46 PM
