new enclosed trailer [maybe aluminum] feedback

Kenney Kelley · 05-13-2020, 01:37 PM

One thing to think about with a 1/2 Ton truck is all the weight of the truck and the tongue weight of the trailer is supported by only the size of the axle witch might be only 1" to 1 1/2" at the bearing that's a lot of stress right at that point But with a 3/4 -1 ton truck the weight is supported by the rear end housing and not the axle. Just something to think about. Plus along with the weight of the car you will probably add the weight of a generator, air compressor, tool boxes, Battery for a winch and lights, tent with chairs, fuel cans, floor jack, Golf Cart or Pit Bike, Coolers with Ice. That's just a few items you might need before heading to the track. Kenney Kelley

63corvette · 05-13-2020, 04:03 PM

My experience over the years and owning both steel and aluminum trailers is aluminum is lighter to pull and if you buy quality aluminum you can not go wrong there.
There are steel trailers built with box steel frames which are strong and light.
Lightweight for towing is your best bet whatever you pull it with as we all load them down with all the things we carry. I carry much more than I should and probably need to.
I have owned Goldrush and they are expensive and other manufacturers are just as good if they use aircraft type aluminum framework.
The aircraft quality aluminum is the key to an aluminum trailer being trouble free and lasting. Some manufacturers cut costs by using cheaper aluminum for the frames.
I pulled a Goldrush 28 ft. box trailer which was equipped with most all the extras available with a HD 1/2 ton PU with the trailer package without any issues unless it was into a big headwind. With the big head wind I could not run over 60 to 65 MPH.
I now have a Rengegade stacker with a aluminum frame and have been fairly pleased with it. My issues with it were with some of the items Renegade bolted onto their box.
In any case buy quality as others have said you get what you pay for.
Good Luck in Your Search.
Rick Cates
Canyon, TX

Dave Casey · 05-14-2020, 01:23 PM

Love my Goldrush, 19th season , 26' , have towed it with every thing, 1/2 ton , 3/4 ton and 3 or 4 different motorhomes. They are expensive, but well worth it. People get silly and get every option, you don't need to. Before you buy a trailer, simply price out a basic Goldrush. They do make a v nose, but I don't think it matters much. Get a 4 ft side door . A friend of mine has a 20' that he loves.

novassdude · 08-10-2020, 10:12 AM

I purchased a new Lightning trailer last fall it is built by the same folks as Rance. mine is a 28ft+4v and with full finished interior (no cabinets) AC it weighs just over 4000# I would think a 20-24 would be considerably lighter yet.

I like it so far it is a brand I think is worth looking at. I did buy it from a racer but I don't think you want to come to Minnesota to get one. They seems to be all built in Elkhart IN no matter what.

GTX JOHN · 08-10-2020, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novassdude

I purchased a new Lightning trailer last fall it is built by the same folks as Rance. mine is a 28ft+4v and with full finished interior (no cabinets) AC it weighs just over 4000# I would think a 20-24 would be considerably lighter yet.
ou
I like it so far it is a brand I think is worth rg at. I did buy it from a racer but I don't think you want to come to Minnesota to get one. They seems to be all built in Elkhart IN no matter what.

There are a couple of great Trailer Manufacturers out on the West Coast.
The labor costs are higher out here than Ind. or Georgia = BUT if you
live in the West the travel distances will more than make up for it.
I prefer BoulderCityTrailers.com.
(But of course my son Jon owns it).

05-13-2020, 01:37 PM	#1
Kenney Kelley Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 205 Likes: 181 Liked 72 Times in 36 Posts	Re: new enclosed trailer [maybe aluminum] feedback One thing to think about with a 1/2 Ton truck is all the weight of the truck and the tongue weight of the trailer is supported by only the size of the axle witch might be only 1" to 1 1/2" at the bearing that's a lot of stress right at that point But with a 3/4 -1 ton truck the weight is supported by the rear end housing and not the axle. Just something to think about. Plus along with the weight of the car you will probably add the weight of a generator, air compressor, tool boxes, Battery for a winch and lights, tent with chairs, fuel cans, floor jack, Golf Cart or Pit Bike, Coolers with Ice. That's just a few items you might need before heading to the track. Kenney Kelley Last edited by Kenney Kelley; 05-13-2020 at 02:53 PM.

05-13-2020, 04:03 PM	#2
63corvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canyon, Tx Posts: 552 Likes: 128 Liked 359 Times in 103 Posts	Re: new enclosed trailer [maybe aluminum] feedback My experience over the years and owning both steel and aluminum trailers is aluminum is lighter to pull and if you buy quality aluminum you can not go wrong there. There are steel trailers built with box steel frames which are strong and light. Lightweight for towing is your best bet whatever you pull it with as we all load them down with all the things we carry. I carry much more than I should and probably need to. I have owned Goldrush and they are expensive and other manufacturers are just as good if they use aircraft type aluminum framework. The aircraft quality aluminum is the key to an aluminum trailer being trouble free and lasting. Some manufacturers cut costs by using cheaper aluminum for the frames. I pulled a Goldrush 28 ft. box trailer which was equipped with most all the extras available with a HD 1/2 ton PU with the trailer package without any issues unless it was into a big headwind. With the big head wind I could not run over 60 to 65 MPH. I now have a Rengegade stacker with a aluminum frame and have been fairly pleased with it. My issues with it were with some of the items Renegade bolted onto their box. In any case buy quality as others have said you get what you pay for. Good Luck in Your Search. Rick Cates Canyon, TX

05-14-2020, 01:23 PM	#3
Dave Casey VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hampden, MA Posts: 1,202 Likes: 233 Liked 797 Times in 165 Posts	Re: new enclosed trailer [maybe aluminum] feedback Love my Goldrush, 19th season , 26' , have towed it with every thing, 1/2 ton , 3/4 ton and 3 or 4 different motorhomes. They are expensive, but well worth it. People get silly and get every option, you don't need to. Before you buy a trailer, simply price out a basic Goldrush. They do make a v nose, but I don't think it matters much. Get a 4 ft side door . A friend of mine has a 20' that he loves. __________________ Dave Casey 1330 STK

08-10-2020, 10:12 AM	#4
novassdude Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: usa Posts: 752 Likes: 204 Liked 136 Times in 49 Posts	Re: new enclosed trailer [maybe aluminum] feedback I purchased a new Lightning trailer last fall it is built by the same folks as Rance. mine is a 28ft+4v and with full finished interior (no cabinets) AC it weighs just over 4000# I would think a 20-24 would be considerably lighter yet. I like it so far it is a brand I think is worth looking at. I did buy it from a racer but I don't think you want to come to Minnesota to get one. They seems to be all built in Elkhart IN no matter what.