car hauler vs. utility trailer

[surveyboy]

what is the real difference? they can both handle 10000# (tandom with 5k axles) both come in 16-20 feet long, and they look different. what is the difference?? can a utility trailer not haul a car?? or in my case jeep??

utility
http://www.carsontrailer.com/FlatCar-.jpg

car hauler
http://www.carsontrailer.com/Flatbed-A.jpg

these ones are from here (http://www.carsontrailer.com/) but they are basicly the same anywhere.

[welndmn]

Pretty much the same thing, it just has that lame ass rack/guard thing

[JasonH]

The way I understand it... The utility trailer uses the side rails as part of the frame of the trailer. The car hauler usually has larger channel for the frame which goes all the way to the rear of the trailer. Some utility trailers don't have the main frame go all the way to the back of the trailer.

Car haulers can't have those side rails cause you wouldn't be able to open the car's doors.

I like the car hauler better for hauling rigs. Then if you need to use it for a utility trailer, they usually have stake pockets in the sides for adding some wood rails.

[RE:Todd]

Originally posted by JasonH
The way I understand it... The utility trailer uses the side rails as part of the frame of the trailer. The car hauler usually has larger channel for the frame which goes all the way to the rear of the trailer. Some utility trailers don't have the main frame go all the way to the back of the trailer.

Look at the tongue rails. A car hauler will have the tongue be a piece of channel that goes back to right in front of the axle. The utility trailer tongue will generally stop at the second crossmember. This makes the car hauler stronger

[surveyboy]

ok, so a car trailer and put some pockets on it.
thanks

[tdavis]

Also, the 10k weight is gross vehicle - that's trailer and the load.

Lookup the weight of the trailers, and see which one is lighter. That one will haul more.

For example, if the carhauler is 1500lbs, and the utility is 1800lbs, and both are rated for 10k loads, the carhauler will do 300lbs more than the utility. (ie, 8500 lbs vs. 8200lbs)

[RE:Todd]

Originally posted by surveyboy
ok, so a car trailer and put some pockets on it.
thanks A lot of them have stake pockets already. I know mine does.

[surveyboy]

Originally posted by RE:Todd
A lot of them have stake pockets already. I know mine does.


so, wanna sell it?:flipoff2:

[RE:Todd]

Originally posted by surveyboy



so, wanna sell it?:flipoff2: Nope, but they got the factory up by you, I think in Fontana. Mine is a 16' Az-Tex, paid $1349 out the door.

Other things you want to look at are the couplers. Some (cough, Carson, cough) put a 5K coupler on a 7K trailer. Check for an emergency brake battery set-up. The only thing on mine that didn't come with it that I should have gotten were brakes on the 2nd axle.

[surveyboy]

Originally posted by RE:Todd
Nope, but they got the factory up by you, I think in Fontana. Mine is a 16' Az-Tex, paid $1349 out the door.

Other things you want to look at are the couplers. Some (cough, Carson, cough) put a 5K coupler on a 7K trailer. Check for an emergency brake battery set-up. The only thing on mine that didn't come with it that I should have gotten were brakes on the 3nd axle.

what exactly is a 3nd axle????:flipoff2: I know what you are saying, I was going to run by axtex one of these days to get a good price. now you got a 7k trailer? you didn't opt for 5k axles? do you think you are near the limit on that trailer or not??

thanks

[RE:Todd]

Originally posted by surveyboy


what exactly is a 3nd axle????:flipoff2: ?????? now you got a 7k trailer? you didn't opt for 5k axles? do you think you are near the limit on that trailer or not??

thanks Yep, 7K trailer. I don't feel I need a 10K, 16 ft trailer. As far as weight, I figure the trailer at 1300 lbs and the Runner is max 4500 lbs. Gives me a grand to play with, and the Runner is gonna get lighter. Be aware that the Az-Tex is a "You get what you pay for" kind of trailer. The wiring is ran through holes blown into the crossmembers with a blue flame wrench, it's not loomed or protected at all, the paint sucks, and the decking is pretty light. It did include features that were options on other trailer's such as the breakaway brake system with battery. I have the style that's open in the center, get the full decked one.

[surveyboy]

nice edit:flipoff2:

my bro in law has a 20 utility trailer and complains about the flex it has.

I have also heard many times about the wireing. I could clean that up easy.

I don't think that my cj would be weighing more that your runner. so that gives me 1500#'s to work with.

thanks man

now, if I get the jeep running, then I might be able to get a trailer, inbetween new tires, and lockers, and gears, and going FI, and........................:rolleyes:

[SanDiegoCJ]

Originally posted by surveyboy
nice edit:flipoff2:

my bro in law has a 20 utility trailer and complains about the flex it has.

I have also heard many times about the wireing. I could clean that up easy.

I don't think that my cj would be weighing more that your runner. so that gives me 1500#'s to work with.

thanks man

now, if I get the jeep running, then I might be able to get a trailer, inbetween new tires, and lockers, and gears, and going FI, and........................:rolleyes:


That $500 Jeep is getting expensive quickly, ain't it. :flipoff2:

[TEX]

Originally posted by RE:Todd
Look at the tongue rails. A car hauler will have the tongue be a piece of channel that goes back to right in front of the axle. The utility trailer tongue will generally stop at the second crossmember. This makes the car hauler stronger

Actually, the wrap-around tongue is generally an option on the car-haulers as well (the pic shown has it). The utility trailers are usually narrower as well, but again not always.

Get a car-hauler, wrap-around tongue, LOADS of stake pockets, and slide-in ramps. Oh, and don't forget the BRAKES :D


TEX

[RE:Todd]

Originally posted by TEX


Actually, the wrap-around tongue is generally an option on the car-haulers as well (the pic shown has it).




TEX Tex, that might be a Misery thing :D . I looked at all the major manufacturer's trailers out here, and evry car hauler had the wrap around tongue :D :D

[pcorssmit]

Originally posted by RE:Todd
?????? [B]Yep, 7K trailer. I don't feel I need a 10K, 16 ft trailer. As far as weight, I figure the trailer at 1300 lbs and the Runner is max 4500 lbs. Gives me a grand to play with, and the Runner is gonna get lighter.

If you figure ~10% tongue weight, your 3500k axles are really only seeing ~5220 leaving you almost 1800 to work with.

My "Escalade" is a porker, and rides on a 10k 18'. :D

As far as options, I like the 10k jack on mine (its nice to be able to leave a heavy rig parked on it and not have to worry). Also make sure to take a good look at the tires on it, make sure they're rated for your use.

Pete

[surveyboy]

Originally posted by SanDiegoCJ



That $500 Jeep is getting expensive quickly, ain't it. :flipoff2:


damn straight. between my carb not working, and the misses now wanting a locker and bigger tires, I have an expensive year comming up!! but, on the flip side, least I am not starting out with a $2000 jeep and having to do the same things!!!

[jays68yak]

Hey I have that exact car hauler. I love it. Best thing I ever bought.
MINE (http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jasons68/vwp?.dir=/1969+Suburban&.src=ph&.dnm=C172_Img.jpg)
It does come with the pockets.

Have you gotten a price yet? Where do you plan on buying it?

[surveyboy]

Originally posted by jays68yak
Hey I have that exact car hauler. I love it. Best thing I ever bought.
MINE (http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jasons68/vwp?.dir=/1969+Suburban&.src=ph&.dnm=C172_Img.jpg)
It does come with the pockets.

Have you gotten a price yet? Where do you plan on buying it?

I haven't really priced it out locally yet, but I was considering heading to Az-tex in fontana

[jays68yak]

I paid $1600 out the door for mine. one electric brake axle blah blah otherwise the base model. It was $1200 before taxes and misc bs. This was in concord, a bit far from you but if you want I can give you the number. Also go to sac raceways site and I think they have a trailer dealer on their site that sells carson trailers up by you.

[ChiScouter]

I have had a utility for 7 years, here are my observations.

If you frequently haul cars it sucks cause you have to climb out the doors
It is way more versatile than a car hauler if you use it for other stuff as I do 90 percent of the time
The xtra wide is great, mine is 102" across the fenders
It does flex, but I only notice it looking through the mirror when it is empty over rough RR tracks or the like. Never seen it flex when loaded. Can't explain that, but I see what I see.
If you have room to park it a 18" tows better. If you ever happen to put a vehicle on it (scout) and then haul more shit there isn't much room at all
The wood deck is great to screw cleats and such to
Throwing up sides is real easy, just use 3/4 inch ply on the inside, and a 2x6 on the outside. Shoot screws ftom the ply into the 2x and you can put up sides in a couple of minutes that won't rattle, bounce, and flop around like wood in stake pockets.
Get brakes on both axles

WARNING, fawkers always want to borrow it, and it always, and I mean always comes back with something fawked up.

[surveyboy]

Originally posted by ChiScouter
If you have room to park it a 18" tows better. If you ever happen to put a vehicle on it (scout) and then haul more shit there isn't much room at all
The wood deck is great to screw cleats and such to
Throwing up sides is real easy, just use 3/4 inch ply on the inside, and a 2x6 on the outside. Shoot screws ftom the ply into the 2x and you can put up sides in a couple of minutes that won't rattle, bounce, and flop around like wood in stake pockets.
Get brakes on both axles

WARNING, fawkers always want to borrow it, and it always, and I mean always comes back with something fawked up.

actually, I am planning on getting a 20' if possible. I know what you mean about people borrowing it. my bro in law has one and people are always beating the crap outta it.

[TEX]

Originally posted by ChiScouter
WARNING, fawkers always want to borrow it, and it always, and I mean always comes back with something fawked up.

That's a fact LOL!


TEX

[jays68yak]

Originally posted by ChiScouter


WARNING, fawkers always want to borrow it, and it always, and I mean always comes back with something fawked up.

So true. But I also get to tow it when they need to borrow it, cuz 9 times outta 10 their truck broke down. But then it also puts money in my pocket. Hell yeah I charge my friends, just gas.

[TEX]

Originally posted by jays68yak


So true. But I also get to tow it when they need to borrow it, cuz 9 times outta 10 their truck broke down. But then it also puts money in my pocket. Hell yeah I charge my friends, just gas.

We always charge "food" when we move someone. Sure, I'll help you move & use my schit. Now, FEED ME! :D

TEX

[jays68yak]

Originally posted by jays68yak


So true. But I also get to tow it when they need to borrow it, cuz 9 times outta 10 their truck broke down. But then it also puts money in my pocket. Hell yeah I charge my friends, just gas.
That and/or alcohol........