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warwgn
Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2014
Posts: 260
Location: central Mississippi
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 Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 5:25 pm Post subject: How wide of a trailer? |
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| Still looking for a bug to baja, and was thinking I might need a trailer to go pick it up and could always use a trailer anyway since I don't have one. I see plenty of 6x12 on Craigslist for cheap and I am sure they are long enough but is that wide enough if I put bigger tires and such? |
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WD-40
Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2006
Posts: 1178
Location: Iowa
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| Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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It all depends on how you build up the car.
You could put it on a super small trailer that barely fits it...
... or you could get something that is overkill for the baja, but allows you to tow other vehicles if you need to.
Being a baja, if it has enough ground clearance, you could even get by with drive-over fenders and have a trailer that isn't any wider than the car. 
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vwracerdave
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Joined: November 11, 2004
Posts: 15303
Location: Deep in the 405
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| Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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If you are going to buy a trailer get one big enough to put a full sized car on. Believe me once you have a tiny trailer just for your VW you will wish like holy hell you would have spent a few hundred more for a bigger trailer.
Get a trailer with brakes on it.
You can always rent a trailer from U-Haul if you only need it once.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51130
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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X2, a piddly single axle trailer will bite you in the ass and possibly endanger others on the road, step up now and buy a tandem with some sort of brakes and tow with confidence. (also handy to rent to your buddies when they want to move, surge brakes are better for that as they won't be hacking your plug off to attempt to wire it every time).
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Brian
Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012
Posts: 8340
Location: Oceanside
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| Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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| vwracerdave wrote: |
| Get a trailer with brakes on it. |
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warwgn
Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2014
Posts: 260
Location: central Mississippi
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| Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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I was more thinking of a tandem axle utility trailer, two 3500 lb axles and should be fine for a bug and will mostly be used for light duty. Firewood, construction material wood for a new fence and a backyard deck, riding mower and lawn clean up type stuff. Don't think I will need brakes on it, my suburban is a 3/4 ton for now and has drum brakes on it that take up the whole inside of a 16.5" wheel, and will soon be upgraded to hydro boost, then 1 ton running gear.
But back on topic, so it sounds like a 6' wide should do just fine but if a 6.5 is found should go for that.
Was thinking this one mainly because of the adjustable bull nose hitch, sure would be handy since my Suburban has a 6" lift and 37" tires.
https://jackson.craigslist.org/grd/4770762049.html
a bug should fit on that right? |
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Hnoroian
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2013
Posts: 535
Location: Bakersfield
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| Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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I'd prefer 12-16'. 10' seems a little too short and un-square but that's my ocd Kicking in. We have a 6x14 and use every inch of it, wishing it was just a bit longer sometimes too. 2 quads, rhino, and 2 dirt bikes get tight
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WM971252
Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2004
Posts: 1781
Location: Franklin CT
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| Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2014 8:05 am Post subject: |
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An adjustable drop hitch is much easier to use than one on the trailer. Beat on one for 12 years till I replaced it this year.
As far as size, I would want something longer than 10 foot and wide is always good. My ancient trailer is 68 inches wide by 16 foot, great for a Bug or Bus but a Vanagon will not fit (A3 Golf fits but no room to tie down). I sucks to have to rent a trailer when you have a fleet in the yard. |
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Mike Fisher
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Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 17970
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2014 9:37 am Post subject: |
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My $400 tow dolly will tow them all & has!
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crukab
Samba Chef
Joined: December 13, 2002
Posts: 6116
Location: Vermont
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| Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2014 10:41 am Post subject: |
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I've hauled a bunch of Buses w/ my 14' x 6' dual axel low-boy, it's supposed to be a tilt trailer, but it is way easier to use ramps. It does have elec. Brakes. I never have to worry about a bad wheel bearing or locked brakes on the car I'm towing, just winch it on, strap it down & go....
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Tom
My Pops:
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In the yard right now:
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'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
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vwracerdave
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2004
Posts: 15303
Location: Deep in the 405
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| Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:33 am Post subject: |
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| warwgn wrote: |
I was more thinking of a tandem axle utility trailer, two 3500 lb axles and should be fine for a bug and will mostly be used for light duty. Firewood, construction material wood for a new fence and a backyard deck, riding mower and lawn clean up type stuff. Don't think I will need brakes on it, my suburban is a 3/4 ton for now and has drum brakes on it that take up the whole inside of a 16.5" wheel, and will soon be upgraded to hydro boost, then 1 ton running gear.
But back on topic, so it sounds like a 6' wide should do just fine but if a 6.5 is found should go for that.
Was thinking this one mainly because of the adjustable bull nose hitch, sure would be handy since my Suburban has a 6" lift and 37" tires.
https://jackson.craigslist.org/grd/4770762049.html
a bug should fit on that right? |
You need brakes. Many states require brakes on a tandem axle. Get brakes on it. I don't care if your pulling it with a 10 ton dump truck. Get a trailer with brakes on it.
_________________
2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK
Featured in Dec. 2001 HOT VW's Magazine page 63
Watch my racing video's http://www.youtube.com/user/okvwracer/videos |
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notchback
Insensitive Jerk
Joined: December 16, 2003
Posts: 7024
Location: Behind the Zion Curtain
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| Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Mike Fisher wrote: |
| My $400 tow dolly will tow them all & has! |
How much firewood and construction material does it haul? How do you tow the riding mower with it?
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Aussiebug
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Joined: June 03, 2002
Posts: 2162
Location: Adelaide Australia
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| Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 5:39 am Post subject: |
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I don't know what the laws for trailers are in the USA, but I bet they are similar to other parts of the world.
Here in Aus a trailer without brakes is limited to 750kg (1650lb) all up weight (trailer plus load), no matter how big your tow vehicle is. A mid 60s bug weighs 1675lb all by itself, so forget using a trailer without brakes.
From 750kg up to 2 tonnes (4400lb) all up weight (trailer plus load) you must have brakes on all wheels. You can use override (sliding coupling) brakes or electric brakes.
From 2 tonnes up to 4.5 tonnes (9900lbs) you must also have a break-away system so if the trailer comes loose from the towbar then the trailer brakes will engage and will HOLD on for a minimum of 15 minutes, so that means electric brakes with a battery on the trailer, or air brakes with an air bottle on the trailer (sometimes called Maxi-s), or air over hydraulic - same deal.
Trailers over 4.5 tonnes needs a driver's heavy vehicle (truck) licence to tow it.
The car and it's tow-bar must be rated for the load too.
Tiedowns are important too. You must attache BOTH ends of the vehicle to the trailer, so that's a minimum of two straps/chains, one fore and one aft. Four straps are better - one for each corner or if using over-wheel straps, one for each wheel. The straps must be rated to hold 80% of the car's weight stopping it sliding forwards, and 50% in all other directions.
Oh - and tow dollies (which lift two wheels of the towed car off the ground and rely totally on the tow-vehicle for braking) are illegal here in Aus unless you are a licensed toe-operator and driving a registered tow truck, so check your state's requirements before you use one of those.
Whatever you do, make sure you are legal so the cops wont give you a hard time, and your insurance wont knock back a claim if the worst happens.
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Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
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notchback
Insensitive Jerk
Joined: December 16, 2003
Posts: 7024
Location: Behind the Zion Curtain
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| Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 7:54 am Post subject: |
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^^^^
Very different from where I live in Idaho, USA. There really are no regulations on trailers, brakes, etc. Anyone with a drivers license can tow a trailer with their vehicle. There are not laws regarding the weights and who can pull them. Tow dollies do not even need to be registered or licensed. My 17 year old son, who has had his license for less than a year, could pull a 10,000+ pound trailer if he wanted to.
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| zeen wrote: |
| Arguing with johnnypan is like mud-wrestling a pig. After a while you realize he just enjoys playing in the mud, winning the contest is not the point. |
FU#3 |
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Mike Fisher
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 17970
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:36 am Post subject: |
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| notchback wrote: |
| Mike Fisher wrote: |
| My $400 tow dolly will tow them all & has! |
How much firewood and construction material does it haul? How do you tow the riding mower with it? |
My pickup will haul everything the tow dolly isn't designed for. 
The same cars headed for Idaho.
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69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
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turboblue
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Joined: October 09, 2003
Posts: 4216
Location: Central Indiana
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| Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 11:21 am Post subject: |
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This might help with laws regarding brakes, axles etc.
http://towingworld.com/towinglaws.cfm
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Turbo VW Sand Drag Buggy
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Aussiebug
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Joined: June 03, 2002
Posts: 2162
Location: Adelaide Australia
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| Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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| notchback wrote: |
^^^^
Very different from where I live in Idaho, USA. There really are no regulations on trailers, brakes, etc. Anyone with a drivers license can tow a trailer with their vehicle. There are not laws regarding the weights and who can pull them. Tow dollies do not even need to be registered or licensed. My 17 year old son, who has had his license for less than a year, could pull a 10,000+ pound trailer if he wanted to. |
Hmmm - Turboblue's link above indicates that there ARE towing laws in Idaho - for example, brakes required for trailers over 1500lb, and a D licence required (whatever a D licence is)
Fortunately here in Aus we have ALMOST uniform laws across our 6 states and several territories. One state (Victoria) does not require small box trailers (under 500kg) to be registered so long as they display the registration of the towing vehicle, and there are a few differences with heavy vehicles (I drive trucks for a living), but nothing like the variation across the 50 states of the USA.
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Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
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notchback
Insensitive Jerk
Joined: December 16, 2003
Posts: 7024
Location: Behind the Zion Curtain
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 10:15 am Post subject: |
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| Aussiebug wrote: |
| notchback wrote: |
^^^^
Very different from where I live in Idaho, USA. There really are no regulations on trailers, brakes, etc. Anyone with a drivers license can tow a trailer with their vehicle. There are not laws regarding the weights and who can pull them. Tow dollies do not even need to be registered or licensed. My 17 year old son, who has had his license for less than a year, could pull a 10,000+ pound trailer if he wanted to. |
Hmmm - Turboblue's link above indicates that there ARE towing laws in Idaho - for example, brakes required for trailers over 1500lb, and a D licence required (whatever a D licence is)
Fortunately here in Aus we have ALMOST uniform laws across our 6 states and several territories. One state (Victoria) does not require small box trailers (under 500kg) to be registered so long as they display the registration of the towing vehicle, and there are a few differences with heavy vehicles (I drive trucks for a living), but nothing like the variation across the 50 states of the USA. |
I stand corrected. I searched the statutes and didn't find anything, but upon a researching, I found that
| Quote: |
| Every trailer or semitrailer of an unladen weight of one thousand five hundred (1,500) pounds or more when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle and be designed to be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab. |
http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title49/T49CH9SECT49-933.htm
It's interesting that most smaller trailers (5,000 lbs or less) that I have seen and used do not have brakes. My trailer is rated for 7,000 lbs and does not have brakes, yet I had no issue registering it. I'm slowing building a heavier trailer (either 10K or 15K) and it will definitely have brakes.
A class D license is a standard drivers license. Classes A, B and C are commercial licenses.
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| zeen wrote: |
| Arguing with johnnypan is like mud-wrestling a pig. After a while you realize he just enjoys playing in the mud, winning the contest is not the point. |
FU#3 |
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warwgn
Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2014
Posts: 260
Location: central Mississippi
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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well all good thoughts and info, thanks.
I wound up just borrowing a trailer, all went well and only dropped my MPG by 1 MPG.
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crukab
Samba Chef
Joined: December 13, 2002
Posts: 6116
Location: Vermont
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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| warwgn wrote: |
well all good thoughts and info, thanks.
I wound up just borrowing a trailer, all went well and only dropped my MPG by 1 MPG.
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Nice Beastly tow rig !! 
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Tom
My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....
In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon |
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