Towing

[Terry]

OK, trailer-meisters, how big is best? My car is 72 " wide - Trailex makes 75' and 80' width. Which would you buy - the 80" has a higher weight capacity but the 75" seems sufficient for the car, tire rack, wheels and tool box. Obviously, the bigger one is also more expensive and heavier.

[Darren]

What's your tow-truck?

[Terry]

V8 Touareg rated 7700 lbs.

[Darren]

I have an annoying habit of answering questions people didn't ask, but have you considered a steel trailer?  You can get a nice Econotrailer for $2000 brand new.  The difference in weight (600 lbs???) should be barely noticeable to the Touareg which is a fine towing SUV.  If you put load distrubution and an anti-sway bar, your car (3100 lbs??) and trailer (1800 lbs??) are still way below your tow capacity.

The aluminum trailers are very nice of course -- I'd rather spend the money on something else though.  I've sold used steel trailers for $1500 (2 of them) so you can always easily get the cost out of them.  So its an easy purchase if you think you might move up.

For the cost of an Alum -- get an enclosed (obvious benefits) or get steel (and spend the money on tires).  Carl had an awesome enclosed that he towed behind his Touareg that he said towed beautifully.

[George3]

My trailer is 81" wide between the wheel wells.  This gives me a little extra fudging room to drive the car up on to the trailer.  It's hard to be right on the money each time.  I would go for the wider trailer, IMHO.  My .02 cents.