Car trailer sizes for Mustang

[Steve]

I am looking at buying an open trailer in a coulpe weeks for hauling my fox mustang to Open Track Events. I do not know much about trailers/towing so I have a bunch to learn.

Here's what I *think* (based on my reading so far) I need.

1)16 or 18 ft tandem axle, prefer 16 if I can get away with it for cost/weight savings.

2)Electric Brakes. On one or both axles? I thought I read that MN requires brakes on all wheels.

3) Some type of pulling machine. I am leaning towards a mid/late nineties F150 with a 5.8 and a manual transmission. These are within my budget and can be had with less than 100,000 miles on them. I have looked at F250 diesels, but don't want to replace a tired (200,000 mile) E4OD.

4) trailer brake controller, class 3 or 4 hitch.

5) Things like tool boxes, leveling hitches, lights and winches can wait until I figure out the basics.

Am I missing anything?
Does this look like a good start?
Is 16 feet enough bed?

Thanks

[RayK]

Is there that much difference in price and weight between the 16 and 18?

With that much weight, electric brakes are nice. Mine is only single axle tho.

My trailer weighs 2400 lbs. Ones with ramps weigh a lot less.

[351COBRA]

I am looking at buying an open trailer in a coulpe weeks for hauling my fox mustang to Open Track Events. I do not know much about trailers/towing so I have a bunch to learn.

Here's what I *think* (based on my reading so far) I need.

1)16 or 18 ft tandem axle, prefer 16 if I can get away with it for cost/weight savings.

2)Electric Brakes. On one or both axles? I thought I read that MN requires brakes on all wheels.

3) Some type of pulling machine. I am leaning towards a mid/late nineties F150 with a 5.8 and a manual transmission. These are within my budget and can be had with less than 100,000 miles on them. I have looked at F250 diesels, but don't want to replace a tired (200,000 mile) E4OD.

4) trailer brake controller, class 3 or 4 hitch.

5) Things like tool boxes, leveling hitches, lights and winches can wait until I figure out the basics.

Am I missing anything?
Does this look like a good start?
Is 16 feet enough bed?

Thanks

3/4 ton ext. cab 351W

18 foot w/2 foot beaver tail = 16' bed

rear pullout ramps

legal=electric brakes both axles + controller

legal=Class 4 hitch or class 3 with load dist. hitch


Good luck!

[Steve]

What benefit does a 2 ft beaver tail offer?



What ramp length should I be looking at? 6ft?

[Dustball]

What benefit does a 2 ft beaver tail offer?



What ramp length should I be looking at? 6ft?

Easier loading for low clearance vehicles with shorter ramps.

[Steve]

Do people use 16 ft trailers for mustangs? How much longer would the ramps need to be if I got a non beaver tail version? I wouldn't assuem you'd need the ramps to be the whole two feet longer. What is a typical ramp length?

[drag79stang]

I've used a 16' with ducktail (or whatever they call that dropped portion in back), since I"ve been playing with mustangs. Even used the 16' when I had the 69 ss 396.
Single axle electric brakes work (have worked), just fine.

Double axle. I picked it up many years ago at Johnson Trailer sales in Colfax, Wisconsin, but I"m sure you could find one locally for probably cheaper.
Trailer was made in texas..............

[351COBRA]

Do people use 16 ft trailers for mustangs? How much longer would the ramps need to be if I got a non beaver tail version? I wouldn't assuem you'd need the ramps to be the whole two feet longer. What is a typical ramp length?

My trailer is an 18' trailer. 16' + 2' beaver tail.

The ramps are 5' long. Giving an effective length of 7' ramps! No problem for an open track car but a lowered racecar with a splitter it's still too steep!

I still have about 30" to load a pit bike or two in front of the car.

Any 16' trailer will work for a stock mustang with the 4X4 suspension!

[Steve]

Ok, I have been looking at H&H *new* 18 footers with 2 foot beavers!

I can't seem to find any used trailers for a reasonable price. Why pay $1900 for a used one, when you can get a new one for $2200? I am going down to ACE in Shakoppe this weekend.

Thanks for all of the adivce via PMs Brooks.

[bad-speller]

I agree with Brooks, 16' plus a 2' beavertail is a absolute minimum. I would also recommend brakes on both axles for safety. (I believe 10,000 lbs is the cutoff where brakes on both axles are required by law)

Another thing to consider is the fender height, are you able to open the car door after you have loaded the car on the trailer? It gets old real quick, having to crawl in and out of the trunk in order to be able to have the car all closed up for trips. (ecspecially with a cage)

Brian

[BigMatt]

My buddy bought a 16' with (beaver, duck, dove) tail on it from above said Johnson trailer in Wisconsin and got a sweet deal, I believe that the brakes cost about 100$ more to get the second axle brakes worth it for the benefit IMO

[Silver4.6]

2)Electric Brakes. On one or both axles? I thought I read that MN requires brakes on all wheels.

Correct, in MN both axels under a tandem axel trailer must have working brakes.

[KickAssFlash]

Correct, in MN both axels under a tandem axel trailer must have working brakes.

Looks like I've broken that law about 7 times this summer with my trailer queen jeep.

[No5.006]

I am looking at buying an open trailer in a coulpe weeks for hauling my fox mustang to Open Track Events. I do not know much about trailers/towing so I have a bunch to learn.

Here's what I *think* (based on my reading so far) I need.

1)16 or 18 ft tandem axle, prefer 16 if I can get away with it for cost/weight savings.

2)Electric Brakes. On one or both axles? I thought I read that MN requires brakes on all wheels.

3) Some type of pulling machine. I am leaning towards a mid/late nineties F150 with a 5.8 and a manual transmission. These are within my budget and can be had with less than 100,000 miles on them. I have looked at F250 diesels, but don't want to replace a tired (200,000 mile) E4OD.

4) trailer brake controller, class 3 or 4 hitch.

5) Things like tool boxes, leveling hitches, lights and winches can wait until I figure out the basics.

Am I missing anything?
Does this look like a good start?
Is 16 feet enough bed?

Thanks

03 F350 W6.0l and banks power adders in farmington for 25,000. dont know what the budget is but its a nice truck low miles.

[mousestang]

If you want a sweet tow setup I might be selling mine

2001 F250SD supercab 2wd V10 shortbox
and Featherlite 20' enclosed trailer

$19000. buys it all

But if your on a budget a F150 with a open trailer will haul a mustang
no problem.
a 18' would be better in case you have to haul someone else's car.
I used a 97 F150 4.6l and a aluminum trailer to haul my Nova without
any problems.