Car Hauler Shopping

I’m considering finally picking up a trailer mainly to haul my 1981 Scrambler occasionally, and wanted to get some of your opinions.


According to the local Cat scale it weighed in at 4960 lbs with 2 people, full tank and tool/jack kit in the back. I estimate 4500 lbs without people. Another consideration is the width, it’s around 81-82 inches wide counting sidewall bulge.

My main questions are 7k or 10k capacity trailer? I think I’d be borderline on weight for a 7k especially if I had anymore weight to the rig like a family cage, winch, etc.

Removable fenders or drive over fenders? Most drive over models seem to make the whole trailer wider which means heavier overall.

Thinking 20ft would be max on length, unless anyone suggest other wise. Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

They make some really nice aluminum trailers now and if you can get one with torsion suspension it’ll do away with the axles too? I do not know if they make a car hauler with that suspension but I am sure you can get an aluminum trailer these days that’ll haul that jeep? (Maybe)


Yup yup just looked are there are all shapes and sizes out there. The good thing about the torsion suspension is if a bearing goes you just replace the whole piece and back on the road, which is a great thing not messing with axle/s!!!

 

Being that close to max payload pushes me to the 10K trailer. I did the same math when I ordered my PJ 10K 20’ flatbed in 2020. Absolute beauty of a trailer for what I need.

With a 7’ deck width, you won’t need removable fenders to fit your Jeep. I did go with the 1/4” steel diamond plate welded on drive over option though, just in case. And, because I hate dented fenders…

If you’ll put a lot of miles on it, I’d recommend adding crossmembers under the deck. Not that expensive and makes the deck super solid. I think I went with 12” spacing. Standard was 24” on my model. Upgrade the jacket a drop-leg that is the heaviest they’ll put on!

Standard walking beam suspension is my preference over torsion axles. I like that the axles work with each other, rather than independently. To each their own on that one. Brakes on both axles!

Then, throw away the China Bomb Maypop tires and get some good rubber. Have them balanced and hit the road.