Car Trailer - What to consider

Joined
Jun 6, 2020
Posts
361
Likes collected
275
Funster No
71,520
MH
Apache Hi Line 634
Considering a trailer (to use with the Aygo) re travel to Spain, etc. Did 2 trips there this year in the MH and missed the ability to get around some of the places more freely.

Was looking at car hire, but charges are very steep and the idea of a trailer maybe the answer when we go next Spring, (things like storage, ferry's, are not an issue) and the MH can tow the likes of a CT115 and the car within its towing limit / nose weight.

Question is - Interested in what to look for and what to stay clear of from fellow Funsters experience re towing a trailer with a car.
 
Some say have a twin axle as you will find them more stable and you have an extra tyre each side in case of puncture. Heavier and harder to move around. You will pay more for a good make but don’t scrimp.
 
Four wheels are ideal but I've used a two-wheeled trailer with rear corner steadies and a jockey wheel a fair bit and loaded so that there's downforce on the towbar as it should be. The jockey wheel needs to be on a good hard surface.
I found a handbrake very handy for when unhooking on a slope travelling solo without anyone to chock the wheels.
 
Four wheels are ideal but I've used a two-wheeled trailer with rear corner steadies and a jockey wheel a fair bit and loaded so that there's downforce on the towbar as it should be. The jockey wheel needs to be on a good hard surface.
I found a handbrake very handy for when unhooking on a slope travelling solo without anyone to chock the wheels.
How do you get the downforce correct / measured, so its not over the allowance for the tow bar ?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
I recently bought a nose weight gauge from Ebay on auction, got it for £5, job sorted.

When you first get the car and trailer you need to decide if the car is going on forwards or backwards. My Smart only worked when reversed on, as the rear engine position would not give me enough nose weight.
Try both ways measuring each time. When you have achieved the required nose weight, fit a couple of wheel stops forward of the front facing wheels, a length of 3x2 bolted to the trailer floor will do. The you will then be able to load each time without having to concern yourself as to the nose weight.

Geoff
 
A twin wheel is by far the best, just check your towing weights, you will not notice it is there expect perhaps for mpg and a more sluggish acceleration. keep an eye on it if you have not towed before, it takes a bit of a swing around corners and complicates reversing. It is a good way to take a runaround other than a motorcycle/scooter.
 
We towed a Smart car on a trailer no problems, we often had people saying it's cheaper to rent one, but we already had one car sat in the garage at home, we had plenty of room to store the trailer, and our Spanish trip was 5 months. 😁
With trailers it's so much easier if you can reverse them. 🤔
Single axle weigh less and are easier to move around. 🤔
Twin axle not so easy to move, but offers more stability. 🤔
Trailers could have a motor mover like caravans or a towbar fitted on the car to move them, I personally have never had the need. 🙂
Providing you buy a trailer capable of carrying your car, it's your choice what to buy and how much you want to spend, nothing that's going to put you over weight, and one that allows you to move the car back a little to get your nose weight right. 😁 Bob.
 
Had several trailers,all the 2wheel type, very rare to have a problem the motor mover was convenient, especially when just stopping overnight and not able stay hitched up
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top