Trailer to pull TJ

[dleii]

Okay, after posting on TOM's thread (Fantasy Full size truck) i got to thinking that I need a trailer to haul my TJ to the trails. I really like having the thought of trailering my rig home if it is broke vs trying to drive it hundreds of miles. Where can I get a trailer to haul it with? What size does it need to be? Do i need trailer brakes? DOes any one have a used one for sale? I have a Yukon Denali 6.0L, I have never really pulled anything heavy LONG DISTANCES...will I be okay pulling with this?

Here is my hauling rig...
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x78/dleii/26350023.jpg

[jeepercreeper]

well I'm sure it would do fine...Zack and Carmen pulled their Jeep around with a Tahoe (I think it was a Tahoe?) and he said it pulled it just fine. I don't know if he had trailer brakes. If you can get a trailer with brakes, it certainly wouldn't hurt anything.

[Hokie_YJ]

Yeah you definitely want trailer brakes. The Denali should pull it fine. Does it already have a hitch?

As for the trailer, I pull a 16' Hurst trailer. It's a good light weight trailer, pulls great, and it plenty of trailer for my YJ. It's a tandem axle trailer, 7k lb. GVWR, w/ one braking axle. It's 84" wide between the fenders, and with my full width axles I fit perfectly between the fenders.

Check the TOR board, they have a section specifically for trailers, there's almost always a nice trailer for sale on there.

[Andy's02]

Donnie,

The 6.0L Yukon will be just fine. You need a 16ft car hauler with 5000lb axles and brakes on at least one axle. You also need a break-away system. That is a new safety requirement so if the trailer does become detached from the trailer that the brakes will be activated bringing the trailer to a stop. There are tons of trailer versions. I can get you one down here new for around 1500 plus tax. That will be to the above specs except for the break-away box and those are less than $100.00.

[Don]

The longer the trailer, the better to a degree. Get at least 14 foot (min). However, I would not consider less than 16 foot. Dual axle. 3,500 lbs axles (each) or larger. Electric brakes on at least one axle. Pressure treated lumber is nice. Spare tire (most trailers don't come with spare). Get the WIDE deck..... mine is like 84 inches from inside wheel well to inside wheel well. You will appreciate this width with wide tires and larger axles on Jeep. 4 foot ramps are fine for Jeep. Ramp pockets are nice, fold up ramps are even better. Break away system can be added to any trailer with e-brakes and for not much $$. Final thought, you can not add too many reflectors to your trailer :)

[red rubicon]

I agree with everything that has been stated. The 6.0 will have no problem towing but make certain you get trailer brakes on at least one axle. If you have the tow package your truck is already wired for the trailer brakes.

[dleii]

yea...I have the tow package. It has the hitch, lights, braks and I have the electronic brake thingy in the car (detachabale). How much do you guys think for a used trailer with the above specs?

[Don]

BTW, Swampdonkey pulls his Jeep & trailer with a Tahoe. I don't think he has any issues. I use a Grand Cherokee with a 4.oL, not because it is a good tow rig, it just happens to be all that I have. It does fine once I added the weight distribution hitch to my setup.

[Don]

yea...I have the tow package. It has the hitch, lights, braks and I have the electronic brake thingy in the car (detachabale). How much do you guys think for a used trailer with the above specs?

Finding used that is worth purchasing is going to be the issue. When I looked, used was rough and almost as much as new...... I went new. :)

[Hokie_YJ]

I paid $1600 for mine. It's a 2006 model, and it had only been used twice.

[Andy's02]

I paid $1450.00 for mine + tax and then I added a brake-a-way. Oh, another thing....the tires will be used on almost all new trailers. So, look at all the trailer and make them give you the best set of tires that they have.

[jeepercreeper]

It seems like people usually aren't willing to let a trailer go for very cheap...I tried to buy one off a guy once, cause I really needed it to drag a vehicle across the country and he wouldn't sell it to me for nothing!!

[Andy's02]

You are correct Dave. Most used trailers are as much as you can buy a new one simply because after people have them for a year they have had to add the break-a-way, get a spare and buy a new set of tires. That adds up to over $500.00 of additional expenses on a trailer that cost over $1600.00 tax and all to begin with. That puts the total out of pocket expense up to ea min of $2100.00. So now all you guys know why most used trailers are $1600 to $1800.00.

[dleii]

How much does my jeep weigh, roughly? 33's and 3.5 lift. big bumpers...that's all I really added (weight). I guess what I am asking is, I think I can get away without brakes. My Cuz has one that is wide enough and long enough...it is actually a car hauler. HE just says it doesnt have brakes. But he also says it does fine without. He said to but it in "tow/haul" mode and let the tranny do part of the stopping. What do you guys think? This would be good since I will only need it a few times a year (wont have to buy one). Also, do you still think I need the break away attachment?

[Hokie_YJ]

You definitely need the brakes and the break-away, bad thing happen without trailer brakes.

[Andy's02]

Donnie....You are supposed to have brakes on at least one axle when hualing a vehicle. Your jeep is pushing 4000lbs. Brakes cost $100.00 per axle. Money well worth the safety improvement. Do you really want 4000lbs + the weight of the trailer behind you like a missle if you have to do an emergency stop?

[dleii]

What if the axles don't have drums on them. Its not gonna be $100 then is it. Or can you add brakes to them too? If so...what does it consist of?

[Andy's02]

Unless its a homemade trailer I am willing to bet one of the axles have brake flanges on it and if it does not....you can buy those as well. It may cost $125.00 with brake flanges but I you can add brakes to any trailer.

[Marine]

Good topic, as once I get my jeep on the trails (should be next weekend) then I will start looking at trailors.

I was planning on borrowing my brothers for a while. It is a car hauler with tandam axles (has been used to haul tractors) but it has no breaks that I am aware of...

How can you tell if its wired for breaks?

[dleii]

Gotcha thanks for the good info!

[Andy's02]

Not 100% about the harness but I believe it will have 5 wires if it is for brakes.

[Rob1986]

Shouldnt it be a 7 way round if its got brakes????

[Andy's02]

I dunno. I just thought mine had 5 wires on the harness.

[Whitnel]

I don't know about the 5 way as i have never used one but it would make sense. I know 6 way and 7 ways have brakes.

1 parking lights
2 ground
3 right turn
4 left turn
5 brakes
6 auxilary power
7 back up lights

[YJason]

Check this place out if you are looking for a new trailer, he treated me good. Very nice quality trailer for the $
Sam Little Trailer Sales
1468 S Water Ave
Gallatin, TN 37066-5017
Phone: (615) 452-4265

[fjmf]

I've allways wondered, there is a rumor I've allways heard that one could go to siskston, missouri and get a trailer for at least 500 less, that it's the trailer making capital of the mid-(west?). Anyone ever buy anything there? Know someone that did?

[skisad]

I can get a new trailer with brakes in B'ham for $1300 with a spare tire. 16' I think.

[Elven]

I got mine in Sikeston, Mo at L&D Trailers Sales I bought a 22 trutilt with brakes on one axle but thats cause I plan to upgrade my tow rig to the one I keep borrowing from my father in law :D instead of my f150 super crew (even though it pulls just fine just need diesel) They at the time had the best prices just call ask for what size with what options or go to their site and they will have a price.
16ft flatbed treated wood floor 4ft slide in ramps brakes on one axle extra wide with tear drop fenders used tires...seems cheaper to get new tires locally. right around $1300

[jeepercreeper]

I bought a 5x10 trailer in Sikeston, MO, drove it down to El Paso hauling all the crap I had down there, used it a few times and then sold it for about $200 more than I paid for it, simply because the prices were so much higher down there...
Sikeston is the place for cheap trailers, but I was in the area. I don't think it would really be worth the cost of fuel when you will only save about $200 on the trailer.

[Marine]

I can get a new trailer with brakes in B'ham for $1300 with a spare tire. 16' I think.

where?

[dleii]

Boy do I know how to get a good topic going!!! ;)

[Don]

How much does my jeep weigh, roughly? 33's and 3.5 lift. big bumpers...that's all I really added (weight). I guess what I am asking is, I think I can get away without brakes. My Cuz has one that is wide enough and long enough...it is actually a car hauler. HE just says it doesnt have brakes. But he also says it does fine without. He said to but it in "tow/haul" mode and let the tranny do part of the stopping. What do you guys think? This would be good since I will only need it a few times a year (wont have to buy one). Also, do you still think I need the break away attachment?

If his tow rig is a 1 ton truck, he may not think he has a real need for e-brakes on the trailer. However, an SUV is not a 1 ton. IMHO, every trailer with 4,000 lbs need e-brakes.

[red rubicon]

I agree with Don on the brakes. If nothing else how many of us have been towing a Jeep and someone just pulls out in front of you? The brakes are worth EVERY penny you spend on them. Also check out the prices at rednecktrailers.com

[skisad]

where?

Local guy sales them, but I think they are made in Decator. I will look it to fine out.

[YJason]

Do the math

Trailer 2000 lbs + Jeep 4000lbs = 6000lbs pushing a vehicle weighing 6000lbs

Very simple equation

$300 brake setup or your life & others at risk