Narrowed down trailer choices--questions..

[IndyXJ]

I have a place with a "Liberty" (not KJ related) trailer that is a 14' with 2' dovetail. They will install the hitch and brake controller as well.
I have another place that has a Big Tex CH70 16' w/out dovetail. Any opinions on dovetail design? However, they don't offer much in way of installs or anything. Cost of hitch install is not much above the cost of a hitch hitself. Thinking of going with the all-in-one shop(install, trailer, etc) but didn't know if dove tail wasn't worth it due to possibly hitting low objects in trailhead of various places.

[mullins87]

IMO: Dovetails are nice when loading low-riding vehicles such as cars or other objects that are long and have little ground clearance. Your XJ won't even know the difference. However, you'll need more flatbed area than 14', otherwise your rear axle will be riding on the dovetail portion during transport. No structural problems there, I just wouldn't like my Jeep constantly trying to roll off the trailer.

Is that you bidding on the ZJ springs on ebay? I saw those and was going to bid.

[Don]

Bill: I agree with Fred. You need bigger flat area, not the dovetail. I have a 16 ft, and would recommend that you go with a 16, or even an 18 foot, no way would I do the 14ft.
My trailer does not have the dovetail, yet I was able to drive a 1967 Ford Galaxie on to it without any issues... this is a long, low to the ground car. I have 4 foot ramps, haven't seen a need for the 5ft ramps.

[IndyXJ]

Hmmmm, okay. the ch70 looks more attractive now. No dove tail and the ramps go in the side. 7000# total with 3500# axles. The sales guy was trying to get me to spend 150-200 more on radial tires as opposed to bias ply. I can see his point, but what do you guys think? Thanks.
ps-the ch70 has a metal bar across the top for help in tying down the rig unlike the ch60 I was considering.
Nope-not me bidding on ebay right now.

[Don]

Bill: The radial trailer tires are the way to go. However, an additional $150.00 to $200.00 seems real high. You will want a spare tire... as it would be a real PITA to have a flat on an x-way somewhere and have to deal with no spare. The ramp pockets are nice... however, you probably won't need them if your Jeep is lifted. I use mine to pull on the trailer, but I just back off without them. IF the choice is dovetail, or ramp pockets, I'd take the pockets. Didn't I give you Jeff's phone number? No high pressure, just straight talk....

[IndyXJ]

Yeah,got number, etc. Just looking at all my options locally. I know I want the emergency braking these provide if it leaves the truck somehow. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
The clearance on the ch70 is 20" to get on the trailer. I think I could do that and ditch the ramps and save weight.

[scrambled]

I just got a 18ft dovetail and love it. It also came with the ramps that slide in the side. Like this weekend I sheered off all four bolts in my transfer case yoke (that is hard to do in snow by the way) so I only had rear wheel drive. The ramps and dovetail made getting on the trailer no problem (even with the parking lot covered in the white stuff). My ramps hook on the trailer so you don't have to worry about them spitting out. Just my .02

[Don]

I don't know if I would not purchase the ramps. My trailer sits 19 inches off ground, and I don't use ramps all the time. However, I still carry them as like Scrambled said, you never know when you might have to limp your Jeep onto your trailer. My trailer is actually a "Utility" trailer as I needed it for more than just hauling my TJ. Therefore, I didn't get ramp pockets. Ramp pockets are nice, but you can live without them. I think you will find that the long trailers will pull slightly better than a shorter trailer. Going from a 14 foot to a 16 or even an 18 foot trailer may sound like a lot, but I think you will be happier in the long run if you do go with the longer trailer.

[IndyXJ]

Well, the trailers automatically come with the ramps. Everyone has such good points, lol!

[mullins87]

Dang, I wish I knew it wasn't you. Their screen name was something like "indyjeepnut". I would have bid against them. I think the springs only went for around $20.

[Fred]

Well I have a 16' with a 2' dove tail. I hauled my XJ on it until I got rid of the XJ. 16' of flat bed is just about right for an XJ to fit. I now have a stock 99 TJ and 16' is MORE than enough. As for the dovetail, it is preferance, you could go either way. I am like Don, I load and unload at the house using the ramps, but at TB there is a berm, I back up to the berm and can drive the jeep on and off with out ramps, But I feel you DEFINATLY NEED RAMPS! As for ramp storage, I have the side storage, nice feature, but not a nessecity, you can just sit the ramps on the deck under the jeep and put a strap on them.
So in conclusion:
1. For an XJ 16' minimun
2. Ramps a must
3. Dovetail an option
4. Ramp storage an option
and almost forgot...I will get beat up for this one....Trailer brakes are an option. It makes many feel more confident, but I have seen them lock up for no apparent reason. I would say DEPENDING ON YOUR TOW RIG, trailer brakes are optional. My trailer does not have brakes. I towed the XJ with a GMC 1500...I WAS SCARED!!!! I now have a Dodge 3500 diesal, and towing the TJ with out brakes is not an issue, I feel no serious difference.
So for this part in conclusion:
1. With a 1/2 ton truck get brakes
2. With a 3/4 ton or bigger brakes are optional

This is just my thoughts and all are welcome to beat me up for them.

[Don]

Fred did a good job making things simple. I would only add the following, if you go with a wood deck, make sure it is pressure treated lumber. You will want to make sure that the width of the trailer (inside wheel well to inside wheel well) is wide enough to drive a Jeep with 12:50 tires and after market wheels. These wheels will add approximately 5 inches to the width of a stock Jeep. If your Jeep is lifted, ramps and burms are not needed, except they are nice for loading the Jeep onto the trailer. Also you may need them to limp a Jeep onto the trailer. If you have a big tow vehicle, e-brakes maybe an option. I us a WJ as my tow vehicle and at this time I don't have controller for trailer brakes, and have done fine without them. HOWEVER, the first time someone pulls out in front of you, you will Wish you had those trailer brakes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[IndyXJ]

Well, after having a nice cheery meeting about contractors/outsourcing at work...the trailer isn't going to happen nor any other money towards it and not ruling out selling the XJ. It was looking okay, but now not as good. July 12 they make a final decision to outsource my and other jobs to contractors which a chance to work for the contracting firm, or the other part is they would cut some positions and use contractors as needed for various IT projects. So, I have to curtail the unneeded spending. This sucks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[BillM]

Sorry to hear this Indy. I myself am a contractor in the IT field. The company we do the work for are constantly changing around who does what so I never know what I will be doing, if anything. I feel for ya. Hope everything works out to your advantage.

[IndyXJ]

Well, I've calmed down a little bit and know I won't be selling my Jeep no matter what. I'd get severance, unpaid vac pension and 401k balances to move out/roll over, etc. The trailer/hitch/controller/labor, etc is an expense I need to really budget or do over time.
TN eh? Are you hiring! eheeh I'd love to be down South again...Work in Indy here.

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I've calmed down a little bit and know I won't be selling my Jeep no matter what. I'd get severance, unpaid vac pension and 401k balances to move out/roll over, etc. The trailer/hitch/controller/labor, etc is an expense I need to really budget or do over time.
TN eh? Are you hiring! eheeh I'd love to be down South again...Work in Indy here.

[/ QUOTE ]

No WaY could we have BOTH Bill's in the same State, much less the same town... Can you imagine the trouble you two would get into /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif

[BillM]

Funny Don. Unfortunately my company is not hiring. I can tell ya that there is a BIG credit union hiring for IT. I am trying to get the address where the info is. will post back.

[BillM]

OK here it is Bill. Not sure you were really interested in this but here it is anyway.

http://www.timesnews.net/topjobspop.dna?idNumber=11116809481056017&action=l isting

[IndyXJ]

Thanks! Not serious as of yet, but if worse comes to worse, gotta keep options open.

[BillM]

I hear ya brother.