The E-track should only work by pulling in line with the track. Since it clips in form the side, a sideways load would be more likely to cause it to release.

On saying that we had a problem with the E-track: This was a one time issue. We had an Outlander and an AC 700 TRV loaded in an enclosed trailer with the TRV in back. Basically, we clamped down too much on the TRV - had someone sitting on it while tightening up on the turnbuckle that was attached to the E-track bracket - this really compressed the read suspension. With the TRV in the back of the trailer, it was in the spot with the most bounce. We were running from TN to Wis. and after a check of the gear (about 300 miles into the trip) found that the E-track bracket to the rear of the TRV had popped out of the E-track slot. Once we eased up on the tension, we had no problems for the remainder of the 1,800 mile trip.

Jaybee

 

That stuff is good stuff.. I don't want anyone to think otherwise.... even the most careful person can do something that it isn't exactly built for. How can you account for everything? Just a question though... With Viper's track running like it does, do you think there will be any problem rolling forward of backwards that would cause it to fail. I think not if loaded sideways in the current configuration, but perhaps if loaded nose to tail from front to back. I can see where that might cause a pop out as you may have experienced. This is one reason I always run a cable through all my machines and lock them down And I always set teh parking brakes just to give me a little more safety cushion.

I am not sure the clips would be as strong if bent over sideways but I am pretty confident if it is pulling straight in line with the clip there isn't going to be an issue. I can't see any other way to mount the track actually. The factory does it just the same as he has done. He might consider using a short strap/clip with a ring that I have seen just to keep things aligned etc.... Just my 2 cents. I doubt anything will happen though. He is using the other mount points for his Jeep.

Viper, did you see the optional side wings when looking at your trailer and do you know what the option would run? I have to say I am impressed with this company. They don't have any problems putting their prices out there for all to see. I think they are quite competative actually. Also, they DO have a diamond plate option too. I was pretty much set on a sure-trac, but these are well built trailers and with the wide front wings that let me park two side by side on the front, that is a tempting option. I am a little torn over the tilt bed versus the beaver tail though. Mrs DB asked a very simple question that has ne really thinking hard. Who am I buying the trailer for? My son, or for me? If it weren't for the race cars, I'd say the straight deck was my preference. I DO worry about the 4 ft beaver tail hanging too far down and causing problems with clearance in the dirt. I have enough grunt in my Cummins to pull it out (4x4) but that isn't the issue. If I go with the straight tilt deck, I won't be hauling the Porsche or the RX. But when you really get down to it, they should go inside an enclosed trailer anyway. But I doubt Mrs DB is going to listen to that argument. Heh heh, I have to give her something to be mad at me about...
Anyone else out there worry about stuff coming up missing off their open trailers? I lock all my stuff including straps etc up in my truck, but I still worry.

 

Dragginbutt,
You have to see this trailer in person to really appreciate it. Everything on the trailer is industrial grade quality, and looks and functions like it was meant to be used day in and day out, for years. I did not look at the side wing option, so I cant help you there.

On the E-track, ... the only other time I have used it was in a friends enclosed auto transport trailer that he used to haul Jeeps with. His trailer was a gigantic 45 foot goose neck trailer that we hauled three Jeeps inside. He had two strips of E-track mounted longitudinally on the trailer deck just like mine are mounted, and that was all we used to tie the Jeeps down with. We had no problems from the E-tracks in our 700 mile round trip to Moab, UT, but that was only one trip.

 

Yeah that is cool. I was just wondering since Jaybecon had mentioned having issues. I know this stuff has been around for a long time and I haven't heard anyone have issues. I am kind of wondering now because I have it all over my work trailer on the side walls. It holds a large water filled machine in place that total might go near a ton. So if I hit my brakes real hard, I don't want to be snapping that sucker loose and having it roll forward. That would be a bad thing since I have two propane tanks right in front of it.... I have the wheels locked etc, but once you have the weight moving, it is hard to stop...

 

Hey Viper, do you have any idea what the angle in degrees the aproach angle is when loading with your tilt trailer? I am thinking it is around 18 to 20 degrees. Can you confirm? I am comparing a tilt bed to the normal ramp/dovetail style. I have looked at the 20 ft and 22 ft regular deck car hauler and can't seem to find any reference to the load angle on them... I have considered using extended 6 ft ramps to lessen the angle. But if I can't get a better attack angle than you have with the Tilt bed, why mess with ramps at all?

 

I'll have to see if I can find a protractor tonight and measure the angle. I did pull the Challenger up on to the trailer to see how much clearance it had, and it clears the front air dam just fine.

DV

 

Dragginbutt,
I tried to find a protractor, and could not find one. Drove down to the store to buy one, and they didn't have one. So I got a 2' long level and a tape measure, and tilted the bed. For every 2' of run there is a 4.625" rise in height. I don't have a scientific calculator, but I believe you need to take the tangent (or inverse tangent) of the rise over the run to get the angle of the slope. In other words, take the tangent (or inverse tangent) of 0.1927 and that will tell you how many degrees the trailer bed is tilted at.

[edit] My computer has a scientific calculator on it, and if my math is right the trailer bed is tilted at 10.1 degrees.

DV

 

did you end up buying the enclosed hauler? did you get a over deck or mid? cause i'm wondering the same thing and this is the only fourm i could find... only i need a minimum of a 22' cause i need to be able to haul a full size pickup in it, but i go offroad frequently to get to the campsite i love, where we unload our atvs and get to the private hotsprings. Anyone have input for the clearance issues in offroad/backing into a driveway situation? just don't want to bottom it out, so i'm wondering if a deckover would allow for a pickup to be loaded without much difficulty, but i would go with the mid deck if i knew a pickup could fit through between the tires. Also, 2 atv's should fit behind the wheel well of a 20' er? and maybe one in the middle? because the front end has a kitchen/bathroom setup i was looking at. Thanks.

 

Well to be honest, I haven't purchased it yet. Like always, just when I have the $ in hand, something happens that changes my mind. First, My wife had her 3rd heart attack. Once I recovered from that, I was laid off for 3 months. So priorities like eathing and paying the mortgage pretty much trumped my riding for the past year. As we speak, I am working on building a new workshop, so $ is being funneled in that direction. However I have zeroed in on a Kauffman trailer. they sell direct to the public only. So the prices are much cheaper. I have decided on a 23 ft open car hauler model with a steel deck. for a little over 3K with all the options. If I had the money though, I'd opt for an enclosed 22 ft V-nose deckover snomobile hauler 8 ft wide from Pro-line. They have agreed to build me one with an additional 3rd axle to gain the load capacity I need for for under $9K. Which is pretty reasonable. Lightweight, can haul 6 machines. But right now, money is tight and I think I'll be better served by the open car hauler. Plus, I may be able to sell it to my son at a later date. Besides open trailers are so much easier to load/unload and tie down.

I'd like ot opt for the H&H, but that would cost me more $ than the Kaufmann

If you are in teh market for a toyhauler, check out the Forest River 27WP ft Wolfpack tag. the advantage of this design is that all the sinks, bathrooms etc are on one side, so you have nearly the whole length of the trailer to haul ATVs.

http://www.forestriverinc.com/nd/def...=WolfTTrailers

 

Ended up selling it to some kid who wanted it worse than I did, and OBTW, made a grand profit on it to boot. As it stands, I am Porsche-less right now, but have hauled 4 of them for my son since Jan. He is down to 1 now. His personal driver. a 96 911 Turbo clone. Still have not bought the trailer. My son is soon moving to Stutgart GE to be closer to the Porsche race scene and make some connections for his shop here. Has committed to a 3 year deal. So the need for me to have a car hauler has diminished. I have also recently been looking at a trailer from Looktrailers. They are the company that bought out Pace American. They have a enclosed deckover snowmobile style trailer with a 10,000 rating (They get it) It should have plenty of rating to get 6 in there comfortably. It is 24 ft plus the v-nose, so the length is there too. Even has a rear door that is 6.6" tall opening. That would take a side by side no problem. Right now, I am paying for a garage I am having built. When that is done, I plan of the trailer. Probably just in time for when my youngest goes off to college. Then it is just me and Mrs DB.