Trailer Conversion?

[Mmagus]

My friend has a 22’ travel trailer that he is willing to let me have for a REALLY great deal. I am wondering if it would be a “reasonable” idea/plan to gut it and make it an enclosed car hauler. Ideas, thoughts, comments, snickering…all welcome.

Thanks,
Pastor Mark

[pdy]

Mark:

Do some homework first, like check the weight. Unless you fill it with helium, it might be too heavy for Opie to pull, even after removing the kitchen sink.
Also, the frame could require reinforcing in certain areas to support hauling a car. Intrtiguing idea, particularly with your knack for REALLY great deals.

[SDGT3]

I believe Jackie and Phil Corwin have a set up like that with their travel trailer. Check with them if they had to re-enforce anything to put their 944 in there. As Paul said, check your weighs because the more space you have, the more "stuff" you will want to bring like a spare set of wheels, tool boxes, floor jacks, jack stands, fuel, chairs, bikes, coolers, umbrellas, EZ-Ups, compressors, generators, etc. etc. etc. it goes on and on and on

... did I mention a table, spare set of brake pads, maybe an extra set of front rotors, motor oil, brake fluid, window cleaner, helmet, driving suit (if applicable), gloves shoes, tarps, shop towels, jackets, 2nd set of clothing for hot or cold climates, food, plenty of water, etc. etc. etc.

...pretty soon, we're talking about real weight

[Steve Grosekemper]

Sort answer is each trailer is constructed very differently.
Buy what you need... there are deals everywhere in this economy with the desert crowd.

[Mmagus]

Do some homework first, like check the weight. Unless you fill it with helium, it might be too heavy for Opie to pull, even after removing the kitchen sink.
Also, the frame could require reinforcing in certain areas to support hauling a car. Intrtiguing idea, particularly with your knack for REALLY great deals.

Yep Paul it is one of THOSE really great deals. I am very concerned with Opie (my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited) being able to pull it, then again I could just rip everything off the frame and mount a couple of runners for wheels and see if that works...OR...find someone with a car Hauler who wants a travel trailer and make a trade

[JivenJim]

Hey Matt,

I've been working on my 91 converted Callen's toy hauler for 1.5 years. Most of which has been spent getting the 87 F250 from 260 Hp to 450; to carry the 4800 lbs 24 ft Steel frame with 3300 pounds of cargo. I also purchase some light weight ramp extensions from Race Ramps. (lowered the angle from 18 degrees to about 8.8 adding 6 ft x 2 foam ramps) Currently working on Winch/batteries/...
Lots to do on these. Mine had a steel frame and about 1 inch thick plywood floor which the dealer said was good for ~9000 Gross. I do not think your jeep will be good for anything over say 5.5K on the grape vine. That would eliminate most enclosed trailers IMOP.

A word of advise I've had trouble taking myself. It's better to drive up you race car, than drive up a questionable rig, that is not rated for its loads. (Brakes and power!) Test you set up on easier stuff and break them in slowly.

PS Gas Mileage is so bad towing heavy loads that it is almost to difficult to put in writing. I get 6-8 MPG of 88 oct. Diesel is the way to go. Then maybe you get 12 with a load...

Jim

[Mmagus]

Yeah the weight is my fear and it seems it will be too heavy for my Jeep. Well if anyone is thinking of going this way I can get a KILLER deal for you as in...ohhhhh a set of Hankook ventus s3 tires for tuffy and it just might be yours!


Mark

[Cajundaddy]

A REALLY great deal on a rig that meets your needs is a good way to go. After all the dust has settled in a house trailer/car hauler conversion you may find that it would have been cheaper to have Team Penske pick up your car the week before the event, test and tune it for the desired track, and deliver it with full pit crew on race day.

[smokin TT]

Mark,

I have been doing an incredible amount of research on just your topic and found it was more economical to buy a enclosed trailer designed to haul a race car. The major problems are as stated, axle strength (weight bearing), brakes, your car and trailer, flooring strength, weight of the trailer and cargo (weight ) capacity, Add the total weight and check your jeep's towing capacity and that may settle the discussion right there. Then, check the load bearing capacity of the ramp. Most trailers not designed as a car hauler will have a 3,000 lb limit or less. Ramps on race trailers are at around 4,000 lbs or better. the pitch of the loading ramp will also cause you problems in loading the car, resulting in your buying special ramps.....another $400 to $500.00. And we havent even talked about the cost of conversion.

Listen to Jim ..........

[smokin TT]

Check the POC classifieds

[rshon]

It's better to drive up you race car, than drive up a questionable rig, that is not rated for its loads.

Driving your car out to a DE or TT is not so bad, so long as you haven't built yourself a "hand grenade" motor, and you keep the rubber side down and on the asphalt. (I've driven my car all the way to Pahrump on RA-1s; you just need to watch out for puddles!). It's actually kind of fun. The plus with 924's/944's/928's is that you actually have space to haul tires. Otherwise you have to have friends help you out. Just remember to leave the A/C in if you're heading across the desert...

[Mmagus]

Hi there folks. Thanks for the informative posts and I will not be going that direction due to the information that you kind people have shared. Its so nice to have a forum to bounce things off.