Minivan owner needs trailer advice

[flyman1948]

I have a 2004 Chrysler T&C SWB mini van. I'm considering buying an enclosed 5 X 8 cargo trailer to haul my planes. any advice would be appreciated..types of suspension (spring Vs. Torqflex), height, wheel size, type of doors (ramp Vs swing) "V" front Vs flat front....any other options I should consider? But most of all, how well does a mini van handle a trailer? Thanks in advance.........

[rede2fly]

hey flyman i drive a minivan as well for my hobby and i pull a 6x10 trailer regular nose. it pulls it very well. i spoke with the trailer people all that i went to and was told that the v nose you get apx 1.5 mpg better, but you loose a lot of space in the front, plus they cost more. i looked at every trailer manufacture on the market and maby some that are not. plus talked with all the guys i know pulling trailers and i quote. get the ramp door with up assists and at least a 6x10. iam very happy with my choice and the ramp is the best thing out there in my book. oh yea ford aerostar small 6cyl = just fine.

[twostroke]

Eric,
Definately go with a single axle and the Torsion Suspension for sure! Torsion gives a lot better ride and is easier on your planes and equipment. I would stay with a trailer that is long enough for your planes with an additional 4 feet of space ahead of them. Get the side door and I also like the ramp door as well. Keep roughly the same width as your van is (maybe slightly wider if absolutely need be) and stay as low as you can. A high trailer will drag down your mini van like crazy. I didn't realize the amount of wind drag you get until I bought my own trailer and - wow - it sucks. Also get at least one interior light and a roof vent. Also trailer brakes are a must and will take alot of stress off your van. I personally like radial tires over the bias ply trailer tires. They seem to ride better as well if you keep the air pressure at minumum.

These are just my feelings on a trailer after buyig one several years ago that I am definately not happy with as I went bigger (7x14) with leaf spring tandem axle and it drops my fuel mileage down from 17 mpg to 7.5 - 8 when I pull my trailer.

Tom

[porcupineace]

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[Wrench]

I doubt you'll be able to pull much over a 5x8 with the TC even if it has the 3.8 V6. Check your owners manual for towing capacity. I looked at ramp doors vs twin doors and I went with twin doors, more personal pref than anything else on that issue. Torque flex axle is the best available suspension going right now. Get the V nose as they do tow easier and you don't lose space inside the trailer as has been stated. You do lose a bit of tongue area for a battery box/ spare tire holder. A 5x8 trailer is pretty small so you might want to think about bigger but that would most likely require a larger tow vehicle.

NEVER replace trailer tires with radial tires. Here's why..............

Trailer Tire requirements differ greatly from automotive tires. Automotive tires must maintain traction during all driving conditions: pulling, stopping, turning, or swerving. Because of this they must have more flexible sidewalls to maintain tread to road contact. Since trailers have no driving torque applied to their axles, the only time trailer tires must have traction is during the application of trailer brakes.
Trailers with heavy loads, high vertical sideloads (like camper trailers), or trailers with inadequate tongue weight can be affected by trailer sway problems. Automotive bias or radial tires with their more flexible sidewalls can accentuate trailer sway problems, whereas the stiffer sidewalls of the ST (special trailer) bias ply tires help to control and reduce sway problems. For this reason it is not recommended that (P) Passenger or (LT) Light Truck tires be used on trailers. Best trailer control will be achieved with (ST) Special Trailer tires.

[twostroke]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Wrench
	I doubt you'll be able to pull much over a 5x8 with the TC even if it has the 3.8 V6. Check your owners manual for towing capacity. I looked at ramp doors vs twin doors and I went with twin doors, more personal pref than anything else on that issue. Torque flex axle is the best available suspension going right now. Get the V nose as they do tow easier and you don't lose space inside the trailer as has been stated. You do lose a bit of tongue area for a battery box/ spare tire holder. A 5x8 trailer is pretty small so you might want to think about bigger but that would most likely require a larger tow vehicle. NEVER replace trailer tires with radial tires. Here's why.............. Trailer Tire requirements differ greatly from automotive tires. Automotive tires must maintain traction during all driving conditions: pulling, stopping, turning, or swerving. Because of this they must have more flexible sidewalls to maintain tread to road contact. Since trailers have no driving torque applied to their axles, the only time trailer tires must have traction is during the application of trailer brakes. Trailers with heavy loads, high vertical sideloads (like camper trailers), or trailers with inadequate tongue weight can be affected by trailer sway problems. Automotive bias or radial tires with their more flexible sidewalls can accentuate trailer sway problems, whereas the stiffer sidewalls of the ST (special trailer) bias ply tires help to control and reduce sway problems. For this reason it is not recommended that (P) Passenger or (LT) Light Truck tires be used on trailers. Best trailer control will be achieved with (ST) Special Trailer tires.

I totally agree with ya wrench! However, our airplanes and gear maybe weigh a mere 400 lbs. and there is no high vertical sideloads. Also we're talking single axle torsion suspension here. As long as you are using approved hitch, vehicle, and sway bar in the "airplane hauler" application, you should not worry about radial tires. I have run them before on a trailer for years and absolutely loved them - no sway problems for me and I even ran them at the lowest manufacturer required air pressure. JMO and my experience. I definately agree, though, I would never run radials on a trailer that I was using in heavy load situations or tandem axle applications.

[Highlights]

Torsion bar suspension for sure! Less bounce than leaf spring. The torsion bar suspension allows for a lower ride as well. Better Centre of gravity= less bounce.
Side door, and ramp on my rig. My knees hate stepping up onto a deck.

As for your towing capacity , well that is half the issue. More importantly is your stopping capacity. I haul a 6X14 pace america single axle with a Toyota fore runner. If you want , you can have some electric brakes hooked up for a few hundred dollars. Mine tows this trailer with ease. Stops well too. I think with a trailer you are thinking of you will be fine using the mini van.

Good luck