[Never_Enough]

Will be in the market for a 1 car open trailer soon. Preferably with a winch.

Anything in particular I should know, do, look for and/or stay away from?

[GATORB8]

What are you towing with?

[MacE90]

I picked up a tilt trailer and while it is sweet, it takes some boards to get my car (on KW1 coilovers) on and off without scraping the front bumper

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by GATORB8

What are you towing with?

Caravan to start.

[GATORB8]

Originally Posted by BoostedRide

Caravan to start.

As in Dodge?

[larryn]

Originally Posted by GATORB8

As in Dodge?

As opposed to camel?

[Fundguy1]

Does it have the tow capacity?

[consolidated]

If you have limited towing capacity look into lightweight aluminum trailers. Pricey but the hold their value tenaciously. Trailex, Aluma, Featherlite, ATC, Tommy's. Light trailers are a joy to tow with.

No weight concern, then any $2K steel farm trailer works, look for low deck height or you'll need huge ramps. Torsion axles instead of leaf springs. Wood decks eventually need work. Electric tongue jacks are beautiful devices but overkill on an enclosed.

Electric brakes over surge brakes, I like long ramps instead of tilt bed, lockable in-floor spare tire well is a good place for track jack and some tools, removable fenders are helpful for lowered cars with limited door clearance. LED lights because bulbs go out at the worst time.

Go for D or even E rated tires, best you can afford, it's worth it as most trailer tires are utter plop.

Buy longer bed than you need so you can bring fuel jugs, wheels, tools, pop-up, rig with E track and D rings in the floor. And helps distribute the weight if you ever need it, like ass-heavy 911s.

Winch is nice, but not all that needed on an open IMO. I do use a remote winch in my enclosed because it's hard to get out of the car once in.

After years of dealing with an open and towing with a car/SUV most eventually end up buying an enclosed and tow vehicle. Enclosed with marine battery inside, solar charging panel on the roof and electric jack is a great set up.

I've had my enclosed stolen, full of tools and a pit bike, and many friends have had the same happen. Plan for security based on where your storing it...wheel lock/chocks, hitch lock/vault, chains, gps lowjack etc.

[GATORB8]

Originally Posted by larryn

As opposed to camel?

If Google is right, Camels may be better than the Caravan's 1800 lb towing capacity.

Even with the newest model optioned out at 3600 there's not enough for a Z06+trailer. Unless you have Forza level weight reduction.

[DutchM550d]

Originally Posted by consolidated

If you have limited towing capacity look into lightweight aluminum trailers. Pricey but the hold their value tenaciously. Trailex, Aluma, Featherlite, ATC, Tommy's. Light trailers are a joy to tow with.

No weight concern, then any $2K steel farm trailer works, look for low deck height or you'll need huge ramps. Torsion axles instead of leaf springs. Wood decks eventually need work. Electric tongue jacks are beautiful devices but overkill on an enclosed.

Electric brakes over surge brakes, I like long ramps instead of tilt bed, lockable in-floor spare tire well is a good place for track jack and some tools, removable fenders are helpful for lowered cars with limited door clearance. LED lights because bulbs go out at the worst time.

Go for D or even E rated tires, best you can afford, it's worth it as most trailer tires are utter plop.

Buy longer bed than you need so you can bring fuel jugs, wheels, tools, pop-up, rig with E track and D rings in the floor. And helps distribute the weight if you ever need it, like ass-heavy 911s.

Winch is nice, but not all that needed on an open IMO. I do use a remote winch in my enclosed because it's hard to get out of the car once in.

After years of dealing with an open and towing with a car/SUV most eventually end up buying an enclosed and tow vehicle. Enclosed with marine battery inside, solar charging panel on the roof and electric jack is a great set up.

I've had my enclosed stolen, full of tools and a pit bike, and many friends have had the same happen. Plan for security based on where your storing it...wheel lock/chocks, hitch lock/vault, chains, gps lowjack etc.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by BoostedRide

Caravan to start.

Budget for a transmission.... You need a tow vehicle.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Budget for a transmission.... You need a tow vehicle.

^^^^^ This.

Get a Tacoma with a tow package. Nothing hurts their resale value.

[Fundguy1]

I'd look for a v8 suv or pickup. You can get cheap. 10 yr old F150, grand cherokee, etc. Caravan will be dead in no time.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by GATORB8

If Google is right, Camels may be better than the Caravan's 1800 lb towing capacity.

Even with the newest model optioned out at 3600 there's not enough for a Z06+trailer. Unless you have Forza level weight reduction.

It will be used for towing wrecked cars & such, not my Z06. Either way, if the Caravan can't handle it then it won't be used.

[1MOREMOD]

My x5d also works well in this capacity

[WreckerX5d]

Get a vehicle designed for towing (the big 3 250/0+ series, Tundras, ect.). Those vans are only supposed to tow small trailers for light stuff. Just because it's rated for the pounds, doesn't mean you should max it out. Trust me on this, the vehicle makes the difference.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by Wrecker335d

Get a vehicle designed for towing (the big 3 250/0+ series, Tundras, ect.). Those vans are only supposed to tow small trailers for light stuff. Just because it's rated for the pounds, doesn't mean you should max it out. Trust me on this, the vehicle makes the difference.

Yea, it's a new venture that my friend & I plan to embark on & the van is his so he has to trade or sell it & then look for a cheap tow rig. PITA

[Ali Shiralian]

Do not use a van to tow. I killed my brothers Sienna transmission towing my boat, $15,000 damage. Had to put in a new tranny. It was even 500 pound below the limit. Got a 4Runner and no trouble towing the boat...

[Nitrousbird]

But used - these things hold their value one they take their new trailer depreciation hit. I have an 18' open hauler. If weight is a concern go with aluminum. Make sure you have a trailer brake controller and don't tow cars with a Caravan. Get a vehicle designed to handle the weight. IIRC my trailer alone is 1500lbs and is an open center design.

Removable/tilt fenders are also a must. Me and some friends converted mine to removable.