Hi all I'm looking for feedback from fellow members on buying a car trailer.I'm going to go with a 18x82 trailer.I was looking for opinions as to the pros and cons as to wood vs metal decking and both axles with brakes or 1's good enough any anything else Thanks

 

I like the metal the best. Wood will go bad no matter how you treat it. I have built alot of trailers over years and sold them .

 

Go with brakes on both axles! Trust me on that!
Metal deck is the best way to go for a car trailer.
Don't get surge brakes, you're asking for problems backing.
How big is the car you're looking to haul?
Will there be a need for a dovetail, or just straight deck?
Also, Will the fenders come off to let you open the doors of the car?

 

OK thanks for the info.Just had one follow up.What are "surge" brakes and opposed to ??????
Thanks

 

Surge brakes is a braking system that uses the trailer weight to help stop the trailer. U-Haul uses that system, the tongue of the trailer is a 2 piece unit/ slider when you apply the brakes, the weight moves forward to compress the tongue and applies the brakes, like the master cylinder in your truck.
Surge brakes are used on big boat trailers, over electric brakes. No shorting out or loss of brakes. below is a set up for surge brakes, the cables release the trailer brakes when you start off, and compress when you brake. Notice the pin on the side, that pin is for locking the surge system up to not allow application. This allows for backing without problems.

 

Surge brakes also stink going down a steep hill. I rented a trailer-based manlift once that had surge brakes. When I went down a steep hill with it, I ended up dragging it down the hill. Oh, well, wasn't mine.

Jason

 

A few thoughts. How much will you be using the trailer? we have both wood & metal decks in our fleet, The wood is much easier on the ears when it comes to chaining something down. Metal bends when hit & rusts, wood is easily replaced. Wood is easily found and easy to work with, metal costs more and more up keep.
Surge brakes work well as long as the controller & slide is not rusted. I have to take the slides apart to clean the rust and keep the slide from binding. If you are the only one hauling the trailer, an electric system may be better for you. Greg

 

Most states require brakes on both/all axles.

 

I agree with that. Nowadays you should assume brakes are required on all axles until you are positive your state is different - and you're not planning to move.

 

I'm here in NH where both axles are required to have brakes.I talked to a guy that had a trailer made in 98 and he said 2 things.1 it came from the factory with only one axle containg brakes.2nd he said since it was made that way back then from the factory.It was legal and grandfathered.OPINONS ????

 

I do not think it matters how it was made it matters what the law is at the time it was made. You still see a lot of trailers advertised with brakes on one axle but from what I have seen most states require it on both axles. In short pay the little bit extra and get the brakes on both of the axles and make sure you have a battery break away.

If this is not a dedicated car hauler I would get a wood deck and I like the dove tail. The wood deck is great when you are hauling things other then a vehicle. I also do not like the open in the middle trailers because it limits how you can use the trailer. If it were going to be 100% car hauler it would be great but I use mine for all kinds of things. Metal decks are slippery and things do not strap down as nicely as with a wood deck.

 

OK Thanks for ALL the great help folks.Regards

 

Metal is very slippery when it gets wet, so keep that in mind too. Definitely get a dovetail, it makes it a lot easier to get cars on it that are lower to the ground.