I am looking at purchasing a Diamond enclosed trailer. I haven't hear much about this brand so I am wondering if any of you have any inputs/experience with this brand. Also I am wondering if the price is good. It is a 2008 model 8.5X20 enclosed car hauler with dual 3500LB axles. The asking price is $5500. He claims to only have had it for 6 months, and has only towed it to move which was 2000 miles. It has dovetail floors, and rear ramp door. It looks pretty nice from the pictures. This will be my first trailer purchase, and I really need some advice. Basically I want to know if this is a quality trailer and is it a good price? Also I am curious as to how my 5.4 that could will tow this with about 2-3K lbs in it. I have 35" tires and changing my gears to either 4.56 or 4.88's before i have to tow with this trailer. Thank you in advance...

 

trailer prices can run all over the place.
For a race car trailer alot depends on how it's finished out inside.

For example in 2006 I bought a new Millenium trailer for my race car. It has a vee nose, aluminum treadplate floor and up 2 ft on the sides. Cabinets etc, etc. I paid 11K for it...
Most guys I know use trailers with a 5200# axle ratings although some use the 3K# ones. Just be careful to not overload it.

 

what are you hauling? two 3500 axles is more than enough to haul a car in it. but some of the rear ramp doors are way underrated and they wont tell you that, then you get this wonderfull bow in the door and it doesnt close. as for the gears. i wouldn't go any lower than 411's. i have 4.56's in my 65 chevy with a 454 and 60 mph is topping it out. your gas mileage will disapear with those gears. is your 5.4 in a f150 or f250?

 

with a 7000 lb axle limit, you'll do just fine with a 5.4L and 4.11s

 

I am not using the trailer to haul a car necessarily, though i might in the future. I am buying it initially to move, and then it will be a trailer to take camping and do pretty much anything with. I am definitely going with at least 4.56 gears because of the 35" tires. 4.56 will bring it close to stock, and 4.88 will make it a little easier on the 5.4. My truck is a 99 F-250. I am not too worried about the gas mileage as it really isn't an every day driver, though it can be.
So does this price seem good? From what I can see the inside isn't finished, nor does it have cabinets. Is is not a V-nose either. it has overhead lights and vents, pretty plain other than that. Thanks for your input!

 

http://www.trailershowroom.com/85x20chl.htm

Do you know what options it has? Here is a pretty nice price list for a new trailer and options.

 

Regardless of what trailer you wind up with, pay particular attention to how you load it up with household goods. You need to balance the load so you have just enough tongue weight.It's hard to judge when loading stuff -- watch the rear of the tow vehicle while loading...too much squat means too heavy on tongue, not much squat means too light. Neither condition is good.

 

If you're going to move with it then take it camping it should be fine.
With an unfinished trailer you can finish it out the way you want, kitchenette, fold down bunks, sat tv, disco ball....


Hey TexasReble, you still in school? I graduated from Aggieland in '83 w/ my Masters. GiG Em!

 

what are you talking about? "4.56 will bring it close to stock." no it wont. 4.56 are way to low. 35 inch tires arnt that big. so your just gunna drive around all the time at high rpms? not good for the motor. sure it will be great while your towing but what about daily driving? have you ever been in something that has 4.56's?

 

Swapping to 4.56 gears with the 35" tires will give you an effective ratio of 4.16 (Like having 4.16 gears with stock tires) or so. A set of 4.88 gears and 35" tires will be 4.46 or so. I would probably lean towards the 4.56 gears with your 5.4l Non-PI because the nonPI motors tend to really run out of breath above 4k rpm in stock form. With the regear to 4.56 your truck should handle a 7klbs gcwr trailer fine, won't be a speed demon but you should be ok.

FTE tire calculator. https://www.ford-trucks.com/calculat...re_sizes/a-er/

 

mountaineer27: I stand corrected on the gear ratio...4.11 will bring me right back to stock, but the majority of the people paying for a gear swap would recommend 4.56's for the added performance VS. 4.11's. The highway RPM's are not high enough to be a downfall of 4.56 compared to the extra spunk you will get. My truck really isn't comparible to your 65 chevy (which i would assume is a 1:1 gear ratio tranny) considering my tranny is a .71:1. My RPM's are not going to be rediculously high with 4:56 gears, I know plenty of people running the same set-up.
back to the original topic, thanks Texasrebel for the link, that's a very good website. Also, thank you alchymist for the heads up, i will be careful when loading. Thanks for all the feedback, it is always welcome considering i am a newb at towing.

 

I am pretty curious about the "Diamond" brand trailer...does anyone know about the quality of these?

 

ive got a diamond flat trailer. 6.5x10 single axle with a 3500lbs axle. its an 05 model and i broke the drivers side leaf spring due to overloading it. it wasnt fun but other than that the trailer is top notch. i wouldnt hesitate to purchase another diamond trailer at all. just put my second set of tires on her a few weeks ago. !! good luck

 

I bought an 8.5x20 Cargo Craft enclosed trailer last year to haul my hotrod,(see avatar and garage). total with the car is 6590lbs.. towing it today with an 08 suburban with 3.73 rear and the 5.3l V8. we just did 3300miles and for 7mpg. used a weight distributing hitch and sway bar.

about to move up to an F350/DRW.

Oh, I paid $5200 for this new. luan interior, ramp door, lights, electric brakes one axle, 2-3500lb axles.

I've also carried 3 loads of garage stuff from my sons house in Dallas to Austin.
loaded pretty good, 6200 lbs total one load

Sam

 

I think he's asking a bit too much for it. Sounds pretty plain jane, which you should be able to pick up new for that price. Get him down closer to $4500 and you'll have a decent deal. 16' or smaller I can see 2 3500lb axles, but 20' or larger I'd hold out for one with 5k axles. Resale on those lighter trailers isn't as good as the heavier trailers either because their uses are limited to lighter cargo (many cars will overload a 20' or larger with 3500lb axles).