Which car hauler trailer to buy for my long bed?

[Scottcoda]

Greetings all, I am trying to figure out which one of these 2 trailers I should get, They are made by the same manufacturer (Rice) and are the same price ($3,495) The trailer will primarily used for my off road trail rig (99 jeep TJ) but may haul my 68 long bed gmc from time to time, so my main question is length, The dealer has a 18ft (16ft deck +2ft beaver tail) That has a tool box, and powder coated rims. The other trailer is a 20 ft (18ft deck +2ft beaver tail) no tool box and grey painted steel rims,
I like the looks of the powder coated rims and definitely would love to have a tool box for my straps but I would hate to buy the 18ft trailer wishing I had the extra 2 feet for my 207 inch truck (wheel base is 123inches)..Would my gmc even fit safely on the smaller trailer?? Thank you all in advance for your input and if you have any pics of your trucks on a car trailer please put them up with the trailer/truck info..

[lolife99]

Personally I would get the longer 20' trailer to haul a long bed.
I have an 18' trailer and it works well for my shortbed trucks.
Just because the length of the trailer fits the length of your truck doesn't neccesarily mean its the right trailer.
You have to consider tongue weight and where on the trailer your truck needs to be, tied down.
I would take your tow rig and your 68 long bed to the trailer place and load it up.
That will tell you what you want to know.

[lowrollin70gmc]

I’ve hauled my long bed C1500 and Suburbans on my 18’ tilt bed and they fit fine. There is often a small gap on the front and slight overhang on the rear so I still have some space to dial in tongue weight. I went 18’ as it’s easier to maneuver into my very tight trailer parking space and is just a little less steel to drag around.

I can’t tell from the pictures, but I would definitely go with 5200lb axles instead of the 3500lb standards. Often cheap to upgrade on a new trailer and gives more safety when loading full size rigs.

[davischevy]

20" minimum.

5,200# minimum axles.

Get a tilt.

[Chevyland]

Agree on the 20’ min
And axles
Tilt costs quite a bit more.
I settled on 20’ with ramps
Put on a winch and works great

[Robznob11]

I have to disagree guys. I would go with the 18'. I just bought a 18' with 2' dove tail a few months ago. I have a short bed but i feel the 16' would have been better for me. My thinking was if i get the long one i can pull it further forward and the doors would clear the fenders. Well indeed they will but the problem is that when you do that you put excessive weight on the hitch. Better off with a trailer that is just big enough and your weight is even over the axles. Edit...unless that extra length is behind the tandum axles. You see in this pic it is up on the flat. I have even hauled mine with the rear tires on the dove. They pull and ride much better with the weight more centered. By the way if you can find them check out ED trailers. That is what mine is. It has full led light, electric brakes, and 1/4 thick diamond plate fenders (bolt on, incase you ever needed to change) very nice trailer well built and cost me $2500 out the door with ttl

[Greg58]

I am on my 3rd car trailer, ordered it new a couple of years ago.
20' Tilt with 8 lug 7000lb axles, drive over fenders, extra wide floor. It was $4600.
I would get the longer trailer given the choice. I have heard people complain about their trailer being too short, but never too long.




Greg

[allchevy58]

I believe in longer is better too. 24" tilt deck, 7,000 lbs. axles. I think two of the army jeeps would have fit on there.

[a1vintage69]

I had a 20' with ramps . it was hard to drive trucks on and off without somebody to guide me. I sold it and bought a 18' tilt. It was the best decision that I have made for my hobby. I hauled this orange truck about 500 miles from Oregon to Cally. Also I never need another persons help to guide me on and off. Love It! Tilt all the way. oh very important that the left fender folds down for low riggs so you can open the door to get in the driver's seat.

[a1vintage69]

Here's a tilt, look at the price! 2018 RICE CAR HAULER RT8220 CAR HAULER
2018 Rice Car Hauler RT8220, Sycamore IL - 5000465810 - EquipmentTrader 10CompareSave
$3,569
Get Financing
Price Alerts

2018 Rice Car Hauler RT8220, Car Trailer Length: 20, Width: 6.80, Full deck manual tilt, Adjustable 2 5/16 inch Coupler, 8k Jack, Treated Wood, LEDs, 2 axles with brakes. Color: Black. Estimated emp...

MORE DETAILSConditionNew
Rondo Enterprises Website
Sycamore, IL
Where is this Trailer?
6310-882 (668)

[Scottcoda]

Originally Posted by a1vintage69

Here's a tilt, look at the price! 2018 RICE CAR HAULER RT8220 CAR HAULER
2018 Rice Car Hauler RT8220, Sycamore IL - 5000465810 - EquipmentTrader 10CompareSave
$3,569
Get Financing
Price Alerts

2018 Rice Car Hauler RT8220, Car Trailer Length: 20, Width: 6.80, Full deck manual tilt, Adjustable 2 5/16 inch Coupler, 8k Jack, Treated Wood, LEDs, 2 axles with brakes. Color: Black. Estimated emp...

MORE DETAILSConditionNew
Rondo Enterprises Website
Sycamore, IL
Where is this Trailer?
6310-882 (668)

If I did not live 14 hours away I would be all over this trailer!!!

[flashed]

I just upgraded to a 20 Ft trailer with brakes on both axles from a 16 Ft trailer with no brakes . Best thing I have ever done .

[Greg58]

Originally Posted by flashed

I just upgraded to a 20 Ft trailer with brakes on both axles from a 16 Ft trailer with no brakes . Best thing I have ever done .

Now you're legal!
Years of towing have taught me that a good heavy duty trailer, a good heavy duty truck, proper loading and securing your load, make for a good safe day.
Also important is never be in a hurry, think about what could go wrong, keep space between you and other drivers.

Greg

[smiti7]

My opinion only, would be to go for the 18' trailer..... powder coated rims, tool box, etc. I have an 18' total length with 2' dove tail. I've had all kinds of vehicles on it, from
F350's to 68 Cadillac to C10's to Camaros. Easy to load, maneuver, park, etc. They may hang off a little, but centered over the axles, just about anything you haul should be good.
Good luck.

[Killer Bee]

I would opt for a 20' if I ever buy a new trailer, but my 16' Carson has fit everything I've needed it for..

trailer weight, parking for storage, and towing frequency should also be considered..

I did order it with brakes on both axles, typically only one standard, and battery backup break-away..

I ordered wood deck due to desert sun making steel deck untouchable, but would probably order steel next time..

electric winches are nice, could have used one a couple of times but managed with a pair of come alongs..

always hook up with rated coupling, drawbar, receiver, etc. and air up for load for worry free towing..

center the vehicle load on the trailer axles and cross tie down with heavy straps with chain leaders or chains..

careful driving, plotted route, extra stopping distance and proper gear selection makes for smooth sailing..

this was a stretch due to a b/o airbag on left side, but made the 110 mi trip from Ojai to OC in 2.5 hrs smoothly..

71 k20 Suburban 127" wheelbase..





what I originally bought the trailer for.. both of course only a year after buying the half ton truck

towed this rig all over Mojave to Vegas to the Baja without issue..



towed numerous cars and trucks over the 14 years I've had it.. quite satisfied for the price I paid new..



good luck!

[MrBeast]

Go 20' and get the better axles, it isn't hard to bend the 3500lb axles, and then they will start eating tires on the inside edge.

Ask me how I know this!

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Greg58

I would get the longer trailer given the choice. I have heard people complain about their trailer being too short, but never too long.

Greg

I agree. Get the longer of the two. I had a 16' to haul my Camaro that is shorter than that and it put too much tongue weight on the truck. Had to put the car on it backward to use it. Ended up getting a 20' trailer so I could locate the car on the trailer to balance the tongue load properly.

Another thing to think about is a removable fender for the driver side. Some trucks/cars are too low to get the door open when on the trailer. That was another problem with my old 16' trailer. Had to climb out the window if you drove it on. A winch would solve that but I didn't have one on the 16'.

I would also look into hydraulic brakes instead of electric. Great choice if you have more than one vehicle you tow with or god forbid you need to tow your tow rig with what you are towing. You should see the look on a dealership mechanics face when a big block 70 Chevelle tows a Suburban in for warranty repair.

[72_swb]

Longer is better lol.

5200 are good axle choice. But no one really talking about the tires. If it has junk China bias plys it really doesn't matter what axle your have. Goodyear makes a great trailer tire or run some LT tires.

I've once hauled my short bed truck on a 12' utility trailer. Only option I had. But it worked.

[71GeneralMotorsCorp]

I see lots of Hull trailers on here so, i'll share my brand new trailer from them...

22 foot electric/hydraulic tilt deck.

14k lb suspension package.. Tandem braked 7,000 lb Dexter axles.
10 D-rings around edges of trailer
Winch plate with 12,000 lb wireless controlled winch
Extra wide pump/toolbox
ALL L.E.D lights and really cool in-set L.E.D tailights.
everything charges through my 7 pin plug...
C-channel steel drive-over fenders
Wood deck has a 10 YEAR warranty.. It pulls like a dream and gets tons of compliments..

Paid $4,900.. Not bad for a full electric tilt deck with enough of an suspension package to haul my 10,000 lb Bobcat S250.. I love it!

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by 71GeneralMotorsCorp

I see lots of Hull trailers on here so, i'll share my brand new trailer from them...

22 foot electric/hydraulic tilt deck.

14k lb suspension package.. Tandem braked 7,000 lb Dexter axles.
10 D-rings around edges of trailer
Winch plate with 12,000 lb wireless controlled winch
Extra wide pump/toolbox
ALL L.E.D lights and really cool in-set L.E.D tailights.
everything charges through my 7 pin plug...
C-channel steel drive-over fenders
Wood deck has a 10 YEAR warranty.. It pulls like a dream and gets tons of compliments..

Paid $4,900.. Not bad for a full electric tilt deck with enough of an suspension package to haul my 10,000 lb Bobcat S250.. I love it!

That does look like a nice trailer.

[Greg58]

I looked at a lot of trailers before buying my Hull.
I liked that they will custom build exactly what you want, their staff is friendly and helpful. Everything is easy to price out on their website.
Once my order was put in it took about a month to get it, I went right to the factory to pick it up.
I got the manual tilt and have had to replace the jack, so we got an 8 ton replacement, $60 on Amazon.
A few of the little round LED marker lights have failed and my son bought replacements that are brighter, also on Amazon.
All in all I'm happy with it.

Greg

[PanelDeland]

I've looked and so far have never found a Trailer stretcher. The last I had was an 18 ft and I always wished it was longer until I needed to park it or store it. I don't think I would be happy with less than 20 but I would have a hard time finding parking for even a 16 where I'm living right now. Tilts are nice but ramps work well, just a little harder to line up. My neighbor has ramps but his sons Mushtang is too low to clear them so he got a set of low ramps that the end of his trailer ramps sit on to make a longer more gradual transition. The Mushtang is so low it bumps the front on a tilt. Some of the better trailers I've seen lately have a receiver welded to the front so that a winch can be mounted/dismounted easily. One was for a Jeep and it also had a receiver so the winch could be used on both. There' no one right answer for everyone but some things to add to the thought process to get closest to what will work best for you.

[Killer Bee]

^ yep, storage is an issue for me while I'm living in the city..

but my 16' carson has fit everything I've needed it for and it stores nicely behind the house with a full size truck in front of it

drop the tongue onto some blocks and tilt the jack back to clear the rear end of the pickup..

thought about welding on a receiver for a winch but haven't really needed it.. two come alongs takes a few minutes but gets it done..

I do highly recommend ordering brakes on both axles and a good controller, I use a Tekonsha Prodigy..

makes downhill grades smooth and straight without taxing or frying the truck brakes..

I made it 140k miles on that '02 GMC before replacing brakes having towed several thousand rough miles over the years..





to accommodate lower vehicle loading, I back into the driveway approach and/or floor jack the front end of the trailer to ease the angle..

and the weight of the trailer is also an issue depending on the prime mover you have available..

with the wood deck, it weighs only about 1500lbs and saves a lot of wear and rear on everything..

for my infrequent hauling, my half ton with 4.56 posi rear and air bags works well enough to pull mountain grades in third, 1:1

loaded with a 4-6k vehicle, I'm still within rated towing capacity, barely though..

but I'm not gonna lie, one of those 20' heavy duty, heavy axle jobs would be nice if I had the room here and a 3/4 - 1 ton diesel pickup..

[4x4k30]

I use a 22ft deck over and also have a 24 foot with the fenders it pulls like a dream and easer to load but the distance between the fenders is narrow hard to load 4x4s with larger tires so I like the deck over it handles most anything I need towed .

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by 4x4k30

I use a 22ft deck over and also have a 24 foot with the fenders it pulls like a dream and easer to load but the distance between the fenders is narrow hard to load 4x4s with larger tires so I like the deck over it handles most anything I need towed .

I think we need to see some more pics of your trucks!