K20 Trailer Size/Type Advice Needed

[Heatstroke]

I am traveling across the country with my stock '65 K20 Long Bed and need some advice on the best size and type of trailer to purchase (I plan on will containing to the use the trailer, so I don't want to pay for a transport company). I'm looking for optimal length, width, tilt, type, etc.. Anybody have any trailer suggestions, information or photos that you can share with me?

[71swb4x4]

It's a little unclear, but I assume you are putting the 65 on the trailer right? What are you pulling the trailer with?

[Heatstroke]

Hi 71swb4x4,

You are correct. I want to pull my '65 K20 on a trailer. I currently have a Chevy 2500HD Duramax, so my tow vehicle is capable of moving a house... this makes it easy! The hard part is what size trailer should I be looking at to allow a smooth, safe and secure transport.

I am hoping that someone in the forum could provide some real-life experience and suggestions on what type of trailer to purchase that can withstand the size and weight of my K20. I'd love to go enclosed, but don't think the height of the truck would clear a standard enclosed trailer...

[special-K]

Something like this:

https://www.trailersuperstore.com/tr...slide-in-ramps

[Redcap]

7'x20' or 7'x24'. Tilt decks are nice.

[andrewmp6]

How long is your truck and whats the weight of the truck?

[7dee2]

These guys are in your area and a 7x20 car trailer would do just fine. http://showroom.auction123.com/trail...PJ/532785.html Aluminum or a tilt bed is more but if it's in the budget great. All you really need is a trailer that can handle the weight with a dove tail.

['63GENIII]

X2 on Redcap's suggestion. My brother has a tilt deck that I towed my '63 home from Redding with when it broke on the way back from Corvallis ,Oregon. It's kind of a weird set up where you lock the trailer brakes, pull a pin and back the tow vehicle up which slides the ramp back and tilts the deck at the same time. He got his for 800 IIRC and we all (Pop's included) have been using it for the last 15 years without fail. He now has a winch on it for pulling vehicles up onto it. If you want I can get the name of it for you.

[ryanroo]

I have a Kaufman 20+2 12k equipment trailer. The trailer weighs a bit more than the standard car hauler, but this will haul a skid steer with no complaint. I've had a cclb super duty on it, but I did have to pull the fold up ramps to get it. I'm very happy with the trailer and feel the price was fair. It is 83" between fenders and the fenders are way tough. The wide tires and wheels on my jeep won't fit but I've driven over them several times and it's a 6500# full-size. The fenders don't even flex. That would be my recommendation. Get a trailer that is more than you need, you will use it. Tilt is cool, probably go for that on the next trailer

[Heatstroke]

Thanks for all the information. I have a much better idea what size trailer I will need. Today, I did find a guy with a Big Tex 8.5' x 18' heavy duty trailer with dual 7000 lb each axles. The trailer is in mint condition and he's asking $2k for it (decent price). It's tempting, but I am a bit concerned about the 18' length for my long bed (truck is 17.6'). It would be nice to have a few extra feet of deck... but the price for this particular trailer is hard to pass up.

[7dee2]

That's a great price and you should go for it if the truck is not going to ride on the dove tail. Get your trucks wheel base vs the flat deck length, might fit?

Did you see them drop the cab on idiot (misfit) garage? It was riding on the dove tail with one strap! I did laugh my a** off when I saw it staged or no.

[rcrahn]

I think an 18' open deck trailer will do the job. I'm a big fan of Kwik Load trailers made in Sherman, TX. I have talked with Kwik Load owners at Sonoma and Thunderhill race tracks. The nice thing is these trailers do not use skinny ramps. The entire bed rolls back and makes loading a low profile race car much easier. They hold their value very well to boot. With my son starting Spec E30 racing this season I'm likely to be getting one. As far as enclosed trailers, TPD out of Sacramento CA makes a top notch product. Beautiful trailers indeed.

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by Heatstroke

Thanks for all the information. I have a much better idea what size trailer I will need. Today, I did find a guy with a Big Tex 8.5' x 18' heavy duty trailer with dual 7000 lb each axles. The trailer is in mint condition and he's asking $2k for it (decent price). It's tempting, but I am a bit concerned about the 18' length for my long bed (truck is 17.6'). It would be nice to have a few extra feet of deck... but the price for this particular trailer is hard to pass up.

18ft should do it.

Pictured is a 20ft open deck 7000LB (twin 3500lbs axles) GWR trailer that I have used. Truck on the trailer is a long bed. I would prefer a heavier duty trailer, but I've towed trucks with this one long distances in many cases with no issues. This one is a 18ft flat with 2ft dove tail. Its over all length is 20ft, but the vehicle rests on the 18ft section. You'll notice because of the axle placement, the truck is "set back a bit" to balance the load. I believe the 18ft one you mention should probably work. This one new was 2.5k.

Jonathon

[yfs200p]

Make sure you check the GVW of whatever trailer you get closely. We bought a 7000 GVW enclosed trailer thinking it would be plenty strong for the equipment we were putting in it. Well it turns out the empty trailer itself weighs 3500, so you are only left with 3500 of loading capacity before you reach max weight. We ended up snapping torsion axles left and right on the damn thing, not fun. On an open deck like you are looking for, I would go for at least 5k spring axles, not torsion. PJ makes a nice trailer, but they may only be an east coast thing. Good luck!
PS: steer away from anything that tilts, it can be scary loading a car or truck on those. Ramps make things so much better.

[Mike C]

What do you see using if for in the future? I have an 18' steel floor 7000 GVWR trailer that I have towed all sorts of things on including my '86 K30 regular cab dually. My Jimmy fit but the tires rubbed on BOTH sides on the fenders. How big are your tires?

It has brakes on both axles and a winch plate between the front and the second crossmembers where I have a Superwinch S5000 mounted. I also mounted a pickup bedside tool box to the tire stop in the front and had the spare stood up vertically when the trailer was made to leave room for that.

But the best thing about it is the WIDE slide in ramps made from grating and the 4' dovetail. Load sportscars, hot rods and classics without jacking up the front to get the back down.

Occasionally I have a truck like the dually that is pushing the max GVWR, but it has cars and jeeps on it all the time and is awesome. Made by a local manufacturer, Magnum Custom Trailers. I've owned it since '99 and could not be happier. But it was a $3000 trailer back then...

The one change I have made is to ditch the 14" wheel and tire combo and it now has 235 75 15 D rated tires and if I had found an E rated tire before I bought the D's that's the way I would have gone.

[ryanroo]

here is mine, with a k20 on it. as i think about it, i think it is an 18+2. i would have to go measure it to be sure. mine has flip up ramps. at first i thought they would suck, but have since changed my mind. these ramps have built in stops on the bottom of the ramp to keep the trailer from lifting at the hitch when loaded and to keep it from sliding as a result of unloading the tow vehicle.

most hide away ramps i have used are a little to light weight for me and these are extra beef.

this was 3400 when i bought it. 2 6000# axles and the same 8 on 6.5" pattern that all my trailer pulling trucks use.

[Heatstroke]

Update - Thanks for all your feedback and advice! I finally picked up my trailer today. Even thought I wanted a 20', I could not turn this 18' one down. My '65 K20 should look good sporting its white Duramax and matching Trailer. For those that live in the Pacific Northwest, don't forget to honk when you see me on the road!

[7dee2]

Nice, congrats on the new trailer! Looks good.