The Ford Barn

Maclab58 · 11-07-2016, 07:19 PM

I am looking at buying a new enclosed car hauler to transport my ModelA's. I'm looking at a 18' Lark V nose, 8.5 feet wide. Are any of you familiar with the brand? We have a local dealer here. It falls in my 5K budget. Any opinions????

Mitch//pa · 11-07-2016, 07:33 PM

99.9% or maybe even 100% of the Georgia made trailers are junk.... You get what ya pay for. Most of the good company's are in Indiana and Illinois ...
It's just a well known fact.. Will it pull your car yes will it dog leg probably.

tbirdtbird · 11-07-2016, 08:12 PM

Hold it, now, BigTex is right here in Texas and they make very good trailers!

Whatever you choose be sure to get the option that has a grease fitting in the end of each axle so that you can do a good greasing of the bearings without taking everything apart.....which is how they should have all been made in the first place. You'll never take apart another outer bearing or need a Bearing Buddy

C26Pinelake · 11-07-2016, 08:55 PM

Look up the dealers in Elkhart, Indiana. My son bought one at Hershey and said that the Elkhart trailer was superior in quality and very competitive price wise. Wayne

TerryO · 11-07-2016, 09:31 PM

Maybe I'm just lucky but I have a 2 yr old 5th wheel with a 24' box that was built in GA. I haven't hauled my A yet but I have hauled my Shelby a few thousand miles and it tows beautifully. No problems at all.

TOB

trulyvintage · 11-07-2016, 09:59 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

99.9% or maybe even 100% of the Georgia made trailers are junk.... You get what ya pay for. Most of the good company's are in Indiana and Illinois ...
It's just a well known fact.. Will it pull your car yes will it dog leg probably.

Well known fact maybe to you ....

I have owned (3) enclosed trailers built by Arising Industries & sold by Colony Cargo LL - both located in Fitzgerald, GA.

I have been to the factory & watched how the trailers are built.

I disagree ...

Jim

C26Pinelake · 11-07-2016, 10:17 PM

you might also consider a used one. Many people buy them and end up not useing them and they become storage containers. I bought one 4 years ago that had 6 miles total. Just enough to tow it home and I saved big time! Wayne

Mitch//pa · 11-08-2016, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trulyvintage

Well known fact maybe to you ....

I have owned (3) enclosed trailers built by Arising Industries & sold by Colony Cargo LL - both located in Fitzgerald, GA.

I have been to the factory & watched how the trailers are built.

I disagree ...

Jim

Well the poor reviews speak for themselves
https://www.facebook.com/arisingindu...=page_internal

I wrote in my original post MOST and stand by that.

I guess you got one that doesn't leak, rot or scrub the tires... Lucky

bnchief · 11-08-2016, 06:38 AM

I have and will probably build my own, because I will use a good industrial coating on the frame my trailers pull straight i also equip them with ant-sway and load levelers. rakes on both axles good tires not the junk that usually comes out on trailers. Featherlite and haulmark are good trailers I have seen trailers new for a 8.5 x 16 trailer for 5000 knowing the cost of materials i do not see how they can make it except for fast and cheap. just my opinion

Bill's Auto Works · 11-08-2016, 03:08 PM

Yes the trailers built in Georgia (Fitzgerald area) are junk. Tongues break off, they leak & rattle, etc.
If you had more funds available, Featherlite or Renegade are the best. Aluminum is much better & lighter than steel & you want a drive in rear door & a dove tail rear for ease of loading! The "v" nose does nothing aero wise, but you gain a little storage in there.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-08-2016, 03:33 PM

My only comment regarding the Georgia manufactured trailers is, it appears by what I have seen at the race tracks I frequent, they appear to be manufactured for a low-end price point. Most of them I have seen use a sprung axle instead of a Torflex axle, the aluminum is more wrinkled (--which likely means the infrastructure is flexing) and the thickness of each component is less (frame rails, aluminum sheeting, plywood, etc.)

I suspect you can pay an upcharge and get the better axles, added door hinges with grease fittings, .030 aluminum siding instead of .050, stronger rear door, US-manufactured couplings, and better quality lighting.

I would assume Elkhart, IN trailer manufacturers have found themselves needing to compete against the GA manufacturers, thus they likely offer a cheaper trailer too. I have seen a lot of my customers purchase trailers throughout the years, and I have never heard any of them complain because they chose one of the better quality manufactured ones. Naturally, if the budget does not afford one of the better ones, then make due with what you can afford.

trulyvintage · 11-08-2016, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Well the poor reviews speak for themselves
https://www.facebook.com/arisingindu...=page_internal

I wrote in my original post MOST and stand by that.

I guess you got one that doesn't leak, rot or scrub the tires... Lucky

And what firsthand experience do you offer ?

You post a link to a FB site that Arising Industries does not edit or downplay.

They manufacture over 10,000 trailers a year.

I am one of thousands of satisfied repeat customers.

I own one of their trailers & it is one the road every day.

Jim

C26Pinelake · 11-09-2016, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trulyvintage

And what firsthand experience do you offer ?

You post a link to a FB site that Arising Industries does not edit or downplay.

They manufacture over 10,000 trailers a year.

I am one of thousands of satisfied repeat customers.

I own one of their trailers & it is one the road every day.

Jim

Obviously Jim is the voice of experience and not heresay! Wayne

clo2jim · 11-09-2016, 03:07 PM

I have an "Interstate 1" enclosed car trailer for my Model A. Purchased in 2008 - essentially no issues with trailer.

I went with increased weight (9,900 lb), 8.5 foot wide, 20' length, V-nose, have cupboards and working area in the V-nose. I also added overhead fluorescent lights - great to work in the trailer when it is dark out.

The 20' length gives me extra floor space for other stuff I haul with the trailer beside the Model A, usually when we travel to Nova Scotia to our summer home (2,700 km) from the regular home on Northern Ontario. The 20 foot includes the V-nose portion.

You should consider the 20-22 foot length which will give more room.
Also make sure you have the proper tow vehicle or safety and reliability. My tow vehicle is a 3/4T Heavy Duty Chev C2500 with turbo-diesel - no issues towing the car trailer

BTW, my trailer was brand new and cost $10,000 - dealer commented that it was the most fully equiped trailer that he had sold to that date. It also included aluminum rims.

SteveB31 · 11-09-2016, 10:20 PM

Buy a better quality trailer, but buy it used. Be patient. Check Craigslist everyday with cash in hand and wait for the right deal. You can get a $10k trailer a couple years old for $6k. I have done that several times and still own them. Race car owners often sell nice trailers this time of year used for half price of new.

11-07-2016, 07:19 PM	#1
Maclab58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 983	Enclosed car hauler I am looking at buying a new enclosed car hauler to transport my ModelA's. I'm looking at a 18' Lark V nose, 8.5 feet wide. Are any of you familiar with the brand? We have a local dealer here. It falls in my 5K budget. Any opinions????

11-07-2016, 07:33 PM	#2
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Enclosed car hauler 99.9% or maybe even 100% of the Georgia made trailers are junk.... You get what ya pay for. Most of the good company's are in Indiana and Illinois ... It's just a well known fact.. Will it pull your car yes will it dog leg probably. Last edited by Mitch//pa; 11-07-2016 at 08:26 PM.

11-07-2016, 08:12 PM	#3
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Enclosed car hauler Hold it, now, BigTex is right here in Texas and they make very good trailers! Whatever you choose be sure to get the option that has a grease fitting in the end of each axle so that you can do a good greasing of the bearings without taking everything apart.....which is how they should have all been made in the first place. You'll never take apart another outer bearing or need a Bearing Buddy __________________ '31 180A

11-07-2016, 08:55 PM	#4
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Enclosed car hauler Look up the dealers in Elkhart, Indiana. My son bought one at Hershey and said that the Elkhart trailer was superior in quality and very competitive price wise. Wayne

11-07-2016, 09:31 PM	#5
TerryO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N. GA Posts: 532	Re: Enclosed car hauler Maybe I'm just lucky but I have a 2 yr old 5th wheel with a 24' box that was built in GA. I haven't hauled my A yet but I have hauled my Shelby a few thousand miles and it tows beautifully. No problems at all. TOB

11-07-2016, 10:17 PM	#7
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Enclosed car hauler you might also consider a used one. Many people buy them and end up not useing them and they become storage containers. I bought one 4 years ago that had 6 miles total. Just enough to tow it home and I saved big time! Wayne Last edited by C26Pinelake; 11-09-2016 at 10:27 PM.

11-08-2016, 06:38 AM	#9
bnchief Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 252	Re: Enclosed car hauler I have and will probably build my own, because I will use a good industrial coating on the frame my trailers pull straight i also equip them with ant-sway and load levelers. rakes on both axles good tires not the junk that usually comes out on trailers. Featherlite and haulmark are good trailers I have seen trailers new for a 8.5 x 16 trailer for 5000 knowing the cost of materials i do not see how they can make it except for fast and cheap. just my opinion

11-08-2016, 03:33 PM	#11
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,517	Re: Enclosed car hauler My only comment regarding the Georgia manufactured trailers is, it appears by what I have seen at the race tracks I frequent, they appear to be manufactured for a low-end price point. Most of them I have seen use a sprung axle instead of a Torflex axle, the aluminum is more wrinkled (--which likely means the infrastructure is flexing) and the thickness of each component is less (frame rails, aluminum sheeting, plywood, etc.) I suspect you can pay an upcharge and get the better axles, added door hinges with grease fittings, .030 aluminum siding instead of .050, stronger rear door, US-manufactured couplings, and better quality lighting. I would assume Elkhart, IN trailer manufacturers have found themselves needing to compete against the GA manufacturers, thus they likely offer a cheaper trailer too. I have seen a lot of my customers purchase trailers throughout the years, and I have never heard any of them complain because they chose one of the better quality manufactured ones. Naturally, if the budget does not afford one of the better ones, then make due with what you can afford. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

11-09-2016, 03:07 PM	#14
clo2jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Ontario, Canada Posts: 175	Re: Enclosed car hauler I have an "Interstate 1" enclosed car trailer for my Model A. Purchased in 2008 - essentially no issues with trailer. I went with increased weight (9,900 lb), 8.5 foot wide, 20' length, V-nose, have cupboards and working area in the V-nose. I also added overhead fluorescent lights - great to work in the trailer when it is dark out. The 20' length gives me extra floor space for other stuff I haul with the trailer beside the Model A, usually when we travel to Nova Scotia to our summer home (2,700 km) from the regular home on Northern Ontario. The 20 foot includes the V-nose portion. You should consider the 20-22 foot length which will give more room. Also make sure you have the proper tow vehicle or safety and reliability. My tow vehicle is a 3/4T Heavy Duty Chev C2500 with turbo-diesel - no issues towing the car trailer BTW, my trailer was brand new and cost $10,000 - dealer commented that it was the most fully equiped trailer that he had sold to that date. It also included aluminum rims. Last edited by clo2jim; 11-10-2016 at 12:40 PM. Reason: addition

11-09-2016, 10:20 PM	#15
SteveB31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Englewood, Colorado Posts: 1,372	Re: Enclosed car hauler Buy a better quality trailer, but buy it used. Be patient. Check Craigslist everyday with cash in hand and wait for the right deal. You can get a $10k trailer a couple years old for $6k. I have done that several times and still own them. Race car owners often sell nice trailers this time of year used for half price of new.