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Old 01-02-2004, 10:08 AM
Marc Walker Marc Walker is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tucson, Az.,
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I have a large (40' gooseneck) toyhauler that we used to haul the Cobra to DVSF last year (couple of pics in our gallary). It has a fully enclosed 16' cargo area that is big enough for the car plus everything else you need to take with you. The living space is 24' and would compare to a class C type RV of that size (7' overhead, full bath/shower, kitchen, dinning, 8'x8' bedroom/queen bed over the hitch).
The advantages of going with a converted race car trailer like this are........ 1... They are considerably lighter and more cross wind friendly than the tall 5th wheel Weekend Warrior type haulers. 2..... It is not designed for off road ground clearance, so if you don't need that, it has a lower CG that is much more stable for towing and good for low vehicle loading (Cobras and Harleys). It is also designed for hauling heavy cars, not ATVs (my axle/tire combo is rated for 22,000 lbs). 3..... The Weekend Warriors cargo space is open and you'll be living with (and smelling) your car with you in your living room.
Having looked at all the RV built toyhaulers, I agree that the Weekend Warrior is the cream of the crop. Most of the others look like they'll fall apart by 10k miles. I particularly liked the big double slide CL model. But reality is...... you can't saftly tow one of those 17,000 lb monsters with a pickup. I was towing mine with a new 03 Dodge Ram heavy duty / deisel. My trailer only weighs about 12,000 lbs fully loaded with the car and everything else. That was still under the legal limit of the truck and it had plenty of power to pull it, but (in my opinion)...... not nearly enough weight,wheelbase or brakes to control it if something bad happened. Heavy crosswinds in New Mexico last year had me on the edge of the seat.
Because I do alot of cross country RVing I got something a little bigger, safer and more comfortable to pull the thing with. I don't think that is absolutly necessary with trailers in the 12,000 lb range but if you don't already have a serious truck (one ton/dullie/deisel), you should factor that into the cost of the total package.
If your budget and towing capability allows you to go with the 5th wheel, I would recommend that over the tag. I've towed both cross country and the 5th is much more stable on the highway plus gives you that added room inside.
There are several race car trailer manufactures that specialize is building custom trailers like this (Stay away from Millinium/Vintage). Cost is comparable to a Weekend warrior. Mine was $38,000.
I think one thing everyone that has any experience with towing stuff like this will agree on is...... they're heavier than you think and if you've ever seen one piled up in a ditch along the highway.... you don't want to go there.

BTW...... if you get something.... Go to DVSF IV and stay at the fairgrounds right there in London. We'll be there.
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