Smallest Enclosed Auto trailer that will accommodate a Cobra?

[Bannon]

Hey Folks,

I am interested in what is the smallest enclosed auto hauler that can be used for a Cobra. I am kind of limited by the fact that my 4Runner will only haul 5k lbs. Went shopping the other day and have some questions. How the hell do you get out of the car once you have pulled it in? 7ft wide trailer has no wheel wells but is skinny but the 8.5 wide trailer has wheel wells inside. Not sure how I can pull the car into either and get out of it. Or not asphyxiate myself once pulling it inside the trailer. Interested in what brand and size you haul your Cobra in!

Thanks!

JB

[PurpleVenom]

A 16' trailer is about as small as you want length wise. Not sure if it would even fit in to a 14'. A couple of our club members have 16' trailers. One is 7' 6" wide, one is 8' 6" wide. The 7'6" wide one only fits a 289 slabside Cobra, and he has a floor winch to get it in. He doesn't drive it in. The 8' 6" wide one is wide enough to drive in. Mine is 8' 6" wide x 20' long. Plenty of room width wise to drive in. Once in, I don't open the door, I step out over it. I could open it, but not far enough to get out of without it hitting the fender wells. Just my experience.

[bwcobra15]

Check out Serpent Express - HOME

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Bannon

Hey Folks,

I am interested in what is the smallest enclosed auto hauler that can be used for a Cobra. I am kind of limited by the fact that my 4Runner will only haul 5k lbs. Went shopping the other day and have some questions. How the hell do you get out of the car once you have pulled it in? 7ft wide trailer has no wheel wells but is skinny but the 8.5 wide trailer has wheel wells inside. Not sure how I can pull the car into either and get out of it. Or not asphyxiate myself once pulling it inside the trailer. Interested in what brand and size you haul your Cobra in!

Thanks!

JB

Regardless of what your towing capacity may be rated at, I would not tow an enclosed trailer with your vehicles. Safety reasons being the first one.

If you insist on a trailer for your Cobra though, you really only have one option and enclosed won't be it.

Trailex Home Page


Bill S.

[Fordzilla]

I agree with mrmustang. Safety must always be first. A vehicle may be able to pull, but stopping & controlling on the road are different issues. For example, A Tractor Trailer can really push a vehicle around when passing it at speed on the open highway & a windy day can really make it even worse. A tow vehicle should have the towing ability along with braking & controlling ability. It's not only for your safety but for the safety of everyone else on the road. You would feel horrible if someone got hurt & even worse if children were involved. I recommend a 3/4 ton pick-up as it has heavier running gear & larger brakes.
Just my .02

[vector1]

i use a 20' enclosed and it imo would be the smallest i would go, leaves some room at the front for misc. like purple venom says, step over the door onto the fender sill and you are good to go. 16'er would work also i imagine but you might want to consider resale value.

i also have a winch in mine, makes loading easy. hook a tow strap to the roll bar and pull it into the trailer backwards, unloading is easier.

pulling loaded with my f250 truck i do get moved around on the highway by the big trucks, but if you go easy and don't drive like your are in a hurry to die you should be alright. enclosed is nice for overnighters, or storing stuff also. loaded my trailer is still under 5k lbs.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by vector1

i also have a winch in mine, makes loading easy. hook a tow strap to the roll bar and pull it into the trailer backwards, unloading is easier.

Loading backwards might not be the best idea if that does not provide the proper tongue weight. You want about 10% of the total weight of the load on the tongue. That can be hard to do with the weight of the engine behind the axles.

[vector1]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Loading backwards might not be the best idea if that does not provide the proper tongue weight. You want about 10% of the total weight of the load on the tongue. That can be hard to do with the weight of the engine behind the axles.

that is a good point, i did make that mistake once. just have to make sure it is in far enough, or if tongue weight is a problem try the other way.

[Chilibit]

If the weight distribution is about 50/50 fore and aft then it is really the longer rear overhang that causes the balance issue when loading. IMHO. I load nose first.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by Chilibit

If the weight distribution is about 50/50 fore and aft then it is really the longer rear overhang that causes the balance issue when loading. IMHO. I load nose first.

Even a 6" difference fore or aft of the car on the trailer can make a noticeable difference in tongue weight.
One element that may be overlooked by some is having the correct height receiver (drop) on the tow vehicle that allows the trailer to set level.

[Roush #1]

My Serpent Express was towed (not by me) behind a GMC Envoy from Michigan to Houston,Texas. A good portion of the trip was with an ERA inside. I understand there were no problems on the trip.
Maybe the driver of the GMC will comment about his experiences on his trip.

[madmaxx]

It was a Superformance complete. The envoy had no problems (2002 GMC). Your trailer was top of the line with all aluminium chassis. I have pulled a boat load of boat trailers (20 foot ramge) and none compared to the ease of your trailer. The only time the envoy worked hard was in the mountains around Tenesee.

Sold the SPF after 5 years made a little money, didn't ask enough for it, sold in 20 hrs but it was pristine. Looking for a Kirkham, hopefully it a long cold winter up North and I can score a deal.








QUOTE=Roush #1;1232687]My Serpent Express was towed (not by me) behind a GMC Envoy from Michigan to Houston,Texas. A good portion of the trip was with an ERA inside. I understand there were no problems on the trip.
Maybe the driver of the GMC will comment about his experiences on his trip.[/quote]

[rodneym]

I've got a Serpent Express on a Featherlite 3110 and I'm pretty happy with it.
It's very stable and has better suspension (Torsion) than the Trailex leaf springs, IMO.

[vector1]

nice sounding aluminum open trailer just came up for sale on the ffr forum, in illinois.

[1985 CCX]

Brock Trailer

[dave from mesa]

I think Serpent Express was made to be towed with an Explorer. Not sure tho.

[FWB]

pulling the trailer is the easy part......almost anything you get a hitch for will pull it.

its stability and stopping that is important. my little ranger pickup can pull my trailer just fine.....but the whimpy brakes on the ranger makes towing a bit crazy. Even with electric brakes on the trailer.
a 4runner may be likely not exactly optimum for towing a car trailer

[WardL]

I put about 4,000 miles on my 2010 F-150 pulling a 14' Serpent Express with my SPF Cobra recently. I am not an experienced trailer puller and everything went fine. I could tell there was a lot of weight back there, but I never had any sway or near out of control braking. I do have the adjustable trailer brake thing on my truck. I drove the Cobra up into the trailer and used tie-down straps to hold the Cobra in place. It rained plenty and the inside of the trailer was perfectly dry. The Serpent Express manufacturer was very helpful and I was impressed with his interest in helping me. I liked it because it is small and I could park it next to my house where a 20' trailer would not fit. on a straight level road I got about 13-14 mpg. If it was mountainous and curvy, the mileage dropped to 10-11 ish. I drove about 60 MPH. It was a chore to get the Cobra in (and secured) or out. I suppose all trailers would be similar in that reguard. We had fun for sure!

[Bannon]

Thanks all! I like that x-treme trailer. Also the Serpent Express is nice as well. Nice to know a 16x7 works too. Probably the most cost effective. Will let you know if I get something. Thanks again!

JB

[LHoboken]

Originally Posted by Bannon

Thanks all! I like that x-treme trailer. Also the Serpent Express is nice as well. Nice to know a 16x7 works too. Probably the most cost effective. Will let you know if I get something. Thanks again!

JB

Hi Bannon, did you ever get a Serpent Express? i am considering one in the 16ft range.

Larry