Trailer help

**MagicCity33** · 07-06-2007, 08:33 AM

I`ve been saving my money for quite some time now and think that I have a perfect opportunity to purchase both a truck and trailer all for under $5k. The truck is a 91 Ford F150 and looks pretty nice I plan on checking the P/U out more thoroughly today just hope it doesn`t rain on me during the process, but if it does that is fine because we need the rain.

Anyway my question for you guys towing trailer. What are some of the must have items that I should look for in a quality trailer?

What is the best trailer for possible tight spaces?

Has anyone had any special modifications done such as removable sides, roofs, etc.? (Please share pics if you have any and company recommendations.)

Also if you`ve had your trailer painted and silk-screened do they use the same automotive paint or is it different?

How much did the paint job cost and how much did the silk-screening cost?

Any information that you guys provide will be most helpful.

Most guys here in the Ham are rolling with a open trailer and basically advertise car washes.

I will be caring 110 gallons of water
PC & Rotory
200 to 300 MF
polishes, tire dressings, air fragrances.
3,500 watt generator
little green mean
steam cleaner
wet-vac
Garbage can
Electric and gas powered pressure washer

maybe a tent if I cant get an attachment added to the side of my trailer to use an RV awning.

The size trailers that I have been focusing on have been 5X8, 5X10, 6X10.

Also any tips that you guys can provide to mae this rig less wind resistant.

I know this is allot of questions but please help me out or if you want to just PM you can do that as well.

Thanks

Flo

Thanks

**gator1** · 07-06-2007, 01:00 PM

I have a 6 x 10 it`s a pace trailer ,and Aim glad I got it It`s roomier enough to keep my tools and all my supplies in order. As fair as as wind Resistance they are like towing an big box not much you can do. Thats why I did not get a steal trailer,as far as the shade unless you got the money to mount something on it a pop up will do just fine. i have a 150 for towing the trailer it`s just right ,=you don`t need anything more

**dr_detail** · 07-07-2007, 04:25 PM

I roll with 4x8 enclosed -- has 110gal water, 5K gennie, 2200psi pump, DI tanks, central mounted vac. and just the right amount of storage for all my products (even room for a 50gal reclaim tank when I have to start using it). I had to do some custom fab to get it all to fit, and upgraded it with electric brakes. It sure is nice to be able to pull into and turn around in ANY parking lot (even able to pull through the drive through for a quick lunch on the run); and I know at least three people who should be grateful that I can stop quick.

Anyway... the most important thing I would tell ya in looking for a trailer is the axle capacity. If you`ll be running with all the equipment you have listed, make sure it`s no less than a 3500# axle. Some will have 1800 or 2200, leaving you less than 1000 lbs of actual carrying capacity... 100 gallons of water is somewhere around 800#`s -- add the rest of your equipment and you are left with a not so safe operation...

just my $0.02 though -- take it for what it`s worth

**musicawal** · 07-08-2007, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by dr_detail

DI tanks

Are the DI tanks for water filtration? If so could you give some more details.
Thanks

**dr_detail** · 07-08-2007, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by musicawal

Are the DI tanks for water filtration?

yes -- mixed bed DI-tanks provide for spot free water. They are available on an exchange basis from varying sources and run about $65 each plus a one time set-up fee and deposit. Each tank (8"x44") filters 500-800 gal but varies depending on feed water quality.

hope this helps

**MagicCity33** · 07-09-2007, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by dr_detail

I roll with 4x8 enclosed -- has 110gal water, 5K gennie, 2200psi pump, DI tanks, central mounted vac. and just the right amount of storage for all my products (even room for a 50gal reclaim tank when I have to start using it). I had to do some custom fab to get it all to fit, and upgraded it with electric brakes. It sure is nice to be able to pull into and turn around in ANY parking lot (even able to pull through the drive through for a quick lunch on the run); and I know at least three people who should be grateful that I can stop quick.

Anyway... the most important thing I would tell ya in looking for a trailer is the axle capacity. If you`ll be running with all the equipment you have listed, make sure it`s no less than a 3500# axle. Some will have 1800 or 2200, leaving you less than 1000 lbs of actual carrying capacity... 100 gallons of water is somewhere around 800#`s -- add the rest of your equipment and you are left with a not so safe operation...

just my $0.02 though -- take it for what it`s worth

Thanks for the information.

I have always wondered if a 4x8 would be enough to house my equipment. One of the things I had in my head was this area for clients to site down out of the heat and relax while I am working. This is why I was looking at the larger trailers.

The other reason was because I did not want to run into issues of not having adequate room to house everything that I need.

I know that I may make changes later on but I wanted to get a trailer that I can use for a long period of time and not be stuck with two and three trailers sitting at my home or business.

If you have any pics of your setup I would definitely like to see how you have it setup.

One of the main things I am trying to figure out(before the purchase) is how to set the plumbing up.

For instance, I wanted to have a hole cut in the side of the trailer that will allow me to fill my water tanks up like a gas tank.

I have an inline filter with a carbon and resin filter and wanted to use it to filter water going into the tank and coming out of the tank. Some people may say that this is over kill but I think that overtime trash can get into your tanks and my thoughts are to protect my equipment as well as my clients vehicles.

I definitely would love to see pictures of your DI setup as well. I love the inline filter system that I setup as it gives me a spot free wash and rinse (Have been lugging the filter around me and hooking it up to my clients water hose.).

I am also thinking about the quick connects that I saw TexasTB do to his trailer. I also want to run exhaust pipe the floor and figure out a way to dampening the noise from the generator but also pull the heat out of the enclosure to keep the generator running cool.

I know some people may be thinking that I am thinking to much

but I want to make sure that I do things right the first time and not waste any money as times are toooooo hard

.

Again I truly appreciate everyone`s input on this project of mine and await even more ideas to come in. This is truly a great community to share ideas on.

**MagicCity33** · 07-09-2007, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by gator1

I have a 6 x 10 it`s a pace trailer ,and Aim glad I got it It`s roomier enough to keep my tools and all my supplies in order. As fair as as wind Resistance they are like towing an big box not much you can do. Thats why I did not get a steal trailer,as far as the shade unless you got the money to mount something on it a pop up will do just fine. i have a 150 for towing the trailer it`s just right ,=you don`t need anything more

What would you say would be a good price to pay for an aluminum 6x10 trailer?

**gator1** · 07-10-2007, 08:25 AM

I paid 2300.00 hundred for mine ipaid a littel more because i wanted black Iam in orlando

**MagicCity33** · 07-10-2007, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by gator1

I paid 2300.00 hundred for mine ipaid a littel more because i wanted black Iam in orlando

See I would expect that price in Orlando since the cost of living is much higher than in Birmingham.

I will be at a bowling tournament this weekend at White Sands in FT. Walton Beach. I hope I can check out some trailers and detailing products while I am there. I met a couple of guys last year but they were low ballers. I didn`t chat with them for long though.

I think a 6x10 would be the ultimate trailer to get setup with. What other modifications have you done to it?

I wanted to have the trailer and truck match so I will either get the truck & trailer in black, red, or silver. I talked with a friend who paints cars to see if he would shoot some clear with a gold and orange pearl onto the trailer and truck if I go with the red.

A guy told me that the paint for a trailer is different from automotive paint

so now I`m trying to figure out what type of paint I am supposed to purchase to get the effect that I am looking that I am trying to achieve.

We have a local paint supply store that I plan on stopping by to chat with them but just wanted to get some incite from you and everyone else in the forum.

Have you ever considered having a custom paint job for your trailer? Such as extra clear coat, pearl added in clear etc.?

Did you setup cabinets or table space? I have many ideas, but again am looking to see what has worked for others. I want to cut down on cost as much as possible but still have a clean rig with a nice setup.