Trailer purchase and options help

[MagicCity33]

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.: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?



Has anyone had any special modifications done such as removable sides, roofs, special plumbing, 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. :2thumbs:



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



I will be carring 110 gallons of water via 2 55 gallon drums (may upgrade later)

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 with internal clearance being at least 6'2" or 74in tall.



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 :thx

 

[kvfalcon]

Unless someone gives you an enclosed trailer, I doubt they are worth the time, money or effort to repaint. Enclosed trailers hold their value. The cost of a new trailer (especially a 5x8) won't be much more than the cost of a used one.



Contact Jeff at Trailers for Less in Newnan, GA. He'll hook you up with a 5x8 enclosed and has a lot of colors to choose from. If you're looking at open trailers, he also has plenty to choose from and will likely make it worth your time (130 miles each way).



As far as your question regarding wind resistance, I don't think that's going to be your biggest issue. You'll be carrying a total of 917 pounds of water...in 55 gallon drums...vertically. Even after you've come to a complete stop, that water likes to keep moving. I'd encourage you to consider an ag tank at a minimum.



I recently paid over $300 to have vinyl graphics cut and installed on my trailer. Depending on what you want and what you take to them, your price may be higher or lower.



I think with a little research that an RV-awning isn't going to be cost effective. An E-Z UP canopy is going to be more versatile and likely cheaper. There are other brands to choose from, do a search on here for "CANOPY".



If you contact the guys at Inner City Auto Detail in Pittsburgh and ask them to send you a picture of their mobile rig, you'll seriously consider a van. They use a 2002 Chevrolet 2500 work van. It's a light gray color and their graphics really set it off.



Hope I've helped answer some of your questions.

 

[MagicCity33]

Unless someone gives you an enclosed trailer, I doubt they are worth the time, money or effort to repaint. Enclosed trailers hold their value. The cost of a new trailer (especially a 5x8) won't be much more than the cost of a used one.



Contact Jeff at Trailers for Less in Newnan, GA. He'll hook you up with a 5x8 enclosed and has a lot of colors to choose from. If you're looking at open trailers, he also has plenty to choose from and will likely make it worth your time (130 miles each way).



As far as your question regarding wind resistance, I don't think that's going to be your biggest issue. You'll be carrying a total of 917 pounds of water...in 55 gallon drums...vertically. Even after you've come to a complete stop, that water likes to keep moving. I'd encourage you to consider an ag tank at a minimum.



I recently paid over $300 to have vinyl graphics cut and installed on my trailer. Depending on what you want and what you take to them, your price may be higher or lower.



I think with a little research that an RV-awning isn't going to be cost effective. An E-Z UP canopy is going to be more versatile and likely cheaper. There are other brands to choose from, do a search on here for "CANOPY".



If you contact the guys at Inner City Auto Detail in Pittsburgh and ask them to send you a picture of their mobile rig, you'll seriously consider a van. They use a 2002 Chevrolet 2500 work van. It's a light gray color and their graphics really set it off.



Hope I've helped answer some of your questions.

The tank that you are recommending looks nice this may be something to look into in the future. The EZ-up is was a waste of money for me. You need to have tow people to put it up. I purchased one from Walmart and only got to use it once. The frame was bent by the wind one evening while I was finishing up on a clients car. :hairpull



I was thinking of an awning because of the photo listed below. I could use this when I have open area and when space is limited I could add two legs to have a tent aside from the trailer.



I tried a place here in town that sells and builds trailers. He wanted $2300 for an enclosed trailer and did not give and options to customize it. Sucha as color, special cut doors, etc.



Thanks for your input, :grinno: I appreciate your help and will be doing more research before making my final decisions. I'm also going to check with Jeff and see what he has to offer as well.



I hope my questions will help some other people out here dream up some big time rigs.:bounce

 

[ADHD]

looking at that pic that awning is creating absolutly no shade for a car!!



You need to invest in a quality ezup instead of a walmart special that bends in the wind!!

 

[MagicCity33]

looking at that pic that awning is creating absolutly no shade for a car!!



You need to invest in a quality ezup instead of a walmart special that bends in the wind!!

Maybe I should have purchased it directly from the manufacturer but since I had heard so much about e-z up's I decided to try it since Walmart had it. That won't happen again.:wall

 

[kvfalcon]

Maybe I should have purchased it directly from the manufacturer but since I had heard so much about e-z up's I decided to try it since Walmart had it. That won't happen again.:wall

E-Z UP offers no fewer than 5 lines of canopies. The ones Wal-Mart sells are most certainly on the bottom of the list. A quality canopy will run you between $200 and $800 depending on brand, size options.



EZUP -Instant portable Shelters&canopies

 

[ADHD]

im looking at getting the 10x15 eclipse II... Seems i can find it for 600$ but then i see the Alumminum eclipse as well, I wonder if it is really any lighter. and will it break easier??

Also im wondering what color is cooler to work under Blue or RED??

 

[kvfalcon]

im looking at getting the 10x15 eclipse II... Seems i can find it for 600$ but then i see the Alumminum eclipse as well, I wonder if it is really smaller?

Also im wondering what color is cooler to work under Blue or RED??

A motorcycle magazine tested several jackets a few years ago and found that silver and yellow are the coolest. Blue is okay but red is nearly as bad as black.

 

[ADHD]

A motorcycle magazine tested several jackets a few years ago and found that silver and yellow are the coolest. Blue is okay but red is nearly as bad as black.

Exellent thanks man..ya street bike riders deal with crazy heat so id imagine the results they find are pretty dead on!

Silver and yellow are custom colors and cost more :down So that said I think Blue is going to be what im going with!! Anyone have an Eclipse II Ez-up ???