The Big Tex does not have tilting or removable fenders. They are low enough to open the doors without a problem. FWIW, does your Carson have a safety rail on the front of the trailer? Did it come with a mount for a spare (and a spare) and new "trailer-specific" tires (some lots put used car tires on the trailers)? --------------------------------------- streetrod77, Criss-cross your rear straps - this helps prevent the rear end from moving around side-to-side. The engine is heavy enough to keep the front down. I just strap them down 'normally'. Like someone else mentioned, put the car on the trailer far enough to put a load on the tow vehicle then drive it a while. Try moving the car back some and drive it - then forward a little more and drive it. You'll find that "sweet spot" pretty quickly. There's different schools of thought on this - and this is mine: Use chocks in front of and behind one of the rear tires. I believe it helps keep the straps from continuously being stretched and relaxed (causing them to loosen quicker). Also, I was instructed to put the car in Neutral when towing. Not that there's that much movement, but it keeps from loading up the tranny. You're going freak out a few times thinking that there's no way you and that other vehicle can fit on the same road! You begin to relax with time. 'Hope this helps. Safe travels. Oh yeah - ALWAYS CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE TONGUE IS LOCKED DOWN BEFORE LOADING THE CAR!
Lance There is a dealer in Scottsburg Indiana that cant be beat, he sells the trailers to other dealers (dont have Indiana phone books any more). That is where I got my 18 footer, new trailer tires and cheaper than any other place I found around Cinncy. http://www.cornprotrailers.com/IMAGES 3/ut18lmodel.jpg Wheel wells are low enough to open the car doors and the ramps slide in a compartment behind the wheels, picture doesnt show but there is a small 1 foot dovetail....I do drag the headers alittle. Hope this helps Todd
Here's a couple pics of mine. I just bought it off eBay April of last year. The guy I bought it from made the air deflector himself. Got it as you see it for $2300 with a new set of straps and tongue lock.
good idea once you find that sweet spot is to mark it, but remember if you add a tool box or generator or whatever else that will change the tongue weight. i always cross my rear straps. i got my straps at a place called auto safety house. they have lots of truck and bus equipment. my straps are rated 10,000 each. i also always put the car in park after it is strapped down. never had a problem yet. when i have forgotten to put it in park it seems to pull the straps and loosen a bit. by the strongest straps you can. if you hit the brakes hard, your 3000 pound car is probably exerting 10,000 pounds of force.
Bad news, I got the trailer home & the truck will fit. But its so tight, if i'm not lined up straight, I cant correct it while on the trailer. Next problem is the Comet sits so low the bumper slides on the ramps when pulling up forward. This trailer has rails on the sides so I'm going to try to see can they get one without rails. The inside of the trailer is 6.5 feet wide. Is this enough or go wider?
The Big Tex 70DM is 83" wide (~7'). To prevent the Comet from bottoming out on a trailer like that, you can buy the cheapy oil-chaing ramps you see at Vato Zone and back your tow vehicle onto those, raising the back of the tow vehicle and lowering the back of the trailer. Sounds like a major PITA though. That's another reason I chose the Big Tex. The back 2' or so are angled downward, providing lower "entry".
77, do you have a partner to watch you load it? A partner with a good eye, to give directions, is a plus. I can load mine by myself, years of experience, but my bride makes it easier. Another set of eyes never hurt. You'll also develop a routine and load the same everytime. Main thing is to be safe, double check everything. If you get to trade, go with the 18footer, wider, with the dovetail.
Last night It was just me & dad. He has a Nova but it has never been on a trailer after 30 years of driving to the track, racing, & driving it back home. He has broke plenty of stuff but always knew were to get parts quick. Now I know why Boyd have such a hard time loading low riders.
all the above advise and comments are great! you need to ask your self a couple of questions...what am I going to do with my trailer? If your car is very nice and has a high dollar paint job then you might want an enclosed trailer,but if you don't have the $$ for an enclosed then look for an open,no less than 18',remember your car needs might change and a 16' will not be enough. if you look on ebay there are 18' open trailers all over the place and you can get one for about $1800.00 bucks or around that price, a used one for a little less, but you run the risk of having to do work on it or having to buy new tires or brakes and then the money you saved is gone,new is always better! also you NEVER want to tow any car in neutral, you want to lock that sucker down good and tight,in park and emergency brakes on,the last thing you need is broken straps and your car going down the road with out you, if this happens then you are responsible for the soon to follow accident!! I have both an 18' open trailer and a 28' enclosed so I have both ways covered, with winches on both. good luck with your search and remember these are just my opinions.
When I was shopping for a trailer back in 1998, I thought that the Big Tex had fenders that interfered, might have been another vendor. I did look at the Big Tex though, fenders were pretty flimsy. I had a safety rail or what I call a crash bar installed by the trailer dealer. I will take a picture tomorrow. I should have bought a spare when I ordered the trailer. Found out the hard way that the wheels are made for trailers. Tires are the load range D style trailer tires. I bought a spare wheel from Americas Tires, about $45. I do not have a spare tire mount, it goes into the back of the truck on longer hauls. I tried to fit it up under the trailer in the tongue area, but it is just too low.
I felt kinda worried about the car being in Neutral myself - especially since I don't have an emergency brake. I think I'll tow mine in Park from now on.
Trailer picture This is the front of my trailer. Have not used the electric winch yet. Was going to use the truck battery, but now have decided to run a 12v battery in the box.
