stacker trailer

[jack14r]

I am thinking about a stacker trailer again,even though I sold one 2 years ago.The one I had was a 1998 Champion Trailer and it weighed 10,200 LBS empty,I did not like the way it towed and I generally just disliked it.I need info to help me decide if I really want to do this.
1 Do airbag trailers tow better than torsional axles?
2 Is a V nose better or sort of awkward?
3 Is a 30 footer too long?
4 My coach is about 12'6" will a 13'2" trailer be too tall from a visual point of view?
5 The aluminum trailers like ATC Trailers are lighter but are they as durable?
6 Are there any configurations that I should stay away from? Any info will be appreciated.Thanks in advance

[Kevin Erion]

Jack, I would NOT do it again! Mine weight in at about 13,000lb empty. If you have 20 ' of space you find 22' of stuff to bring. I have found my 4 door pickup with an 8' bed has worked out great. I put on a shell and have plenty of room for lots of stuff and a great car when we get to our destination, OH and it's way easy!

[Toy Box]

We are on our fourth trailer. First was flatbed for small car or four motorcycles. Second was a 18' box with the same space for the car or bikes, but kept them away from prying eyes. Third was a custom built Featherlite, the box was 18' plus a v-nose. I used the v-nose to build a top and bottom storage cabinet set up which had a large triangle shaped work bench. The inside height was 6'2''. We had room inside for four full dresser motorcycles, or a corvette or an escalade. In 2005, we ordered a new custom Featherlite. This time we made the total height 10'. This way we have a small storage attic. We also went to a box length of 23' and still have the v-nose. Same cabinets and work bench. Now, we can load the escalade and have room in the front for either a motorcycle or a full size golf cart sideways. We went with the triple axle just for looks and I am glad we did. It really looks cool. Our empty weight is 6200 pounds. Gross weight is about 15,000. I have a couple of friends who have stackers, but I will probably never be an owner myself. Just seems like too much stuff to carry. As it is, we can carry the above load or just four or five bikes and not feel like we have a half empty trailer. It;s still small enough to tow with our F250 and I like the look of the trailer being a little less in height than the bus. I'll always have a v-nose enclosed trailer...it just suits us best.

[Sid Tuls]

Jack, If you get a trailer higher than your bus wouldn't the wind be a factor? I'm just wondering & would like to hear the responses. Thanks

[Petervs]

Less is more.

If you live in Florida and mostly travel flat highways towing a big heavy trailer might be doable. In the west you come to mountains every hundred miles or so and going up the hills at 42 mph or less sucks.

Do you really need to take all that stuff with you?

Have you forgotten what you learned the first time? Even if you find a lighter weight trailer, by the time you fill it your total weight difference will not be a very large percentage of the total gross weight. Performance will suffer regardless.

[donniev]

I as well as many have pulled Stacker trailers all over. They are a Problem when it comes to RV Resorts but quite honestly the end results of taking what you want with you outweigh the aerodynamics or weight, as long as your within your limits! weight wise, You can never be to safe!!

[dsaylrn]

I'm thinking about buying a 24' stacker but after exploring max length to be legal i'm finding unless you have a permit in many states you could find yourself having to drop the trailer if you're pulled over. Has this ever happened to anyone here? I've seen many 24' trailers being pulled by 45' coaches. Are they just the lucky ones that haven't been caught? I live in Alabama and was told by DOT that max here is 57'. Iowa is 65'.
Are you suppose to get permits in each state?

[PLSNTVLE2]

Dwight.
I use this link for a referance. It was issued in 2007 and some of the data may not be up to date.
I pull a 24' stacker and that puts me at a little over 74' combined length. I have not had a chance to test the California State Troopers yet, but I think if you are just passing through and not causing any safety concerns, they might just ignore it. Also I can't imagine they would make you un-hook on the road side.
I HOPE.....

http://www.woodalls.com/articledetai...icleID=1195129

[Toy Box]

We have traveled from Florida to Maine to Utah. We almost always pull our trailer. We currently have a 45' bus and pull a triple axle featherlite. Our combined length is 73'. We have never been pulled over or even looked at regarding this issue. We sometimes overnight in Pilot or Flying J. Have you noticed the current crop of 18 wheelers ? Most are 75 to 80' long. We have never been in California with our bus and probably never will. The various experts and authorities we have spoken to regarding this say the length rules apply to state roads and not interstate. Don't know if this helps you any, but just our experience. We even had a state trooper in New Mexico stop once to offer help with a blowout...not a single comment about our 73' length.

[dsaylrn]

I appreciate the info..... thanks, the whole "trucking" situation is confusing.