...it's tow time.



2006 Titan SE 4x4 - purchased after work today... More photos to follow tomorrow.

 

I thought I was going to come in here and see a wreck, like some idiot driver on the freeway messed up your car.

P.S. I'm getting a red X for the pic.

 

Nice. I've been thinking about doing the same. Post some pics

 

Yeah, WTDR is down, and Imagestation sucks. It's not tough to visualize, it's big and grey. When I took the photo, it was dark anyways, so I'll just snap some fresh shots tomorrow.

 

John..............I hope you arent still planning on VIR this weekend with all the snow forcasted. bobhines

 

No, I cancelled Bob, and that decision frustrated me so much that it provided the final impetus for my purchase today. I stopped by to look at your trailer today, and will be in touch with you tomorrow.

 

No pics = BAN!!

 

I see it now. I want one

 

boo.. i thought your harborfreight broke again..

just teasin...

so is that guy taking your hitch off your hands for you? -jun

 

Got a Titan, hmmmm!

 

i've been thinking about doing the same thing.

 

Picked up an Armada for the very same reason -- take my family with me to distance events (in my case, Solo II).

 

Can you all recommend the proper ball drop height for a 18" open trailer loaded with a 350Z (~5000lbs)?

 

Either 2" or possibly 4". Vote to start 2". Hitches are cheap.
What brand of brake controller you going to use?

Depends on how you load the car on the trailer. Forwards or backwards. Remember to centr the weight ovf the vehicle over the axles. Let the trailer carry the weight not the tounge and the hitch. Lots of guys I see load the cars too far forward on trailers.

 

If you haven't bought a trailer yet, look into a fifth wheel, like Jack has. You can thank me later!

The height of the ball is dependant upon the height of the receiver. Tongue weight IS what is important. Not sure on a duel axel trailer, but my single axel trailer recommended about 200 lbs. tongue weight. Remind me to tell you the story of my loosing my duel axel trailer going to pick up my Lotus in Oakland, California. I didn't have enough tongue weight with an empty trailer, and I wore the ball enough to allow the connection to self disconnect! Can you say FLY BY?

 

I'm a n00b to towing, so bear with me here... is it necessary to have a brake controller? I'm procuring a dual-axle 18' open trailer (much like the one in your avatar Will, albeit longer), sorry no 5th wheel Bruce...

 

They are nice to have. You can hook them up without a brake controller, but its not as adjustable or reliable. Does your Titan have the tow package? That will definitely help.

I have an 18' footer with two axles. And I find that if I put the engine of the Z about 16-18" ahead of the front axle I get the right tongue weight and really comfortable towing. But yours may have different geometry. The back wheels of the Z end up being just over the edge of the ducktail on the down slope. It makes it easy to line up. Too far back and you get sway, too far forward and you are putting undue stress on the tow vehicle and a rough ride. If you get your load right, put some permanent marks or wood/metal stops where the tires were. You can forget you are towing if you have it set up right. Also you might need some 2x6 wood planks to get the Z up on the trailer.

Hey, I can see the pic now. Looks great John!!

 

As long as the trailer has brakes, you would want a brake controller that well controls the brakes. W/o using the trailer brakes, the stock vehicle brakes are charged w/ stopping an additional ~5klbs of mass. Not to mention the control issues.

A quick description of the model I use.

Tekonsha Prodigy
TE90185
(1-4 BRAKE AXLES)
Dimensions:
3.25"W x 5.5"L x 1.5"H
>No level adjustment necessary - it adjusts itself to varying terrain as you drive.
>Works proportionally in reverse.
>Digital display depicts voltage delivery to trailer during braking.
>Continual diagnostics check for proper connection and shorted magnet.
>"Boost" feature gives the ability to apply more initial trailer braking power.
>Pre-assembled wire harness for simple hookup.
>Unique pocket mount.
>Made for up to four-axle trailer brake systems.
>Lifetime warranty.

Runs about $120-140. Top shelf kinda thing.

 

Very freakin nice. When you comming back to Mid Ohio?

 

John - you just need to ask the owner of the trailer you are procuring, if the trailer has surge brakes or electric brakes. IF electric, then you MUST have a brake controller in order for the trailer brakes to work. IF surge, then you do not need a brake controller...actually, if surge, a brake controller won't do anything for you. Surge brakes work on gravity...as you slow your tow vehicle, the ball mount pushes the coupler back activating the trailer brakes.

Hope that helps. Happy towing! Call me if you need tie-downs or axle straps

Cheers,
J