Looking for advice from those with experience with enclosed car haulers for a recommendation for Model A's. I will be using it to transport a 1931 Panel delivery 79B which is bit taller than a standard Model A. I will be towing with either a Ford F150 or older (1999) GMC Yukon. I have an aluminum open trailer that I've used for many years but would like to move to an enclosed.
Best size enclosed car trailer for Model A
- Thread starter Ezombie
- Start date
That's a beautiful panel delivery!
I only have only owned open trailers for hauling cars around, so not much help on closed trailer suggestions. However, I do know trucks and towing capacities, etc. because of hauling around farm equipment and radio tower site work equipment for decades. Your F-150 and your Yukon might not be enough to tow that panel delivery in an enclosed trailer if you have hilly terrain. The issue isn't so much about HP, it is the weight of the tow rig to trailer ratio.
I only have only owned open trailers for hauling cars around, so not much help on closed trailer suggestions. However, I do know trucks and towing capacities, etc. because of hauling around farm equipment and radio tower site work equipment for decades. Your F-150 and your Yukon might not be enough to tow that panel delivery in an enclosed trailer if you have hilly terrain. The issue isn't so much about HP, it is the weight of the tow rig to trailer ratio.
Big hammer
Well-known member
I haul my 31 Tudor in my 20’ long 7 ‘ tall 8 1/2 wide that has a ramp floor/ beaver tail / dropped floor . It has plenty of head room , I haven’t worried about the head room loading
How much taller is the panel in the back as compared to the Tudor ?
I pulled the trailer home and with the A in it and we also moved are house hold stuff with a 1500 chevy , it was ok ? pulling flat land up to 60 mph but was iffy , nerve wrecking ! Up graded to a 2500 and I have to remind myself that I’am pulling the trailer with the A inside it’s less sensitive to wind as semi’s passing me or passing them . When we moved my step daughter from the hills of the Ozarks the trailer was maxed out weight wise and was easy pulling at 75-80 mph !
How much taller is the panel in the back as compared to the Tudor ?
I pulled the trailer home and with the A in it and we also moved are house hold stuff with a 1500 chevy , it was ok ? pulling flat land up to 60 mph but was iffy , nerve wrecking ! Up graded to a 2500 and I have to remind myself that I’am pulling the trailer with the A inside it’s less sensitive to wind as semi’s passing me or passing them . When we moved my step daughter from the hills of the Ozarks the trailer was maxed out weight wise and was easy pulling at 75-80 mph !
Yep. The 2500 is by far, the better tow rig!
ModelA29
Well-known member
Bigger is always better when towing. Our F150 was lousy at towing our 25' Bayliner. The F250 diesel was the right tool. However the F150 towed our 24' enclosed aluminum Featherlite trailer with 4,000 pounds in it just fine. Our Ford Flex (4,500 tow cap) can tow our 20' travel trailer anywhere however the mileage drops from 20 to 10. That requires you to stop every couple hours for gas. Our Excursion V8 (think F250 station wagon) gets 14 mpg when it's towing that trailer the mileage drops to 12. With a 44 gallon tank I get to choose where I buy gas. Again the right tool.
Your Panel Delivery can be up to 2,700 pounds add a 3,000 pound trailer and some goodies in the trailer - chairs, ezup. tools, etc and you'll be at the 6-7,000 limit of the Yukon.
You don't mention which F150 you have or engine. Over the years they've spanned from 5,000 to 13,500 tow capacity. But I will tell you that while the V6 will tow it's not the right engine for the job - it will shred your gas card in short order. The V8 is the only choice.
There is also a formula that refers to how the wind load of the height of the trailer effects the towing capacity.
Finally the door height. You'll want it at least 6" higher than your A. Most trailers I've seen have about 6" above the door so you'll probably need a trailer with 84" inside height.
Your Panel Delivery can be up to 2,700 pounds add a 3,000 pound trailer and some goodies in the trailer - chairs, ezup. tools, etc and you'll be at the 6-7,000 limit of the Yukon.
You don't mention which F150 you have or engine. Over the years they've spanned from 5,000 to 13,500 tow capacity. But I will tell you that while the V6 will tow it's not the right engine for the job - it will shred your gas card in short order. The V8 is the only choice.
There is also a formula that refers to how the wind load of the height of the trailer effects the towing capacity.
Finally the door height. You'll want it at least 6" higher than your A. Most trailers I've seen have about 6" above the door so you'll probably need a trailer with 84" inside height.
JRrev
Well-known member
I have a 20 ft x 8 1/2 ft. all aluminum(not axles, springs & coupler) enclosed trailer, beaver tail, ramp door that I tow with a F150 Super Crew 4x4 Ecoboost. Never a problem even towing a 1967 Fairlane GTA that is heavier. Didn't even know it was behind me feeling-wise! Previously had a regular enclosed trailer with no problem towing.
Appreciate the input. I've determined I need a door opening of at least 76" for the panel delivery to enter easily. Might just stay with my open trailer after reading the comments about gas mileage. I usually get about 15 mpg with the 1999 Yukon pulling aluminum 22' with the model A.
nkaminar
Well-known member
My friend Tom had a trailer to tow his sedan. Not the same as a panel truck but the point I would like to make is that he carried his tools and a small work bench in the front. There was plenty of room for a small shop in the front. So I think you should look at trailers that are big enough for not only the car but a mini-shop with spare tires.
Regarding the truck, my Chevy Silverado 2500 with a Diesel engine hauls our travel trailer up the steepest grades at 70 mph. However, Diesel fuel is expensive right now and hauling the trailer it gets about 12 mph. It is a torquey engine even at low rpm. It rarely needs more than 2,200 rpm.
Regarding the truck, my Chevy Silverado 2500 with a Diesel engine hauls our travel trailer up the steepest grades at 70 mph. However, Diesel fuel is expensive right now and hauling the trailer it gets about 12 mph. It is a torquey engine even at low rpm. It rarely needs more than 2,200 rpm.