STACKER TRAILER

First off, let me say I do not have a stacker. We almost purchased one a few years ago when we ordered our 26' Haulmark Edge but in the end I decided against it mainly due to the weight. I was happy with the way my coach ran weighing 36k pounds and towing 8500-9000 pounds with our previous trailer and cargo. I figured 10k maybe a little more would not be a big deal but 16-18k pounds with a stacker and all my******would be way too much for my little ISL to tow and me still be happy with it. If you have the need and the power to handle 16k plus pounds of trailer and cargo being towed, I say do it. If you really don't have the need for hauling everything at once and can get by with a standard enclosed trailer I would recommend that, even if you have to go a few feet longer, in the end it will be easier loading/unloading. We haul our four door Jeep Wrangler and our HD Ultra Classic in our 26' comfortably. That is even with a workbench, toolbox and cabinets in the front.

I have a couple of friends that tow stackers and love the trailers once they are loaded and once they are on the road. They hate loading them due to the procedure and time involved. That is one aspect that I hadn't thought of when looking.

One has a 40' Diplomat with the ISL400 and tows a 30' Progressive stacker. He runs down the interstates well but the grades kill him. Another friend has a 45' Newell and tows a 24' Haulmark Edge stacker. Him and I run pretty neck and neck on the grades, maybe a slight advantage to him with his 600 hp engine but his coach also weighs around 54k pounds not towing anything.

You more than likely will have some issues in some camprgounds due to finding sites long enough. I have only been in a few where I had to unhook and park the trailer in an overflow area. Some people don't mind that but I absolutely hate it as I like to remain hooked up.

I have found this past summer that making reservations early enough in advance was the key to getting into sites long enough to not have to unhook the entire season when traveling. If you are "winging it" this may not be the case.

Last make certain your hitch is rated accordingly and if not get it reinforced to handle the kind of weight you are going to be dealing with.

Mike.

P.S. there is also several threads/discussions going on about this very topic over on IRV2.com right now as well.

We just sold our jeep and bought a shelby gt 500, so we bought a stacker to take the shelby and golf cart with us( we still have the gmc to tow 4 down). On our first trip we did not know the trailer was behind us except for getting 1mpg less. one note if your golf cart has a top it will be to tall to stack on the lift with anything bellow. Hindsight being 20/20 I would have gone with a regular enclosed trailer with 8' inside height it would have been less $$ and weight

how about a sway control any need for it ??

Fla Tom wrote:
We just sold our jeep and bought a shelby gt 500, so we bought a stacker to take the shelby and golf cart with us( we still have the gmc to tow 4 down). On our first trip we did not know the trailer was behind us except for getting 1mpg less. one note if your golf cart has a top it will be to tall to stack on the lift with anything bellow. Hindsight being 20/20 I would have gone with a regular enclosed trailer with 8' inside height it would have been less $$ and weight

I don't use a golf cart but my Jeep is lifted. When we decided on just getting a standard enclosed trailer I had extra height added to ours when I special ordered it. That is one thing I am glad I did.

Mike.

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Stackers ( loaded ) are heavy ! What is the hitch capacity and tongue weight for you rig ?

Just get a 28' v-nose with a rear ramp and a side ramp at front for golf cart. $10,000+-.

We haul a 28ft overall cargo trailer. We bought a new Hyundai Elantra GT for running around and also a golf cart with a cover. (2010 Club Car) then we put the bikes and all the the mechanic supplies etc. I run this up and down the roads with no problem and no sway problems our WD hitching. Macktee

Greg1 wrote:
how about a sway control any need for it ??

so far no need even had moderate crosswinds on our last trip, it towed like a dream

Don't haul firewood to another state. It's illegal.

We have pulled a 28' stacker trailer weighing about 14,000lbs a few times the last 3 years. Used for hauling additional race cars and equipment to Florida for SpeedWeeks with our 03 Tradition.

If you look at all aluminum stacker trailers, three of the best are Featherlite's, ATC or my favorite, GoldRush. The weight of the trailers have been around 4500 to 5000lbs plus whatever you are hauling. They are not cheap, but the tow fantastic and they hold their re-sale value well.

One way to keep the weight down on the trailer is to skip the steel internal lifts some manufactures use. I would go with the automatic lift gates (your rear trailer door) and haul the bikes and golf carts in the overhead and your vehicle down below.

We beefed up the hitch area, make sure we are using the weight distributing equipment and have not had any issues. When properly loaded, almost did not know that trailer was back there fully loaded except for the 1mpg drop in fuel milage.