Guys, I am going to buy a 6 X 12 trailer this spring. I remembered reading some posts of guys lowering their trailers to fit under a standard garage door height of 7'. This looks like it will be a must have for me because of local ordinances. Anyone with ideas on how to do this? Thanks in advance.

TS
How bout smaller tires?

I'm hoping to hear from some guys that actually have these trailers and have configured them to fit in the garage. Did you have to special order the trailer with a chopped roof and/or a special lowered axle? Pictures would be great! Thanks

Rick,

I know for certain that Haulmark will make a trailer with a reduced height to fit under a garage door. I have a friend here that had to do exactly the same thing.

I would expect that the other manufacturers would do the same. You can check with Pace, Wells-Cargo and other to see for sure. Also, be careful about adding a roof vent. They stick up enough to make a problem getting in the garage.


Larry

Typically these trailer are made with a TORQFLEX (some say TOR-FLEX) axle. This axle can be configured so that the frame actually rides closer to mother earth. To do this, the fenders will also need to be mounted higher and the tongue may have to have a riser in it for your vehicle.

Her is a VERY BASIC drawing. Obviously the one on the right would LOWER the trailer

If you are going to buy one, the best way is to just special order it. I bought one from a group out of Goshen, IN. It did not cost anymore to have it special ordered and I got the color I wanted. On a standard trailer, I looked at low profile tires and a lot of other options - I always came up a little too tall to fit. I had mine cut down to the same height as my tow vehical (Explorer at the time - now I use an Avalanche). This made it easy to park in the garage and helped with the gas mileage.

Keith

Thanks for the feedback guys! Awesome idea on the Torqflex axle mod cap232...........I'm going to do some major trailer shopping this week or next, I'm lucky to be about 50 miles from the cargo trailer mfg mecca of the world in northern Indiana. I might reduce the trailer width to a 5' version so it will also fit in my third garage stall which is a single 8' wide door. My main objective is to have a trailer just big enough to carry two 40% planes with the stabs attached......enough height for the planes to be over and under the other. Emphasis on STABS attached!

Haulmark has a new trailer called a "Low-Hauler". Its a 6X12 motorcycle trailer with all the polished chrome and aluminum goodies.....man it looks sweet! It would fit in my garage, but I wouldnt have any money for the hobby after I bought it for $4000!

Thanks again!

Rick

5ft wide will be a challenge if not impossible. I tried to do it with my 6ft wide, but the only way that would fit without serious hassles removing and loading would mean I have to carry the tool box separately, and even then it was difficult setting up the angles where I wasnt poking a prop into one or the other... hangar rash city. I'd like to see how you do it if you can figure it out!

Roger

Here's some pics and specs about my trailer. It's a Homesteader 6' X 10' ez-rider. This is a low-profile frame trailer built to fit in 7' standard-size garage doors. Standard trailer is approx. $2,700, but I added some options adding to the price. It does come standard with the Tor-flex axle. If interested, I bought mine from Dennis Kay at Boruff trailers in Sparta, Tennessee 931-738-9275. Also, Homesteader website is [link]http://www.homesteadertrailer.com[/link]

Bob...

Nice trailer Bob ! That must be a tight squeeze getting a 6' inside width trailer through your 8' wide garage door. I'm glad to see this is possible. Thanks for the links.

Don't forget about the pitch of your driveway. You could special order a trailer that's 2 inches lower than your door. If the driveway pitches up to the garage, the back of the trailer could hit before it levels out. I've heard of this happening to a guy about a year ago.


...........Mark

I hope to get mine tomarrow!!!
I custom ordered a 81" tall trailer from:
http://www.mobilespacesales.com/
Here are the specs:
6' x 14'
torflex axle
15" tires
32" side door
double rear doors
3/4" ply floor
3/8 ply walls
16" oc sides
rock gaurd
inside light

Mine cost about $2800
Send me an email and I will send some pictures when I get the trailer.
Jim

I went to Goshen, IN and special ordered mine too. I got a Wells Cargo 6x12, cut down, drop axle, chrome, insulation, 110V, 12V, heat and air. My planes live in it year round.

If you'll look at most trailers, the axle sits under the spring and is held in place by u-bolts. I have lowered a trailer's height by taking loose the axle and setting it above the spring - and put the u bolts back on. You have to make sure your fenders will now clear the tires - I had to re-work the fenders a little.

Just a thought.

The width at the widest point (the tires) is just under 94". Inside height is 59.5" to bottom of roof beams. Here are some pictures:

http://jimlangford.dyndns.org/trailer1.jpg
http://jimlangford.dyndns.org/trailer2.jpg
http://jimlangford.dyndns.org/trailer3.jpg
http://jimlangford.dyndns.org/trailer4.jpg
http://jimlangford.dyndns.org/trailer5.jpg
http://jimlangford.dyndns.org/trailer6.jpg
http://jimlangford.dyndns.org/trailer7.jpg

Jim

I ordered a trailer with a 6" chop. Charged me $50 for it. Didn't need the head room in the trailer - it fitting in a garage was an afterthought when I got it home and it fit inside.