Trailering options - cross country trip - LotusTalk

DragonFly757 · 10-30-2009, 04:38 PM

Hi all,

Long time, no talk. Life has been busy!

We are planning a move from Virginia to Colorado and need to trailer the Elise in advance, then fly back. We will be using our 4WD Tahoe (rated for towing) to pull the load.

This will be done in late November, when snow is ...well...more than expected.

We do not have a trailer, and need to either buy one that is appropriate for the Elise...but would rather rent one if they make any that would accommodate the Elise. It's my understanding that you have to have a certain type of trailer due to the clearance issues.

Any suggestions on options? Anyone willing to sell their trailer...or anyone have good results with renting a trailer?

Thanks!

RacyTracy · 10-30-2009, 05:28 PM

Have you considered in the back of a U-Haul or Ryder truck?? You would need to find a dock to load and unload it.

apk919 · 10-30-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonFly757

Hi all,

Long time, no talk. Life has been busy!

We are planning a move from Virginia to Colorado and need to trailer the Elise in advance, then fly back. We will be using our 4WD Tahoe (rated for towing) to pull the load.

This will be done in late November, when snow is ...well...more than expected.

We do not have a trailer, and need to either buy one that is appropriate for the Elise...but would rather rent one if they make any that would accommodate the Elise. It's my understanding that you have to have a certain type of trailer due to the clearance issues.

Any suggestions on options? Anyone willing to sell their trailer...or anyone have good results with renting a trailer?

Thanks!

A few weeks ago another LT member and I went to both U-Haul and Penske to examine their trailers for suitability of towing our Exiges... because you need to rest the front wheel against the front edge of the trailer, it looked like there would be a problem with splitter clearance. My car in particular has a large, non-OEM splitter and a relatively low ride height, so there was no good way to make the trailer work for me. With an Elise at the factory ride height, you might have more luck...

lotusfan2 · 10-30-2009, 06:17 PM

Where in Colorado are you moving to? Sorry, other than stating the obvious (buy one), I have no good trailer solution recommendation.

fzust · 10-30-2009, 06:57 PM

Get a Uhaul car trailer. Then use whatever 2x4s etc to ramp it in there. Shouldn't be any trouble. I could get my street elise on about any car trailer.

ADR3 · 10-30-2009, 07:24 PM

I have a sportsracer with about 40mm of ground clearance. With the right set of boards I can get it on just about any trailer. Same with the Rossion.

DragonFly757 · 10-30-2009, 07:42 PM

Great replies, everyone! I really appreciate it.

I already looked at the rates to have it transported in a closed trailer and the hubs isn't too comfortable letting that car out of his sight to begin with. I can't say I blame him. LOL

I'll check out those options!

DragonFly757 · 10-30-2009, 08:07 PM

Holy frickin moly.

U-Haul rates are insane. $768 bucks for up to 7 days of use. GAH! I'd rather buy a closed trailer and KEEP it. LOL

tvacc · 10-30-2009, 08:52 PM

Several things.

You cannot put a car in a uhaul truck without voiding all your insurance. Says that right in the contract. Now i have done it...yes...but there are potenial consquences. How you do it is pull in the vehicle. Deflate the tires...then hammer 2x4s around the tires.

Check Ebay and Craigslist. You can buy a good trailer and then sell it when you get out there. Probably lose only about $500....and if you buy right..perhaps nothing or make a few bucks.

And for about $1200 you can get is shipped by Reliable Carriers - Automobile Transport, Show Cars, car transport
I use them a lot and they are very good. Cheaper if you can go open carrier...i suspect it would be like $800 -$900.

If you can swing buying a used trailex.....Trailex Home Page I am am sure you could sell it for what you paid for it. They really hold their value.

And you will save about $200 in gas by getting an aluminum trailex.

tvacc · 10-30-2009, 08:59 PM

www.trailex is having a sale. Trailex Sale

yes...16K is a lot for a trailer but they are some trailer. I have had one. bought it used...drove it for 3 years and sold it for more than I paid for it.

I have also had their open models. Same deal but i bought them new and sold them for what i bought them for 10 years later.

DragonFly757 · 10-31-2009, 02:49 PM

Again, great info everyone! This gives me some options.

Thanks!

Baysailor · 11-01-2009, 01:15 AM

Buy these: FS: Set of Winter Tires and drive it there!

10-30-2009, 04:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
DragonFly757 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hampton Roads, VA region ...for now Posts: 85	Trailering options - cross country trip Hi all, Long time, no talk. Life has been busy! We are planning a move from Virginia to Colorado and need to trailer the Elise in advance, then fly back. We will be using our 4WD Tahoe (rated for towing) to pull the load. This will be done in late November, when snow is ...well...more than expected. We do not have a trailer, and need to either buy one that is appropriate for the Elise...but would rather rent one if they make any that would accommodate the Elise. It's my understanding that you have to have a certain type of trailer due to the clearance issues. Any suggestions on options? Anyone willing to sell their trailer...or anyone have good results with renting a trailer? Thanks! __________________ Torrey '06 Elise...my DH's other woman

10-30-2009, 05:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
RacyTracy V Not my picture V Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 9,194	Have you considered in the back of a U-Haul or Ryder truck?? You would need to find a dock to load and unload it. __________________ Tracy 1996 Porsche 993TT Big news coming @ 3pm onTuesday.....(hopefully). 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser LOG 29 photos

10-30-2009, 06:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
lotusfan2 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 418 Images: 1	Where in Colorado are you moving to? Sorry, other than stating the obvious (buy one), I have no good trailer solution recommendation. __________________ '06 Elise, Canyon Red

10-30-2009, 06:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
fzust 2009 XP National Champion Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 1,537	Get a Uhaul car trailer. Then use whatever 2x4s etc to ramp it in there. Shouldn't be any trouble. I could get my street elise on about any car trailer. __________________ 2008,2009 X Prepared Solo National Champion

10-30-2009, 07:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
DragonFly757 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hampton Roads, VA region ...for now Posts: 85	Great replies, everyone! I really appreciate it. I already looked at the rates to have it transported in a closed trailer and the hubs isn't too comfortable letting that car out of his sight to begin with. I can't say I blame him. LOL I'll check out those options! __________________ Torrey '06 Elise...my DH's other woman

10-30-2009, 07:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
ADR3 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 81	I have a sportsracer with about 40mm of ground clearance. With the right set of boards I can get it on just about any trailer. Same with the Rossion.

10-30-2009, 08:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
DragonFly757 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hampton Roads, VA region ...for now Posts: 85	Holy frickin moly. U-Haul rates are insane. $768 bucks for up to 7 days of use. GAH! I'd rather buy a closed trailer and KEEP it. LOL __________________ Torrey '06 Elise...my DH's other woman

10-30-2009, 08:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
tvacc Head LOONY Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 2,226	Several things. You cannot put a car in a uhaul truck without voiding all your insurance. Says that right in the contract. Now i have done it...yes...but there are potenial consquences. How you do it is pull in the vehicle. Deflate the tires...then hammer 2x4s around the tires. Check Ebay and Craigslist. You can buy a good trailer and then sell it when you get out there. Probably lose only about $500....and if you buy right..perhaps nothing or make a few bucks. And for about $1200 you can get is shipped by Reliable Carriers - Automobile Transport, Show Cars, car transport I use them a lot and they are very good. Cheaper if you can go open carrier...i suspect it would be like $800 -$900. If you can swing buying a used trailex.....Trailex Home Page I am am sure you could sell it for what you paid for it. They really hold their value. And you will save about $200 in gas by getting an aluminum trailex. __________________ Tony Vaccaro 2005 Ardent Red, Katana Supercharger, Touring, Hardtop, Driving Lights, HIDs, Rear Window Shield, Red Mounts, Laser Shifters, V1, LETSLA Shifter, www.lotusowners.com LOONY (Lotus Owners of New York) and the Church of the HolyLotus Supplier of Polycarbonate Shield for Rear Window IN STOCK , Drive Fast Take Chances

10-30-2009, 08:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
tvacc Head LOONY Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 2,226	www.trailex is having a sale. Trailex Sale yes...16K is a lot for a trailer but they are some trailer. I have had one. bought it used...drove it for 3 years and sold it for more than I paid for it. I have also had their open models. Same deal but i bought them new and sold them for what i bought them for 10 years later. __________________ Tony Vaccaro 2005 Ardent Red, Katana Supercharger, Touring, Hardtop, Driving Lights, HIDs, Rear Window Shield, Red Mounts, Laser Shifters, V1, LETSLA Shifter, www.lotusowners.com LOONY (Lotus Owners of New York) and the Church of the HolyLotus Supplier of Polycarbonate Shield for Rear Window IN STOCK , Drive Fast Take Chances Last edited by tvacc : 10-30-2009 at 09:08 PM.

10-31-2009, 02:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
DragonFly757 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hampton Roads, VA region ...for now Posts: 85	Again, great info everyone! This gives me some options. Thanks! __________________ Torrey '06 Elise...my DH's other woman

11-01-2009, 01:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
Baysailor Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 1,205	Buy these: FS: Set of Winter Tires and drive it there! __________________ 2006 Lotus Elise - Solar Yellow, HT, LSS, LSD/TC, Touring, StarShield, S111 RTDbrace, S111 microMirror, S111 Carpet Buttons, Painted A/C Surround, CF Center Console, Nitron S/A, Tempest BAB26-12 AGM Battery, Fujita Intake, Top Speed Pro 1 Exhaust, 4Tress Harness Bar, 6000k 35w HID kit, Moroso Oil Pan, Plinthless front clam, Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 Wheels w/ RE01-R's for street use, Heater Core By-Pass, Shifter Reinforcement, LETSLA v2 Shift Kit

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