Thoughts on Wells Cargo trailers???? | FerrariChat

Thoughts on Wells Cargo trailers????

Discussion in 'Florida' started by ILuv4Res, Jun 23, 2008.

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  1. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
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    Aug 8, 2002
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    Fred
    I found a used 2006 Wells Cargo Motor Trac 20' car trailer. It's dirty from sitting outside, but looks very good overall. It has a few nice options that were added by the owner. What do you think of this trailer? And, do you think $4k is a decent price for this used?

    http://www.wellscargo.com/motortrac/model.html?model=36
     
  2. URY914

    URY914 Formula Junior

    Feb 17, 2004
    608
    Temple Terrace FL
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    Paul
    Wells Cargo are sorta the work horse of the trailer builders. They have a huge dealer network with parts and are soild performers.
    Not the lightest or prettiest but they get the job done.
     
  3. Fiorano1

    Fiorano1 Formula Junior

    Dec 7, 2004
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    Coral Springs, FL
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    Haywood Jabloemi
    Fred,

    I have owned many trailers and always end up going with a Pace as they are all alluminum, lightweight, and durable. Some of the brands you have mentioned are good and better if you own a lawn service, but going with a Pace or even a Renegade is a good choice.
     
  4. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
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    Tom, aren't Pace, Haulmark & Wells Cargo all very simmilar?
     
  5. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
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    BTW, new, the best price I could find on this trailer is between $6500 and $7100, without options, depending upon which dealer I called.
     
  6. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
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  7. Fiorano1

    Fiorano1 Formula Junior

    Dec 7, 2004
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    Haywood Jabloemi
    Fred,

    Did you try racingjunk.com?
     
  8. normv

    normv F1 Rookie

    May 3, 2005
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    #8 normv, Jun 23, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hello Wells Gargo is one of the better ones. Hallmark and Pace are fine thought not quite as robust and a little cheaper. $4000.00 is not a bad price. What to look for are the options does it have insulation, lights inside Vee nose. Also its important what kind of axles Im assuming that it has two, but are they 5 lug 3500lbs each or 6 lug 5000lbs ea. and what kind of tires you should have a minimum of D load rating radials E or higher would be nice though if All you have is a light car, you should be fine. Remember you have to account for the GROSS weight, that the trailer itself and all its contents car, equipment and tools etc. All trailers are going to have surface rust underneath, just look for obvious rust through holes. Have fun and thanks Norm
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  9. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    Mar 21, 2005
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    I think Wells Cargo is a good brand, and $4k for a 20 foot enclosed trailer in good condition is very good. If all you get is a 10 or so good uses out of it and still recoup $2k (you should be able to get back at least that after 3-4 years), it is a steal. Have you tried pulling one behind the Tundra? The little trailer I have is pretty easy, it only took me about 5 minutes to get used to pulling it (Scottie can make a joke now)....
    :D
    BT
     
  10. cscott67

    cscott67 Formula Junior

    May 13, 2007
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    Milwaukee
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    Scott
    Wells Cargo makes mostly equipment/construction trailers. They are not the best car haulers. However, finding a 20ft trailer for 4K is going to be pretty hard used. I would male sure you have something with 5K pnd axles. I have seen enclosed trailers with the 5-lug 3.5K axles shred tires that were in good shape and properly inflated. The lighter axles may be ok on a utility flat-bed, but you are asking for trouble with a car hauler. You may also keep an eye out for the axles that have external zerk fittings. Makes it a lot easier to keep them lubed. Keep hunting, Scott
     
  11. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
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    Here are the mods/options the guy has done so far:

    1) electric jack w/ light - for connecting/disconnecting to the truck hitch.
    2) spare tire
    3) checkerboard stick-on tile floor
    4) extra side door on driver's side (so you can open the car door when loaded in the trailer).
     
  12. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
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    So, are you saying 'yes' or 'no' to buying it?
     
  13. paulie_b

    paulie_b F1 Veteran
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    Jan 13, 2003
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    Fred, look up the phone number for C&C Trailers in PA. Speak with Victor Carbe andf mention my name. He builds them and will give you an honest answer and may be able to refer you to a customer that wants to sell. Say hello for me.
     
  14. normv

    normv F1 Rookie

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    Then you should buy it. You can always add bigger tires later. The extra door on the side is a big plus. Thanks Norm
     
  15. Vintage V12

    Vintage V12 Formula 3

    Aug 11, 2004
    1,451
    #15 Vintage V12, Jul 27, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 27, 2008
    Is a 20 foot trailer about as small as you should go for a 14 1/2 foot car? I am thinking about one and would like the shortest possible.
     
  16. swilliams

    swilliams Formula 3

    Jun 14, 2006
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    I have a 20' Haulmark. I paid 3800 for my 06 and msrp was $6700. It had/has some damage to the front where the previous owner jacknifed it while hooked to a RV. $4k should be a great deal. BTW, 20' is a good size for a 360(not sure what you have) I load it backwards with 1-2 foot in the rear and 3-4 foot left open in the front.

    The side door on the drivers side of the trailer doesn't help much with a rear engine car. You need to put the car in backwards for the trailer to be balanced like it was designed(front engine vehicle). V-nose is a great option, extra room and better gas mileage. Mine does not have V-nose and I really think it would help, the flat front on my trailer is like pulling a parachute. I get around 8mpg pulling it with my Escalade.
     
  17. Cavallino Motors

    Cavallino Motors F1 World Champ
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    Fred:

    the side door will do nothing for your Ferrari since the car is lower than the wheel wells. So you would have to built an internal ramp to work that in the first place.
    the electric hitch is worth $200, you can get them on ebay for less install is 3 screws.
    the stick floor is rather a pain in the you know what since it usually comes lose and looks like crap after a few times in and out.

    Whatever you do make sure you get ramps for the trailer and higher bumpers for the opening. Come by the shop and I show you what I mean. I think I have one of those rubber bumpers as a spare somewhere floating around. They run you $20 a piece and the aluminum ramps are $350-$400 but they are worth it.

    You can get a brand new trailer that is just like a Wells Cargo in GA for $4500-$5000. Add the V-nose to it, it makes it more efficient and gives you extra room inside for $250 more. You'll save that in fuel on your way back.
     
  18. Cavallino Motors

    Cavallino Motors F1 World Champ
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    you will have to load the car, strap it down and be able to move inside the trailer while the car is in there. Further you will have stuff that goes with you that you want to throw in there as well. Personally I think 20 is too little. The difference in towing a 20 or a 24 is insignificant.
    The shorter the more they sway as well.
     
  19. Cavallino Motors

    Cavallino Motors F1 World Champ
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    BTW Fred,
    the first question you should ask is if the trailer has 4 axle brakes and what each axle rating is. They are usually #3500 and my personal recommendation is get the #5000 ones. Tha gives you a lot more options. The trailer weighs in at 3500Lbs and your payload is then only 3500Lbs. That means you are constantly on the limit with the Ferrari loaded.
    The 5000Lbs axles will allow you to haul a set of wheels and some other stuff if you ever feel like that.
     
  20. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    #20 BT, Jul 28, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  21. cscott67

    cscott67 Formula Junior

    May 13, 2007
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    If you did, congratulations on the price. Pay close attention to the tires and you will be ok. If not, look for one with the larger/stronger axles/wheels, Scott
     
  22. climb

    climb F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2006
    4,866
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    Another concern is gas mileage.

    That trailer has a flat front and will suck the gas out of the tank. The ones with the bubble shape or wedge shape in front cut the wind so much better. I go from 18 mpg down to 14 mpg with a wedge shape trailer and down to 9mpg when the front is flat like that.
     
  23. mjw599

    mjw599 Formula Junior
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    Jul 30, 2008
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    A Chinese Democracy
    Sounds great - offer him 10% less and buy it!
     
  24. BoulderFCar

    BoulderFCar F1 World Champ
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    Dec 16, 2004
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    Asheville, NC/Ft Lauderdale
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    Tom
    PM me if you are in still in the market. It may be more than you want to spend but I may be bringing my near new 24' Featherlite down with a car and then selling it when I get to Ft. Lauderdale. I'm guessing $10K.

    24' with V nose.
    Diamond plate inside
    Brakes on all 4 with 5K axles
    Electric jack
    Interior lights.
    Perfect condition. Stored inside or covered.

    I did the smaller 20' trailer and would recommend against it. The 20' is hard to tie down, weighs about the same and makes putting wheels and all the crap you need in tough. I'm also a featherlite bigot if you can swing it. Great quality. IMO, look to save money other places than on the trailer.

    That said, I pulled a Pace for several years and had only minor issues. Mostly just
     
  25. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
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    Sounds good. When are you planning on being down here?
     

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