What kind of enclosed trailer should I buy?

I don't know where you are located but we purchase all types of custom trailers from this company located in Tampa Bay. Outstanding craftsmanship and customer service and they have an extensive dealer network (but I think only throughout the Southeast).

http://www.1expresstrailers.com/

 

The Scuderia does not fit in most trailers, it is a very wide car. Regardless of the trailer chosen, you still need to buy additional ramps, because the front bumper has a long overhang, and your car is lowered, so even more reasons.

Ramps: TR-5 at raceramps.com. I later bought a custom set developed with my own measurements and gave the TR-5 away as a gift.

Enclosed Trailer: Trailex CT-80180 or BRE AeroVault with extended length and lower roof (optional). Any other trailer on the market is narrower and the risk of damaging rocker panels, wheels, front bumper too high. I have gone through this.

Open Trailer: One option only, the Trailex CT-8045EB, everything else is too narrow and you won't be able to open your doors. I had a FeatherLite 3110 long (20' 6") widest open one they make, but it was leaving just 3" compared to my track width in the front. Scratched my factory wheels many times.

Straps: MAC Custom full kit.

I installed my own set of tie-downs for my Scuderia , because strapping through the wheels on such a low car was scratching the underbody badly.

what kind of tow truck?

 

A made in the USA 1 ton truck? Wait, I wonder if Chevy and Ford headers are 100% made in the USA, might want to check. Or the biggest capacity Tundra?

Coolest choice would be a Ferrari FF with an upgraded aftermarket rear bumper, rear bumper support and tow hook. Ooops, would have to check to see where the upgraded bumper was manufactured?

 

For enclosed trailers, you need a pick-up truck. The only SUV that can haul these enclosed trailers safely is the no longer made and very old Ford Expedition Diesel. With a standard SUV you won't be able to see behind as the trailers are wider than most SUVs, and you need a wider trailer to fit a Scuderia inside.

I don't like pick-up trucks, because they don't serve me other purpose than just towing, so it is a waste of an asset and insurance money to be used 7-8 days per year in my case. They just drive horrible.

I got an enclosed trailer last year, and sold it a few months later, as there was no way I could safely tow the trailer with my SUV. I went back to an open trailer.

My Scuderia is fully wrapped with VentureShield, these days I prefer the XPel technologies protection film. Open trailer towing is not an issue on my end.

I bought an used Cayenne Turbo, and so far it is the best towing experience I have had. Mine has the optional tow package, so it got the transmission cooler. It gives me 13-14 mpg towing my super-light Trailex CT-8045EB and super-light Scuderia. I fit 4 extra wheels/tires in the inside of the SUV, my tools, coolers, all my track gear. Scuderia and Trailer together are less than 4,000 lbs, and the SUV is rated at 7,700 lbs for towing.

Loading a car on an open trailer is a piece of cake, enclosed trailer, not so much.

For pick-up trucks, you can't go wrong with Diesel GM/Ford/Dodge from the current generation. If you go with Gas engines on these thirsty pick-up trucks, be prepared for high fuel consumption, high RPM towing when you need passing power or going uphill, and a noisy ride.

My Cayenne serves me as daily driver as well, I can use it for many other things. Mine is a 2006 with the 450Hp V8 Twin Turbo engine, it is so fast off the line, that it beats my Cayman S on acceleration. The best Cayenne for towing is the 2008 Turbo S with the Ceramic Brakes, that's my next one. They are cheap on the used market. 2008 is the best year.

The new 2010 Cayenne was lightened by taking away all the chassis reinforcement that made it off-road capable, the same reinforcements that made it a great tow vehicle, so 2010+ Cayennes are no longer though for towing.

The Cayenne handles like a car, it has Porsche GT3 brakes, massive power, it is fun to pass by other people towing with ease. Comfortable, quiet, the optional Bose stereo sounds great, and sounds good too. I got mine at 40,000 miles, it has almost 70,000 miles with 15,000 miles towing, under warranty until 100,000 miles or 6 years, at which time I will upgraded for another low mileage with an even longer warranty.

 

I purchased a "Trailex "open trailer for my 348 & 308 track cars . Towed great for many years . It had a tire rack for 8 spares , tool box , power winch & tie down straps . Used a Ford Broco for pulling . It was a great trailer .

 

Are you wanting a trailer because you want to move the car between 2 homes, or because you are wanting to take it to a race track?

If you are just moving it between homes, why not just make a deal with a good quality enclosed shipping company. After you calculate the cost of the trailer, the truck, the fuel, wear and tear on the truck and trailer, you might be better off using a carrier.

 

You make a good point. I had a trailer and truck, but found it was challenging towing and cheaper to hire a transport company. Gave up the truck and trailer because of the frustration towing.

 

Let alone the risk of driving it down there. With the carrier he is on the hook, and not your insurance carrier.

My Mom has a place in Indian Wells, a ton of her friend's ship their Rolls and Bentley's across the country to the East Coast after their visit is up.

Could just get a 2nd car, after 50 years of transporting twice / year or less, you would have bought another car.

 

I highly recommend a 20' V-nose Featherlite trailer. Light weight, really well built and plenty of room with the v-nose. But let me tell you what happens. You buy the trailer you get a bigger truck. Then you buy a bigger trailer for the truck and it keeps going.

 

This is what clearance looks like with a 360 on a Featherlite 20' enclosed trailer - tight. With an Infiniti QX56 (9000 lbs tow limit) I have towed this trailer loaded with either the 360 or Alfa race car for 10k+ miles with ease. Multiple trips from Southern California to Seattle, from Southern California to SLC, Utah, cross mountains to 13,000 ft altitude, with ease. This combo will cruise at plenty speed with ease to risk big tickets.

Oh, and I mounted an electric winch so I can load the race car in case it gets disabled at the track. If it is running it is easier to just drive on, but with a very tight fit like a 430 would be, perhaps it is easier to winch it up...

Jes
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Wow, that is a tight fit. If you drive it on, how do you get out of the car? Dukes of Hazzard style?

 

Nice setup.......but...this certainly looks like it is wider than 102" even with the inside fenders - I assume that in some states (definitely CA) this will require a special wide load permit? CA DOT actually allows some cities and counties to prohibit vehicles > 96" width.

 

Nope, this is fine - I'm in CA.

 

Its obviously hard to tell from just looking at the picture and no worries if < 102" wide. But if it is even 102.5 wide, it will require a wide load permit. Also some cities esp. in CA have made use of the 96" rule - similar issues in AZ.....
Just wanted to point out to the OP that maybe hiring a commercial transport might be more advantageous per Mattyrae's suggestion.....add to this the 55 mph limit for pulling a trailer in CA and unless you have to transport frequently I would prefer having somebody else haul this.

Here's some info from CA DOT about this issue

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd15c2.htm

 

My Scud fits just fine in a Featherlite 28 foot trailer - would fit fine in a 22 foot. 102 nch trailers are legal in every state in the US. Skip the winch and just learn to drive it on - much faster - mark the trailer floor with color tap to keep straight and a line to know when to stop - you are going to go out the window no matter what car you have(unless it is a spider) unless you get a trailer with the side door which s absolutely the best. The best hauler vehicle is the Ford power stroke (750 ft lbs of torque) - but as one poster said above, really figure the cost of your investment in the the truck and hauler plus storage etc - you can do a lot of commercial hauling

 

I know most trailer models in the market, overall width (which is restricted by DOT) is fine, it is the width between the fenders, the shape of those fenders, and the height of those fenders what very likely will cause damage in the order of four to five figures to the paint on car and wheels, without considering the immediate depreciation a Ferrari takes when repainted for any reasons.

Trailers are cheap, good trailer are cheap too, so there is no sense on sacrificing little money and not get a quality and stable trailer (with best axles, suspension, tires).

Featherlite doesn't have a single trailer where a Scuderia fits safely without the risk of damage. Can it fit? yes, is it tight? too much.

Only the Trailex CT-80180, AeroVault have decent width between fenders to fit the Scuderia nicely.

The Scuderia is wider than the Stradale and F430. It has wider track front and rear than the F430, and the F430 is already wider than the 360. When using race wheels the Scuderia gets even wider.

For standard size cars (Porsche GT3, Gallardo, Vettes, 360 Modena), the availability of enclosed trailers is gigantic, but for very wide cars, such as the Murcielago, Scuderia, Enzo, very few enclosed trailers work.
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As said above, the Trailex CTE-80180 is the trailer to buy. You will need a basic set of Race Ramps but they are light and easy to stow underneath the rear straps once the vehicle is loaded.

The biggest advantage to the Trailex, which is why I bought one and we carry them, is the lightweight and the ability to open the driver's door over the fender and hop right out. That to me is priceless, as trying to crawl out of the car causes wear and has the potential for damaging the car.

As for tow vehicle....I haul our enclosed trailer with my Lincoln Aviator. A full-size truck is a bit overkill as the trailer only weighs 2100 lbs. Mirror extensions are needed though on any SUV. Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Land Rover LR3, Range Rover Sport, Lincoln Navigator, BMW X5 4.8, are all good options - anything with at least a 6k towing capacity.
(keep in mind towing capacity includes the weight of the hitch as well as weight of any extra cargo or passengers in the car....)

We're a Trailex dealer......call me and I'll get you hooked up!

 

I think that all depends on what the trailer will be used for. Using mine for the race car / at the track, it would be a complete no-go if you cannot stand up inside the trailer. There are full height trailers that allow opening off the car-door over the trailer wheels, but I think that will always come with the center of gravity of the trailer sitting higher (since the loaded car needs to sit higher in order for the door ro clear the trailer wheel well). I imagine this can affect handling negatively - though, not sure how big a deal that is in practice.
Jes

 

Sorry, totally disagree with you on the Scud - it fits fine - to b safe just have someone guide you on - it take 2 seconds

 

I would add VW Touareg V10 TDI and Audi Q7 V8 to that list. The Audi has a longer wheelbase than the Cayenne, which improves stability. The VW has all the advantages of the Cayenne Turbo, plus diesel efficiency and 550 ft-lb of torque.

Whatever you get, make sure it has self-leveling air suspension. Once you have towed with that, you'll never go back.