BRE Aerovault Trailer -- anyone seen one?

[admranger]

Has anyone seen one of these in person? Might solve my get out of racing dilemma. Tow this bad boy with the X5.


http://www.bre2.net/mm5/merchant.mvc...e=car_trailers

[jonmacs22]

The thing costs $18k with no options. Why not buy a featherlite for $11k and use the extra $7k to get a more capable SUV?

There are a few things that really concern me. First, what happens if your car is damaged at the track. It is going to be really hard to get it inside of that thing with so little access. Also, what happens if that winch fails?

I like your thinking, but be careful how you are backing yourself into the corner.

[///M3Augy]

18 grand? Whoa.

[Mike S]

A friend of mine owns one. It's a work of art, quite compact, very nicely laid out - though a bit low on the roof for the obvious benefits that offers - and is quite conducive to being used with chairs inside for a bit of shelter from the weather.

I wouldn't worry about the winch going bad. It's low enough that a couple people should easily be able to push a car into the trailer if that happens.

It is, however, not an inexpensive solution!

Mike

[admranger]

Originally Posted by jonmacs22

The thing costs $18k with no options. Why not buy a featherlite for $11k and use the extra $7k to get a more capable SUV?

There are a few things that really concern me. First, what happens if your car is damaged at the track. It is going to be really hard to get it inside of that thing with so little access. Also, what happens if that winch fails?

I like your thinking, but be careful how you are backing yourself into the corner.

Featherlite for $11k. Never seen that before except for an open one.

I have a pretty capable SUV right now (check sig), but I don't want an extra 6 tires in the driveway anymore. Crap to worth ratio is out of balance for as few events as I do.

As for the winch failing, I don't have a winch now so I'm not too sure it's a problem...this trailer is just as wide as the one I have now and I'm thin (not Bassett thin mind you, but thin ) so getting out is easy. I would only use the winch in an emergency...

Since I have not seen one in person, I posted to the group to see about things like this. I know it is small, hence the shout out to see what people think, etc.

As for the price, well, yeah, it is a bit much. However, it appears to be better engineered and thought out than your average trailer (e.g., spring at the hinge part of the door). Price is important but, come on, I'm driving BMWs not on their price point, but on their features. This isn't yugoforums...

Originally Posted by Mike S

A friend of mine owns one. It's a work of art, quite compact, very nicely laid out - though a bit low on the roof for the obvious benefits that offers - and is quite conducive to being used with chairs inside for a bit of shelter from the weather.

I wouldn't worry about the winch going bad. It's low enough that a couple people should easily be able to push a car into the trailer if that happens.

It is, however, not an inexpensive solution!

Mike

Thanks Mike! This is exactly what I was looking for when I posted this.

Any issues with build quality (or anything at all)?

I'm on earthlink.net with my username in front of the @ symbol if your friend is up to a billion and one questions.

[B.Watts]

This is just my opinion, but I don't get the point of this style trailer. It's all of the cost of a normal enclosed trailer (or even more in many cases) with only about 10% of the benefits (i.e. that your car is enclosed on the way to/from the track).

No storage. No work space. No space to get out of the cold, heat, rain. No packing/unpacking the rear of the SUV every time you leave for or return from the track. Those are the reasons for switching to enclosed from an open trailer in my opinion. Having the car covered is really low on the list.

[fzust]

I have this trailer. It is as awesome as my description says on their brochure. I didn't get paid anything or get a discount on the trailer from BRE. It is just excellent engineering. The weight is low, which helps with towing. The aerodynamics are fantastic. The trailer stabalizes the TRUCK in high winds!

I had the full 24' Haulmark Edge race trailer with workbench cabinets and all that crap. Did I use it? Hardly. I want to get the car to the event securely, carry my gear, fuel, tools, tires, oil, chairs, air etc. I get that with the Aerovault. It comes with the winch, battery so lights are available when not connected to the truck, shelf for tires, tons of places to stow stuff. I can get out of the car when inside, though I usually winch.

I tow with a Tundra. With my old box trailer at 4000lbs with 3000lbs of car and other crap, I would tow at 60mph to get maybe 11mpg towing to the SCCA solo nationals. 1300miles each way. This past year with the Aerovault I towed at 75-80mph with the cruise control on. I got 12.5mpg but it took 4 HOURS LESS TIME EACH WAY!!!.

The winch is awesome, you can setup the inside to hold all your stuff. Its the trailer you buy and keep forever.

Highly, highly recommended.

[jknopp44]

Yea,, I have seen these before and I never quite got the point... 18K,, thats crazy... . you can get a NICE enlosed for that price, with work area and place to store your stuff...

[mdadgar]

Originally Posted by B.Watts

This is just my opinion, but I don't get the point of this style trailer. It's all of the cost of a normal enclosed trailer (or even more in many cases) with only about 10% of the benefits (i.e. that your car is enclosed on the way to/from the track).

The point is that you can tow it with a smaller tow vehicle.

- Mark

[JS154]

Originally Posted by admranger

Has anyone seen one of these in person? Might solve my get out of racing dilemma. Tow this bad boy with the X5.


http://www.bre2.net/mm5/merchant.mvc...e=car_trailers

What's with the boat on the roof?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by JS154

What's with the boat on the roof?

Structural member with styling added to pay homage to a Bugatti of yesteryear (look at the pdf brochure for the exact info).

[JS154]

Originally Posted by admranger

Structural member with styling added to pay homage to a Bugatti of yesteryear (look at the pdf brochure for the exact info).

Looks like a boat on the roof to me.

[B.Watts]

Originally Posted by mdadgar

The point is that you can tow it with a smaller tow vehicle.

You can tow an open trailer with the same vehicle.

[Michael9218]

Trailex also makes a small enclosed that has a couple more nice features...side doors so you can open your car door and step out and access doors for the storage in the V nose. You should also check it out if you're really in the market for this type of small enclosed.

These trailers certainly have limited application. If you really don't want the big tow rig and just want a step up from an open trailer, than they hit the spot. The price is a bit hard to stomach, but they are well built.

[B.Watts]

Originally Posted by fzust

The trailer stabalizes the TRUCK in high winds!

...and solves world hunger.

[fzust]

Originally Posted by Michael9218

Trailex also makes a small enclosed that has a couple more nice features...side doors so you can open your car door and step out and access doors for the storage in the V nose. You should also check it out if you're really in the market for this type of small enclosed.

These trailers certainly have limited application. If you really don't want the big tow rig and just want a step up from an open trailer, then they hit the spot. The price is a bit hard to stomach, but they are well built.

I actually did a test tow with the trailex! It is a nice setup, but similarly equiped it is about $21k. Additionally, you need to pull out the 2 x 9' ramps to get the car out. It doesn't use sprung hub axels so the floor is pretty high. The skin is .050" thick so it isn't the "vault".

I agree the open trailer is the way to go if your car is secure and won't be molested in a hotel parking lot in some random city. I started with an open featherlite, which is the best open trailer IMHO. Now, however, my car is open and someone could come along and strip out the ECU or steal the wing etc. etc. Additionally, I store the car in the trailer when I am not working on it, thus it is safe and secure and NOT in my garage when I am not working on it.

[Ranger1]

6 months ago a buddy bought a used 30' trailer and 3/4 ton SUV for $16k. The trailer is a class act with built in air plumbing and compressor, LCD tv, sound, internal and external lights, toilet, rollaway toolbox, tire rack cabinet and shelves. And in terrific condition. All for $16k.

There's lots of ways to store a trailer, you just have to use some imagination. For example, find a local autoparts store with lots of parking. Put "<Autoparts store name> Racing" on big signs on your trailer and park it in their lot.

[mdadgar]

Originally Posted by B.Watts

You can tow an open trailer with the same vehicle.

You can, but you can't lock stuff in the open trailer, can you?

They are different applications. This little trailer has some advantages and some disadvantages, but if your set of tradeoffs are correct it makes sense.

BTW, other aluminum trailer manufacturers make this style of "shorty" enclosed trailer, too.

- Mark

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Ranger1

6 months ago a buddy bought a used 30' trailer and 3/4 ton SUV for $16k. The trailer is a class act with built in air plumbing and compressor, LCD tv, sound, internal and external lights, toilet, rollaway toolbox, tire rack cabinet and shelves. And in terrific condition. All for $16k.

There's lots of ways to store a trailer, you just have to use some imagination. For example, find a local autoparts store with lots of parking. Put "<Autoparts store name> Racing" on big signs on your trailer and park it in their lot.

Dude, I live in Vegas! I'd do that if I never wanted to see my car/trailer/stuff again. Besides, then I'm commercial for real when I tow down the road. Those who "collect and serve tickets" in California and elsewhere are cracking down on folks w/any signage on their rigs. I've talked to one DOT enforcement official and I don't want to talk to another, ever, tyvm.

Seriously, thank you all for the suggestions of getting this or that trailer to tow behind some monster truck (which I already have) or bigger SUV (which I don't want).

I have a big f'n truck and trailer now (see links). Been there, done that for nearly a decade and I need to downsize the fleet. Looking to simplify (I didn't say lower costs). I used to have a 40' diesel pusher coach that I towed with so I have done it all short of an 18 wheeler.

My work gets in the way of me racing very much anymore. I do all my own work on the car (considered therapy), etc. so time is valuable. I'm looking for something that keeps me in the game with less effort. I'm not out to rule the JP world like Mr. White, just looking to have fun w/Bassett, Dadgar, Avakian, Bell, Bocelli, Kogan et al once in a while.

For instance, there was an event Sunday that I would have liked to go to but the thought of going to get the trailer from the storage lot, loading it all up, and getting there, and then undoing it all Sunday night in the dark put me in the wrong frame of mind to go to the track. Some of you may be different and nothing else matters except track time. Me, I've got other things that keep me interested so I need a low crap to worth ratio to keep going.

With this trailer, I can have the trailer safely secured in my garage (they make a garage height version), with everything ready to go at a moments notice.

As for an enclosed trailer vs. an open trailer, come race with us in July at Willow Springs w/o shade (your tent is going to blow to Barstow, so forget about that...). Small generator, box fan, cool drinks and we're good as long as it is in the shade inside the trailer.

So, what I'm looking for is info on this specific trailer, or lightweight enclosed ones like it (Blazey has/had a nice one). Of the ones I've seen, this one looked like it had the most thought put into it.

Thanks!

[jonmacs22]

Now granted you're in Vegas, but back east this is the cheap option for Featherlite.

Hopefully you can find a similar price out there:
http://www.trailer4all.net/dealerfil...?ListingID=336

[Lateral G]

a) Find a way to keep racing.

b) If this is the answer, go for it.

[Michael9218]

Originally Posted by admranger

Dude, I live in Vegas! I'd do that if I never wanted to see my car/trailer/stuff again.

You haven't seen Ranger1's trailer....even in Vegas it wouldn't get stolen!

[admranger]

Originally Posted by jonmacs22

Now granted you're in Vegas, but back east this is the cheap option for Featherlite.

Hopefully you can find a similar price out there:
http://www.trailer4all.net/dealerfil...?ListingID=336

Thanks for the info. I sit corrected on Featherlite prices (certainly aren't that low in Vegas -- $18k was cheapest stripped 24' featherlite when I saw one a year ago!).

One other difference for the 20 footer is weight: 2800 lbs vs. 2400 lbs. I have lost over 1/2 of all my load carrying capacity for everything but the car in that additional 400 lbs! Ouch.

[mdadgar]

Here's the Trailex version for comparison:

http://www.trailex.com/CTE-80180.cfm

A friend has one and quite likes it.

- Mark

[Lateral G]

TPD builds trailers to order, and might be able to do a shorty. I've been happy with my Vortech. An 18' chop top Vortech might be in a similar weight range.

http://www.tpdtrailers.com/