Track Car Transport: Trailer versus 3.5t flat bed
Discussion
Appreciate the pro's and cons of these two as I currently tow a BJ RS3 with a land cruiser which is fine but always a worry of a trailer related problem.
With a covered trailer being about the same price of a decent (even covered) sprinter etc based flat bed single car transporter has anyone got feedback on on one versus the other?
N.
With a covered trailer being about the same price of a decent (even covered) sprinter etc based flat bed single car transporter has anyone got feedback on on one versus the other?
N.
I run them both commercially so I would say-
3.5t enclosed Vs enclosed trailer pros-
Better mpg Vs 4x4 & trailer (approx 1Ompg over enclosed bjt motorshuttle & 5mpg over open trailer, however enclosing my formerly open 3.5t did cost me 5-6mpg)
Parking at hotel, b&b far easier
Less theft risk Vs trailer
Higher speed limits- particularly Europe
Outside lane no probs
No overtaking bans not an issue (predominantly a Belgian & Germany issue)
Can add trailer & easily do 2 cars, mpg then similar then to 4x4 & 1 car.
Cons-
Not as much space for spares & tools
Weight issues for heavier cars(1*)
Ferry cost higher
Not many with AC
If you go above 3.5t breakdowns & recovery are an expensive issue, as not covered by regular AA or RAC etc cover
(1* )
You can remedy this by using a larger van say a 4.5 or 5t, but will be restricted to 56 unless you register as private use & de restrict. However a larger enclosed truck will be down mpg wise Vs smaller stuff, my 6.5t enclosed is 1O+mpg worse than my 3.5t despite a 1Omph lower? cruise speed, is a far larger vehicle however.
3.5t enclosed Vs enclosed trailer pros-
Better mpg Vs 4x4 & trailer (approx 1Ompg over enclosed bjt motorshuttle & 5mpg over open trailer, however enclosing my formerly open 3.5t did cost me 5-6mpg)
Parking at hotel, b&b far easier
Less theft risk Vs trailer
Higher speed limits- particularly Europe
Outside lane no probs
No overtaking bans not an issue (predominantly a Belgian & Germany issue)
Can add trailer & easily do 2 cars, mpg then similar then to 4x4 & 1 car.
Cons-
Not as much space for spares & tools
Weight issues for heavier cars(1*)
Ferry cost higher
Not many with AC
If you go above 3.5t breakdowns & recovery are an expensive issue, as not covered by regular AA or RAC etc cover
(1* )
You can remedy this by using a larger van say a 4.5 or 5t, but will be restricted to 56 unless you register as private use & de restrict. However a larger enclosed truck will be down mpg wise Vs smaller stuff, my 6.5t enclosed is 1O+mpg worse than my 3.5t despite a 1Omph lower? cruise speed, is a far larger vehicle however.
Edited by iguana on Monday 6th November 11:30
No problem.
Ref what to get, well if a decent example they all sell easily enough, I've had several makes & types, Mercedes, Renault, Iveco, VW & when I sold- realistic price & good ad & they have all sold on pretty quickly, one in under an hour from eBay ad!
You want a lighter aluminium deck, & for it to be built as light as possible for most payload & ideally as much power as you can! Just read up on the foibles of different models.
If it's something you are looking to hang onto for a while then the impending London emissions ulez will affect values as I'm sure other areas will impose similar rubbish & thus will make non compliant vehicles worth less.
However ultimately a covered transporter is a sought after thing, is currently just 1- enclosed 3.5t for sale that I could find, was another but it's gone, is a really decent build this good deck size nice low access on a kfs lightweight body & chassis, but I think this one is very overpriced for year & miles but that's just IMHO. Go over 3.5t & more examples around, but still not that many. I'll link to that ad at the bottom.
I've only bought one enclosed, the others I've had a cover built on an existing transporter, it's not silly £ from about £2.5k+vat level up. & I've got a cover that's been on 3 trucks now so it's done a lot of miles but is still fine.
Where are you based? Happy to show you my couple of enclosed transporters & talk you round them at some point.
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULLY-ENCLOSED-SINGLE-CAR...
Ref what to get, well if a decent example they all sell easily enough, I've had several makes & types, Mercedes, Renault, Iveco, VW & when I sold- realistic price & good ad & they have all sold on pretty quickly, one in under an hour from eBay ad!
You want a lighter aluminium deck, & for it to be built as light as possible for most payload & ideally as much power as you can! Just read up on the foibles of different models.
If it's something you are looking to hang onto for a while then the impending London emissions ulez will affect values as I'm sure other areas will impose similar rubbish & thus will make non compliant vehicles worth less.
However ultimately a covered transporter is a sought after thing, is currently just 1- enclosed 3.5t for sale that I could find, was another but it's gone, is a really decent build this good deck size nice low access on a kfs lightweight body & chassis, but I think this one is very overpriced for year & miles but that's just IMHO. Go over 3.5t & more examples around, but still not that many. I'll link to that ad at the bottom.
I've only bought one enclosed, the others I've had a cover built on an existing transporter, it's not silly £ from about £2.5k+vat level up. & I've got a cover that's been on 3 trucks now so it's done a lot of miles but is still fine.
Where are you based? Happy to show you my couple of enclosed transporters & talk you round them at some point.
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULLY-ENCLOSED-SINGLE-CAR...
Edited by iguana on Monday 6th November 22:03
JUPE777 said:
Yes I spotted that one and it looks ideal. it looks multipurpose too having a cover and a flat floor so it could be used for house moves etc.I can cope with a trailer sat idle most of the year but one of these even at the same value seems decadent!
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