Hey guys, I've strolled through the trailer threads, and looked up track widths & wheelbases, but I'd like to know if anyone has a definitive answer on the minimum size trailer you can haul a Fiero on. The only Fiero I have at my house is completely apart, with the rear clip cut off, and sitting on it's side, so trying to measure that isn't going to give me very accurate results...

I understand that there could be a lot of variables here, so let's assume there are no sides on the trailer, and the measurement you are giving me is the actual size of the deck on the trailer... Different rim offsets are going to give me different measurements, which is fine, just need a deck size with like 4-5 inches of play room.

Thanks!

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Journal of a concept: http://southeastfieros.com >>> Build Thread >>> Parts thread (for project funding)

I haul mine on a standard 16 foot car hauler with no issues.

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1984 Indy Pace Car
President of Mid Atlantic Fiero Owners Association

Well, I'm trying to keep weight down in order to pull it easier, so I'm looking at a 6X10, which I *think* it might fit on... I'm not really worried about the bumpers; just want to be sure the tires fit on it snugly. I'm asking because I need to go pick up my '88 I bought, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to get over there and measure it for an exact fit.

You bought an 88 and didn't tell Us??!!

quote Originally posted by Ratfink: You bought an 88 and didn't tell Us??!!

I did, you've just spending too much time in T/OT...
Either that, or you haven't read my build thread....

Tape measures are your friend

I'm joking. Really I couldn't resist.

Jim

quote Originally posted by fieroboom: Well, I'm trying to keep weight down in order to pull it easier, so I'm looking at a 6X10, which I *think* it might fit on..

Do you mean 6 foot wide by 10 feet long? That sounds pretty small. It might physically fit, but I don't think the load carrying capacity will cut it. And with that short a length it might be impossible to get the tongue weight correct. How many axles? If it's one then don't even try it.

I just measured my trailer and it's 6 feet 10 inches between the fenders and 16 feet long with a 2 foot dove tail.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Do you mean 6 foot wide by 10 feet long? That sounds pretty small. It might physically fit, but I don't think the load carrying capacity will cut it. And with that short a length it might be impossible to get the tongue weight correct. How many axles? If it's one then don't even try it. I just measured my trailer and it's 6 feet 10 inches between the fenders and 16 feet long with a 2 foot dove tail.

Thank you. My main worry is the width... Archie's rebodies are 77.5 inches, which is 6.46 feet. I just found a pretty nice tandem axle 6x12 that I might be able to snatch up, so I guess the thread should now be "will a stock Fiero's wheels fit in a 6 ft width?"

Here's a crappy picture of the trailer:



I wish I had a full Fiero I could measure! grrr...

quote Originally posted by fieroboom: Here's a crappy picture of the trailer: I wish I had a full Fiero I could measure! grrr...

Well, if it wasn't sleeting and 20 degrees outside, I'd go measure for you. What I will bet on is that once you get the car on that trailer, assuming it will fit, you'll be crawling out the window or sunroof. One of my priorities was to have a trailer I could still open the doors on once loaded, even over the fenders. Those side rails/fenders appear to be much too tall to allow the doors to open.

Ron

quote Originally posted by fieroboom: so I guess the thread should now be "will a stock Fiero's wheels fit in a 6 ft width?"

Oooh, that's going to be close. I just measured the track on my car (proud-1) and it was 72 inches +/- 1 inch. So you might be able to squeeze it on if you have narrow wheels. I have 8 1/2 inch wheels with 265/35-20.

Guilty

quote Originally posted by blackrams: Well, if it wasn't sleeting and 20 degrees outside, I'd go measure for you. What I will bet on is that once you get the car on that trailer, assuming it will fit, you'll be crawling out the window or sunroof. One of my priorities was to have a trailer I could still open the doors on once loaded, even over the fenders. Those side rails/fenders appear to be much too tall to allow the doors to open. Ron

I'm not terribly worried about the doors... I'm still pretty young, so crawling isn't a big deal to me... yet. Besides, there's always a winch if I absolutely need it.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Oooh, that's going to be close. I just measured the track on my car (proud-1) and it was 72 inches +/- 1 inch. So you might be able to squeeze it on if you have narrow wheels. I have 8 1/2 inch wheels with 265/35-20.

Thank you sooo much. That's what I needed to know. + for you.
It would be a little work, but there's usually an inch or two that can be squeezed out by removing the railings & pushing the fenders out a bit if needed. I might be able to get this trailer on a straight trade for my Cadillac, so as long as 6ft is close, I think it'll be ok, and a screaming deal.

Anybody else have track measurements? I'm sure 12ft is long enough, but I'd like to get a few different width measurements so I have a range... Pretty please?

My trailer is 71 3/4" wide between the outer rails and I can fit my Fiero with 7" wheels all around and 225 50 15 tires with about 1.5" on each side. I also run maximum camber so the wheels are wider at the bottom than the top. The deck is 119" long.

I can only open the door a few inches but I can deal with that since it is not a street car. I can still close the windows but only because I moved the window switches closer to the door, and I have a master cutoff to kill power.

The trailer is an open deck, expanded metal track, tilt bed, electric brakes and 16 feet long total. Combined weight is about 3200#. Close the the vans max tow capacity of 3500#. I normally throw the tools and heavy stuff in my co-drivers vehicle or my wife's van. That keeps me way below the max combined weight of 8300# (from memory)

quote Originally posted by SCCAFiero: My trailer is 71 3/4" wide between the outer rails and I can fit my Fiero with 7" wheels all around and 225 50 15 tires with about 1.5" on each side. I also run maximum camber so the wheels are wider at the bottom than the top. The deck is 119" long. I can only open the door a few inches but I can deal with that since it is not a street car. I can still close the windows but only because I moved the window switches closer to the door, and I have a master cutoff to kill power. The trailer is an open deck, expanded metal track, tilt bed, electric brakes and 16 feet long total. Combined weight is about 3200#. Close the the vans max tow capacity of 3500#. I normally throw the tools and heavy stuff in my co-drivers vehicle or my wife's van. That keeps me way below the max combined weight of 8300# (from memory)

Man, I wish I could give double +'s...
My new Jeep Cherokee has a towing capacity of 5,000#, so your combined weight of 3,200 on a 16 footer makes me feel a WHOLE lot better. You numbers are also precisely the info I need; thank you so much! The open deck is probably what I'll end up doing, and in my experience, there's almost always like a 2" gap between the fenders & tires, so I'm pretty sure I can squeeze out a couple of inches if I needed to.

You're welcome. Ironic I was using my hardlock today.

Also, keep in mind Florida is fairly flat. The steepest incline I have to go up is the West tunnel under Daytona International Speedways turn 1, once a year. There is no way I would pull the car/trailer with the van if I had to deal with hills. I only tow about 6 times a year so I can afford to take a little extra time for an extra margin of safety. The van pulls with no complaints but the 3.3 liter does not like inclines. I average about 16-17MPG with the car/trailer and about 19-20MPG empty. Good luck.

quote Originally posted by SCCAFiero: I can only open the door a few inches but I can deal with that since it is not a street car. I can still close the windows but only because I moved the window switches closer to the door, and I have a master cutoff to kill power.

I had the door issue in the past with a similar trailer. I installed four aluminum "ramps" on the decks at my preferred mounting points that were three inches tall (what worked for me) and the three inches was the low point of these ramps because I had them dished out a bit to cradle the tires. I also applied a thin gasket to the bottom of the aluminum to keep it from reacting with the steel deck. To connect them I drilled counter sunk holes in each block, installed a nylon sleeve and used grade 8 bolts with rubber spacers below the steel washer on top and used two steel bars on the bottom. I originally used a plate with four holes but it quickly became a rust breeding ground.

The end result was that I could get in an out with no problem. I used wood to determine the final height. Two inches was OK until I had my big behind in the car which would cause the door to drag on the fender.

James

I thought about adding blocks, but my car sits very low which makes the door issue worse. Beside the door issue, just getting it on the trailer requires a couple blocks of wood and a floor jack under the hitch, after I remove the front airdam. Adding blocks also adds weight, not much, but every pound counts.

Owning a trailer is like owning a pickup. Everyone knows you have one and they don't hesitate to try and borrow it.

quote Originally posted by SCCAFiero: Owning a trailer is like owning a pickup. Everyone knows you have one and they don't hesitate to try and borrow it.

Not necessarily, if it's a gooseneck, few can hook up and actually pull it.
And, don't even think of asking to borrow the entire rig, that ain't happening.

quote Originally posted by Ron:

Ron

I never had a problem with the fender and the door before, but I REALLY don't have a problem now.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: I never had a problem with the fender and the door before, but I REALLY don't have a problem now.

That's definately one way to overcome the fender issue. It would be interesting to see that same car in an enclosed trailer though.

Ron

quote Originally posted by blackrams: It would be interesting to see that same car in an enclosed trailer though. Ron

Not a problem... The doors open conventionally about as far as enclosed trailer would allow, and they are balanced to open to any height.