One more box trailer thread. 6x12 questions

newmann
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US
1/31/2019 4:36pm Edited Date/Time 3/10/2019 9:28am
Oldest son asked about a 6x12 trailer whether a dual axle setup with trailer brakes would be better/more desirable that a single axle without trailer brakes. Will be towed behind a long bed crew cab Tacoma, V6, auto,2wd. Obviously a 6x12 will have weight limits so we'll figure up the approximate load out. Who runs one this size and what are you pulling with? Pros/cons?
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racerx217
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MI US
1/31/2019 4:54pm
Hcallz5 wrote:
Look makes a pretty good trailer. I mean as long as you're not living in it, it's just a trailer after all. https://classifieds.ksl.com/listing/55018303 Are you looking...
Look makes a pretty good trailer. I mean as long as you're not living in it, it's just a trailer after all.

https://classifieds.ksl.com/listing/55018303

Are you looking to pimp it out inside or just to haul bikes around?
Holy smokes, not sure where you guys are located at but around me you can get a new one for that price. Just picked up a 7x16 for less than 4k. For what its worth both are going to pull like a brick, get a 7x14 you will be much happier with the extra room down the road.
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Hcallz5
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UT US
1/31/2019 5:11pm
You can get an Aluminum Look brand new for around $3500, would probably tow much better behind a Tacoma.
Ted722
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Sacramento, CA US
1/31/2019 5:40pm
I’ve had a 6x12 Interstate for about 18 years and it’s held up well. Very easy to tow behind my Expedition. I’ve had friends/family borrow it with their Tacoma’s / 4-Runners with no issues.

Pro’s
- Easy to park, manuever hooked up or un-hooked
- Perfect for 2-bikes, 3 is tight for my config which has a bench.

Con’s
- None for me




The Shop

OR Racer46
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Eagle Point, OR US
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1/31/2019 5:52pm
The only downside with the Tacoma is you will not be able to see behind you . You will have to find some mirror extensions. .
brody
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GA US
1/31/2019 6:13pm
the first thing you should do is trade in that jap truck for an american v8, chevy, ford,gmc,ram
then get a 14 foot
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rohleder644
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Lee’s Summit, MO US
1/31/2019 6:13pm
I own 7 trailers. I'll never own one that isn't tandem axle.

I broke a shackle on my 7x14 today. Caused a blowout in the middle of a construction zone with heavy traffic. Lose 25% of your wheels, sketchy situation. Bump that number to 50% and things get a lot harrier.

I'm actually in the market for another small trailer for my trim crew. I'm willing to special order a tandem axle 6x12 at a premium price, rather than by any one of the dozens of used single axle versions listed on craigslist.
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mister2dt
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Canton, MS US
1/31/2019 6:21pm
Tandem all the way. If you dont have your weight right you will get swerve. Have a flat? Fubar. Id get brakes for it if its being pulled by a taco. Less stress on the taco brakes. And get an external trans cooler to help keep the trans temps down.
SEE ARE125
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TN US
1/31/2019 6:47pm
Another vote for tandem. If you have a blowout and the spare is dry rotted, flat, or otherwise bad, or if you have a seized bearing, you can jack up the bad axle, remove the wheel/tire, run a ratchet strap around the axle to the frame and you can roll on to the next exit instead of sitting 3ft away from people browsing Facebook at 70mph.
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FLmxer
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1/31/2019 9:11pm Edited Date/Time 1/31/2019 9:12pm
6x12 here for about 15 years pulled behind many vehicles pretty effortlessly. Single axle but dual is nice on my boat trailers where I have just taken a flat wheel off and carried on down the road. I believe a 7 foot wide would maybe give you a better load though because you can put the bikes sideways and have a lot of extra room. I have a short foam fold out bed/couch in the front and 3 bikes fit great plus gear etc.
captmoto
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
1/31/2019 9:16pm
6 x 12 should be the limit on a single axle. I have a 6 x 12. If I had to do it again I would get a 7 x 14 with tandem axles. What a lot of people don't get is that on a 6 x 12 trailer the tires are speed rated to 65 mph yet people seem to want to do 70 or 75 with their trailers. On top of that, trailer tires are generally shit and should be shit canned at 3 years regardless of miles. So speeding on shit tires and people blame the trailer.
newmann
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1/31/2019 9:16pm
My wife just got herself a 6 1/2 x 12 to haul her golf cart to the beach. Pretty cool trailer, all aluminum construction with fully removable sides and a bi fold ramp gate. Front side panels are ramps for loading across the front , has alloy wheels and spare with led lighting.


2
3
1/31/2019 9:32pm
buy a 7 x 14 tandem axel with brakes. No issues behind your truck.
newmann
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1/31/2019 9:56pm
newmann wrote:
My wife just got herself a 6 1/2 x 12 to haul her golf cart to the beach. Pretty cool trailer, all aluminum construction with fully...
My wife just got herself a 6 1/2 x 12 to haul her golf cart to the beach. Pretty cool trailer, all aluminum construction with fully removable sides and a bi fold ramp gate. Front side panels are ramps for loading across the front , has alloy wheels and spare with led lighting.


Mac's Custom Tie Downs ATV kit on the way for the golf cart. Mac's seem to have some really good stuff.


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AngryBear
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Asheville, NC US
1/31/2019 10:20pm
i used a 6x12 single axle/no brakes, pulled with a chev v8 truck, for about a decade, and loved it.
sumdood
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San Clemente, CA US
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1/31/2019 11:14pm
7 x 10 Single axle with brakes. Holds 3 bikes and gear, spares, tools etc. Tows easily with my older Tundra.

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Pirate421
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MA US
2/1/2019 2:16am
I run a 6x10 and it’s perfect for two bikes. I have an old truck toolbox mounted inside to act as a bench with extra storage. The only thing I’d do differently is probably go with the lower height. My interior height is 6’6” and it’s great for walking around, an absolute sail to drive though. I love my trailer
MXD
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2/1/2019 2:58am Edited Date/Time 2/1/2019 2:59am
A tandem will be a tad (maybe even unoticeble) bit worse on fuel. That’s the only real downside. The upside as others have mentioned is that if you lose a tire or a spring, you can limp it home. My buddy got a blow out that wiped out something on the axle. He jacked up the other side and took off that wheel and got it home. With a single, you don’t have that option. The tandems also turn slower when backing up which can be a plus if he’s inexperienced.

Brakes are always better. Especially with a smaller truck.
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MxKyle (MD)
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Orlando, FL US
2/1/2019 4:35am
MXD wrote:
A tandem will be a tad (maybe even unoticeble) bit worse on fuel. That’s the only real downside. The upside as others have mentioned is that...
A tandem will be a tad (maybe even unoticeble) bit worse on fuel. That’s the only real downside. The upside as others have mentioned is that if you lose a tire or a spring, you can limp it home. My buddy got a blow out that wiped out something on the axle. He jacked up the other side and took off that wheel and got it home. With a single, you don’t have that option. The tandems also turn slower when backing up which can be a plus if he’s inexperienced.

Brakes are always better. Especially with a smaller truck.
If you live in my neck of the woods the extra axle will cost you several hundred dollars a year in tolls. Here in Orlando we have the highest toll per mile rate in the country and they bill by axle.

I have a 6x12 single axle that I pull two (sometimes three) bikes every weekend and at least two 1400 mile trips a year. I bought it so that I could do overnighters and not worry about my bike and gear but now I am completely spoiled and rarely load the bike in the truck even for short hauls.

__KT__
1
526
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Colgate, WI US
2/1/2019 4:52am
6X12 single axle also.......I have had it 10 yrs and have loaded the bike in my 1500 Ram three times it's too easy to roll it into the trailer. I keep all my gear in the trailer then I never for forget anything, when i ma done riding all my gear goes in mesh bag into the wash machine back into the trailer. I wish I would have got brakes just for those hairy situations where you have to quick stop. It is set up for three bikes or three small snowmobiles that we race, I paid $2000.00 for it brand new and pretty sure I could get $1500.00 right now for it so......
MXD
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2/1/2019 5:02am
MXD wrote:
A tandem will be a tad (maybe even unoticeble) bit worse on fuel. That’s the only real downside. The upside as others have mentioned is that...
A tandem will be a tad (maybe even unoticeble) bit worse on fuel. That’s the only real downside. The upside as others have mentioned is that if you lose a tire or a spring, you can limp it home. My buddy got a blow out that wiped out something on the axle. He jacked up the other side and took off that wheel and got it home. With a single, you don’t have that option. The tandems also turn slower when backing up which can be a plus if he’s inexperienced.

Brakes are always better. Especially with a smaller truck.
If you live in my neck of the woods the extra axle will cost you several hundred dollars a year in tolls. Here in Orlando we...
If you live in my neck of the woods the extra axle will cost you several hundred dollars a year in tolls. Here in Orlando we have the highest toll per mile rate in the country and they bill by axle.

I have a 6x12 single axle that I pull two (sometimes three) bikes every weekend and at least two 1400 mile trips a year. I bought it so that I could do overnighters and not worry about my bike and gear but now I am completely spoiled and rarely load the bike in the truck even for short hauls.

__KT__
That is an excellent point that I didn't consider.
zippytech
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Bethesda, OH US
2/1/2019 2:40pm
I have a 7x16 tandem, with brakes on all 4 wheels,, I got the 16 cause it was only like 40lbs more then the 14.. I would never get another with out brakes..

I tow with an 87 rv
Indy mxer
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Linton, IN US
2/1/2019 3:04pm Edited Date/Time 2/1/2019 3:04pm
I have a 6x12 Stealth all aluminum enclosed trailer. I have it set up to haul 3 bikes. I pull it with my 2017 Colorado Z71 4x4 V6. I've pulled it with 3 bikes, gear, and a pressure washer with zero issues. My truck pulls it like a charm.

I think a V6 Tacoma would do fine. Maybe ask a Toyota dealer just to be sure.
RF145
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Rutherford, NJ US
2/1/2019 8:09pm
Joe,
I owned my used 6x12 single axle for ten years plus. I pulled it with no issues with a RAV4, 4x4 Tocoma, GMC Yukon and now with my RAM 1500. I was most attentive pulling with the RAV4, with the other vehicles it is almost like it is not even back there. I have found it to be a very useful size for bikes and anything you want to stuff in it.
Only one issue in the last ten years, my fault, I left the tires on one year too many.
If I was to buy another trailer though, I would go for a 14 or 16 foot daul axle with brakes for the extra room and the extra 2 tires for safety.
Your son’s truck will be find towing the 6x12 as I always towed in two wheel drive.
Also, do not park under trees in the NE ?
Richard



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FGR01
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AZ US
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2/1/2019 8:34pm
No one has mentioned the legal/registration aspects. Each state is different as far as weight limits and axle/brake requirements. The size of a 6x12 is such that it is quite easy to load it to the weight where you are legally required to have either dual axles and/or brakes. Some states require brakes on one axle and some states on both axles. Just something to consider.
newmann
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US
2/2/2019 2:53pm
I got the Mac’s tie down kit in for the golf cart. Impressive setup, I highly recommend for anyone with an atv, utv or golf cart. The versa tie clip in anchors and quick release ratchet straps on wheel nets are amazingly simple to lock in and cinch down. Leaves the suspension unloaded. This thing was a pain to find any decent tie down points last time we hauled it on a trailer and was sketchy at best. Good stuff right here, set of four for our tire size with hardware and a carrying bag for $249.00.


MDana87
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WA US
2/4/2019 8:23pm
So I don't start another trailer thread - Any brands you'd recommend or any you'd stay away from?
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colintrax
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Taylorsville, GA US
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2/4/2019 9:36pm
A V6 crew cab long bed taco, I'm gonna bet his payload capacity is abysmal. Probably tows ok though.
I'd go tandem just to help the trucks suspension. And trailer brakes no question.
newmann
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US
2/5/2019 5:22am
colintrax wrote:
A V6 crew cab long bed taco, I'm gonna bet his payload capacity is abysmal. Probably tows ok though. I'd go tandem just to help the...
A V6 crew cab long bed taco, I'm gonna bet his payload capacity is abysmal. Probably tows ok though.
I'd go tandem just to help the trucks suspension. And trailer brakes no question.
Quick google, looks pretty decent there.

The Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 4x2 with manual transmission (base model) has a payload capacity of 1,350 pounds. Capacity, however, can reach a maximum of 1,495 pounds with the Tacoma Double Cab PreRunner's automatic transmission.

Every 2007 Tacoma has a standard maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. With a V6 engine and Toyota's Towing Package, however, this figure can increase to 6,500 pounds.
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