Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with trailer

Want to install a 3rd party trailer hitch to a new 2010 Ford Transit Connect delivery van. Safe?

orehek — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:15:16 -0800

Want to install a 3rd party trailer hitch to a new 2010 Ford Transit Connect delivery van. Safe? We just bought a 2010 Ford Transit Connect delivery van (4-cylinder engine). We have read the spec sheet, spoke with our dealer and even called Ford's technical department with no luck...We just get a canned answer with no real thought behind it. Ford does not make a trailer hitch for the Transit Connect and they also do not recommend using one. However, there is a well-known company on the west coast (Valley Industries) that makes aftermarket trailer hitches for almost every vehicle known to man. Here is an online dealer who sells the trailer in question:
Trailer Hitch for 2010 Ford Transit Connect.
The vehicle has a maximum cargo capacity of 1600lbs…that much we did verify. Here is the reason why we think using a trailer ought to be fine. We deliver large boxes (30” x 18” x 18”) but they are relatively light, about 45lbs each and the Transit Connect can only hold about 10 of them at a time. If we fill the cargo space to capacity, the cargo will weigh only 450lbs. Therefore, we are still 1150lbs away from reaching the cargo max weight. This is the primary reason why we feel that pulling, say an 8ft U-Haul trailer hauling an additional 15 boxes ought to be fine. Any help and/or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

"I'm not so proud of the way I behaved...not finding this song."

Ash3000 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:14:13 -0800

Does anyone know the song from this faux-trailer? I've tried all the obvious avenues, to no avail. I appreciate any help on this, which is driving me a little crazy. Tried my google skills with the heard lyrics, contacted through the email and such I could find on the attached Nothing But Everything website and haven't heard back...I know from past experience that if I'll find out anywhere, it'll be here. Thanks!

Re-tireing Too Young

Kid Charlemagne — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 09:42:24 -0800

I've got some extreme irregular tire wear going on with my trailer and, when in doubt, query the hive mind. So I bought one of those cargo trailers they sell at the big box hardware stores. Use it mostly for recreational purposes. Coming back from our last trip I noticed that the edges of both trailer tires looked brutally chewed, sort of like you'd expect if they were routinely under inflated except much worse.

I can't find evidence of anything rubbing against anything, and while they were a few PSI low, the damage I'm seeing is more significant than I'd expect from that. So before I replace them and chew up another pair of tires, does anyone have any thoughts on how to prevent this?

I might pay 9.99 to know this song

mrhaydel — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:36:45 -0800

Can anyone name the song that is used in the 9.99 trailer? NameThatSongFilter: The trailer for 9.99 contains a song that starts right at about 58 seconds in, with the lyrics starting at around 1:10.

I've linked directly to that part of the trailer, FWIW.

My Googlefu has failed me, and any other means of trying to find out have escaped me. Help! Please.

Truck Nutz not included

emilyd22222 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:47:07 -0800

Help me find cost-effective hitch/trailer or truck options. I will be moving from Cleveland to Champaign IL in early August with an apartment's worth of boxes, a couch, and a dining room table. My dad will be helping me move, and we are planning on either putting a hitch on his car (2009 Toyota Rav4 AWD) and towing a trailer, or towing his car behind a truck. I will be driving separately in a very small car that is unable to tow a trailer. He needs to bring his car to Champaign, as we can't afford a truck plus air fare back to Cleveland.

I'm frustrated that so far I've been unable to find rental options that aren't more expensive than the value of the couch and table. UHaul is about 300 for hitch + trailer, plus installation costs (which seems to be one potential area to save, although I don't have the first clue about how to install a hitch), and about 500 for a truck + car towing apparatus. Penske seems less expensive to tow the car, but they don't offer hitches from what I can see.

Any ideas? I'm open to other money-saving moving tips as well.

Good vehicle for everyday use and occassional trailer towing?

phoeniciansailor — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:37:12 -0800

I would like to buy an "around town" truck or SUV that can also occasionally tow a small travel trailer for camping. Is there an economically- and environmentally responsible vehicle that can do both? I will be buying a new travel trailer for camping. Something simple, small and light that can sleep two and which has -- as a luxury -- a small toilet and shower. We like the simplicity and frill-less-ness of an Airstream Sport (just not the expense). We're also looking at trailers like the Dutchmen T@DA or Coachmen Shasta, which seem to have the right features and aesthetic. The smallest of these weighs in at around 3500 pounds (real world), for anywhere from 12 to 17 feet. For a little more room we would be looking at another 1000+ pounds.

The problem is that I don't have the room (or the pocketbook) to own a towing vehicle AND an everyday vehicle. However I'm having trouble finding a single vehicle which balances "moderate" towing capacity (5- to 6000 pounds) with everyday fuel efficiency (30+ miles per gallon). My dream vehicle would have a "golf cart" mode for fetching groceries and an "18 wheeler" mode for the weekends. But I can't wait forever. :) Or even another 5 years.

Owning a gas-guzzler right now just makes me cringe. From anybody who has tackled this problem before, I'd really appreciate your advice.

No more (bike) junk in my trunk

fijiwriter — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:41:51 -0800

Shopping for trailer-hitch mounted bike rack for my road bike, with room for two additional ones. What should I look for? Who do you recommend? Who or what to avoid? I've grown tired of putting my road bike in the back of my SUV, so I'm shopping around for a trailer-hitch-mounted rack. I've seen my fair share of Yakimas and Thules, but I really love how the Saris models look.

But seriously, what should I know? What should I look for? Currently, I have a road bike, but I can foresee needing space for two more bikes for my family or cycling trips with friends.

To add more confusion, I don't currently have a trailer hitch, so I'd need to get one - it looks like 1.25 or 2".

Side-question: can I make do with a standard gate-mount rack, rather than such a big $$$ investment for a hitch and rack?

FWIW, it's a '97 Ford Expedition, with factory roof rack (which I don't want to use), no trailer hitch.

What type of bike should I get for pulling a trailer?

winston — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:31:28 -0800

I'm planning to buy a bicycle for myself and a trailer for two children to ride in. For the bike, I'd like to get something like a simple three-speed cruiser, but I've been told that I'll need more gears to pull the trailer. What do I need to look for in a bike to make it a good trailer-puller? The kids are currently 20 lbs and 30 lbs.

I'd like a bike I can sit upright on.

I'm planning to buy both the bike and the trailer used.

I'm not especially athletic but not in terrible shape. I walk about half an hour a day. Most of the cycling will be short distances without steep slopes.

How to spec a work trailer so daily life won't suck?

TheManChild2000 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:48:01 -0800

My group of contractors works fulltime onsite at Big Agency, and Big Agency has run out of room and is considering getting trailers to put us in. These would be onsite, have water/sewer/electric. I'm hoping to get ideas from people who have worked in onsite trailers on features I should gently suggest Big Agency consider when they are checking out what to buy/rent. Group size is 8 people.

Back me up, here.

Framer — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:20:32 -0800

RE: towing a trailer behind my truck. Does anyone have any brilliant tips or tricks for backing up with a trailer and maneuvering it into tight spaces? I eventually get there, but not before lots of back-and-forth and "oops, should have turned the wheel the other way."

AMF Alcort Puffer Trailer

anomie — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:23:12 -0800

I'm getting a free sailboat, but it needs a trailer. The sailboat is a 70's era AMF Alcort Puffer. I'm wondering what type of trailer I need. I'm also hoping that the boat isn't so old that I won't be able to get a trailer for it. My grandparents are selling their house, and my Grandfather offered to give me his sailboat. I've got to transport it from the Twin Cities to Iowa City, so I am assuming I'll need a trailer. The boat is 12.5 feet long. It also carries some great memories sailing with my Grandpa, so I'd really like to make this work.

My questions: Do I need a special trailer, since it is a sailboat? Can I even find a trailer for a boat this old? I used to sail when I was in high school, but I never had to transport the boat. How much should I expect to spend on the trailer?

How could I forget to mention the bicycle is a good invention

optovox — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:20:43 -0800

I'm building a two-wheeled cargo trailer for my bicycle, and I'm mounting standard caliper brakes on each wheel of the trailer. I want to control both brakes with one handle i.e. I squeeze the handle, and both calipers close. How can I set this up? My first idea was to use motorcycle cable housing and run both brake cables inside that, but I nixed that idea because I'd have to figure out a way to attach both cables at the handle.

I'd prefer to buy an off-the-shelf "two-caliper-one-handle" setup, but I can fabricate parts and build a setup if someone has an engineering solution or design idea. Anyone?

How are movie trailers made?

alitorbati — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:01:20 -0800

What creative process is used to make professional movie trailers and how long does it take? Do the people making the trailer see the whole movie and pick the clips they want? Who picks the music? Is a specialized company hired to make it? I want to know as much as you can tell me!

Smallest folding bicycle folding trailer

krisjohn — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:32:12 -0800

I'm looking for a folding bicycle trailer. That's a trailer that folds up and connects to a bicycle (though it coincidentally will be connected to a folding bicycle, so I guess it's a folding bicycle folding trailer). Anyway, the main thing is that it needs to fold up really small. Please point me to the smallest, when folded, bicycle trailer you know about. Thanks.

Trailer towing advice needed

punkfloyd — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:53:51 -0800

First time travel trailer tower question... I have a 2006 4Runner V6 (2WD, automatic) with a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. I am considering buying a 1995 travel trailer with a dry weight of 4,550 lbs. Is this cutting it to close? (Considering we will add more weight when we load our camping goodies). Would I be better off spending more for a 2006 trailer with a dry weight of 3,600 lbs?

Music Suggestions for TV Promo?

oldkentucky — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:41:20 -0800

I am working on a series of promos for a national cable network and looking for some suggestions regarding music. They love the song from the Michael Mann's Miami Vice trailer: Numb/Encore by Linkin Park and Jay-Z. I'm looking for instrumental tracks with that feeling: serious, inspiring, melancholy, uplifting, energetic, modern, slick, etc. The promos involve beautiful slow-motion visuals with voiceover underneath. Thought I would turn to my favorite hive mind. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Help me find the movie trailer music that sounds like this...

jwhowa — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:55:51 -0800

Looking for a song that sounds like the song posted in the details. This song has been used in movie trailers, and has a very rich orchestral sound, but alas, I can't come up with the specific trailer in which I heard it... The song is very very similar to this:

http://seesmic.com/v/1ELNuBqRqs

But it's instrumental -- no vocals, and it has a more sweeping orchestral sound. You can almost hear it being destined to have that "in a world where..." movie-trailer-guy-narration spoken over it. Any ideas? Thank you group mind!

What's the Wall-E music?

Mwongozi — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:48:47 -0800

What is the music used in the Wall-E trailer? I'm sure I've heard it before...

Solve this imported complex puzzle and win a prize!

mecran01 — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:18:58 -0800

I've got these wiring clips for a utility trailer that are supposed to hold the brake light wiring against the frame. Action photo! How do these puppies work? I put one together as a feeble attempt, and it can't clip to the trailer rail but pops off. I may just use zip ties or something. Thanks for any suggestions!

The prize that goes to whomever solves this first is some menial amount of paypal chump change and bragging rights.

Buying a mobile home, without being taken for a ride.

Kickstart70 — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:10:41 -0800

What do I need to know about buying a used mobile home? Yes, I really want to do this. We have 5 acres of land in a rural area 10 minutes out of our small down. We rent a place in town a that we dislike a lot (for one thing, there are 2 stinky pulp mills nearby. We want to move out to our land and then *slowly* (for financial minimal-mortgage purposes) build a house.

So, the intent is now to buy a used trailer. There are two fairly nice ones for sale here.

-prices are in CAD-

The sellers are asking $53,000 for the first (built in 1997). It appears to be in great shape, but has not been moved since it was sold and moved to its current location. I believe it to be overpriced, but maybe able to talk it down.

The second (built 1990) is going for $42,000 and they may be talked down to around $40,000. It's apparently just as nice (friends of ours, also looking, think so but decided on something else). It has some minor damage to one outside wall near the roofline but no signs of any water leakage in the three year since the damage occurred.

To be clear, I'm not asking whether or not we should move into a mobile home. It's probably the best choice for us for a wide variety of reasons, primarily that it's a temporary (2-3 years max) dwelling while we build.

What I want to know is, based on the available information I've given, and what I should know about mobile homes, how do I choose and what do I look for to make that decision? Don't necessarily assume that these two are the only choices in the area.

Towing a trailer at highway speed?

nebulawindphone — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 17:56:45 -0800

UHaul cites 45 MPH as the "recommended maximum speed" for towing their trailers. What's the reason for this recommendation, and is there any safe way to go faster? Let's say I wanted to tow a trailer safely at 55 or 60 MPH on the interstate.

Would I need better equipment than UHaul offers? Modifications to my car's engine or brakes? ('95 4WD Legacy wagon, if it matters.) Specialized driving skills? All told, how much practice or preparation could I expect it to take?

Or is that sort of speed really unreasonable for anyone with any gear?

Finding movie times, as cool as Apple's Sherlock used to be.

Wild_Eep — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:11:48 -0800

I need a Mac app that will let me search for movies and showtimes like Sherlock used to. Sherlock would let you type in a zip code or city/state, and it would present all of the movies or theaters in that area. You'd pick either a movie or a theater in the first column, and it would tell you where it was playing, or what movies were playing at a specific theater. Drilling down further would show you movie times.

But the best part was just below all of this, when you'd get a synopsis, a movie poster image, and a quicktime preview of the movie trailer, loaded automatically.

A few years ago, the company in charge of hosting the movie trailers stopped that service, so now I can get /almost/ everything I want, but I really miss Sherlock's ability to handle all of this very cleanly.

I suspect there's some ajax-ified website that will do all of this now, so I'll accept answers that mention websites, as long as they deliver the same intuitive searchability.

Top points for a mac app or dashboard widget that provides all of these functions.

Grindhouse trailer voiceover?

jca — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 11:50:45 -0800

Who is doing the voice-over narration in the Grindhouse trailers? Does anyone know the trailer voice-over artist used in these two Grindhouse trailers? He also does voiceover for the in-movie Grindhouse trailer for Machete.

Old Movie Trailer

dearleader — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:42:22 -0800

Ok, here's a tough one. Does anyone remember a movie trailer from the 1970s that showed an image of an x-ray skull -- scary enough in itself -- and then showed what appeared to be something dripping from the eye socket. Looking closer it was actually a woman wearing a billowing dress. Totally freaky image and I can't remember what movie it was for ... some horror flick for sure. Anyone remember this?

Not-the-Exorcist movie?

Quarter Pincher — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 14:29:19 -0800

MovieTitleFilter: There was some movie trailer I saw this year about a youngish demonic/antichrist girl... I remember really wanting to see it although I am definitely not the horror/thriller moviegoer, but I have no idea what it is called. All I can remember is that it was about some scientist or scholarly type coming to visit a woman who had a really unusual daughter, with some implications of devil/antichrist/possession/satan/whatever, there was one scene with a bunch of either birds or moths (or winged somethings) in a room of the house, and specifically the quip along the lines of:

"Are you here to [kill/take/destroy] my daughter?"
"Oh, heavens no."
"Why not?"

I'm thinking the trailer was shown approximately the time that either the 2nd Pirates/Caribbean trailer, or the Children of Men trailer, would have been showing in theatres, before the release date for those. Or shown in a set of trailers that also included those in the trailer lineup (thus probably being the same production company)... Any earthly idea?