Need Suggestions - Car Hauler Trailer Storage

[voiddweller]

My two car garage is: 21' deep, 10.5' height, and 25' wide. It has a pitched roof and attic storage not included in the dimensions.

My Featherlite 18' trailer is too long for the bays. Is there a way to store it in the garage without completely destroying the ceiling and costing a small fortune?

 

[Falcon67]

Our flat bed is parked outside, has been for years. It's a 2004 model steel bed. The only issue is tire degradation, but it uses car spec (not trailer spec) tires so they last longer exposed to the elements. It would just fit in our 24x40 shop, before I put in the 2 post lift. It won't squeeze between the posts.

 

[bri_man57]

Why not just park it outside? Isn't that where trailers go? Lol.

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[Jagmandave]

We can't leave a trailer outside in my neighborhood, it's not a HOA thing, it's a city ordinance.

I have friends with property in the country, they let me park it there in exchange for being able to use it.....but mine isn't a car hauler. don't know how I'd feel about loaning out one as nice as the OP's.

 

[voiddweller]

The HOA and wife are not fond of it outside. I'm not sure if the city allows it.

I'm trying to figure out a way to hide it rather than renting a parking spot at a local storage unit.

I'm new to the area so there's not a friend option.

 

[The Cobbler]

I don't understand your post.
how does the ceiling come in to play with a flat trailer? or am I misunderstanding something?

 

[AldeanFan]

Two thoughts,
Can you get the tongue high enough to fit, maybe with a hoist of some sort?

Can you make a removable tongue?
My neighbour had a boat trailer with a removable tongue, worked well for storage.


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[turbodave]

Maybe time for a different trailer? 16' car trailers are pretty common and I had one aluminum 14' one for a while that fit in my 22' deep garage with room to spare.

 

[L5wolvesf]

a fence / gate on the side of the garage?

 

[BB Sig]

Lean to on one side? Porch style roof addition on the back if there is room?

Barry
North Florida

 

[finn]

Lean to added to the garage, or a remote storage lot.

Storage issues are what drove me to buy a 16’+3’ beaver tail trailer rather than an 18’ or 20’, although since I moved to a rural area, I now store it outside. Original wood deck is still serviceable, only one set of tires replaced, but the wiring takes a beating if parked outside. I bought it in ~2004?

 

[bri_man57]

I don't understand your post.
how does the ceiling come in to play with a flat trailer? or am I misunderstanding something?

I think he is referring to vertical trailer storage inside.

I rented a shop with a buddy a few years ago. They had a sandrail trailer stored vertical. But it was a single axle and watching them get it down was interesting and time consuming. It didn't seem very practical if you planned to use it much.

To the OP, that blows about the HOA. Seems like you have some property, cant hide it behind the garage? Lol.

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[isb cornbinder]

If you can park the car hauler outside, next to the shop, have a company that installs those vinyl vehicle or trailer wraps cover the trailer with a forest scene. I am having my Wells Cargo Car Hauler done this summer.

https://wrapguys.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQi...f4rVnlDXbs69xT1ZcZIznvSupqLKuIwAaAkPhEALw_wcB

 

[PWC Repair]

Wooden privacy fence right next to the garage? Then it would be "enclosed", look nice, not cost a fortune.

 

[tthornto]

Depends on your definition of a small fortune...If the wife/Hoa don't want it stored outside and you can't expand the garage how about building a large elevated deck that it could be parked/hidden under? I would start checking with self storage places about how much they would charge you to store it there and then based on that make a decision on whether or not to sell it.

 

[mikegt4]

A marina that I use to have a boat at had bump-outs in the back wall of their garages to accommodate outboard motors on the stern of the boats. You might be able to do the same for the trailer deck or even the tongue if you have a way to push the trailer from behind into the garage.

 

[Barnabas]

Build a deck that the trailer can slip under. A table and chairs and a bar-b-que on top and nobody will have to know what is underneath.

 

[HotrodHR]

The elevated deck with space to slide the trailer under is a great idea!

 

[Lucid Moments]

That's a nice trailer. I will be glad to let you store it at my place. Its only about a 7 hour drive.

 

[voiddweller]

I appreciate all the feedback!

The full length of the Featherlite with tongue is ~22'.

Answering all the questions on my phone is a PITA, so I'll try to be succinct and consolidate.

Apologies if I missed anyone.

Wooden privacy fence right next to the garage? Then it would be "enclosed", look nice, not cost a fortune.

Agreed, but no room. Garage is ~ 6' from the property line.

Lean to on one side? Porch style roof addition on the back if there is room?

See above.

Two thoughts,
Can you get the tongue high enough to fit, maybe with a hoist of some sort?
Can you make a removable tongue?

A hoist was the original thought but I don't know if it's feasible.

Tongue is welded. I did think about cutting it but it's an option of last resort.

Maybe time for a different trailer? 16' car trailers are pretty common and I had one aluminum 14' one for a while that fit in my 22' deep garage with room to spare.

Unfortunately, the ZL1 1LE Camaro needs all of the 18'. Triple checked on the Camaro forums.

Lean to added to the garage, or a remote storage lot.

Storage issues are what drove me to buy a 16’+3’ beaver tail trailer rather than an 18’ or 20’...

Agreed on remote lot. I looked at a smaller beavertail but the car's suspension is too low and they tend to scrape.

...If the wife/Hoa don't want it stored outside and you can't expand the garage how about building a large elevated deck that it could be parked/hidden under? I would start checking with self storage places about how much they would charge you to store it there and then based on that make a decision on whether or not to sell it.

I could probably get most of our money back on the trailer but then I'm SOL on the Camaro.

I like the deck idea, but it will take some convincing with the wife.

Storage is $55 a month for an outdoor pad.

 

[M-technik-3]

Lean to on one side? Porch style roof addition on the back if there is room?

Barry

I'd add a lean too like Barry here mentioned as did other after him.

Did not see, store it a non HOA Buddies house or Work if possible.

 

[AldeanFan]

One of my trailers lives at a friends house.
I get free storage and he gets a trailer to use when he needs one.


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[NUTTSGT]

Just double checking, your garage is to close to the property line to add on ?

 

[was2]

So I don't know all the specs on all the lifts, and it isn't my money. So have you ruled out all options on a four post lift to raise the trailer above car parking? Won't require as much overhead clearance as a second car. Just brain farting out-loud.

 

[66Caprice]

So I don't know all the specs on all the lifts, and it isn't my money. So have you ruled out all options on a four post lift to raise the trailer above car parking? Won't require as much overhead clearance as a second car. Just brain farting out-loud.

You also have to factor in what vehicle will be needing to park under the lift. Not all vehicles will fit under one.

 

[Ralphxj]

Leave it in the driveway, bolt a small plastic kids slide to it and tell the HOA it's a playset for your kid.

 

[BruceMc]

Still not clear why a 188" car with a 112" wheelbase absolutely requires a 216" long trailer.

 

[2ltime]

How often do you drive both cars? How easy is your access to the tow vehicle?
I know someone who stores there car on a trailer in their shop, then pulls the whole thing out when they want the car out. Can be a pita, but in flood zones it's the easiest way to avoid water damaging the car and the trailer floating away.
You would need a small bump-out to clear it, but that is probably your best option without spending too much.
Besides that, If neighbors aren't complaining, I would just keep the trailer clean and park it in driveway. It doesn't look like an eye sore imo, but it still looks shiny and new. If anything, see if you can get a small privacy fence around it?

 

[turbodave]

Still not clear why a 188" car with a 112" wheelbase absolutely requires a 216" long trailer.

Me neither. We used a 14' deck aluminum car hauler for a 73 AMC Javelin, that car is 192" long with a 110" wheelbase. Sure, the nose and tail extended past the deck of the trailer, but there was plenty of room even then to get it centered on the 168" deck and it towed nicely.

Look at how the rental uhaul and penske trailers are set up, all that's needed is to support the wheelbase of the car.

 

[KEH]

Making a removeable tongue is probably the least expensive option. Also, that would be a theft deterrent for the trailer.

Far out option: Cut a hole in the back of the garage and stick the tongue out, perhaps covering it with a small shed like an air compressor shed.

KEH

 

[KEH]

Making a removeable tongue is probably the least expensive option. Also, that would be a theft deterrent for the trailer.

Far out option: Cut a hole in the back of the garage and stick the tongue out, perhaps covering it with a small shed like an air compressor shed.

KEH

KEH

 

[Joemctag]

All my buildings have lean-tos for those things that don’t need to be indoors. Maybe on the back side. Maybe mostly enclosed with say 6 ft fence starting 6” to a ft off the ground for air circ. The deck idea sounds clever, too. I’m sure the overhead scheme COULD be done with a lot of effort, but would you really like that thing hanging there, and that low?

 

[BruceMc]

Me neither. We used a 14' deck aluminum car hauler for a 73 AMC Javelin, that car is 192" long with a 110" wheelbase. Sure, the nose and tail extended past the deck of the trailer, but there was plenty of room even then to get it centered on the 168" deck and it towed nicely.

Look at how the rental uhaul and penske trailers are set up, all that's needed is to support the wheelbase of the car.

I've got an 18' car trailer myself, but before that I've rented uhaul trailers and, in a lot of ways, they make a much better car hauler than a big old flat deck. I use my trailer for other things as well (tractor, etc.), but if I just needed a dedicated car hauler, that's the way I'd go.

 

[voiddweller]

Unfortunately, not much room in back. Property line ends at grass.

The 18' is needed for the weight distribution and tiedowns. Any shorter and they'll need to go under the trailer. Not a safe setup.

 

[Dustball]

Unfortunately, not much room in back. Property line ends at grass.

The 18' is needed for the weight distribution and tiedowns. Any shorter and they'll need to go under the trailer. Not a safe setup.

Looks good to me. Take the trees out on the back side since they're too close to the garage anyways. Install a gutter to keep the drainage off the trailer. Buy yourself a trailer mover and wheel the trailer back there.

 

[voiddweller]

Looks good to me. Take the trees out on the back side since they're too close to the garage anyways...

I took a second look and measured at the narrowest section and it's about 11' to the property line, so a privacy fence looks promising.

The lawn is Bermuda grass and the ground is very soft when it rains.

What's the best way to tastefully firm it up?

 

[turtleman321]

paver border and nice white pea gravel parking pad behind the garage.


Nice S14 though!

 

[voiddweller]

paver border and nice white pea gravel parking pad behind the garage. Nice S14 though!

Thank you. I'll see what the wife thinks.

The S14 is a '97 with a S13 SR blacktop swap. It's a fun car. Wife hates it due to the amount of time spent building motors. The Camaro needs nothing and was supposed to be the replacement but it's fun in an entirely different way.

 

[countrybumpkin]

If it were me I would look into winching it up on it's side against the exterior wall of the garage lengthwise with the building along your trail then looking into a cover or faux wall that would latch to the garage.

Might be in it a few hundred bucks for winch, wood, and siding.

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[earl84]

If you need to use the trailer often, then I understand keeping it for the convenience. If only used periodically, and you feel you can sell for most of your purchase price, I’d probably sell and rent a trailer when needed. Especially if you have to pay to store it. That’s a huge money ****.