Region: Delta
Car #: 77
Year : 1990 Posts: 74
Status: Offline
posted
I'm looking at a nice trailer, but it lacks an escape door and also has no awning. First, is it acceptable to use the installed d.c. wench to load it, and just push it out to unload it, or is an escape door a whole lot better? Second is an awning useful, or more trouble than they are worth? This trailer had an awning, but apparently was removed because it wasn't working. A new awning installed is about $1K, so I'm wondering what kind of price reduction I should ask for because the awning is NOT included. Thanks!
Region: So Cal
Car #: #29
Year : 1993 Posts: 232
Status: Offline
posted
I don't think either the escape door or awning are necessary. Awnings are very nice, but you have to be careful with wind. I've never used or seen an escape door, I just either get in and out Hazard style or open the door all I can and slip out. As far as the winch goes, again, I don't think its a necessity, I just drive mine in and coast out.
-------------------- 2009 SoCal SCCA SM Champion "Only boring people get bored"
Steven Holloway
Blue Eyes, Aquarius, hates being squeezed to the grass in SowDiv!
Region: Lonestar
Car #: 97
Year : 91 Posts: 740
Status: Offline
I have a 20x24 canopy that attaches to the trailer, LOTS of shade is worth every penny here in the south.
If you already have a winch, you don't need an escape door, and I haven't seen a winch leak or get broken into yet. My driveway has a pretty steep incline down to the shop. I couldn't load my car alone without a winch. On level ground, it's really not that difficult to monkey out of the car in the trailer,
-------------------- If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's got electrical problems.
Region: Detroit
Car #: #71
Year : 1990 Posts: 656
Status: Offline
posted
The winch is only necessary if you have an enclosed trailer that is less than 8' wide or if you are above average, size-wise. It's when you start trying to shoehorn a Miata into a 7' trailer that things get interesting.
I ordered my trailer with the awning & it's almost ready for replacement after more than 10 years. Personally, I wouldn't go any other way. It's virtualy NO work to take down or put up & requires no storage space inside the trailer. But it does require a bit of common sense.... I always park so that it will be downwind from the trailer & drop it down as far as I can in heavy wind or rain.
Region: NASA GLD
Car #: 113
Year : 1990 Posts: 45
Status: Offline
posted
Escape doors or hatches also take away usable wall space for hanging your stuff. Especially on a smaller trailer. They're handy for bigger cars, but they're overkill for a miata. Also, you have to measure carefully to ensure that the escape door opening will be low enough to actually allow your door to open fully. Otherwise it's a waste. From past experience
Region: NER
Car #: 17
Year : 90 Posts: 69
Status: Offline
posted
I love the awning on my trailer, it came installed and works perfectly and can be put up/down with just a switch - if it starts to get too windy or time to roll. Same as others, I just slip out the door once the car is in the trailer, but adding a winch aint too difficult if you're a big dude and getting in and out is a hassle.
-------------------- ----------- AJ Goldsmith Westborough, MA
Also, don't bother worrying about the escape door lining up with the car door. The car's doors will hit the interior wheel wells before reaching the external walls - at least this is the case for my Miata in my Haulmark 20' enclosed. But the escape door does work with other cars I've hauled, where the bottom of the car door clears the wheel well.
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