Stacker trailer 101 help

[Squatcher]

cek  do you know your total weight and tongue weight? A friend is looking to replace his 28ft trailer with a 22' belly lift stacker. They are trying to sell him a 2 axle , has a stnger lift which is heavy and he has a 2500lb car and ~1600lb SxS. I cannot see two 7200Lb axles and 16: tires holding up well

I had a progressive 24ft stacker ramp lift.  75 fuel 50 of water.  fully loaded with car and 4 seat sxs 4 quad etc loaded was 18,000lbs. if that helps. triple axle

My haulmark 28 has to be 5000lbs more. built like a tank. I will weight next time at the scales. My 4000lb forklift won't lift it more than 10" high without lifting the forklift off the ground. 

 

[tjZ06]

Going from a regular enclosed, to a stacker... you will notice the weight difference big time (even with the same load)

Stackers are just a lot heavier.... heavier chassis + lift etc.

That said, I pulled a 20' stacker with a CAT C7 350hp no prob.  Grades sucked (big grades...cajon pass, whitewater area etc).... but everything else was business as usual. 

I had a progressive 24ft stacker ramp lift.  75 fuel 50 of water.  fully loaded with car and 4 seat sxs 4 quad etc loaded was 18,000lbs. if that helps. triple axle

My haulmark 28 has to be 5000lbs more. built like a tank. I will weight next time at the scales. My 4000lb forklift won't lift it more than 10 high without lifting the forklift off the ground. 

What these guys ^^^ said.  My 20' Universal was ~7700 unloaded.  It had the toolbox, the fuel (60 gallons underneath, 94 inside) and water tanks, little air compressor, and that's it inside.  No actual toys, tools, fuel or water onboard.  It was a "ramp-style" lift too, not a hydraulic lift.  

This weigh-in was behind me '17 Dutch Star 40" Class A.  I had my Potter PX2 (2-seat car, but a big 2 seater) and our '16 XP Turbo 2-seater in the stacker as well as a full toolbox, some spare parts/fluids/etc. but NO WATER OR FUEL onboard at this point: 



I'm confident there was at least 2k of tongue weight and the trailer was over 12k total.  Again, the trailer was like 7700lbs, and assuming 2k lbs tongue weight that leaves 5k almost exactly.  The Potter was ~2700lbs and the RZR had to be 1700-1800 leaves about 500lbs of tools and "stuff" which sounds about right. 

Anyway, the point is, stackers are heavy.  If your rig (and the hitch on it) aren't up for it, be very careful in going overboard on size and options. 

-TJ

 

[tjZ06]

Here are some pics of the stacker described above, so you can get an idea how things worked:

This is with 2 RZRs (obviously).  The upper is our '18 XP Turbo Fox Edition (2 Seat) and the lower is a '14 XP100 4 Seat but it was Z1-swapped, had an HCR long travel, SDR cage/doors/etc. and sat on 33"s ( @cek's old car).  As you can see, they baaaarely fit.  If either had a stock cage, they would not have fit at all - hence the draw of a belly lift setup.  

For comparison here's my old '67 Camaro in it (to be 100% fair the platform is in the middle position both front and back in the RZR pic, in this pic it's in the middle front, and highest rear): 

You can see, "regular" cars are way, way, WAY shorter than offroad toys.  

Just some more to see how it was outfitted:

Toolbox to the left, 94 gallon fuel tank on the right. 

It was "only" a 20' box, but it is still a TON of space.  This is behind my PX2 (which was prob 15.5-16'):

Still tons of space, and the front tires weren't up against the ramp-door.  You'll notice the rear was on load tires.  This was necessary to get the car inbetween the stops for the ramp, the wheel-wells etc.  It also made the car sit low, so the platform could be in the lowest position making some breathing room for the RZR up top.  

I towed it with a 40' tag-axle Dutch Star.  It had a 450/1250 8.9L ISL, and it did okay.  On flat-land I could run 70+, but on the big grades it was ~37 MPH (top of 3rd gear).  This pic is when I got the weight tag I posted previously: 

  

-TJ

 

[Willinetics]

Here are some pics of the stacker described above, so you can get an idea how things worked:



This is with 2 RZRs (obviously).  The upper is our '18 XP Turbo Fox Edition (2 Seat) and the lower is a '14 XP100 4 Seat but it was Z1-swapped, had an HCR long travel, SDR cage/doors/etc. and sat on 33"s ( @cek's old car).  As you can see, they baaaarely fit.  If either had a stock cage, they would not have fit at all - hence the draw of a belly lift setup.  

For comparison here's my old '67 Camaro in it (to be 100% fair the platform is in the middle position both front and back in the RZR pic, in this pic it's in the middle front, and highest rear): 



You can see, "regular" cars are way, way, WAY shorter than offroad toys.  

Just some more to see how it was outfitted:



Toolbox to the left, 94 gallon fuel tank on the right. 

It was "only" a 20' box, but it is still a TON of space.  This is behind my PX2 (which was prob 15.5-16'):



Still tons of space, and the front tires weren't up against the ramp-door.  You'll notice the rear was on load tires.  This was necessary to get the car inbetween the stops for the ramp, the wheel-wells etc.  It also made the car sit low, so the platform could be in the lowest position making some breathing room for the RZR up top.  

I towed it with a 40' tag-axle Dutch Star.  It had a 450/1250 8.9L ISL, and it did okay.  On flat-land I could run 70+, but on the big grades it was ~37 MPH (top of 3rd gear).  This pic is when I got the weight tag I posted previously: 

  

-TJ

What was the interior height of the trailer? 

 

[tjZ06]

What was the interior height of the trailer? 

I don't remember exactly.  A pre-forum-crash member still owns it, I can text him to ask if it's helpful enough.  I could put two SxSs in it with the platform in the middle position, one I know was right around 69" and the other a little taller because of 33" tires... that one needed aired down to clear. 

-TJ

 

[URCLEVER]

What is the secret to strapping down on belly lift? Always been a fear something rocking off the lift etc.

 

[matt86m]

What is the secret to strapping down on belly lift? Always been a fear something rocking off the lift etc.

Use straps. :lol:  

I'm here all day!

 

[URCLEVER]

Use straps. :lol:  

I'm here all day!

Good one! I didn’t know if there was a trick to it.

 

[URCLEVER]

I am planning on ordering a new stacker since there is no wide ones for sale at a reasonable price right now. So I was thinking 22ft, belly lift, cabinets, 100 gal fuel and 100 water. genny box on front. Will 2 cars or 1 funco and 1 sxs and 2 kids quads be able to fit?  or should I go up to 24ft. Anything else I should look for on my build sheet? I only know of the big 3 Universal, Santek, and New Trend. Anyone I am forgetting on getting a quote from? 

 

[1HasBeen]

Do Intech and ATC play in the stacker game?

 

[1tonfun]

Do Intech and ATC play in the stacker game?

They both do stackers. Your best bet to find a dealer for them is to check on Racingjunk.com. Haulmark does an all aluminum stacker as well. Be prepared for Covid pricing, what was $52k a year ago is $72k now.

 

[DuneRDR]

My .02.... I currently have a aluminum 27ft v nose stacker. 24ft box. I can put 4 full size quads, 2 seat rzr and a long travel car. The minute I'm not responsible for getting the kids quads out to the desert I will be ditching the stacker. (Hopefully when there are 16-18 yrs old..) Is it doable sure but is a process and a pain. I would rather have a 30ft normal enclosed. Or what I can fit a 4 seat car and a 2 seat rzr in. 

 

[Dockmaster]

My .02.... I currently have a aluminum 27ft v nose stacker. 24ft box. I can put 4 full size quads, 2 seat rzr and a long travel car. The minute I'm not responsible for getting the kids quads out to the desert I will be ditching the stacker. (Hopefully when there are 16-18 yrs old..) Is it doable sure but is a process and a pain. I would rather have a 30ft normal enclosed. Or what I can fit a 4 seat car and a 2 seat rzr in. 

View attachment 20598

Would love to hear what you dislike about your stacker? I currently have a 32’ all aluminum enclosed and I was planning to go to a stacker. I carry a 13’ long sand car, a 2 seat Cam AM SxS , a big Sportsman quad and a Yamaha Raptor quad. I lose 28” in the front for the cabinets so just under 30’ of floor space. I load the Sportsman first sideways, the Raptor goes above the Sportsman, then the Can Am and finally the rail. It all fits but takes a few minutes, not too bad though. I was planning on a 22’-24’ stacker to help reduce overall length. I figure I could reduce about 8’. Your post makes me wonder if I would be making a mistake. Your not the first I’ve seen to comment on challenges with a stacker. I know they are heavy but looks like you are set up fine for the weight. 

 

[URCLEVER]

My .02.... I currently have a aluminum 27ft v nose stacker. 24ft box. I can put 4 full size quads, 2 seat rzr and a long travel car. The minute I'm not responsible for getting the kids quads out to the desert I will be ditching the stacker. (Hopefully when there are 16-18 yrs old..) Is it doable sure but is a process and a pain. I would rather have a 30ft normal enclosed. Or what I can fit a 4 seat car and a 2 seat rzr in. 

View attachment 20598

Definitely noted, I have a trailer that fits my canam and gen 4 right now. but its tight. Was looking at stackers because of my issue. Thought about building a rack to put kids quads on back of trailer or in the trailer above the funco. Otherwise I am doing the 2 trailer shuffle!

 

[URCLEVER]

Would love to hear what you dislike about your stacker? I currently have a 32’ all aluminum enclosed and I was planning to go to a stacker. I carry a 13’ long sand car, a 2 seat Cam AM SxS , a big Sportsman quad and a Yamaha Raptor quad. I lose 28” in the front for the cabinets so just under 30’ of floor space. I load the Sportsman first sideways, the Raptor goes above the Sportsman, then the Can Am and finally the rail. It all fits but takes a few minutes, not too bad though. I was planning on a 22’-24’ stacker to help reduce overall length. I figure I could reduce about 8’. Your post makes me wonder if I would be making a mistake. Your not the first I’ve seen to comment on challenges with a stacker. I know they are heavy but looks like you are set up fine for the weight. 

View attachment 20599

I need inside pictures of how you play tetris!

 

[Horsepower Lifestyles]

I am planning on ordering a new stacker since there is no wide ones for sale at a reasonable price right now. So I was thinking 22ft, belly lift, cabinets, 100 gal fuel and 100 water. genny box on front. Will 2 cars or 1 funco and 1 sxs and 2 kids quads be able to fit?  or should I go up to 24ft. Anything else I should look for on my build sheet? I only know of the big 3 Universal, Santek, and New Trend. Anyone I am forgetting on getting a quote from? 

Always go bigger, build a 24'. Its always nicer to have more space and not need it than be crammed because you didn't build the 2 extra feet. Looks like a solid build, I would add in a tool box, Built in air compressor with retractable hose, and an awning on the outside

 

[Dockmaster]

I need inside pictures of how you play tetris!

I will take some photos next time I load it. It’s pretty straightforward. I put E track on the walls then bought one of the load beams for the E track. I use two aluminum channels that are just wider than the tires on the Raptor and they span from the load beam to the work bench up front. So the front tires end up on the work bench and rear tires on the load beam. You. could do similar anywhere in a trailer by using two beams but was easier for me to just use the existing work bench. The load beam is one of these:  

https://www.uscargocontrol.com/products/92-steel-shoring-beam-extends-to-103-new-low-price?utm_term=&utm_campaign=~USCC+Shopping+-+Van+Trailer+Products+-+Load+%26+Cargo+Bars&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=5185776341&hsa_cam=643753381&hsa_grp=26884072020&hsa_ad=102609194220&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=pla-184708643580&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj8PMh5vY9AIVYw6tBh3zNQROEAQYAiABEgJMbvD_BwE

 

[DuneRDR]

Would love to hear what you dislike about your stacker? I currently have a 32’ all aluminum enclosed and I was planning to go to a stacker. I carry a 13’ long sand car, a 2 seat Cam AM SxS , a big Sportsman quad and a Yamaha Raptor quad. I lose 28” in the front for the cabinets so just under 30’ of floor space. I load the Sportsman first sideways, the Raptor goes above the Sportsman, then the Can Am and finally the rail. It all fits but takes a few minutes, not too bad though. I was planning on a 22’-24’ stacker to help reduce overall length. I figure I could reduce about 8’. Your post makes me wonder if I would be making a mistake. Your not the first I’ve seen to comment on challenges with a stacker. I know they are heavy but looks like you are set up fine for the weight. 

View attachment 20599

It's not that I dislike the stacker it is just a pain in the ass sometimes. Only way to make everything fit is to put the sand car up top and 1 quad. Not the end of the world but to make sure the car doesn't move you have to crisscross straps front and rear and then a couple more so it doesn't rock back and forth. Mean while all my buddies pull there cars in and throw 4 straps and are on there way. Maybe the problem is I have to much sh&$. lol. I will say that it's really nice to have a workshop in the dunes. I have pulled multiple engines out there using the lift. Other thing that kinda sucks is that let's say I wanted to just take my trailer to the desert. Is it doable yes. Does it suck to tow behind anything other than a dually yes. I've even towed the split axle stackers and they don't tow much better than mine behind a normal truck. 

 

[tjZ06]

Is it doable yes. Does it suck to tow behind anything other than a dually yes. I've even towed the split axle stackers and they don't tow much better than mine behind a normal truck. 

That's a fair point.  I towed my 20' stacker behind my 2500 many times.  Power wasn't an issue since the trailer was only 7700lbs empty and I've towed as much as 16k+ lbs w/ my truck (tow police, please save it for another day) and neither was stopping, or really even stability.  But as soon as you hit say 55-60 MPH it was just a huge parachute behind me.  I could see my boost levels to maintain each additional MPH go WAY up.  I've towed it the length of CA behind my truck with just 1 toy in it... and it was "okay" but not something I'd like to do on a regular basis. 

Right now I have two (non-stacker) box trailers...

Trailer #1 is an all-AL 24' that will fit our 2 seat XPT and the Speed "El Diablo" (if/when we ever get that   ) but will not fit my Funco without changing all the tires etc, and it'd be pointless anyway since it wouldn't fit the Funco + either SxS.  No fuel or water onboard, but I do have it rigged up really nice with a big toolbox (loaded with tools), lots of E-track to make tying down the SxSs with tire-baskets easy, e-track on the wall that makes securing gas jugs and tables easy, etc.  I have a couple big cabinets to go in it too, I just haven't mounted them.  

Trailer #2 is a 20' box steel trailer, and this thing is a tank.  It has overhead cabinets up front and down both sides, workbench with toolboxes and cabinets up front, goucho (sp?) couch/beds over both fenders, a 4k generator, an air compressor with hose reel, 120gal of fuel (in two separate tanks), 80ish (maybe 100) gallons of water with pump/hose bib, etc. etc.  The best part about it is my Funco drives right in on the paddles.

These two trailer are easy to load and fit all of our stuff.  With just one SxS right now the 24' tends to accumulate junk over the course of a trip, so the longest part of loading up is always going through all the crap in there and reorganizing.  If the weather turns, it's quick 'n easy to pull the toys inside (though, I need to get quick-release whip mounts).  Overall, it's a great setup but has two huge drawbacks: requires second tow vehicle, and requires a lot of space at camp. 

When I had my last stacker one really nice thing was just pulling up with 1 rig, parking, and that's that.  With the 2 trailers I'm almost always shuffling them around to make room for people or whatever, and end up with some stuff I need in one trailer on one side of camp, some stuff I need in the other trailer on the other side, and if the 20' with water isn't near my coach I have to run a ton of water line to transfer water over. 

Complicating things further, I have a weird work/life situation where our home is in Vegas, but I work in Palo Alto (CA).  I ended up bringing my D'max out to Palo Alto since I put a Fourwheel Camper in it and do Broverland chit with the weekends I can't make it home to Vegas.  So, right now that kind of leaves us without a tow vehicle (besides the RV) in Vegas.  We just ordered a TRX and are going to sell our Trackhawk so we have a slightly more suitable 2nd tow vehicle... but it still means taking two complete rigs if I want the sand rail with us AND the SxSs.  First world problems, I know... boo-hoo... but it has me thinking about going Stacker again.  

Still, if I got a stacker I'd keep the 24' enclosed for the SxSs for day trips or other situations where we're not taking the coach.  That works fine 'n well, but it means not recouping the cost of that trailer to put towards the stacker.  I don't want a stacker big 'nough to fit all 3 toys.  To fit them all, I'd need absolute min 24', but that would mean no lower front cabinets (the XPT and El Diablo will need all of the 24' space on the bottom).  That means I'd need a 26' or more if we wanted to take all 3 toys somewhere.  I don't really want to have a train that long (that'd bring me close to 70'... with a 20' I'm right around 65') plus weight becomes an issue.  A 26' stacker, even all AL, is going to be 8k lbs, the 3 toys add up to ~7k lbs - that's already the 15k lbs my rig and hitch are rated for without fuel, water, tools, spares, etc. 

So, I kind of think I'm just sticking with the two regular box trailers unless a smoking deal on "the right" stacker come along - which isn't going to happen in this market... 

-TJ

 

[Dockmaster]

 Maybe the problem is I have to much sh&$. lol.

This is the same for all of us . For me, nobody wants to be a passenger, everyone wants their own toy to drive. I bought the SxS for my when one of my daughter's comes along. But now I find I like having it and the Rail so I can choose what I want to drive if they are not there. Also nice to have a back-up toy just in case but fortunately not needed it yet. 

I bought a 20' open deck featherlite for when I only need something small. It's very convenient and lite enough for my son to tow behind his Rubicon if he wants to take his Raptor with some buddies. When and if the market normalizes I'll look for a 16' (ish) enclosed for doing small things out to our weekend place so I don't have to tow the 32' The 32' tows nice behind my srw F350 but you do have to make sure to put ample tongue weight or it can get a little squirrely. 

For securing your sandcar up top, can you not use some wheel chocks or even over the tires, basket straps to make securing it easier? When I had my open stacker I used the tire basket straps and they worked great. You can even get adjustable ones for different tire sizes.