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  1. #1
    Senior Member Rondo's Avatar
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    Default What is the best color for a trailer?? or worst?

    Looks like a new trailer is in my future......the decision is what color? Any idea speeders'.....what's the best color? I am sure I will lrean something I don't know from y'all



    Thanks

  2. #2
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    Default Trailer color

    I don't know the best, but the worst is Black. I guess people think it's cool, but it's definitely not....it's HOT! Unless you're racing sled dogs in the frozen tundra I can't imagine why you'd want to increase the temperature inside your trailer, plus it really shows off the dirt.
    Just my opinion, YMMV.
    Mike M.

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  4. #3
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    If an open trailer, I’d either match with or contrast to the car.

    If enclosed, a light color that looks good with your tow rig — assuming there’s no graphics on it to match or contrast.

  5. #4
    Contributing Member lowside67's Avatar
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    Default

    I agree emphatically with both - the lighter the better for not showing scratches/dents or fading in the sun. I went with white as I am not a "silver guy" personally.

    -Mark
    Mark Uhlmann
    Vancouver, Canada
    '12 Stohr WF1

  6. #5
    Contributing Member DaveW's Avatar
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    Default

    White here also for keeping it as cool as possible.
    Dave Weitzenhof

  7. #6
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    Default

    I agree with no black. I have seen two tone trailers with the top a metallic silver to reflect the sun and the sides more compatible with your sponsors logo.
    But then again, what do I know? I have always gravitated to home built, single axle open trailers. Never had a sponsor in my life!
    M

  8. #7
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    Default Red.....

    ...is great. If you keep it long enough, it will fade to pink

    bt

    PS. My previous helmet was black. WTF was I thinking??????

  9. #8
    Classifieds Super License BeerBudgetRacing's Avatar
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    Default

    I think the least noticed color is silver - if you don't want to catch someone's eye from a distance.

    White is functionally better. But it is brighter and more noticeable.

  10. #9
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    White looks like 90% of the trailers out there. When it's stolen and the description is "white enclosed trailer, tandem axle, 20ft long"....good luck with that. Black looks nicest when it's clean, worst when it's dirty.

    I went with a gun-metal grey as it wasn't white, and wasn't black. For what it's worth the trailers' roof is where most of the radiant heat is coming from and it's likely not black, even on a black trailer.

    Ventilation and insulation is key to keeping a trailer cooler. Racing in the SoCal/NV desert, shade and airflow makes a bigger difference than the color of the metal skin.

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  12. #10
    Classifieds Super License BeerBudgetRacing's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Daryl DeArman View Post
    Ventilation and insulation is key to keeping a trailer cooler. Racing in the SoCal/NV desert, shade and airflow makes a bigger difference than the color of the metal skin.
    A few years ago at the barn my daughter trained they used black sail shade material over the area where the horses were groomed. They claimed it actually was cooler. But, being 15ft off the ground and in a large open breezy area I'm not sure it made any difference.

    Can't remember the 'science' behind their choice - but shade is shade..

    I use a tan sail shade on my driveway. Works awesome.

  13. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by BeerBudgetRacing View Post
    A few years ago at the barn my daughter trained they used black sail shade material over the area where the horses were groomed. They claimed it actually was cooler. But, being 15ft off the ground and in a large open breezy area I'm not sure it made any difference.

    Can't remember the 'science' behind their choice - but shade is shade..

    I use a tan sail shade on my driveway. Works awesome.

    Probably convection - the hot material would heat the air right under it, which would then rise out of the sides, helping to pull some cooler into the area.

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  15. #12
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    I have a black shade cloth over a portion of one of my rear patios. I went with black over the other colors simply because it had the tightest weave/highest density and advertised UV blockage. Black was available at 90%, the other colors only as high as 70%. Not saying black is more effective, just that it was available in a tighter weave.

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  17. #13
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    My trailer is a tan that just happened to match my tow van that year.

    if you special order a trailer you could probably have a good choice of color

    The seamless trailers would make a good candidate for a wrap - not so much with mine with screws - several hundred I replaced with stainless steel as the original ones left rust stains down the sides.....

    so go with white and hit it with a partial wrap to give it some individuality.

    ChrisZ

  18. #14
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    Default Something a little different.



    I designed and built this one - my second one. The roof is only 6" above my van when towing. Roof is spring loaded and easy to open/close. I have an awning that extends 10' off the open side of the trailer. The tongue is on a pivot to lower the rear of the trailer for loading/unloading. Stand inside when top is open and a work bench in the front. Harbor Freight 12 volt winch under bench. Tire racks on both sides. Skinned the sides of the trailer with vinyl coated plywood and glued/screwed on the white prepainted aluminum which was easily available = no paint to do on my end!
    Attached Images Attached Images

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  20. #15
    Fallen Friend Ralph Z.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Daryl DeArman View Post
    White looks like 90% of the trailers out there. When it's stolen and the description is "white enclosed trailer, tandem axle, 20ft long"....good luck with that. Black looks nicest when it's clean, worst when it's dirty.

    I went with a gun-metal grey as it wasn't white, and wasn't black. For what it's worth the trailers' roof is where most of the radiant heat is coming from and it's likely not black, even on a black trailer.

    Ventilation and insulation is key to keeping a trailer cooler. Racing in the SoCal/NV desert, shade and airflow makes a bigger difference than the color of the metal skin.
    My thoughts exactly on the white trailer. Cool in the sun but impossible to ID among a million other white trailers on the road if stolen. You can always put a removable sign on it that says "ACME Septic and Drain" to deter thiefs.
    Ralph Z
    1968 Alexis Mk14 Formula Ford

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  22. #16
    Contributing Member CF56's Avatar
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    Default

    I also have a white trailer for the reasons listed. In addition, I did have some very large lettering made to put my phone number on the roof in case the trailer is stolen so it can at least be spotted from the air.
    Kevin
    Crossle 35F
    Van Diemen RF02

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  24. #17
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    Suggest you avoid pressed wood in the walls and floor. It is much heavier than the same thickness of plywood so you pay the penalty in towing for the life of the trailer. The white vinyl coated thin wood manufacturers use is pretty but it starts delaminating after fifteen or twenty years.

    YMMV Have fun today. Jim

  25. #18
    Senior Member Jim Gustafson's Avatar
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    Black looks nice, it can get warm, but with a silver top not too bad. It's a grind, but wax and polish your trailer once a year.

    Jim Gustafson
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  26. #19
    Contributing Member Lotus7's Avatar
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    While I accept the "millions of white trailers out there if it gets stolen" risk, I went with near-invisible white with zero graphics theme to minimize the chance of a DOT hassle.....
    So far so good, but probably just jinxed myself though.
    Ian Macpherson
    Savannah, GA
    Race prep, support, and engineering.

  27. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
    While I accept the "millions of white trailers out there if it gets stolen" risk, I went with near-invisible white with zero graphics theme to minimize the chance of a DOT hassle.....
    So far so good, but probably just jinxed myself though.
    There's always the edit post button

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  29. #21
    Senior Member John Green's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Gustafson View Post
    Black looks nice, it can get warm, but with a silver top not too bad. It's a grind, but wax and polish your trailer once a year.

    Jim Gustafson

    A
    Any photos of how the trailer is set up inside?

  30. #22
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    Default trailer color

    white or silver and put your vin and lic on the roof in case its stolen
    Dee

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  32. #23
    Senior Member Jim Gustafson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by John Green View Post
    Any photos of how the trailer is set up inside?
    I don't John, and right now it's buried in snow. I chose black because Team Penske's trailers are black, lol. I wanted to match my tow vehicle.


    Jim G.

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  33. #24
    Senior Member John Green's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by John Green View Post
    Any photos of how the trailer is set up inside?
    7x14 or 7X16?

  34. #25
    Senior Member Jim Gustafson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by John Green View Post
    7x14 or 7X16?
    John, my trailer is 24'. All aluminum, very light, can easily be towed by an SUV.

    Jim G.

  35. #26
    Classifieds Super License BeerBudgetRacing's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Gustafson View Post
    John, my trailer is 24'. All aluminum, very light, can easily be towed by an SUV.

    Jim G.
    Custom made then? Who? Haven't seen many 7x24. Cool.

  36. #27
    Senior Member Jim Gustafson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BeerBudgetRacing View Post
    Custom made then? Who? Haven't seen many 7x24. Cool.
    My trailer is a Lightning, a division of Forest River.
    Jim G.

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