Loading BMW X5's and X6's on cottrell trailers

I don't know about the x5's/x6's, but I could run 8 Volvo XC's in my 8 pack enclosed that was 13'6...mind you the roof rack clearance on the bottom row was minimal to say the least...in the beginning I would wrap the roof racks with pipe insulation, then I got comfortable enough to know they wouldn't rub.

Later

pick

 

TransFury...just in case you haven't figured this in...watch the weights on these X5's and similar SUV's. '08-'10,etc models routinely run around 5335 pounds per so 8 of them will put you at 42600 to 43000 pounds plus your empty weight. That gives you about 37K for unladen truck/trailer combo full of fuel which is doable for a smaller, lightweight day-cab truck with a high-side Cottrell I am guessing. I haven't run one of those in many years but when putting a sleeper truck under rack with decent specs, you'll be hard pressed to keep that empty weight around 37K. Just make sure you make the seller give you some solid information about the empty weights before you get signed off on it. You could reasonably expect to put 9 X5's on a high-side with the proper headrack but weight becomes the issue. If you are already aware, excuse my input.

 

Yeah but you won't be hauling too many cars that weigh that much. A Grand Marquis, Town Car, etc...they'll run around 4K for an average. Weights are an issue and a good reason to choose how you want to set up. Me...I chose a balance between my wants and needs to create a combo I could haul a good combination of everything and anything. One more consideration on the weight thing...axling everything out. I used to have 3 short hood 379 Petes with big bunks on them with 3-car racks and high-sides. With 80000, and it's knocking that all the time if you load your wagon, it was hard to get that weight you need on the front axle with a pretty standard car haul wheelbase. Something had to give somewhere. I stretched my latest truck out and it axles perfectly front to back. A little extra wheelbase lets me get that weight in front of the tandems further and I could get heavy on the steer axle if I tried but I've got room to play back and forth. Sometimes you gotta give something to get something and every combination is different. I would think Cottrell would have computer generated examples by now of weights overall, axles, etc for a great variance of loads but I could be wrong. Lawyers and all, ya know.

Edit: Forgot to add...Cottrell will not sell you a combination that is overlength. If you want to play, you have to go elsewhere for your truck and headrack and deal with them only on trailer.

 

not that much...so, in that case I wouldn't be running 8 x5's...more like a bottom row of x5's and whatever on top...but, the top was covered and that took a few inches off the final height - open rack, more room too play. Truthfully, you won't know until you can get some to play with - sorry I can't help you anymore.

 

If you haven't looked at them yet - I ran the Boydstun products as well - pretty nice curtain side 10's and open rack 11's back 10 years ago - easy loading on them as far as the weight with the gauges in them, wasn't really an issue with mixed models.

 

Cottrell can help with your questions. They have been doing this a very long time. They test load quite a bit. I think Elwood Feldman is still there. Very knowledgeable guy. Knew him back in my Anchor Motor Freight days, and then we met up again when I was a manager with Hadley. 8 SUV's is going to be about your max unless you are hauling small light SUV's...Ford Escape or the like. And like another post said, they will not sell you something you can't work with.