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My 2 cents.
I have used Tommy's trailers. I have Jim Hollingsworth's old one,1982. He used it for his cars, mostly pre-war. I only have V8 Packads. It has performed wonderfully for Jim, Haden and now me.

I understand. Thank you for your service.
Best to go look at a large supplier with inventory. You might get a better deal on last year's or a demo. Probably a good time of year to be buying one, too.
I doubt you need much extra length, unless you're going to a longer car later, store stuff in the P/U bed. Just big enough for what you tow.
If you go with an open you just have more cleaning to do when you get there and risk damage. Depends how much your time is worth or how good your insurance man is but almost the same as driving it there...just the odometer doesn't move.
ps; my tires were major US brand, new not even rotated yet, when the one blew. Insurance inspector said it was defective - no sign of puncture, side wall just let go. They subsequently redesigned these tires. After many years and much soul searching, I've gone back to them and just bought a second set. They're even heavier now.

In the interest of good economic analysis, what is an average of the going rate for covered transport? All the searches I do online require dates, personal information, etc. I don't want to get on someone's list, just want a rough idea of cost per mile!

My thought process is to price out the cost of moving my car for the waste case moves left in my career and compare that to what I would put in a trailer.

I am planning on trailering to the PAC National in MI this year also, so that will also be a factor.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions so far - I bought a pretty cheap brand-new open car trailer a few years ago. I've been very happy with it, but I did learn some lessons, so I thought I would ask around before I learned more lessons the hard ($$$) way.

Ken, in the past I have had my cars transported in covered trailers by various carriers. The rates I paid were about a buck a mile. I would guess there is some minimum charge for short hauls.

Like you said, it takes some planning to get on a schedule to attend an event. This was not a concern for me as I was moving. My 55 Clipper was shipped from Maryland to Texas. All the hauling was without incident or accident. Also had buyers of my cars use transporters with covered trailers.

Open trailers are less expensive but there is the exposure of the car to the elements and public.

(o{}o)

Get one with a side door large enough that allows you to open the door on the packard to get in and out. Otherwise it will be very tight to drive the packard into, and you'll end up having to winch it.

Thanks to everyone for all the info and thoughts. After much hemming and hawing, I am planning on going with a 22' Cross trailer (out of Elkhart IN). It will have a 2' V, recessed EZ track in the floor, and an escape door on the driver's side. Also 10k GVW and torsion axles. The thing that soldme was the fact that the frame is 2x6 boxed steel, including the cross-members, and construction seems solid. I wanted to go aluminum, but it blew out my budget, and I couldn't justify it for the long term, because I will settle in Idaho (no salt) and have a covered storage location for the trailer once I get out of the navy in about 7 or 8 years.

Any last minute thoughts, I am all ears. Of note, if anyone needs anything hauled from NY to IN in about 6 weeks in a pickup bed, or from IN to NY (or thereabouts) in a car trailer, I will be making that trip. I will post the same in the AACA forums.

Again, thanks for all the inputs. If money were no object, an aluminum gooseneck would be on order, but I needed to stay on budget. I went with the trailer from Cross based on specs and price. Their frame is fully boxed, and their specs are the best for the brands I looked at. I'll report back once I pick it up.

Now that you've picked your trailer you need to find a great tow vehicle.

VW has come up with new option called "Trailer Assist" that is VERY impressive.

http://www.chonday.com/Videos/trailerghu4

Now all we have to do is transfer that technology to some trucks out of the Motor City.

Its available already Roger; the new Ford F 150 can back your trailer in any spot you want, but NO, it won't make you pass people in the left lane in reverse.

I have a good diesel pickup and the requisite trailer backing skills, so now all that's left is to enjoy my car!