Rail Ryder

Trailer Loading & Securing System

 

 

As a car fan, you love staying up-to-date on the newest releases, reviews, sales, and more when it comes to the exotic cars and supercars you love.

Luckily, there’s no shortage of blogs to choose from!

What Exotic Car and Supercar Blogs Should You Subscribe To?

This bevy of blogs, however, can mean you come across some duds when trying to find the stories you want to read.

To help save time, we’ve put together a list of our favorite car blogs so you can click, read, subscribe, and see more of the content you love.

1. Exotic Car List’s Blog

You probably know Exotic Car List for their website — an awesome resource for listing your exotic car and viewing others’ listings. It makes buying and selling exotic cars simple, with an easy to navigate website.

But have you ever taken a few minutes to check out their blog? They cover almost any exotic car topic you would want to read about: upcoming auto shows, car news, car reviews, tips and advice, and more!

From viewing exotic car listings to learning more about the industry, Exotic Car List is a great site to bookmark.

2. The Supercar Blog

In the same way that the Exotic Car List is your ultimate resource for anything exotic car related, The Supercar Blog is your resource for anything you need to know about supercars.

One of the best features of The Supercar Blog is their “Videos” tab. If you’re not a big fan of reading lengthy posts about cars, this is a great way to get all of your information about supercar news, reviews, and more.

Similar to the Exotic Car List, there is a Supercars for Sale tab where you can check out the great options for your next car (or daydream a little too).

3. Notey.com’s Exotic Car Blog

Notey.com’s Exotic Car Blog is a great all-in-one resource for anything exotic car related. Their stories feature articles written by multiple authors from multiple sites, all around the Internet — making it the ultimate compilation of exotic car news, and a great resource to subscribe to.

Notable websites and authors featured include:

4. duPont Registy’s Blog

The duPont Registry blog is another great resource for all things supercar, exotic car, and luxury car. Similar to the other sites mentioned above, they have car news, features, and videos.

But, there are some unique features of duPont’s blog as well. Their Car Specs section is a great way to get specs, photos, prices, and reviews all in one place sorted by car; it is one of the most comprehensive analyses of exotic cars and supercars on the Internet.

They also have a fun tab called Celebrity Cars filled with all of the new buys and classic cars your favorite Hollywood figures are driving.

Be Sure to Check Out Our Blog, Too!

We are working hard on building our blog to be a resource chock full of educational articles to help you make the best loading method decisions when it comes to your exotic car or supercar.

In case you missed them, check out our posts about:

Chances are, if you’re using an enclosed trailer to transport your vehicle, you are using a winch-based system to load and unload your car — that is, unless you have a Rail Ryder loading system.

These two loading methods are compared frequently, but differ in a lot of important ways.

Important Areas Where Enclosed Trailer Winch Systems and Loading Systems Differ

Loading Angle

Loading with a standard enclosed trailer winch may necessitate the use of multiple ramps to get your car into the trailer. Oftentimes, it is impossible to achieve a loading angle with wooden ramps that is as low as the profile of your supercar or exotic car, leaving it vulnerable to damage.

Additionally, you run the risk of ramps slipping or being spit out from under the drive wheels during loading, causing immediate and expensive damage to your vehicle.

The Rail Ryder loading system has the industry lowest loading angle. A typical tailgate door is a 13º angle. With the self-storing gate extension, Rail Ryder reduces the angle to less than 4º permitting easy loading of low, wide challenging cars. There is no need to worry about clearance issues such as headers dragging, oil pans bumping, or low body panels scratching at the transition point.

Safety of Vehicle During Loading

Standard winch systems do not come with floor tracks to guide your car into the perfect spot in the trailer. This means your car could move side to side while being pulled in by the winch, potentially bumping into the inner fenders of the trailer.

The chassis-mounted rails in the Rail Ryder system eliminate all of these risks during loading, ensuring your car remains centered.

Ease of Loading

Loading with a winch often requires 2 people to load the car — ensuring it is loaded straight and strapped down properly. Additionally, oftentimes car owners install a winch system themselves, which is both time and labor intensive and can leave room for installation error.

The Rail Ryder system is installed by a professional, leaving no room for error during the installation process. It is also a one man loading and unloading system, meaning you don’t need to rope your wife or neighbor into helping you load your vehicle.

Safety of Vehicle During Transit

The Rail Ryder system enables the loader to securely tie the car down over all four wheels, making sure your vehicle remains safely centered during transit.

This safety is not ensured with a standard winch system.

Rope Material

One of the most important differences between a standard enclosed trailer winch and a Rail Ryder winch is the rope material. Most winches use a wire rope material, while a Rail Ryder system uses a synthetic rope.

The benefits of synthetic rope on a winch include:

  • Synthetic rope has no memory
  • Synthetic rope does not grow or unwind on the spool when tension isn’t present
  • Synthetic rope does not destroy itself, leaving the loader vulnerable to cuts on their hands

Most importantly, wire rope holds a lot of energy and is susceptible to snapping. If this happens, both the loader and the vehicle are at risk.

To learn more about the benefits of synthetic versus wire rope use, check out owner and inventor, Dale, discussing the differences:

If you have a low profile super car, exotic car, or race car — you know the feeling of holding your breath while loading too well. A million questions are racing through your mind including: Will my car get damaged while loading into the trailer?  

Don’t put yourself through this agony! There are several solutions to lower the car loading angle so your car stays as pristine as ever before, during, and after transit; so we put together this guide to walk you through your options.

   1. Low Profile Car Ramps

Loading Angle: 5-13° is standard, variation dependent on ramp choice

Price: $39.99 – $499.99 for sets of two, depending on the vendor you choose

Car ramps are the easiest and usually the least expensive way to invest in a low angle loading solution. These ramps are sturdy, usually made of a plastic polymer that can withstand substantial weight while loading on a hard, flat surface.

Low car ramps are also easy to use, as you simply drive your car up them and into the trailer. However, there is a lot of room for human error, as the ramps are oftentimes narrow and can be difficult to maneuver. Additionally, the loading angle may not offer extremely low profile super cars much clearance and may leave room for damage.

While of course you can obtain a longer ramp in order to lower the angle height, that selection in turn increases the price per ramp. The same is true for using a combination of multiple ramps; your loading angle will be lower, but your price will be higher. Also, when using multiple sets, it is difficult to secure them to each other to prevent them from becoming projectiles.

   2. Ramp Extensions

Loading Angle: 9-11° is standard, variation dependent on ramp choice

Price: $300 – $827 depending on the vendor you choose

Ramp extensions are a great way to further minimize the loading angle of low car ramps for lower profile vehicles through the even more gradual incline than standard ramps. The extensions are commonly made of aluminum, making them durable and long lasting.

While the angle is lower than car ramps, it is not by much, considering how much higher the price is. However, ramp extensions do offer a more secure loading option than balancing on ramps due to the availability to have one, full width extension.

    3. Low Profile Open Trailers

Loading Angle: 5-13° variation dependent on ramp choice.

Price: Between $5,000-$15,000

Opting for trailers that are specifically made for race cars or super cars is a great choice in terms of lowering the loading angle. These low profile trailers eliminate the worry of having to wiggle your car onto precarious low car ramps, giving you peace of mind while loading.

However, your car is exposed to the elements during transport. As any race car, super car, or exotic car owner will tell you — there is nothing worse than arriving to your destination with a nick in the paint of your car due to something happening during transportation; not to mention, the depreciation in value your car will experience after needing a paint repair.

   4. Liftgate Trailer

Loading Angle: 3-4°

Price: $150,000-$500,000

Investing in a liftgate trailer is a surefire way to lower the loading angle due to the way the gate flattens and tapers for seamless loading. The gate moves up and down like an elevator, and can lift a car up to any level in order to bring it in. Additionally, liftgate trailers eliminate the issue of the car squeezing in between trailer inner fenders.

The word “investing” when talking about a liftgate trailer, however, is not meant to be taken lightly. Not only does the trailer itself run you on average around $200,000 — but you also will need to invest in a heavy duty truck in order to tow it.

While a liftgate trailer is a great way to keep your car safe during transport, the price tag is not for everyone.

  5. Rail Ryder

Loading Angle: 3-4°

Price: price is available upon request.

The Rail Ryder system has the lowest loading angles of all of the options mentioned, and holds the title for the industry lowest loading angle of any car trailer loading method. The Rail Ryder is easy to use, one man could do it alone if needed, and is the best way to keep your car safe — no dings, dents, or scratches. The system greatly reduces the possibility of human error, so you don’t need to worry about one slip ruining your investment.

By loading your low profile car into an enclosed trailer, you are ensured safety from loading to arrival due to the lack of exposure to the elements and the secured safety of the system, knowing the car will not shift during transit.

Does Rail Ryder sound like the perfect way to ease your car loading related anxiety? Give us a call today, and inventor and owner Dale Hofius will walk you through a quote for your car and specific needs.

You know that towing your classic, exotic, luxury, or super car in a custom enclosed trailer is the safest option for transporting it safely to its destination. But how many times have you safely loaded your car into the trailer, only to realize that you are loaded in too?

Enclosed Luxury Car Trailer Exit Strategies

It’s a common question asked in car conversation threads: “Once I invest in an enclosed trailer, how will I get out after I pull my car in?” After all, before you invest the money into a transport solution, you want to make sure you’ve explored all your options and possibilities.

We’re here to answer that question once and for all, and give you the ultimate guide to escaping your enclosed car trailer once you’re in.

  1. Climb Out the Window

If you’re looking for the simplest (+ cheapest!) answer to your problem, this is it! As you probably know, most trailers are not wide enough to allow for the opening of the driver’s car door once the car is inside. After you drive your car in, your only option is to climb out the window and then skinny out between the wall and the car.

Sounds like the last thing in the world you want to do? We don’t blame you! Most car owners don’t have a background in gymnastics — which makes twisting and contorting your body to make it out of the window,  and then squeezing your body between the car and the trailer wall to shimmy out uncomfortable, even painful.

The good news is, there are a couple of ways that you can avoid that.

  2. Install an Escape Door

An escape door is exactly what it sounds like: a door that you install into the side of your enclosed trailer, right outside where the driver’s side door of your car will be once it is loaded. When opened, this creates enough space so you can open the car door and simply exit the vehicle, stepping down from the trailer.

Sound perfect? It can be a great solution, but there are a few problems:

  • Being car specific limits adjustability. If you outfit your trailer with this door, you plan to space it perfectly to fit one car. If you buy/ own a car with a different length, you run the risk of the escape door not being in the right spot, and dinging the driver side door.
  • Locating exactly where to put your escape door is difficult. Many escape door positions do not take into account the huge disparity in door size and location to maintain proper tongue weight balance.
  • Driving your car into a trailer poses risks. All you have to do is Google “car loading fail” to see examples of what can happen when using ramps or other methods to drive cars into car trailers. Unfortunately, humans are imperfect, and escape doors do very little to protect from human error while loading.

 3. Use a Winch

Winches are a great way to reduce human error when loading a car. Winch systems are also great because you do not need to worry about being trapped in the car after driving it in — because you remain outside of the car the whole time!

While winches eliminate having to climb out your car window, and the issues associated with driving your car into the trailer, they do come with their own set of problems to consider. Before you go buy and install a winch into your enclosed car trailer, make sure you consider the following things:

  • Tie down system can damage the car. Due to the loading hardware coming in contact with the chassis of the car, there may be resulting damage on the vehicle.
  • Needing to steer the car both in and out in a narrow envelope between car and trailer inner fender.
  • Keeping the vehicle centered in both directions. This sounds simple, but it can be more complicated than you think when you are working with the small area of your enclosed trailer.
  • Needing a readily accessible anchor point.

 4. Rail Ryder

With the Rail Ryder self-loading trailer, you will never need to climb out a window or hop out of an escape door, you also have more security than is afforded with a traditional winch system. Additionally, you do not need another person to help you load your car when you use Rail Ryder, as it is can be done solo.

Rail Ryder is the most effortless way for you to load your car. Securing your car is simple with the trailer tie down system, and takes a matter of minutes. There is no complicated positioning to hook straps in, and you do not need an assistant to help. Most importantly, you are never in the car in the trailer.

Rail Ryder’s value lies in its simplicity and security.

Once centered and secured to trolleys outside the luxury car trailer, Rail Ryder eliminates the need to steer any car into and out of the trailer. Your vehicle tracks straight and true time after time. You will never be searching under the car for an anchor point.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have safely loaded your car from the outside looking in? Call us for a quote today, and never climb out of a window again!

You know how important it is to choose the right car trailer loading and securing method for your classic, exotic, or race car. Making the wrong choice can lead to costly repairs to your vehicle and ultimately an investment wasted.

There are many factors to consider before making a decision. We’ve compiled this guide to help you make the best choice for your budget and your car.

Pros and Cons of Car Trailer Loading

1. E-Track

E-Track is one of the most common methods of strap anchoring, as well as one of the most inexpensive as you can order DIY kits online for as low as $140. The E-Track strips are installed directly to an enclosed trailer floor and utilize straps in order to secure the vehicle in place.

Pros:

  • Adjustability with 2 inch increments to place your straps, versus fixed position D-rings.
  • Inexpensive.
  • Enclosed trailer protects car.

Cons:

  • Typical 2 strip E-Track kits only allow front-rear adjustment, not left-right. It can take 4 or more strips of E-Track to give you the adjustability to haul multiple width cars.
  • Tire straps that are not parallel with each other can loosen and migrate off the tire.
  • Proper installation requires reinforcement under the floor to bolt the E-Track to.

If you’ve never seen E-Track in action or are looking to learn how to install, check out this video.

2. Polystyrene Ramps

Polystyrene ramps are a simple and helpful way to get your car into your trailer. They are another budget friendly choice, with sets ranging from $275 – $634. They are made with high-density expanded polystyrene that is coated with a hybrid polyuria.

Pros:

  • Lightweight and easy to maneuver.  High compression strength when used on a flat, hard surface.
  • Decreases angle of approach to 4.3 degrees, preventing front end damage.
  • Offers a variety of dimensions so you can choose what is perfect for your car and trailer.
  • Budget friendly.

Cons:

  • Have very low structural strength; must be placed on flat, hard surface to prevent ramp breakage.
  • Are only a way to help your car get into the trailer.  Does not address vehicle securement.
  • Need to invest in a secondary or tertiary system for full car protection.

Want to see polystyrene ramps in action? Check out this instructional video demonstrating exactly how to properly use the ramps.

3. Open Trailers

Open trailers, such as sliding axle trailers and tilt car trailers, are an easy to use solution. There are many kinds of open trailers for towing, therefore costs vary. An average estimate for an open trailer would be $5,000.

Pros:

  • Allows easy access for car securement.
  • Trailer is lighter and will use less fuel.
  • Least expensive auto transport option.

Cons:

  • Car is totally exposed to all elements:
    • Road debris
    • Inclement weather
    • Animal hits
    • Salt, sap, bird droppings
    • Tree scratches
  • May need to re-detail the vehicle upon arrival at its destination.
  • Offers no protection.

This video shows the ease of loading with a tilt car trailer in action!

4. Rail Ryder System

The Rail Ryder system is your all-in-one, one man, enclosed trailer loading system.  It features the lowest loading angle at just 4 degrees which ensures no damage to any vehicle that is being transported using the system.

Pros:

  • Enclosed trailer.
  • Industry lowest 4 degree loading angle.
  • Over-the-wheel straps provide total securement.
  • Will secure any wheelbase and any width vehicle.
  • One man loading — no need to rope in your family or friends to help.
  • No climbing out of windows.
  • Can be retrofitted into many trailers.  
  • Great ROI because one mistake could pay for the system.
  • Customization enabled to fit your trailer.

Cons:

  • May need to purchase a trailer.

The Rail Ryder loading system offers an amazing ROI providing you with peace of mind knowing that your car will arrive in the same condition as when loaded. Your car value will never take a hit because of a trailer incident. The price of the system varies based upon trailer variables. Watch Rail Ryder in action here!

Request a quote here, or call for a quote today, and experience the ease, security, and peace of mind that the Rail Ryder loading and securing system offers!

Top