Open deck trailer for 2 miatas towable by an F-150?

Are there any options for car trailers besides those gooseneck ones where we can put two cars on it? How long does it need to be for 2 miatas?

Weight wise if may be possible but it depends on what year F150 and how it's equiped.

Length of such a bumper pull trailer would have to be in the 24-28 ft range.

With a trailer on the shorter end some over hang of the cars off the ends of the trailer should not be an issue.

For example:

My 2013 F150 Ecoboost with stock suspension and drivetrain but with the towing package is rated to tow 8900 lbs..

A same year F150 with all of the HD options was rated at 11,500 lbs!

The newest F150's have even higher ratings.

My 02 F150 (equipped with the F250 stuff and called the "7700") is rated to tow 8700.  I would think the answer (by the numbers) is a qualified maybe.  Figure 2500# for each Miata and another 3000# for the trailer.

That is by the numbers.  Actually towing a 28' trailer behind an F150 is a bit dodgy.  I would make sure that you either get a newer model or make sure it is properly equipped:  E-range tires (I would say D-range, but almost no one makes a D tire anymore), proper brake pads, maybe helper springs, good trailer brakes on both axles, equalizer hitch, extended cab long bed, etc.

The real answer is, "no, get an F250" but if you go with the latest generation of 1/2 ton truck, it will do it much better than a 3/4 ton truck from 15 years ago.

In this particular case we are talking about a newer F-150 2wd with the 5.0 Coyote V8 not the ultimate most recent aluminum one but just prior. Is there a type of trailer where you could source something like this? The only thing I see thats a bit longer is like gooseneck equipment trailers

I have seen bumper pull 2 car trailers but they're rare.  If you're lucky you may find one used but if you need one "now" then you may have to have one built.

Since I've been shopping for an enclosed trailer I did a quick search and found a 30 Ft open bumper pull car trailer.

The ad says 4400# empty and a price of just over $11K.

https://www.trailershopper.com/page-84505.html

Curtis said:

The real answer is, "no, get an F250" but if you go with the latest generation of 1/2 ton truck, it will do it much better than a 3/4 ton truck from 15 years ago.

Not quite, you need to go back further than 15 years.  My 2002 Silverado was rated at at 11.5K bumper, and 15.5K gooseneck.

Turns out this place is somewhat local and makes a 34ft two car trailer looks like bumper tow

http://www.kaufmantrailers.com/car-trailers/two-car-trailers/

6,200 new before you add options

at that point its just shy of 7k for a 28ft V nose enclosed

Curtis said:

That is by the numbers.  Actually towing a 28' trailer behind an F150 is a bit dodgy. 

I've done thousands of miles towing 30' travel trailers behind a 2011 F-150 and an Expedition with absolutely zero issues.  I would think an open car hauler would be even easier, considering the lower profile.  I'd invest in a good sway control/load leveling hitch, though.

I tried to run these numbers for the same tow combo (just with a Chevy).

I couldn't make it work. It's a no.

codrus said:

Curtis said:

The real answer is, "no, get an F250" but if you go with the latest generation of 1/2 ton truck, it will do it much better than a 3/4 ton truck from 15 years ago.

Not quite, you need to go back further than 15 years.  My 2002 Silverado was rated at at 11.5K bumper, and 15.5K gooseneck.

Agreed.  I'd take a 20 year old F250 or 350 for heavy towing (especially if it's more than occasional) over a new 150 any day.  The new 150 will have more power and be more comfortable, but the 3/4 ton and up trucks are just built heavier.  The 1/2 tons can do a lot, but they don't have the same "do it 5 days a week for 10 years" intent the bigger trucks do.  Think about how soft the supension is on a 150 (even the heavier payload ones) compared to a 250, even if the payload ratings are within 1000 lbs.  

rslifkin said:

codrus said:

Curtis said:

The real answer is, "no, get an F250" but if you go with the latest generation of 1/2 ton truck, it will do it much better than a 3/4 ton truck from 15 years ago.

Not quite, you need to go back further than 15 years.  My 2002 Silverado was rated at at 11.5K bumper, and 15.5K gooseneck.

Agreed.  I'd take a 20 year old F250 or 350 for heavy towing (especially if it's more than occasional) over a new 150 any day.  The new 150 will have more power and be more comfortable, but the 3/4 ton and up trucks are just built heavier.  The 1/2 tons can do a lot, but they don't have the same "do it 5 days a week for 10 years" intent the bigger trucks do.  Think about how soft the supension is on a 150 (even the heavier payload ones) compared to a 250, even if the payload ratings are within 1000 lbs.  

Valid points, but on the other hand, the newer half-ton is going to have all the towing gizmos like a built-in brake controller, a tow/haul mode for the trans, and stability control with trailer sway.  And more power, and (probably) better brakes.  And just be a generally newer vehicle with less wear and tear.  

At the end of the day, it depends how much towing you're going to do.  If it's a work vehicle or something that's going to spend more than half it's life with a trailer attached, yes, you should go heavy-duty.  It it's for recreational use once every couple of months or so and the rest of the time the vehicle has to serve as a DD, I say half-tons are more than adequate, provided you stay under the GCWR for the truck-trailer combo.

FYI, our two-Miata trailer is a bumper pull 28' enclosed. We have towed it with a current Tundra with a (very hard working) load distribution hitch, but I prefer my Dodge 2500.

codrus said:

Curtis said:

The real answer is, "no, get an F250" but if you go with the latest generation of 1/2 ton truck, it will do it much better than a 3/4 ton truck from 15 years ago.

Not quite, you need to go back further than 15 years.  My 2002 Silverado was rated at at 11.5K bumper, and 15.5K gooseneck.

I was speaking more of tangible on-the-road ability, not manufacturer claims.

Part of that has to do with the actual ability of the truck itself, and also partly has to do with the fact that most older trucks have suffered many thousand miles of metal fatigue, shady bushings, and worn steering gears.

I towed 10k with a 95 F250 and the same trailer with an 08 F150.  Aside from the gas v8 being a little lower in torque than the Powerstroke, I preferred towing with the F150 - must stiffer frame, rack and pinion, and 50k miles instead of 250k.  Contrast that with Dad's old 76 Chevy 1-ton, and despite having low mileage, it doesn't even hold a candle to the capability of a modern 1/2 ton.