Show Me Your Race Car Trailers

[blackrex]

Anyone have any experience with alu trailers? Would they be as durable as steel ones?

They can be, but to get them to be the same strength as a steel one they need to be made of quite heavier gauge material that negates a lot of the weight saving of the material. They will also suffer more from fatigue and electrolysis compared to steel as well, especially at the points were there is steel to alloy contact, or electrical current run.

[Duncan]

lol classic.

yeah it tows good. had a flat already so need to ditch the rubber.

we had nothing but trouble until we changed to proper trailer tyres. haven't had a single tyre problem in the 3 years and 000s klms since

[femno]

Another update, weve been doing a little bit on our trailer over the weekend, the final prep is very tedious and frustrating, cleaning all of the old paint and rust off.

We bought a new set of guards which werent too expensive, we reinforced the outer egde so they can take us 80-110kg guys jumping on and off of them.

The guards were fitted ontop of the side rails as we needed a little extra clearance for the tyres. We also fitted the 50x50mm tube for the front rail uprights, plus the extra second set for the wheel rack, which is 40x40mm and removable.

We also re-fitted the spare wheel holder, and made up the jerry can holder. We thought 2 cans are enough for the moment and if we need more we'll put one in front of each guard later on.

We bought some hinges and other stuff to make up the swining number plate which will also keep the second set of ramps from sliding out.

Now just to keep cleaning off the old paint from the checkplate and rails, then well give it a quick spray job

[Beer Baron]

one tip. incorporate a way to lock down those jerry cans or some theiving asshole will pinch them and there goes $20 worth of can and $40 worth of fuel. well double that if they take both!

[femno]

one tip. incorporate a way to lock down those jerry cans or some theiving asshole will pinch them and there goes $20 worth of can and $40 worth of fuel. well double that if they take both!

Haha yeah thanks, we thought about that, but we thought if were going to leave the trailer somewhere with the cans in it, well just put the cans in the car instead. Probably have to open the windows though!

[Duncan]

Haha yeah thanks, we thought about that, but we thought if were going to leave the trailer somewhere with the cans in it, well just put the cans in the car instead. Probably have to open the windows though!

well actually.....

in my experience people might be surprised how seriously some folks are with competitions, and how low they might sink. As a result I always lock jerry cans away overnight to ensure they are not "played" with. For the same reason I always check tyre pressures and wheel nuts if I've left the car at the track overnight.

this all started to sink in for me at my first race meeting - it was the last round of the year, and the champ leader (who was ahead by 1 point) had to pull in at the end of the warm up lap to have his wheel nuts tightened....

[fatz]

lol

track people bitch more that drag races!

[zebra]

this all started to sink in for me at my first race meeting - it was the last round of the year, and the champ leader (who was ahead by 1 point) had to pull in at the end of the warm up lap to have his wheel nuts tightened....

Thats nasty!!!

[Kinks]

this all started to sink in for me at my first race meeting - it was the last round of the year, and the champ leader (who was ahead by 1 point) had to pull in at the end of the warm up lap to have his wheel nuts tightened....

fatz wasn't one of his mechs was he? still remember being taken for a few laps of EC in Pete's R31, most of it sideways, then he goes "we gotta go into the pits to tighten the wheel nuts they get loose after a few laps".

[fatz]

lol

yea the good old 31

[YCA18T]

Here are some pics of the trailer we have to tow my Silvia.

It was originally built for a 500kg clubman sports car we have but we have since modified it to fit the silvia.

Basically the wheels are inboard, not sticking out, meaning it is only about 6 foot wide, not really any wider than the tow car, it has no suspension, it runs quite tal light truck tyres, has disc brakes and weighs about 280kg with the spare whell and ramps, when weighed for rego was 260kg, but didnt have ramps or spare fitted. The axle is rated at 1500kg and the tyres have combined rating of 1700kg.

The car weighs 1130kg so all up it weighs about 1420kg ready to go. When towing we use stabiliser bars (which can be seen in the photos), and it tows very good, straight and stable, we have now done 4 trips from Coffs Harbour to Willowbank, and one to WSID for Compak attack with no issues.

The good thing about it is there is no need for a 4wd to tow it due to the low weight and the fact it is the same width of the tow car there is no need to worry about how wide it is.

Hope you guys like the tow car, for your interest it tows very well, also averages about 13l per 100km fuel economy while towing at 100kph.

We also tow it behind my dads new Xtrail with no issues.

[Duncan]

can't see why a skyline can't tow either....99% the same chasis as stagea, same motor, same rear subframe etc.

not so sold on a single axle trailer for 1500kg but hey if you are happy and it works

how do you find the stabilisers? I've heard they are a good idea for big loads on IRS but have never seen or used them

[YCA18T]

can't see why a skyline can't tow either....99% the same chasis as stagea, same motor, same rear subframe etc.

not so sold on a single axle trailer for 1500kg but hey if you are happy and it works

how do you find the stabilisers? I've heard they are a good idea for big loads on IRS but have never seen or used them

The stabilsiers are great, my dad would not tow anything any distance without them.

Helps to keep the trailer tracking straight, and stops the rear of the car pitching, doesnt bounce up and down on the rear of the vehicle over undulations.

We have towed it without them behind my father inlaws 80 series cruiser and it swayed around a bit above about 95kph, with the bars on behind the skyline or xtrail it is great. Dad said he would have no issue doing 140kph or so with the trailer and car on behind the skyline it tows that good.

Would definately recommend some form of stabiliser bars regardless of the tow vehicle or size/type of trailer.

[benm]

The stabilsiers are great, my dad would not tow anything any distance without them.

Helps to keep the trailer tracking straight, and stops the rear of the car pitching, doesnt bounce up and down on the rear of the vehicle over undulations.

Which is why a twin axle is safer because the second axle prevents this.

[mrtzila]

Here is mine ; )

[benm]

Time to revive an old thread...

I've been considering selling my tandem car trailer and buying a proper enclosed trailer.

The type i've been looking at are known in the USA (ebay) as 'cargo trailers' where they sell for around au$4k in 14x6 sizes but here they go for around $12-15k.

Anybody had any experience importing a trailer from overseas, I realise that some things like lights, tyres may need to be changed to be registered however since the trailer is too big to fit into a shipping container the biggest worry at the moment is actually getting it here and the costs for that + duty and gst.

[essay]

Featherlite (USA made) in Moorabbin import these types of trailers but very exxy. Flatbed 8' x 17 ' around 11K all alloy so enclosed well over 20K

[Duncan]

I saw in passing that DOTARS look after trailer imports as well as cars so maybe check the website. certainly trailers are still a place (one of the last) where you can "build it" yourself, get it engineered then registered.

If I remember you trailer is too small for most cars, if so resale will suck. It might be worth looking into enclosing what you already have....I bet the enclosing would be half the price of a new trailer.

[benm]

Yeah mine is 13x6 where as standard width is 6'6 so once again in life im 6' short!

To enclose my current trailer would cost no more than $2500 however i'd much rather a new 15x6'6 chassis with drop axles and build it up from that which will cost $2800 for the bare chassis + about $2500 to enclose it.

The problem is I can't weld although my neighbour can and he is also retired so would just be a matter of drawing up some plans and paying him to do it (i've discussed it with him before). He isn't the worlds neatest welder but that is why i'd buy a chassis rather then get that made at home

[boxheadmr]

you should be able to fit drop axles to your current trailer and modify the guards, most metal fab places should be able to help