Show Me Your Race Car Trailers

[benm]

I don't even think i'd need to modify the guards as their is heaps of clearance in all angles...

[evil_weevil]

wonder if my red nugget will fit on your trailer Ben!

[benm]

From memory its 396x178cm

[aleks]

Not mine, I saw this at a sprint meeting at Morgan Park. The bit in the middle is a toolbox.

[handbrake]

buying a trailer and have a few questions.

single versus tandem axle trailers for 2 tonne load.

Looking at the Nevco line of trailers.

the Nevco guys reckon their single axle trailer is more than suitable. they also reckon their single axle handles very well at highway speeds and is very manoeuvrable. I discussed tandem axle stability, loads etc and they are confident of their design and engineering. they do have a tandem axle but said it wasn't necessary.

Anyone know of guys using them? they aren't cheap as you can imagine but seem to be well specced and well made form the limited reports I have, though I don't actually know anyone who has one personally. I have access to a demo/low km one which is up for sale rated to 2900kg (2100kg load).

[Duncan]

welll.....lets face it they are experts in their field and sell these trailers every day. They would know (and probably say, given they are high end) if their single axle design was not up to it.

personally.....2000kg is somewhere between 2 and 3 axle territory in my experience! And that is a huge load to carry once you add trailer weight. I know you are running turbo patrol but it is still a huge load for a car....you will be close to 5 tonnes by the time you hit the road loaded up

[BOZ22N]

That is going to put the trailer tyres on their maximum rating all the time, may get a few blow outs?

But on the other hand those style of trailers are the Shiz I had one on the weekend with a pro sport car which is about an inch off the ground and it was a pleasure to use.

[FLN75S]

They are a nice looking trailer, but agree that is a lot on a single axle.

This is my trailer i use for the rally car, it has good clearance in case we need to take it into a stage to retrieve the car and best part is i didnt pay a cent for it.

Its no good for a low track car though would need ramps about double the size to get it on without ripping the bumper off.

Looking at putting some storage on the front for tyres and changing the solid steel plate floor it has because the trailer is pretty heavy and would like to make it a bit lighter.

Has light truck tyres on it and weighs in at around 700kg.

[warps]

I can't see how you can legally carry 2 tonnes on the trailer (I assume that's what you're implying, or are we talking about ATM = 2 tonne) with only a single axle. When legislation states that you must have brakes on both axles on any trailer that is greater than 2000kg ATM, how do they achieve this with a single axle? Also, what tyres are they using? They would have to be rated at over 1000kg each, which is a pretty tall order.

Talk to Chris Wedding (Car Trailers by Chris) - he builds car trailers for a living, and has sold to many of the Porsche cup guys, as well as rally guys (I have one). Expect to pay $6k for a 3 tonne ATM trailer (with the necessary bits and pieces to make it legal) but it is money well spent. I had buyers remorse when I picked up my trailer (only a 2 tonne model so cost me $5.5k with a few extras) but all of my fears were dispelled by the time I'd towed it 5km. It is the best towing, easiest to reverse trailer I've ever used and very well built. It's also light enough to manouvre in the driveway and garage by hand.

There are cheaper ones out there, but I've seen some horror "cheap" trailers, so was more than happy to spend the money on a good one.

I'm on the Gold coast so you're more than welcome to come and have a look at the trailer, and take it for a tow (with the rally car on the back, although a Civic is probably slightly lighter than a GTR )

Edited March 1, 2011 by warps

[samstain]

When legislation states that you must have brakes on both axles on any trailer that is greater than 2000kg ATM, how do they achieve this with a single axle?

Is the wording 'both' or 'all', I would imagine its the latter.... there would be plenty of single axle pig trailers out there running truck tyres that are rated to somewhere around 8T...

[warps]

Car trailers come under VSB01, which is for small trailers, defined as trailers less than 4.5 tonnes ATM. The big stuff is covered by a different document.

Reading the legislation, it does say ALL WHEELS, which means that single axle trailer would probably suffice (not stipulated) - bit surprising, really.

They'd have to use some ultra heavy duty axles, springs and tyres for the single axle trailer to work, so looks like in theory it is legit, and I can't imagine any business like that lasting very long if it blatantly flounted rules and regulations.

[hrd-hr30]

welll.....lets face it they are experts in their field and sell these trailers every day. They would know (and probably say, given they are high end) if their single axle design was not up to it.

on the other hand they are trying to sell their gear - they're not going to tell you its shit. not when they're charging almost $20K for a trailer!

The single axle design has got to be alot more sensitive to load positioning than a tandem axle.

I don't think you can get a light truck tyre rated to their claimed 2900kg ATM. That's a tyre load rated to at least 1450kg. I think LT load ratings only go to 1200kg.

I wouldn't like to get a blowout on a single axle trailer either.

Edited March 1, 2011 by hrd-hr30

[Marlin]

I echo Harry's thoughts..... I also don't like how when you drive the car on, you can't open the doors. That was a stipulation I had when I was purchasing a trailer.

The F/R weight distribution of a 35 is also a consideration.... I know when we load Giant's R35 onto their traditional tilting car trailer, it doesn't tilt back to level until the car is ALL the way forward, very very different to the earlier series GTR cars on the same trailer.

In my humble opinion, you'd be mush better served saving about 12 grand and having a nice tradtional trailer built to suit, with a long bed of around 16ft (as is mine). I don't like the car protruding further rear than the tralier frame.... not nice if you happen to get smacked up the bum by a truck, farks the race car good n proper, bith ends!

My biggest concern would be "the tail leading the dog" with that single axle trailer compounded by the R35's weight distribution. And a tyre blowout wouldn't bear thinking about.

[Marlin]

Mark, Dan and Nat Ford (Yellow Cabs and rally friends) are importers/dealers for a very similar fancy pants trailer if you do decide to go that way, I could put you in contact with them.

[handbrake]

I won't repeat the full engineering story but most dual axles are not legally required for this load it is more that the axles should be engineered appropriately for the load. I think it is clear you are paying for a highly engineered and overspecced trailed with Nevco (single Vs tandem axle debate aside). George there is an incredibly nice guy to deal with and almost exclusively only sell to guys carrying precious cargo/comercial carrying needs. he has never had a single incident with his trailers other than a few finish problems with a bad powdercoat which he returned the trailer from adelaide to NSW at his expense to fix (a few rust spots started to appear lol) and a gaurd which had a bolt come loose and rubbed on a tyre which after about a 400k trip was worn but otherwise intact. I dont think george is the type to bullshit you when you are spending this sort of cash.

I can't remember the tyre specs exactly except to say that each tyre is rated to 1500kg and are Khumo.

he was happy to sell me a tandem axle. the angle of approach changes from 3 degrees to 5-6 degrees and I would be up for 4k more (which really isnt a factor as far as I am concerned considering the cost of the load). He essentially offers a lifetime warranty if you arent a dickhead and dont abuse the trailer.

any way, getting it. hope it does the job. it will have a pit trolley which will fit nitrogen cylinder for air jacks and tyres, 8 wheels, tools and 6 jerry cans.

specs:

Fully optioned painted GLOSS CHARCOAL 3200kg ATM with 1970mm wide x 5780mm long deck (centre cladding in tie down material, HI RISE swing arm (for vehicle access when loaded), 3000lb winch with remote mounted control plug (and RADIO REMOTE CONTROL), 1200mm stone guard with white powder coating, stainless steel tyre rack, trailer spare on lockable mount, DOUBLE integrated storage (250L capacity) with white powder coated lockable doors), Fulton F2 jockey wheel

. Shock absorbing height adjustable coupling (6 ball heights). includes in cabin brake control kit.

The Pit Trolley is made from polished laser cut 304 stainless sections designed specifically for the purpose. The stainless steel tyre rack offered with the trailer will attach to either the trailer or the pit trolley. The trolley is designed to carry up to 8 spare wheels/tyres, 2 off "D" or "E" gas bottles and either 8 off 20L jerry fuel cans or equivalent dimensioned toolboxes or accessories.

will be taking it to QR Wednesday 16 march.

[FineLine]

Just dont skimp on tyres mark. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I've towed all my life, My daily tow job is a work trailer with a gvm of around 1.8 tonne on a single axle. I need the maneuverablity that only a single can provide.

I spent 5 years working in a marine dealership where once again, towing was a multi daily occurrence. My own boats even up to 21 ft were slung on single axles. One of which I towed to darwin with a hr 30 skyline, (that raised some eyebrows), The ride home minus the boat and trailer with open speed limit was interesting.

Quality componentry and construction is the key. over kill axles, fish plates, ubolts, and most importantly a far heavier A frame than normal.

If you have limited room to maneuvre a trailer a single can sometimes be the only option, Its a cow of a job twisting up duals to get them in tight spots at times.

In saying all the above I am close to needing a trailer myself but given the poor weight distribution of a skyline I will probably lean toward a dual this time but i much prefer to tow and handle a single.

[handbrake]

Good advice guys.

George swears by the tyres, about $500/each

[Marlin]

R35 run-flats could be the go mate?

if they can hold up a 35.......

(remember the 35 engineer saying they saw 4,000kg of load on the front right at the "Ring)

[handbrake]

haha, yes ,nissan still stand by the claim of the cars weight be nece3ssary for maximum grip/load on tyres. Mizuno san shamelessly delivered the BS at teh aussie Philip Island track day.

then nismo go and make a 1520kg stripped out car that goes hard as.

tyre specs for the trailer btw

Kumho 225/75R16 121 load index

[Marlin]

121 is a bloody serious tyre!