3.5ton Track Day Van for small cars
Discussion
Hi guys,
I was wondering if you could help me.
I work for a company that custom builds minibuses, anything from lightweight school one to wheelchair access, taxis, campers and everything in between.
Being the trackday lover that I am and being only 29 I know the problems that comes down to towing a vehicle.
Mainly due to not going over 3.5ton and trying to get a towcar, a trailer and the vehicle under that weight.
Now after doing some thinking im currently designing a race van that will allow a single car to be transported inside along with tools and a place to sleep and eat, based on using a van with a GVW of 3.5T.
This has multiple benefits that I can see by getting rid of the trailer.
Meaning you now have one less thing to store and try and protect from being stolen.
You will have less chance of VOSA potentially pulling you over to check your weight, as unless you have the vehicle signwritten, its not obvious what you are carrying.
You have a secure storage area for your vehicle when your travelling or stopping anywhere, keeping dirt and dust out if its an open top and stops potential thieves knowing what your carrying, that also applies to all your jacks,wheels and tools aswell.
You have a set of sleeping quarters if its a race weekend and somewhere to have meals if we are having our traditional english weather.
A final useful feature is the speed limits for towing, which dont apply to this vehicle so travelling across the country/europe will be faster, meaning you will have more time at the track.
In terms of size it will only be for vehicles that have a maximum dimensions of 1750mm x around 3700mm(will confirm that second bit) and weigh no more than 1200kg
Im running a lotus s1 exige and it will just fit, but things like kitcars,older hot hatches and single seater will have loads of room.
What im wondering is, is there a market for these? seems to me it would solve alot of problems people are having and you can use it everyday if you need a van for day to day use so its not going to sit around for 50 weeks of the year.
If anyone has any input aswell I would be most grateful.
I was wondering if you could help me.
I work for a company that custom builds minibuses, anything from lightweight school one to wheelchair access, taxis, campers and everything in between.
Being the trackday lover that I am and being only 29 I know the problems that comes down to towing a vehicle.
Mainly due to not going over 3.5ton and trying to get a towcar, a trailer and the vehicle under that weight.
Now after doing some thinking im currently designing a race van that will allow a single car to be transported inside along with tools and a place to sleep and eat, based on using a van with a GVW of 3.5T.
This has multiple benefits that I can see by getting rid of the trailer.
Meaning you now have one less thing to store and try and protect from being stolen.
You will have less chance of VOSA potentially pulling you over to check your weight, as unless you have the vehicle signwritten, its not obvious what you are carrying.
You have a secure storage area for your vehicle when your travelling or stopping anywhere, keeping dirt and dust out if its an open top and stops potential thieves knowing what your carrying, that also applies to all your jacks,wheels and tools aswell.
You have a set of sleeping quarters if its a race weekend and somewhere to have meals if we are having our traditional english weather.
A final useful feature is the speed limits for towing, which dont apply to this vehicle so travelling across the country/europe will be faster, meaning you will have more time at the track.
In terms of size it will only be for vehicles that have a maximum dimensions of 1750mm x around 3700mm(will confirm that second bit) and weigh no more than 1200kg
Im running a lotus s1 exige and it will just fit, but things like kitcars,older hot hatches and single seater will have loads of room.
What im wondering is, is there a market for these? seems to me it would solve alot of problems people are having and you can use it everyday if you need a van for day to day use so its not going to sit around for 50 weeks of the year.
If anyone has any input aswell I would be most grateful.
Biggest problem is how to load your car.
If you want it to sit flat then (a) you need very long ramps to avoid grounding the car out where the angled ramps meet the flat load bed of the truck, and (b) the bed would have to be high enough to clear the van's rear wheelarches.
I think this is why most van based single car transporters use a "beavertail" design where the load bed is angled upwards. It clears the wheelarches and avoids too sharp a transition between ramp and bed without having to carry impracticably long ramps around. However it does make for a fairly high vehicle when loaded which might be awkward with an enclosed van.
If you want it to sit flat then (a) you need very long ramps to avoid grounding the car out where the angled ramps meet the flat load bed of the truck, and (b) the bed would have to be high enough to clear the van's rear wheelarches.
I think this is why most van based single car transporters use a "beavertail" design where the load bed is angled upwards. It clears the wheelarches and avoids too sharp a transition between ramp and bed without having to carry impracticably long ramps around. However it does make for a fairly high vehicle when loaded which might be awkward with an enclosed van.
I know several folks putting Caterhams in the back of panel vans, seems a neat solution however has drawbacks;
-you need somewhere to park the large van
-only room for two passengers
-another vehicle to pay for/run
-no normal car at race events so you can go to the hotel/restaurant
It's ideal for some, especially those who need a van for work anyway.
Everyone I know who uses one has 'converted' it themselves, so people might be loath to pay proper money for the job. Of course if it's going to be a top quality fit out with somewhere to sleep, cook etc then you might tempt a few- however since this kind of install can't be undone in time for Monday morning you might put off the people who need to use the can for work in the week.
-you need somewhere to park the large van
-only room for two passengers
-another vehicle to pay for/run
-no normal car at race events so you can go to the hotel/restaurant
It's ideal for some, especially those who need a van for work anyway.
Everyone I know who uses one has 'converted' it themselves, so people might be loath to pay proper money for the job. Of course if it's going to be a top quality fit out with somewhere to sleep, cook etc then you might tempt a few- however since this kind of install can't be undone in time for Monday morning you might put off the people who need to use the can for work in the week.
ahem.
I have this for sale here:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/34/viewthrea...
not available yet, as I'm using it to go to Spa next week.
I have this for sale here:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/34/viewthrea...
not available yet, as I'm using it to go to Spa next week.
This is exactly what I did to transport my MR2 MK1 (1660mm width, 3950mm length, weighed around 1000 Kg) using an XLWB Iveco TurboDaily. The van was huge, but it's amazing how quickly the load area disappears when the car is in there and there was only a small area behind the seats to do some creative stacking for tools and fuel cans.I stored the long ramps under the car and got it in using a winch, but the wing mirrors had to come off for it to fit and it was a tight squeeze. Strapping it down was also a pain as you had very little room to work.
The biggest problem was weight though. An XLWB van is quite heavy unladen, and with a 1 ton car, fuel, tools and me it wasn't strictly within the 3.5T limit.
I now have a beaver tail van like all the other car transporters. It means all tools have to be stored in the car but it's much easier to live with.
The biggest problem was weight though. An XLWB van is quite heavy unladen, and with a 1 ton car, fuel, tools and me it wasn't strictly within the 3.5T limit.
I now have a beaver tail van like all the other car transporters. It means all tools have to be stored in the car but it's much easier to live with.
Terzo204 said:
Good idea but for the money I think most would buy a cheap trailer.
However, those of a certain age.....might see this as an easier option than the dreaded trailer test and the associated costs.
Dreaded trailer test? £400 including the test and 8 hours of your time gets you the prized stamp. Certainly easier and cheaper than taxing/insuring/maintaining another vehicle!However, those of a certain age.....might see this as an easier option than the dreaded trailer test and the associated costs.
Buy one? Doubt it. Share ideas to build one, without doubt.
I've thought about it as it would cover somewhere to store an open vehicle too. Parking is not an issue for me but covered garage space is.
One issue that crossed my mind is centre of gravity, with the car loaded on and above the wheel well height, would it then become too top heavy?
Would it be possible to have the car wheels sit in front of and behind the wheel wells? Would only work with an open wheeled car.
I've thought about it as it would cover somewhere to store an open vehicle too. Parking is not an issue for me but covered garage space is.
One issue that crossed my mind is centre of gravity, with the car loaded on and above the wheel well height, would it then become too top heavy?
Would it be possible to have the car wheels sit in front of and behind the wheel wells? Would only work with an open wheeled car.
nsa said:
As somebody has said - where do you keep it? I suspect a lot of people who use similar trucks to transport horses can store them on land around where they keep the horse.
I think it's a great idea though if parking the truck isn't an issue.
exactly why I can't keep mine! I think it's a great idea though if parking the truck isn't an issue.
now on ebay here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300918163024?ssPageName=... (with no reserve!) it's a shame as it's a versatile machine and about as compact as something like this can be. But I still don't have the space to keep it long term. If only it fitted in my garage...Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff