Trailers and tow cars
Discussion
Right, i've almost decided to make my track/ weekend car just a track car due to it being almost only used on trackdays and it being too silly fast for the road and having to arse about with MOT's emissions all that marlarky.
The car in question is a heavily modifed MX5, it weighed 1020kg wet last time it was weighed, when it still had heating, an interior etc, so its about 1000kg now.
My other cars, ones blatently not suitable for towing being an MR2 the other is a 99 Honda Accord saloon 1.8 VTEC S. My questions....
Will the Honda be ok to tow with?
Trailers, I have downloaded the Brian James trailer price list and like the idea of the A-Sport or minno-max, i'd have to fit in a single width garage, length is not important. Are these the only real options? Are any cheaper available, around £1000 would be better.
Any pointers in general concerning taking a car off the road and it just becoming a track toy?
The car in question is a heavily modifed MX5, it weighed 1020kg wet last time it was weighed, when it still had heating, an interior etc, so its about 1000kg now.
My other cars, ones blatently not suitable for towing being an MR2 the other is a 99 Honda Accord saloon 1.8 VTEC S. My questions....
Will the Honda be ok to tow with?
Trailers, I have downloaded the Brian James trailer price list and like the idea of the A-Sport or minno-max, i'd have to fit in a single width garage, length is not important. Are these the only real options? Are any cheaper available, around £1000 would be better.
Any pointers in general concerning taking a car off the road and it just becoming a track toy?
I borrow/rent a trailer when needed for my car so can't help with your specific trailer questions. However, having used PRG, Fountain, Woodford and Brian James there isn't much in it. If you have the room to store it then buying second hand is definitely the way to go as they hold their value extremely well.
Many people use smaller tow cars but your weight, with a decent twin axle trailer, will be approx 1600kg and the trailer will probably be plated for a gross weight of 2000 or 2500kg. Therefore your car has to be rated for the max gross weight of the trailer.
The other comment I'd make about going track only is it makes testing the car very difficult. All your testing gets done at the track, which is fine if you're ready for it and can sacrifice the odd day but a PITA if your spare time is precious.
Many people use smaller tow cars but your weight, with a decent twin axle trailer, will be approx 1600kg and the trailer will probably be plated for a gross weight of 2000 or 2500kg. Therefore your car has to be rated for the max gross weight of the trailer.
The other comment I'd make about going track only is it makes testing the car very difficult. All your testing gets done at the track, which is fine if you're ready for it and can sacrifice the odd day but a PITA if your spare time is precious.
I've just been googling and it appears the Honda tow limit is 1500kg, which i'd estimate as about what a car and trailer would weigh,.. are these hard and fast rules or something thats questionable / no one actually appears worried about? The minno-max, says Gross Capacity 1600kg, load capacity 1200kg. It it the gross capacity figure I should look at? 1200kg load capacity is obviously fine for a stripped out mx5.
agent006 said:
Jubal said:
Therefore your car has to be rated for the max gross weight of the trailer.
Not so. I thought this for years but i checked a few months back and your tow car does not have to be able to carry the max capacity of the trailer, just what you have on it at the time.Jubal said:
agent006 said:
Jubal said:
Therefore your car has to be rated for the max gross weight of the trailer.
Not so. I thought this for years but i checked a few months back and your tow car does not have to be able to carry the max capacity of the trailer, just what you have on it at the time.One other thing to take into consideration is when you load the car on the trailer make sure you don't overload the rear axle of the tow car. I know someone who has been done and it cost him 3 points and fine and VOSA are forever increasing the amount of roadside checks being made.
Also bear in mind that although your car weighs around 1 ton, you will also be carrying tools and probably extra petrol which all adds up. My BJ Clubman has a gross of 2000kg and weighs in at 500kg, you'll need a twin axle trailer for the car and probably a 16ft bed.
Having been through a similar decision process last year, I ended up buying a new Woodford trailer when I could not find the right one second hand.
Having spoken to a few other people, there did seem to be a consensus that at BJ trailers you are just another sale, whereas Woodford seem to be very personal and customer focussed. e.g. longer ramps and winch were negotiated into the price.
Enjoy your track days
Having spoken to a few other people, there did seem to be a consensus that at BJ trailers you are just another sale, whereas Woodford seem to be very personal and customer focussed. e.g. longer ramps and winch were negotiated into the price.
Enjoy your track days
rdjohn said:
Having been through a similar decision process last year, I ended up buying a new Woodford trailer when I could not find the right one second hand.
Having spoken to a few other people, there did seem to be a consensus that at BJ trailers you are just another sale, whereas Woodford seem to be very personal and customer focussed. e.g. longer ramps and winch were negotiated into the price.
Enjoy your track days
Good stuff, prices seem better as wellHaving spoken to a few other people, there did seem to be a consensus that at BJ trailers you are just another sale, whereas Woodford seem to be very personal and customer focussed. e.g. longer ramps and winch were negotiated into the price.
Enjoy your track days
http://www.woodfordtrailers.com/car-trailer-lightw...
very suprised to be honest, it towed 23 tree stumps out of the ground ok...I'm looking for a towcar at the moment, for a similar weight. On my list are:
Audi A6 quattro - 2100kg for 2.8 and 2.5tdi up to 2300 for 2.7t allroad (mk1 tows 1900 kg across the board)
Saab 9-5 - 1800kg
Subaru Forrester S-turbo - again varies by engine size, s-turbo tows 1800kg
Also looking at a Nissan Patrol which takes 3500kg on the long wheelbase.
Audi A6 quattro - 2100kg for 2.8 and 2.5tdi up to 2300 for 2.7t allroad (mk1 tows 1900 kg across the board)
Saab 9-5 - 1800kg
Subaru Forrester S-turbo - again varies by engine size, s-turbo tows 1800kg
Also looking at a Nissan Patrol which takes 3500kg on the long wheelbase.
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