Truck or Trailer - Pro's & Con's please
Discussion
Just getting started in a bit of car racing and I'm conflicted over the best and/or most cost effective way of getting around. I can drive a 7.5T and have been looking at a couple of Merc Atego types, with tail lift and a very useful hydraulic ramp inside (great for any repair works I guess), but I'm also wondering whether it isn't easier or cheaper to just hook up a decent BJ RS5 or similar to a carthorse 4x4 (such as a RR, LR, Mitsu, or similar), that way you can leave the trailer and drive to where you're staying. I guess a truck with a sleeper cab would solve all, but can you get a decent nights rest in these before racing the next day? Do you think there's a market for a bit of moonlighting by offering car and race car transportation to others in need? Some insight from the experienced ones out there would be hugely helpful and much appreciated.
I think you've got all the pros and cons pretty much in your head already. Personally, I like the paddock atmosphere so always want to stay and beer / BBq there if possible. Also a big awning helps so for me I can easily justify a truck
A truck can be made as comfortable as you want but I have slept in sleeper cabs comfortably
Also, when you get home you can wait a day or 2 before unloading, much harder with a trailer
A truck can be made as comfortable as you want but I have slept in sleeper cabs comfortably
Also, when you get home you can wait a day or 2 before unloading, much harder with a trailer
I currently tow a trailer behind a motorhome,not quite the same as a race truck but it has a large garage to fit all tools, fuel cans etc in (spare wheels live on rack on trailer) , tows happily at 60+, wind out awning and provides comfortable living quarters in the paddock.
The trouble i found with staying at nearby guest house, hotels is the stupidley early start required to get a place in the paddock and unload etc,
Much prefer to get unloaded and set up camp ready for next day, takes some pressure off and as said its a nice atmosphere in the paddock,
Also has the added advantage that we can go on holiday in it
The trouble i found with staying at nearby guest house, hotels is the stupidley early start required to get a place in the paddock and unload etc,
Much prefer to get unloaded and set up camp ready for next day, takes some pressure off and as said its a nice atmosphere in the paddock,
Also has the added advantage that we can go on holiday in it
R TOY said:
I currently tow a trailer behind a motorhome,not quite the same as a race truck but it has a large garage to fit all tools, fuel cans etc in (spare wheels live on rack on trailer) , tows happily at 60+, wind out awning and provides comfortable living quarters in the paddock.
The trouble i found with staying at nearby guest house, hotels is the stupidley early start required to get a place in the paddock and unload etc,
Much prefer to get unloaded and set up camp ready for next day, takes some pressure off and as said its a nice atmosphere in the paddock,
Also has the added advantage that we can go on holiday in it
I know someone who does this. Seems perfect and covers all bases, other than the added cost of a decent MH over an old truck! Must re-think the seasons budget now. Thanks.The trouble i found with staying at nearby guest house, hotels is the stupidley early start required to get a place in the paddock and unload etc,
Much prefer to get unloaded and set up camp ready for next day, takes some pressure off and as said its a nice atmosphere in the paddock,
Also has the added advantage that we can go on holiday in it
Ive tried it all towing with open trailer staying at guest houses, towing a close trailer, sleeping in tents but i. much prefer my truck. Sleeper cab, 8 ft living in the box with cooker and sink etc. garage for the car, tail lift and awning all for less than a covered trailer.
Insurance is a feww hundred quid a bit of road tax and 16 mpg out of a 96 merc 814
It fits on my drive behind the house so out of the way and the car tends yo live in it over the winter and i even work on the car in it.
Weight can be an issue though and next time id look for somethibgvwith beaver tail rather than lift, although it would be more difficult tobwork in. With some stands the tail lift makes a great 4 post lift !
Insurance is a feww hundred quid a bit of road tax and 16 mpg out of a 96 merc 814
It fits on my drive behind the house so out of the way and the car tends yo live in it over the winter and i even work on the car in it.
Weight can be an issue though and next time id look for somethibgvwith beaver tail rather than lift, although it would be more difficult tobwork in. With some stands the tail lift makes a great 4 post lift !
Guy's, how does the towing cap work when using a motorhome? Does both MH and trailer have their own seperate caps? If I'm pulling say an RS5 covered trailer on twin axle, a 900kg car with spare set of wheels etc, what is the min size of MH I would need? Would this Mercedes Rapido 972M 2.7 do it for example?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Rapido-972M-2-7...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Rapido-972M-2-7...
Motor homes can be marginal with towing capacity. they are also expensive.
American RV's are great if you only want to go to circuits...They are not so good for touring in scotland.
Trucks are good if you have somewhere to keep them but essentially just add up to an extra vehicle you have to mot tax and insure without much annual use.
On a budget I have an A Max which I had professionally covered. I then looked for a van with excellent towing capacity and power, easy to drive, and something comfy to sleep in since tents wear a bit thin after a while.
I went left field and settled on a B250 Dodge day van, which has all the benefits of american power but is small enough to not be a burden every other day. The dodge cost me about £10k all in to buy, refurb, paint and fit out professionally with Hob, sink, sattelite TV etc.. You could probably do the same with a VW T5 etc but towing capacity won't be as good.
Will post some pics when I get home.
N.
I went this route since..More space, but not too much more, Wheels right at back, better for towing, 5.2 V8, Plenty of grunt. it also has Auto, Cruise, Air con and is very relaxing and lazy to drive. You can pick them up very cheaply. On its own I am getting early 20,s, Will see what we get when I start towing but certainly isn,t excessive on Juice.
N.
American RV's are great if you only want to go to circuits...They are not so good for touring in scotland.
Trucks are good if you have somewhere to keep them but essentially just add up to an extra vehicle you have to mot tax and insure without much annual use.
On a budget I have an A Max which I had professionally covered. I then looked for a van with excellent towing capacity and power, easy to drive, and something comfy to sleep in since tents wear a bit thin after a while.
I went left field and settled on a B250 Dodge day van, which has all the benefits of american power but is small enough to not be a burden every other day. The dodge cost me about £10k all in to buy, refurb, paint and fit out professionally with Hob, sink, sattelite TV etc.. You could probably do the same with a VW T5 etc but towing capacity won't be as good.
Will post some pics when I get home.
N.
I went this route since..More space, but not too much more, Wheels right at back, better for towing, 5.2 V8, Plenty of grunt. it also has Auto, Cruise, Air con and is very relaxing and lazy to drive. You can pick them up very cheaply. On its own I am getting early 20,s, Will see what we get when I start towing but certainly isn,t excessive on Juice.
N.
Edited by heightswitch on Saturday 24th November 09:20
We have done hotels, motorhome with trailer and are now looking into 7.5t trucks.
I much prefere motorhome and trailer to hotels, a wet and windy weekend at a circuit is SO much more enjoyable with your own warm, dry space. The paddock atmosphere is always nice and i like a late night walk or cycle around the track. I find myself a bit restless at a local hotel as im eager to get back to the track. Obviously it depends on the motorhome and bed but i sleep as well in ours as i do anywhere.
We are looking into a truck as we have expanded to two cars so can't transport them with our current set up. Weve never had a problem with the motorhome and trailer solution and if we hadnt expanded we would happily stay with it.
The other thing i would say is if there are any wives/girlfriends/children involved a motorhome can make a big difference as to how enjoyable they find it. I remember myself as a young child the meetings without a motorhome could be a real drag, especially cold and wet ones.
I much prefere motorhome and trailer to hotels, a wet and windy weekend at a circuit is SO much more enjoyable with your own warm, dry space. The paddock atmosphere is always nice and i like a late night walk or cycle around the track. I find myself a bit restless at a local hotel as im eager to get back to the track. Obviously it depends on the motorhome and bed but i sleep as well in ours as i do anywhere.
We are looking into a truck as we have expanded to two cars so can't transport them with our current set up. Weve never had a problem with the motorhome and trailer solution and if we hadnt expanded we would happily stay with it.
The other thing i would say is if there are any wives/girlfriends/children involved a motorhome can make a big difference as to how enjoyable they find it. I remember myself as a young child the meetings without a motorhome could be a real drag, especially cold and wet ones.
Hi Mark, we use a motorhome, covered trailer and marquee. My wife and family come to all the meetings so it really makes a huge difference. We thought about getting a truck but by the time it would have been fitted out with all the home comforts a MH can offer there would have been no room left for the car!!!!!! We also had nowhere to store it.
Yes, motorhomes are expensive but do hold their value well. The car happily lives in the trailer which also doubles as additional sleeping space for the kids when the car is in the marquee at the race meets
The car / trailer weighs in at 1820kg, the MH is plated to tow 2 tonnes so we are just about in with that. I also had the 2.8L JTD engine chipped up so it easily copes with towing
It all works for us...........
Yes, motorhomes are expensive but do hold their value well. The car happily lives in the trailer which also doubles as additional sleeping space for the kids when the car is in the marquee at the race meets
The car / trailer weighs in at 1820kg, the MH is plated to tow 2 tonnes so we are just about in with that. I also had the 2.8L JTD engine chipped up so it easily copes with towing
It all works for us...........
YRRunner said:
Guy's, Would this Mercedes Rapido 972M 2.7 do it ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Rapido-972M-2-7...
Wow, you dont mess around http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Rapido-972M-2-7...
You need to check(or ask the seller to check) the weights plate /sticker.
eg/ on mine..
4005kg = total laden weight of vehicle or Max Allowable Mass (Mam )
6505kg = total train weight inc trailer and everything.
1-2100kg = max loading front axle
2-2400kg = max loading rear axle
3- = max loading 3rd axle (if your lucky enough to have one)
So this means i can load my motorhome up to a max of 4005kg and theoretically still tow a trailer upto 2500kgs.
In practise of course the trailer would add weight to the van so this has to be included in the MAM and of course the max rear axle loading.
The Swift handbook advises a 1700kg max tow limit for my model, i tow an Elise /BJ trailer weighing total 1500kg (ish) but i know people who tow Bmw M3's which must be 2t +
I found a lot of m'homes with very low tow capacities, especially the twin rear axle ones !
There is also a rule that if the rear overhang is more than 60% of the wheel base then it cant tow !
I dont know it this rule is ever applied but i have chose to ignore it as mine is on the limit.
You dont need to run a tacho on a 7.5 tonner as its for private use. having said that though I do put a tacho in everytime I use it, as well as keeping a driving and checks log book. on the basis if I get stopped I have something to show them to keep them happy.
Obviously I dont keep all the tacho disks that show it maxed out at 80mph down the motorways and auto routes in the cab.
As a cost example my 1995 merc 814 400k kms 1.5 ton alloy tail lift, 24 ft box sleeper cab, side door, 8ft living compartment
full 24ft* 20 ft commercial motorsport style awning etc cost 5k 3 years ago and nothing else other than tax, insurance and test.
I also average 16 mpg
G
Obviously I dont keep all the tacho disks that show it maxed out at 80mph down the motorways and auto routes in the cab.
As a cost example my 1995 merc 814 400k kms 1.5 ton alloy tail lift, 24 ft box sleeper cab, side door, 8ft living compartment
full 24ft* 20 ft commercial motorsport style awning etc cost 5k 3 years ago and nothing else other than tax, insurance and test.
I also average 16 mpg
G
simes43 said:
It does depend on what car you are racing, where
you live in relation to the circuits, the type of championship
format and finally if you are a light sleeper!
TVR Tuscan Challenge Car, circa 900kg max.you live in relation to the circuits, the type of championship
format and finally if you are a light sleeper!
Leeds, and therefore no where near most of the series circuits except Oulton (and maybe Donington, if they pull their finger out and add it back on for 2013). So, yes, a lot of travelling down to southern circuits, BH, Sil, Rock, Snett.
Sleeps like a log, usually, except Le Mans 24hr and long haul flights!
R TOY said:
YRRunner said:
Guy's, Would this Mercedes Rapido 972M 2.7 do it ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Rapido-972M-2-7...
Wow, you dont mess around http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Rapido-972M-2-7...
I've been chasing the right car for over 18 months now, so forgive me if I'm sounding manic. Now I have the car (which needs an engine rebuild and is gonna take a while), I'm trying to get the rest of my sh
it together, ready for next season. I have a budget I'm trying to work to, and this is by no means of "deep pockets", more a case of just fulfilling a lifetimes dream. I've seen some of the champagne Charlie's showing off their off track 'kit' in the paddock. Personally, I think the money is best spent on track not off it. I'm simply trying to work out where I'm going to get most use, out of least spent. You guys have been brilliant with your assistance and opinions BTW, and you R TOY have been brilliant in shedding light on the complicated weight stuff. 
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