Trailers - Buy / Rent - and how much to pay?

[A911DOM]

Im seriously considering buying a trailer, trying to weigh up against having to hire one occasionally, and then having to rent for multiple days so Im not rushing to get the thing back to the rental company.

I have a track 944 which I'd like to be able to move about (its not road legal), but I'm hoping to get my teeth into some other projects soon too (which no doubt will involve non MOT'd or non Taxed motors).

So, what sort of trailer is best - Im assuming the twin axle with as low a centre of gravity as possible and something thats braked?

And - how much should I expect to pay? I had a nose round on ebay and in the classifieds here, but the prices seem to be all over the place and some of the trailers look pretty shoddy at the lower end of the market.

Could I seriously expect to get a decent trailer for under 500 quid?

Thanks in advance!

[agent006]

I rent one, mainly as I can't be doing with storing it and having it nicked. Costs £40 per day or £60 for a weekend for a trailer that would be the best part of 3 grand to buy.

[Jerry Can]

if you have the room and somewhere to store it, purchase a trailer. I would get a branded ( well known ) one as some of those self built specials i wouldn't tow to the end of my drive. I recently sold a single axle bj a series trailer for £720 on fleabay, approx £70 more than I paid for it 5 years earlier.

I suggest you pay about a grand, look after it and it will be worth that whenever you come to sell it. It is almost a non depreciating, and sometimes increasing asset.

[Jimblebob]

You don't say where you are but I used to use Helpful Hirings in Thame before I got a trailer. A 13 foot Ifor Williams trailer from them is £25 + vat for a day and the rate comes down the more days you have it for. They can do 16 foot Brian Jameses for 30+vat.

You'll struggle to get something decent for under £500 and some of the cheap trailers out there look quite dangerous. If you can stretch to about a grand for something from a reputable company you'll get your money back when you sell it and it'll be safer to use.

[Conor D]

This is not good.. I've been thinking about tracking a car for a long time, but I wouldn't be able to insure it to drive it to and from the track..

I always thought about trailering one, but couldn't spend that much on a trailer.. But if you can rent them for that cheap?!

I hope I really don't enjoy Palmersport at Bedford next week, or I could have a very expensive few months..

[A911DOM]

Thanks for the responses... Its what I was thinking really.

Im not blessed with the choice of hire companies due to my location, but they work out around 50 notes a day here from my initial investigations and it doesnt get any cheaper having them for longer - No loyalty scheme here

It was the fact that if I manage to get myself a resto project (and hopefully more thereafter) then I'll want to move the track car, and the projects about without the time constraints of hiring for multiple days and the bill getting out of hand.

I'll keep my eyes peeled on ebay etc, and if anyone knows of a decent trailer that'll take my 944 (around 1000kg or so now), then please drop me a PM. (South/South East England preferred).

[t11ner]

I paid £750 for a tilt bed Brian James trailer - top spec piece of kit but it is old and had been very well used, it's cost me more than the same again over the last 18 months to keep it up to standard.

[A911DOM]

t11ner said:

I paid £750 for a tilt bed Brian James trailer - top spec piece of kit but it is old and had been very well used, it's cost me more than the same again over the last 18 months to keep it up to standard.

Dont say that, what if the Mrs see's the thread

[pikeyboy]

Jerry Can said:

if you have the room and somewhere to store it, purchase a trailer. I would get a branded ( well known ) one as some of those self built specials i wouldn't tow to the end of my drive. I recently sold a single axle bj a series trailer for £720 on fleabay, approx £70 more than I paid for it 5 years earlier.

I suggest you pay about a grand, look after it and it will be worth that whenever you come to sell it. It is almost a non depreciating, and sometimes increasing asset.

couldnt have put it better my self. i bought a minno shuttle for the caterham for 2600 quid I wont ever loose money on that, and they tow so well too.

[Vixpy1]

Check the providence of the ones in the classifieds, alot of them are nicked

[pontypool]

Does anyone know of a place in South Bucks/Berks that will hire a trailer that has got good long skids?

The car in question is an Austin Healey with a ground clearance under the side exhaust of about 3 inches and so essential the angle up on to the bed is as minimal as possible.

Hopefully it will be going to a first track-day at end of August

[Greg_D]

I started off with an Ebay special, and only the other day, upgraded to a Brian James Clubman tilt bed. The difference is night and day.

My cheapo will be going on ebay again in a couple of days and i expect i will make a small profit over what i paid for it.

Be warned though, a lot of the cheapo's are made from caravan chassis and aren't really wide enough or long enough to take a wide car, my mx5 is fine on it, but the single seater really struggles to get on.

you gets what you pays for though, my cheapo cost £300, my new one was £2k+

make sure you buy a 'proper' car trailer and not a homebrew special

Greg

[prg1]

Anyone know of anywhere to hire on in the Chester area? Looking to trailer a 205 gti. I Would buy one but space is an issue.

[joe_90]

I got mine after borrowing a BJ trailer a few times.
I managed to get this for 400 quid, its not the most prettiest, its not a BJ, but it works fine. Its also lighter to pull that the BJ trailer, and perfect for what I want really... Yes, a BJ would be that bit better, and maybe have some kudos..

It took a while to get this, it sold on ebay a couple of times before for 1k ish, but i made an offer, was 10 mins away and said I would be there tmw evening with cash.

It has suspension and brakes..

Im not sure why, but people selling trailers seemed to get messed about more than other auctions.



and no, it 2 inches too high to fit in the garage

[Jerry Can]

i hope you're not towing that beemer and trailer with that Honda?

[joe_90]

Jerry Can said:

i hope you're not towing that beemer and trailer with that Honda?

Sometimes.. why.. never been an issue, and it should be under the weight limit.. and never been stopped, and been past the police/followed a number of times (as they are going about there business).

Edited by joe_90 on Tuesday 26th April 09:23

[BertBert]

I'd be surprised if together they come in under 1800kg.

[joe_90]

BertBert said:

I'd be surprised if together they come in under 1800kg.

it was my concern too, but the trailer is really light, much much more than a BJ trailer. I will double check and see.

[Jerry Can]

I think the towing weight of the honda is 1400 kg. I suspect a stripped out e36 is about 1100kg and that trailer is at least 300 kg. But thats before you put tool or tyres or fuel in the beemer. And as the trailer is made of wood itll get a lot heavier if it gets wet

[joe_90]

Jerry Can said:

I think the towing weight of the honda is 1400 kg. I suspect a stripped out e36 is about 1100kg and that trailer is at least 300 kg. But thats before you put tool or tyres or fuel in the beemer. And as the trailer is made of wood itll get a lot heavier if it gets wet

I will have a look and see, cheers. I initially thought it was 1800, but that looks to be the later shape (now I have gone back and had a look)

On a side note, its crazy what you do see people pulling.. I saw a renault Kango pulling a driftspec car the other day.