I'm looking at trailers and more, and am trying to work out whats best.
I've seen some bolt on tow-balls for the front end of a bug, has anyone here had experience with them or know if they are legal? (NSW)
The other option of course is a trailer, found alot out there like one called a Kwik-Load the best but that will cost...
1303Steve ·
Hi
If the car still has rego you can A frame it. Not legal in all states.
Steve
Craig Torrens ·
just remember if you use an A frame you're still wearing out tyres, shocks, bushes, etc etc as the car is still driving/rolling on the road...........and if you have an accident or a gearbox failure how do you get it home ?
When I was racing I used a single axle light weight trailer......it towed like a dream, and was easy to load with longer ramps..............it cost about $1700 in materials to make.
1303Steve ·
Hi
The A frame is an issue with a bent or broken car, the tyre wear etc would be negligible as there would be no power, steering or braking effort from the towed car, like how often do you need to replace tyres on a trailer.
I'm looking into building a lightweight single axle car trailer as well, light enough to tow the Beetle with our Skyline and for our Prado to tow the Skyline.
I've been researching trailer bits online and found these useful links.
There is trailer guy on eBay is called spinny_things, he's pretty competitive price wise
the A frame is the best method
just make up a light plate u can tie up to the rear bumper that operates off the tow vehicle
Craig Torrens ·
or you can connect a wire loom into the beetles fuse box so the VW's light work when towing 👍
HappyDaze ·
Hey Colin, ask your old man about towing his FJ Holden with an A frame - behind a clapped-out ex-cab FC.😎 They had to 'light up' the FJ to push the tow car up the big hills.🙄
Cheers, Greg
matberry ·
I agree with the trailer, single axle, nice and light. It all adds up in weight that the tow car has to pull and stop.
Last trailer discussion on avd, a lot of people were saying they are unsafe if you have tyre issues etc (on the trailer) compared to a dual axle, I say, bollocks, I have been overtaking a vehicle towing a car trailer with my kombi also towing a car trailer, when the guy I was passing lost the wheel and axle (stub axle broke) while I was alongside. Apart from a shower of bitumen, no issues, no flipping trailers etc etc.
The effort required to flip a trailer with a car strapped to it is more than you imagine.
The difference in weight and maneuverability is heaps, unless you want to be able to have large vehicles on the trailer.
My 2c.
HappyDaze ·
That's about spot-on, Matt.
Having done a bit of trailer towing, I might suggest using 'light truck' tyres, and ALWAYS carry a spare wheel. I take a 'trailer kit' along too, with a jack, wheel spanner, bearing kit, plug adapters, D shackles, etc.
Cheers, Greg
Camo ·
HappyDaze wrote:I might suggest using 'light truck' tyres, and ALWAYS carry a spare wheel. I take a 'trailer kit' along too, with a jack, wheel spanner, bearing kit, plug adapters, D shackles, etc.
Great advice and sounds like words of wisdom or someone that found out the hard way 😂
Once bitten, twice shy 👍
Kev
sander288 ·
can anyone reccomend a good trailer company for a single axle job? I don't have the expertise to construct one myself unfortunately...
Craig Torrens ·
here's a pic of mine....well the only pic I could find !
71-BEETLE-SEDAN ·
nice car, nice scenery everything.
Ssnder i do believe that steve carter was looking at some good trailer companies, pm him but i say he will be on here soon enoght.
matberry ·
HappyDaze wrote:That's about spot-on, Matt.
Cheers, Greg
Says the guy with the ultimate towing bullock...a T5
My trailer is very light, a little too small as a beetle only just fits, mind you I've put a kombi or two on it as well 🙂
HappyDaze ·
You're right about the T5 Matt - the best tow vehicle I've ever had. All 400 of those Newton Metres are good friends to me.😁
sander288 ·
Hey craig does your trailer come with the car, i'll give you $100.. 👍😂
Craig Torrens ·
I would hate to rip you off......so I decline your offer 😂👎
colin ·
HappyDaze wrote:Hey Colin, ask your old man about towing his FJ Holden with an A frame - behind a clapped-out ex-cab FC.😎 They had to 'light up' the FJ to push the tow car up the big hills.🙄
Cheers, Greg
Dad has never shared that story with me.
I will ask him.
Cheers Col
1303Steve ·
Hi
There is a single axle trailer in Nowra on eBay at the moment, its been taken off an put back on again. item # 230492730102
Matt and Craig: are you trailers sprung or solid mounted axles?
I like the look of what you have there and am thinking of building something similar down the track... once I put some proper cage in the car... 😏
love to see some more pics of them.
HappyDaze ·
Solid mount axle is not so good for a race car, as it means that the car's suspension does ALL the work. If you don't back off your (expensive) shocks before towing, they won't last long.😢
1303Steve ·
Hi
Just looking at spinny things on eBay
Mechanical Disc Brake Kit - Boat Caravan Car Trailer $381.00
includes 1 x Galvanised 2000kg mechanical over-ride coupling - suits a standard 50mm towball
2 x Galvanised 1/2" 5-stud disc hubs with standard bearings and marine seals - available in Ford, HT/Early Holden, HQ Holden, or Commodore stud patterns
8 mtrs x 4mm galvanised brake cable and 4x clamps
1 x Galvanised brake cable adjuster
2 x Threaded mounting plates for 39mm round, 45mm & 40mm square
2 x Galvanised mechanical calipers - suit 1/2" & 5/8" discs - with mounting screws and brake pads
1 x Galvanised standard A-frame handbrake to suit override coupling OR boat trailer hand brake
Axle, around $170
Mudguards $73
+ lights, Jockey wheel and steel to make it all.
Steve
FROSTY ·
I picked up an old boat trailer and put a new top on it....The axle, springs, discs brakes and wheels were still ok
matberry ·
HappyDaze wrote:Solid mount axle is not so good for a race car, as it means that the car's suspension does ALL the work. If you don't back off your (expensive) shocks before towing, they won't last long.😢
X 2. I wouldn't contemplate a non sprung trailer. Other than what Greg has mentioned, it would not only kill your race car, but a lightweight trailer would fatigue very quickly and would not last long.
pete wood ·
fair enough.
frosty, noice rat trailer to go with the rat bug. 😂
Craig Torrens ·
pete wood wrote:Matt and Craig: are you trailers sprung or solid mounted axles?
I like the look of what you have there and am thinking of building something similar down the track... once I put some proper cage in the car... 😏
love to see some more pics of them.
Mine is sprung.......I will get some more pics this week for you.
BrisDubba ·
We have both single and dual axle trailers for the toys and the single axle wins hands down everytime with a small vehicle such as a beetle. They both have electric brakes, with the single being lowered and the dual a tilting. The single tracks very well and was made to carry dubs with the axle towards the rear so it is very well balanced. I have had Kombis on it, FJs and the occassional fiat.
Oh and the Fiat is deceptively larger than a Beetle - which I was surprised at. The Beetle fits on the trailer with about a foot spare to the front and rear.
Mine is a trac-well which is made up the north coast.
If you have a look at the Formula Vee website they often have trailers for sale as good prices, just bear in mind the Beetle is a little heavier than a Vee - but I have seen some nice trailers on their website which were priced well.
Cheers
Peter
1303Steve ·
Hi
Where I live the land is bit a bit uneven, when I've borrowed dual axle trailers if they are not on the car tow car they just bury the coupling in the ground.
Are you into Fiats as well as dubs. I have friend in the Fiat scene in Sydney, Neil Ruxton.
Steve
BrisDubba ·
Must be the way it was built, mine sits flat without the jockey wheel- but for safety sake the jockey wheel is always on when not coupled.
As for the scene, yep have a Spider and the BC and CC coupes, but dont really know anyone. They are great little cars and cheaper than vw's ...
Aussie Dubbin ·
Interesting read lads👍
hellbugged ·
Stanley and Peter Page had threads as they built their trailers
worse thing about big dual axle trailers is finding something able to tow them👎
HappyDaze ·
T5👍
JVLRacing ·
where r u blokes storing gear goin to the tracks? spare tires etc....
HappyDaze ·
In the T5! 😂 Sorry to keep on about it.😊
JVLRacing ·
HappyDaze wrote:In the T5! 😂 Sorry to keep on about it.😊
😎😂
matberry ·
JVLRacing wrote:where r u blokes storing gear goin to the tracks? spare tires etc....
In the T3..🙁
I have a large storage area under the bed, but there's never enough room for everything.
Tools, spares, jack and stands, personal gear, food cooking gear.....tents and shelter for the car......
inevitably some ends up in the race car, I found it good to incorporate jerry can racks on the trailer to carry extra fuel as it's often needed and a pain to have in the tow car.
sander288 ·
Trailer found, do guys reckon a Bug would go on the back? it's for a Vee so i'm thinking so
On the note of tow vehicles mine will be a Tiguan 125 (280 Nm - not a T5 sized 400...🙁)
HappyDaze ·
That looks like it could be OK for a Bug, as the axle seems to be back far enough. Check your tow ball weight (should be on the tow-bar), and move the car to get near that figure. Tow ball weight is NOT the towing capacity!
I towed my Vee on a similar trailer behind a stock 1500 Beetle🙂 A bit slow up the hills, but just left home a bit earlier.😏
Cheers, Greg
sander288 ·
talked to the owner, it was sold... but he said the GVM was 750kg (including the trailer) so not suitable... oh well, I think this time I'll get the A-frame and tow and save for a trailer later in the year, to be honest the shocks are clapped and the rest of the car isn't that special
hellbugged ·
JVLRacing wrote:where r u blokes storing gear goin to the tracks? spare tires etc....
😂
matberry ·
That trailer wouldn't have worked, sides too high, you wouldn't be able to open the doors, a major hassle.
hellbugged ·
matberry wrote:That trailer wouldn't have worked, sides too high, you wouldn't be able to open the doors, a major hassle.
yep important!
Aussie Dubbin ·
Hellbuged, any chance of some pics of your car and your rollbar to go with the other thread??? maybe even PM and email