How does everyone racing get to the track?

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...

Hi

If the car still has rego you can A frame it. Not legal in all states.

Steve

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.

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

Also look at these sites http://www.astss.com.au/  and http://www.etrailerparts.com.au 


Steve

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

or you can connect a wire loom into the beetles fuse box so the VW's light work when towing

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

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.

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

can anyone reccomend a good trailer company for a single axle job? I don't have the expertise to construct one myself unfortunately...

here's a pic of mine....well the only pic I could find !

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.

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.

Hey craig does your trailer come with the car, i'll give you $100..

I would hate to rip you off......so I decline your offer

Quote:

Originally posted by 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

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

Steve

http://www.my105.com  try there for trailers

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.

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.

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

I picked up an old boat trailer and put a new top on it....The axle, springs, discs brakes and wheels were still ok

Quote:

Originally posted by 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.

fair enough.

frosty, noice rat trailer to go with the rat bug.

Quote:

Originally posted by pete wood 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.

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

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

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 ...