Track Trailer Project
02-03-2013, 10:05 AM
#1
Track Trailer Project
This is one you tow to the track with all your stuff. There are 880 threads with the word trailer in them, but other than a few references, not much data.
Pictures here are of a Harbor Freight 4'x8' folding trailer with 12" tires. You can save $15 and get the on with 8" tires, DONT!
Trailer is modeled after one pulled by Joe on the GA RX8 Club. The hitch, well you do not want to copy mine.
Added parts are 5/8" plywood, hardware to install same, D-Rings for tie downs from Lowes, and a box from Lowes for Jack and stuff like that. D-Rings except fro 2 all go to a trailer frame point through the wood. The ones under the tires go through a backing plate. The box on the front mounts to studs (longer inverted bolts) that replaced the bolts in the tongue. This makes it easy to remove for storage.
The goal was something to take tires, support equipment and a cooler as far as I cared to drive to support track days and HPDE. I wanted it large enough to also be able to set chairs on it to see over berms and get off the ground if desired (bugs, mud, rain, sand, ...)
Biggest issue was painting the wood. I used an oil based enamel and it soaked into the wood and took a week to dry. If I had it to do again, I would likely use half inch plywood for weight and because there are some restrictions on folding (bolt heads hit, had to counter sink the ones near the hinge).
The Finished Product:
Loaded for Track:
Stored in Garage:
On the Car:
The result passed the tow test, the sway test and the turn test. The trailer tracks wonderfully behind the car. I can see it if there is something on it and it is good to at least 65 mph. And 3 lawn chairs will fit on it.
Trailer was a Christmas present (but sells for around $300). Wood, Bolts, Washers, Nuts (for wood), D-Rings, Tie Straps, Paint and Box were less than $200.
Track Test results will be available in a few weeks. Heading to Roebling for PCA school.
Pictures here are of a Harbor Freight 4'x8' folding trailer with 12" tires. You can save $15 and get the on with 8" tires, DONT!
Trailer is modeled after one pulled by Joe on the GA RX8 Club. The hitch, well you do not want to copy mine.
Added parts are 5/8" plywood, hardware to install same, D-Rings for tie downs from Lowes, and a box from Lowes for Jack and stuff like that. D-Rings except fro 2 all go to a trailer frame point through the wood. The ones under the tires go through a backing plate. The box on the front mounts to studs (longer inverted bolts) that replaced the bolts in the tongue. This makes it easy to remove for storage.
The goal was something to take tires, support equipment and a cooler as far as I cared to drive to support track days and HPDE. I wanted it large enough to also be able to set chairs on it to see over berms and get off the ground if desired (bugs, mud, rain, sand, ...)
Biggest issue was painting the wood. I used an oil based enamel and it soaked into the wood and took a week to dry. If I had it to do again, I would likely use half inch plywood for weight and because there are some restrictions on folding (bolt heads hit, had to counter sink the ones near the hinge).
The Finished Product:
Loaded for Track:
Stored in Garage:
On the Car:
The result passed the tow test, the sway test and the turn test. The trailer tracks wonderfully behind the car. I can see it if there is something on it and it is good to at least 65 mph. And 3 lawn chairs will fit on it.
Trailer was a Christmas present (but sells for around $300). Wood, Bolts, Washers, Nuts (for wood), D-Rings, Tie Straps, Paint and Box were less than $200.
Track Test results will be available in a few weeks. Heading to Roebling for PCA school.
02-03-2013, 02:21 PM
#3
Rockie Mountain Newbie
There isn't an issue with the smaller tires.
I've owned that version for 6 years now, and have driven it to and from Denver/NYC multiple times, towing various motorcycles on it cross country behind my Nissan Altima, and never had a problem.
The one thing I did was I upgraded the lights on the trailer from the included standard bulbs to a set of LED submersible boat trailer lights. Less strain on the car's electrical system, and they light up a heck of a lot quicker/brighter, so people behind you react a smidge quicker when they decide to tail gate you on a cross country trip.
The 8" tires give the trailer a lower load height in order to load motorcycles easier than the 12" tires.
BC.
I've owned that version for 6 years now, and have driven it to and from Denver/NYC multiple times, towing various motorcycles on it cross country behind my Nissan Altima, and never had a problem.
The one thing I did was I upgraded the lights on the trailer from the included standard bulbs to a set of LED submersible boat trailer lights. Less strain on the car's electrical system, and they light up a heck of a lot quicker/brighter, so people behind you react a smidge quicker when they decide to tail gate you on a cross country trip.
The 8" tires give the trailer a lower load height in order to load motorcycles easier than the 12" tires.
BC.
02-03-2013, 02:32 PM
#4
On the smaller tires...
You lose a couple of hundred pounds of load, and those wheels are spinning awfully fast compared to the 12". I have lost trailer tires and once had what looked like a perfectly good hub explode. To me bigger is better. Also, you get bigger springs and, I think, bigger bearings for the extra $15. Also, you have more ground clearance with the 12" tires.
@ Blade, if it worked, great. The little ones spin over half again as fast as the big ones. Unless they are from Mazda, I like slow. I do like the LED light idea. I am tapped out right now, but in the future.....
You lose a couple of hundred pounds of load, and those wheels are spinning awfully fast compared to the 12". I have lost trailer tires and once had what looked like a perfectly good hub explode. To me bigger is better. Also, you get bigger springs and, I think, bigger bearings for the extra $15. Also, you have more ground clearance with the 12" tires.
@ Blade, if it worked, great. The little ones spin over half again as fast as the big ones. Unless they are from Mazda, I like slow. I do like the LED light idea. I am tapped out right now, but in the future.....
02-03-2013, 02:41 PM
#5
I prefer larger tires on a trailer. Not just because they spin slower. But, because they roll over bumps/cracks in the road better and create a smoother ride for the cargo. If your worried about height, that's what ramps are for.
Something you may want to add is a wood or metal form to hold additional gas cans. That will save you a trip(s) to the gas station on track days.
Something you may want to add is a wood or metal form to hold additional gas cans. That will save you a trip(s) to the gas station on track days.
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