Trailering to Track Days and Race Meetings

[timbarber]

Have posted this on the 64RS site too but thought there might be quite of few of you guys that might have good advice for me.

Having just purchased a race prepared SC, I'm now trying to find the right trailer for it (and the 64RS - but not at the same time!). I'm a complete trailer virgin and need to pick the brains of you trailering "old hands", particularly to and from events. What's your advice on the best way to go (without spending a fortune) so it's relatively easy to load and unload yourself:

- tilt bed versus flat and ramps for either
- winch or not
- wheel and fuel carrying: in towing vehicle or on trailer rack
- any other features that you think are especially useful

I borrowed a (four wheel) trailer to pick up the car. I have a non-turbo 2 litre Subaru Forrester. Standing starts and hills were a fair challenge (once could smell burning clutch on an inclined standing start) but the car coped OK although 60mph on the flat seemed about as hard as it would pull or as fast as I felt comfortable to drive. Initially I was getting quite a bit of oscillation above 50mph but moving the car forward by 9 inches or so meant that this was usually OK to about 60mph. Going downhill often seemed to set off the rocking from side to side too. Regarding towing:

- how do you know whether the vehicle is strong enough to tow the loaded trailer?
- is there anything you can do to reduce the oscillation, it feels as though it could go out of control quite easily and that would make a big mess! It's also bloody hard work!
- does reversing and steering the trailers backwards just come with practice? It's not coming naturally to me yet and unfortunately I live in a cul-de-sac and have no in and out drive
- what's the best way to hitch up? Reversing the car up to the trailer it's difficult to get things lined up, particularly as you can't see what you're doing! Are there any good gadgets or suggestions to help with this?

Any tips welcome and if anyone knows of a good suitable second hand trailer, please let me know.

 

[Nick Moss]

Hi Tim

I have a tilt bed trailer, much easier to load and quiter running (no rattling ramps) than my old ramped trailer. Make sure you have a winch, doesn't need to be electric, just in case you can't drivethe car for some reason [8|].

You did have the car on the trailer backwards didn't you? I would say that the Subaru is a bit on the small side to tow a 911, I used to use my BMW 330D, a V8 Disco, a Peugeot TD 806 and now use my Renault Trafic TD. All good tow vehicles. I have never put extra stuff on the trailer, but some have racks for tyres etc. Check the handbook to see what the rated trailer weight is, you could get in trouble with the police if you are overloaded.

I'm sure Melv with speak up shortly, he is the real high mileage trailer boy []

 

[timbarber]

Nick

Thanks for the feedback. Yes I did have the car loaded on backwards.

 

[jamescharnley]

I did quite a bit of towing with my Subaru forester. The High / Low box was extrmely usefull for getting everything rolling. With a standard twinaxle tipper I found things to be fine, but even then I needed to keep things below 65mph. I also towed a fully inclosed race shuttle and TBH the suabru just wasn't upto the job. The Subaru is too light a car & the trailer was all over the place.. The Subaru is just too light full stop & I would look at geting a better towcar.

My Audi A4 Tdi is a much better tow car ( except for the FWD ). A quattro version would be much better.

One of the best towing cars I had was A LR Disco .

 

[Alex Postan]

I use either my Mazda E2000 van or my Peugeot V6 406 estate. The van is best for away races since you can put most of the workshop in together with all the cool boxes, barbies and general clutter that you can think of. Peugeot tows like a dream at highly illegal speeds and at times you can forget that your are towing. Both the van and the estate are worth under £2500 each and represent bang for buck
I don't dare contemplate two wheel trailers. Two wheels bad four wheels good. Keep as light as possible and carry the weight of wheels and spares in the tow car or van. Tilt bed is fine but it adds weight and cost.
The Mazda Van is only 2 litres but it will tow happily at 60-65; I thought Subarus were meant to be quick?
Trailer spec: Winch, front jockey wheel, spare wheel.
After 35 years of towing racing cars, I am still crap at reversing.
Store it securely, they disappear!

 

[Nick Moss]

Trailer reversinging is a knack, you either have it or you don't. I never look over my shoulder (pointless in a van anyway []) always use the mirrors. One trick is to move the bottom of the steering wheel the way you want the trailer to move. Agree with Alex, I wouldn't even consider a 2 wheeler for a 911, fine for a motorbike, Mini or Caterham but you need 4 wheels. James is right about FWD, you get wheel spinn just when you don't need it, get rear or 4 WD. A good tow vehicle and trailer setup will tow happily at 85, but don't get caught at that speed (the limit is 60) and don't use the 3rd lane of a motorway.

 

[DESMO16]

Hi Tim,
I nearly always trailer my 993RS and have done for many years (keeps milage down, plus nice to smoke home in comfort after a day at the track[])

I use a Brian James twin axle, just reverse the car on and off you go!!!
It is so stable, no swaying and towing it with X5 diesel it cruises at motorway speeds (in Germany[&:])


John

 

[paul howells]

Hi Tim
I take it you got home ok
Re trailer wobble etc,it can be down to tyre pressures of trailer and tow barge,not enough weight in the tow barge,or its not man enough for the job.
Also tow hitch height is critticle
I used to make graham carry all the tools,fuel and wheels in the back of the pick for extra weight/stability.
The other good peice of kit is a trailer anti wobble bar,mounts on the trailer like a leaf spring,or you can get one in the ball hitch.They do work very well,and a etra peice of security for you..Cna get from any caravan or trailer supplies.
Go to a field with some cones and a empty trailer,and practice the reversing.
An y problems or questions with the car etc call me or Graham on his mobile.

 

[hunter]

Paula, abusing the young lad again ,poor boy has to do it all, carry the kit ,unload the car AND set the qulifying time....

 

[paul howells]

Hi Hunter
He did not get fastel lap this time,the oh man put the boy in his place for now.
But he can change a fan belt quickly though!!!!

 

[timbarber]

Thanks for all the feedback. I hope to end up with a safe solution that isn't going to cost me a fortune.

 

[Melv]

"James is right about FWD, you get wheel spin just when you don't need it"

That's the prob I get with my Fiat Ducato based motorhome -can get torque steer even in the dry!![]

 

[Helen Goff]

can highly recommend a Cayenne for trailering but it was costing us afortune so it had to go...


we replaced it with a (don't laugh)3ltr diesel Vauxhall Signum.. its just about man anough for the job. not quite as comftable for long trips but isless than a quarter of the cost to buy, run, insure.. so we are happy. []

ok not quite a race car being trailered but at least it a porsche []

 

[Melv]

Nice trailer Helen!

Shame about the car...[]