| trhoppe | 02-28-2005 01:42 PM |
Question for people that tow about trailer length
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Is a 16ft trailer enough for a WRX or should I get an 18ft? I have a line on a good deal on a 16ft trailer and wanted to make sure it was long enough before I spend the $$.
-Tom
-Tom
| KC | 02-28-2005 01:47 PM |
I'll head home and measure how long my trailer is after work. It's fine for hauling the WRX these past couple years.
The big thing is how the car drives up (IMHO). I had to use blocks of wood to angle the ramps up a little higher.
--kC
The big thing is how the car drives up (IMHO). I had to use blocks of wood to angle the ramps up a little higher.
--kC
| trhoppe | 02-28-2005 01:50 PM |
This one has the "dovetail" thing that helps out with that.
[img]http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jorober5/trailer1.JPG[/img]
The WRX is apparently 14.4ft long according to carpoint. I wonder how it would work if the back wheels were somewhat on the dovetail part of the trailer rather then the totally horizontal part.
-Tom
[img]http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jorober5/trailer1.JPG[/img]
The WRX is apparently 14.4ft long according to carpoint. I wonder how it would work if the back wheels were somewhat on the dovetail part of the trailer rather then the totally horizontal part.
-Tom
| ratt_finkel | 02-28-2005 01:54 PM |
How long is the wheelbase in feet? Just go by that. And obviously, you don't want your front bumper resting on that bar, so measure that as well.
| KC | 02-28-2005 01:56 PM |
Tom, I would stay away from that trailer.
You want the car's weight distributed 50/50 over the axles with just a little extra weight forward of them to get just a tad additional tongue weight. (Too much in the rear, and the trailer will sway, too much on the tongue and the rear of the truck can be uncontrollable). The axles on that trailer are wayy too far back to tow a WRX. The tongue weight is going to be big with that trailer, loaded with a WRX.
I would check your towing vehicles tongue weight limits, they're going to need to be kinda high with that trailer. Not saying it can't be done, but I wouldn't tow a WRX with that trailer behind my Tahoe.
--kC
You want the car's weight distributed 50/50 over the axles with just a little extra weight forward of them to get just a tad additional tongue weight. (Too much in the rear, and the trailer will sway, too much on the tongue and the rear of the truck can be uncontrollable). The axles on that trailer are wayy too far back to tow a WRX. The tongue weight is going to be big with that trailer, loaded with a WRX.
I would check your towing vehicles tongue weight limits, they're going to need to be kinda high with that trailer. Not saying it can't be done, but I wouldn't tow a WRX with that trailer behind my Tahoe.
--kC
| trhoppe | 02-28-2005 02:24 PM |
I think its just a bad angle. Look at this pic
[img]http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jorober5/trailer2.JPG[/img]
The tow vehicle is a 99 Expedition. I'll look up the info.
-Tom
[img]http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jorober5/trailer2.JPG[/img]
The tow vehicle is a 99 Expedition. I'll look up the info.
-Tom
| KC | 02-28-2005 02:29 PM |
Ok yeah... much different! :D
One more thing to mention.. getting in and out of the car. Will the bottom of the door clear the fender on the trailer? (Can you remove it if it doesn't clear?)
One more thing to mention.. getting in and out of the car. Will the bottom of the door clear the fender on the trailer? (Can you remove it if it doesn't clear?)
| trhoppe | 02-28-2005 02:36 PM |
Teh fender is removable :D
-Tom
who really hopes 16ft is enough ;)
-Tom
who really hopes 16ft is enough ;)
| bbimpreza | 02-28-2005 02:58 PM |
16 ft should be okay. The 18 ft enclosed I have allows me enough room in the front to put all my other stuff (tires, tools, etc) with my RS or Jason's WRX. But just as Keith said, make sure the car's weight is as close to a 50/50 weight distribution over the wheels as possible.
Billy
Billy
| Corey | 02-28-2005 03:14 PM |
Tom,
I have a 16 footer. It's fine for the RS, but I've had a WRX, an EVO, various other broken cars on there and haven't had a problem. I can take some measurements to see where the axles are on mine, if you want me to.
WD hitches are great also.
Corey #89 STS
I have a 16 footer. It's fine for the RS, but I've had a WRX, an EVO, various other broken cars on there and haven't had a problem. I can take some measurements to see where the axles are on mine, if you want me to.
WD hitches are great also.
Corey #89 STS
| BriDrive | 02-28-2005 03:19 PM |
And nobody here has said yet: "....WRX....WRX...what the same heck is he ....."
BriDrive
BriDrive
| trhoppe | 02-28-2005 03:19 PM |
[QUOTE=Corey]Tom,
I have a 16 footer. It's fine for the RS, but I've had a WRX, an EVO, various other broken cars on there and haven't had a problem. I can take some measurements to see where the axles are on mine, if you want me to.
WD hitches are great also.
Corey #89 STS[/QUOTE]
Sweet! Don't worry about the measurements.
Apparently this is the same exact trailer that a friend of mine has, and I've gotten a tow from him on that trailer when my transmission busted 2 years ago, so I know it will work :banana:
-Tom
I have a 16 footer. It's fine for the RS, but I've had a WRX, an EVO, various other broken cars on there and haven't had a problem. I can take some measurements to see where the axles are on mine, if you want me to.
WD hitches are great also.
Corey #89 STS[/QUOTE]
Sweet! Don't worry about the measurements.
Apparently this is the same exact trailer that a friend of mine has, and I've gotten a tow from him on that trailer when my transmission busted 2 years ago, so I know it will work :banana:
-Tom
| Georgethefierce | 02-28-2005 03:19 PM |
a real man would drive his racecar to and from events
GTF can't afford a trailer and tow vehicle so he snaps at those who can.....!!!!
GTF can't afford a trailer and tow vehicle so he snaps at those who can.....!!!!
| trhoppe | 02-28-2005 03:20 PM |
[QUOTE=BriDrive]And nobody here has said yet: "....WRX....WRX...what the same heck is he ....."
BriDrive[/QUOTE]
An STi IS a WRX ;)
-Tom
BriDrive[/QUOTE]
An STi IS a WRX ;)
-Tom
| jcroy66 | 02-28-2005 03:23 PM |
[QUOTE=BriDrive]And nobody here has said yet: "....WRX....WRX...what the same heck is he ....."[/QUOTE]
Oh, but I bet a lot of us thought it. :D
As for me, I just figured I'd wait to see what car Tom is driving in April at the Atlanta Pro. I've given up trying to guess. :lol:
Oh, but I bet a lot of us thought it. :D
As for me, I just figured I'd wait to see what car Tom is driving in April at the Atlanta Pro. I've given up trying to guess. :lol:
| trhoppe | 02-28-2005 03:27 PM |
Its grey, it will have really really wide tires and lots of stickers.
-Tom
-Tom
| trhoppe | 02-28-2005 03:35 PM |
KC - Don't worry about measuring your trailer ;)
-Tom
-Tom
| solo-x | 02-28-2005 09:26 PM |
"hey! these fenders ARE removable! now i don't have to crawl out the trunk anymore!!!"
i have NO idea who i heard that from *cough* kC *cough*. :banana:
nate
i have NO idea who i heard that from *cough* kC *cough*. :banana:
nate
| KC | 02-28-2005 09:38 PM |
Bastard.
| solo-x | 02-28-2005 10:29 PM |
:devil:
| trhoppe | 02-28-2005 11:07 PM |
[QUOTE=solo-x]"hey! these fenders ARE removable! now i don't have to crawl out the trunk anymore!!!"
i have NO idea who i heard that from *cough* kC *cough*. :banana:
nate[/QUOTE]
:lol: I was there for that.
-Tom
i have NO idea who i heard that from *cough* kC *cough*. :banana:
nate[/QUOTE]
:lol: I was there for that.
-Tom
| bbaker80 | 03-01-2005 12:58 AM |
I'm not sure how much info you're looking for, but check out the tow rig/trailer forum on pirate4x4.com. Make sure the trailer you're looking at has brakes. It only takes one slow driver around a blind turn in the rain to make you appreciate the ability to stop the trailer as it's passing you in the left lane (not that I've done that). The beavertail is nice no matter what you're towing. With the Jeep I don't even carry ramps, I just crawl on. A car would be a lot easier to load with a beavertail or even a full tilt bed trailer.
Not to hijack, but what are the odds of needing to trailer my car for autox? It's a bit of a pain to load everything up and the truck only gets about 9-10mpg when it's loaded.
Not to hijack, but what are the odds of needing to trailer my car for autox? It's a bit of a pain to load everything up and the truck only gets about 9-10mpg when it's loaded.
| Storm | 03-01-2005 01:25 AM |
Driving 1000+ miles with 600lb+ springs and a "pseudo exhaust" plus a weeks worth of laundry and spent tires in the back seat.....sucks to say the least.
Even with a tire trailer, the stiffer the car, the more you want to trailer it. Not to mention the saving of wear & tear on the nice suspension components.
There's something to be said about relaxing in a quiet comfy cabin letting the automatic do the shifting on the way home from a big event.
Jay Storm
Even with a tire trailer, the stiffer the car, the more you want to trailer it. Not to mention the saving of wear & tear on the nice suspension components.
There's something to be said about relaxing in a quiet comfy cabin letting the automatic do the shifting on the way home from a big event.
Jay Storm
| KC | 03-01-2005 07:34 AM |
[QUOTE=Storm]Driving 1000+ miles with 600lb+ springs and a "pseudo exhaust" plus a weeks worth of laundry and spent tires in the back seat.....sucks to say the least.
Even with a tire trailer, the stiffer the car, the more you want to trailer it. Not to mention the saving of wear & tear on the nice suspension components.
There's something to be said about relaxing in a quiet comfy cabin letting the automatic do the shifting on the way home from a big event.
Jay Storm[/QUOTE]
2nded! The 2nd year of STX I had a trailer. People were confused (sometimes bordering on rude) saying 'isn't this a street class?'
Well yeah, but it's more comfy to tow than to drive it. That and since it's pretty much only an auto-x car... if something breaks.. it'll be AT an auto-x. Events being 600+ miles away, I can still get home and worry about fixing it the following week, at my leisure.
--kC
Even with a tire trailer, the stiffer the car, the more you want to trailer it. Not to mention the saving of wear & tear on the nice suspension components.
There's something to be said about relaxing in a quiet comfy cabin letting the automatic do the shifting on the way home from a big event.
Jay Storm[/QUOTE]
2nded! The 2nd year of STX I had a trailer. People were confused (sometimes bordering on rude) saying 'isn't this a street class?'
Well yeah, but it's more comfy to tow than to drive it. That and since it's pretty much only an auto-x car... if something breaks.. it'll be AT an auto-x. Events being 600+ miles away, I can still get home and worry about fixing it the following week, at my leisure.
--kC
| trhoppe | 03-01-2005 08:06 AM |
We don't want to put 20K miles on the STi in 1 year, like I did with my WRX. Plus all the things KC said.
-Tom
-Tom
| trhoppe | 03-01-2005 08:12 AM |
[quote]I'm not sure how much info you're looking for, but check out the tow rig/trailer forum on pirate4x4.com. Make sure the trailer you're looking at has brakes. It only takes one slow driver around a blind turn in the rain to make you appreciate the ability to stop the trailer as it's passing you in the left lane (not that I've done that). The beavertail is nice no matter what you're towing. With the Jeep I don't even carry ramps, I just crawl on. A car would be a lot easier to load with a beavertail or even a full tilt bed trailer.[/quote]
Yup, this thing has brakes. I just need to install a brake controller in the explodition. Shawn Whipple had a great idea for ramps that I will emulate. They work great and store very easily. 3 pieces of wood stacked on each other. Bottom one is 8"wide x 1" tall x 3ft long. Middle one is 8" wide x 1" tall x 2ft long. Top one is 1ft long. My STX car had plenty of room to clear his trailer.
-Tom
Yup, this thing has brakes. I just need to install a brake controller in the explodition. Shawn Whipple had a great idea for ramps that I will emulate. They work great and store very easily. 3 pieces of wood stacked on each other. Bottom one is 8"wide x 1" tall x 3ft long. Middle one is 8" wide x 1" tall x 2ft long. Top one is 1ft long. My STX car had plenty of room to clear his trailer.
-Tom
| bbaker80 | 03-01-2005 10:24 AM |
I suppose trailering makes sense when you're talking 20K a year, and mine is my daily driver, so a ride I couldn't stand to have to and from an event wouldn't be a great idea. If you're still in the market for a brake control, or any other towing equipment pm me. I work at a U-Haul center, and I can probably get you what you need for less than you would pay somewhere else.
| jcroy66 | 03-01-2005 12:58 PM |
My WRX is my daily driver, and I still fully plan to buy a truck and a trailer so that I can trailer it to long-distance events this year.[list][*]Don't want to put that many miles on the car.[*]A way to get it home if it breaks.[*]So I don't have to put the cheapy 91 octane crud into it, since that's all that's available in Missouri and Kansas.[*]For the extra space for luggage, tires, bicycle, tools, etc.[*]So that I can leave the car set up at the event site instead of having to reset toe/camber, change wheels, pack everything (tools, etc) back into it, and then use it to get to the hotel and dinner.[*]For the gentler ride for 12 hours of driving. But actually, even the Topeka drive wasn't bad last year. (Although I was so sick on the drive home that I slept the entire way, poor Phil. :o )[/list]And I'm sure there are other reasons escaping me at the moment.
| dwx | 03-01-2005 01:11 PM |
I drove my WRX last year about 10k miles going places to autocross as well as getting it tuned in Salt Lake City. After the car broke in Oscoda I decided I'd had just about enough of that, so I bought a truck and trailer. Driving Steve's WRX home gave me some good insight into why he trailers it. :)
The trailer, if nothing else, is a way to get the car back home if it breaks for whatever reason. If you are just doing local autocrosses, then it's probably not a big deal but if you are 500 miles from home with no working car...
My car also ran on race gas, sorta. Like Jen said, I'd have to use whatever I needed on the road and I became pretty good at figuring out how much to put in before I got to the destination so I'd be about Empty when I got there. No more of that this year.
There is a guy on ebay that has been selling aluminum car trailer ramps for awhile. They aren't cheap, like $200, but I may invest in some. My trailer has a beaver tail, but the ramps just aren't long enough to get the lowered car no there without rubbing, so I need to use some homemade wooden ramps currently as well.
The trailer, if nothing else, is a way to get the car back home if it breaks for whatever reason. If you are just doing local autocrosses, then it's probably not a big deal but if you are 500 miles from home with no working car...
My car also ran on race gas, sorta. Like Jen said, I'd have to use whatever I needed on the road and I became pretty good at figuring out how much to put in before I got to the destination so I'd be about Empty when I got there. No more of that this year.
There is a guy on ebay that has been selling aluminum car trailer ramps for awhile. They aren't cheap, like $200, but I may invest in some. My trailer has a beaver tail, but the ramps just aren't long enough to get the lowered car no there without rubbing, so I need to use some homemade wooden ramps currently as well.
| WRX-ECE | 03-01-2005 01:51 PM |
[QUOTE=Corey]Tom,
I have a 16 footer. It's fine for the RS, but I've had a WRX, an EVO, various other broken cars on there and haven't had a problem. I can take some measurements to see where the axles are on mine, if you want me to.
WD hitches are great also.
Corey #89 STS[/QUOTE]
Yeah, my WRX fit fine on Corey's trailer after I broke it. Only thing we did was cross the straps to get enough length to tighten them good. And the fully closed deck is good when your wheels are facing all sorts of directions and you can't drive the car straight, that way it won't fall off the middle.
Jeremy
I have a 16 footer. It's fine for the RS, but I've had a WRX, an EVO, various other broken cars on there and haven't had a problem. I can take some measurements to see where the axles are on mine, if you want me to.
WD hitches are great also.
Corey #89 STS[/QUOTE]
Yeah, my WRX fit fine on Corey's trailer after I broke it. Only thing we did was cross the straps to get enough length to tighten them good. And the fully closed deck is good when your wheels are facing all sorts of directions and you can't drive the car straight, that way it won't fall off the middle.
Jeremy
| lukerussell | 03-01-2005 02:54 PM |
i went super el cheapo and bought the crappiest new 16' ever and it still does a good job. the sti fits fine. i bought it for my future SSB/SSC or Spec Miata, so size wasn't real important.
it does not have the dovetail, so i have to get creative (long planks) to get it on and off. it really stunk the first time loading and unloading, but i have a system down now and it's a piece of cake. i park it towards the back so it doesn't weight the tongue down too much. i've put probably 8000 miles on it w/ no probs.
i stongly suggest the removable fenders because i had to go on the mary kate and ashley diet so i could squeeze through the car door.
luke
it does not have the dovetail, so i have to get creative (long planks) to get it on and off. it really stunk the first time loading and unloading, but i have a system down now and it's a piece of cake. i park it towards the back so it doesn't weight the tongue down too much. i've put probably 8000 miles on it w/ no probs.
i stongly suggest the removable fenders because i had to go on the mary kate and ashley diet so i could squeeze through the car door.
luke
| trhoppe | 03-01-2005 03:16 PM |
[quote]i bought it for my future SSB/SSC or Spec Miata, so size wasn't real important.[/quote] Looks like we are headed in the same direction ;)
-Tom
-Tom
| KoneKiller | 03-01-2005 03:49 PM |
Hehehe... my 1990 SpecMiata just arrived.... ready to go!
| lukerussell | 03-01-2005 04:11 PM |
New spec Miata, Lucky.
After the one lap, the STi will be up on the block. If anyone wants the almost craziest track STi ever, cheap (relatively), let me know. Then it's bumper to bumper racing time.
luke
After the one lap, the STi will be up on the block. If anyone wants the almost craziest track STi ever, cheap (relatively), let me know. Then it's bumper to bumper racing time.
luke
| ANZAC_1915 | 03-01-2005 09:12 PM |
I just bought an 18' tilt trailer. No ramps to haul out. No clearance issues. One man load/unload.
[img]http://www.freewaytrailer.com/Car_Trailers/DCP00364.JPG[/img]
My tow rig is a 99 Ford E350 V10. :devil:
(aka Stalker Van)
[img]http://www.freewaytrailer.com/Car_Trailers/DCP00364.JPG[/img]
My tow rig is a 99 Ford E350 V10. :devil:
(aka Stalker Van)
| dwx | 03-01-2005 09:45 PM |
Is that one hydraulic? I looked at some where just the middle part pivots but they were pretty expensive when I was looking. I only paid about $1400 for an 18' non-tilt version of that trailer, it was only 5 months old. One of those aluminum rollback trailers would be nice, but for just a little more I could have gotten an enclosed trailer.
The one I bought, came with the toolbox.
[url]http://my.execpc.com/~pbedard/trailer1.jpg[/url]
The one I bought, came with the toolbox.
[url]http://my.execpc.com/~pbedard/trailer1.jpg[/url]
| WickedSTI | 03-01-2005 10:13 PM |
I got a BigTex 70dm a few years agon and it has done a great job.83 x 18 x 20.Take a look at onewhile you are looking around.BIgTextrailers.com The build quality is great i have had it for years and it is always outside no rust or paint fade it pulls great also.Brad
| angryfist | 03-02-2005 02:49 PM |
anybody else have experience with those tilt trailers? like the one glenn has or any of the gravity tilt ones? i looked at pics of teh gravity tilt but they look kinda sketchy. i really want to know abotu clearance issues with a front lip on my wrx. if all else fails and i cant find somethign that it can get up without scraping then the lip wont go on.
thanks,
Jason
crazymonkeyracing
thanks,
Jason
crazymonkeyracing
| anders8 | 03-03-2005 02:23 PM |
Here's my trailer measurements. (I tend to keep this sort of thing on file...)
Deck Size:
18' long
6' 10" wide
19.5" off the ground
Entire Trailer Size
23' 4" long
29" high at the fender top
8' 8" wide
16" ramps extend from rear when folded up
My car (of course, these are actual measurements):
SIZE
14' 5" long
4' 9" high
6' 0" wide
5' 8"wide (excluding mirrors)
Here's a picture:
[img]http://linaracing.com/pics/2003-maine-forest-tow-1.jpg[/img]
Deck Size:
18' long
6' 10" wide
19.5" off the ground
Entire Trailer Size
23' 4" long
29" high at the fender top
8' 8" wide
16" ramps extend from rear when folded up
My car (of course, these are actual measurements):
SIZE
14' 5" long
4' 9" high
6' 0" wide
5' 8"wide (excluding mirrors)
Here's a picture:
[img]http://linaracing.com/pics/2003-maine-forest-tow-1.jpg[/img]
| Mike2000GT | 03-04-2005 12:24 PM |
Just a note. You want ~5-10% of the weight on the tongue... otherwise your likely to see a lot of trailer sway.
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