Advice on trailers...

[Fordboi]

I had a really enjoyable season this year taking my Westy on a number of trackdays and the bug has definitely bitten! I always trailer it everywhere so i have space for tools and fuel and safe in the knowledge i can always get home....anyway I've been borrowing a trailer this year and feel i should invest in one of my own. The one i have been borrowing is a homemade job on twin axle allegro hubs. Does the job nicely but i know legislation is tightening and i dont know how i would stand with a homemade non plated so I've been looking at Brian James etc.

What i would like is to hear anyones experiences or recommendations on models. Im wondering whether although unnecessary, perhaps twin axle will be safer and also allow me to transport a larger vehicle should the need arise.

There also appears to be very little difference between new and second hand prices which is surprising.

Thanks for any help!

[s2rrr]

I am assuming you have already checked your driving license is ok and not been caught out by the changes which some "newer" drivers have. Probably granny sucking eggs but worth confirming. My choice of trailer was the BJ Minno Max. There is enough room to store the car on and keep it in the garage. One downside is that when fitting very wide rims or arches you may need to make some adjustments to allow the car to fit the bed, the simplest is to keep a set of wheels appropriate for the width. With 205s on I have about 2-3" per side clearance. My mates exhaust tends to foul his trailer side but just needs releasing. I have added a winch which needed a bit of engineering to bolt on a baseplate, just in case I can't drive it on. No problems there and it doesn't need to be a monster unless you have wheels and wishbones hanging off which shouldn't be the normal case. I do find that the guys with covered trailers have a slightly easier time of things but its no big deal. I just keep my doors on and the half hood keep the bulk of any rain out. My only downside and it does give me some grief is the actual road clearance of the trailer when hooked up to my car. I have a Passat sport and the tow ball is very high, especially when the car is not fully fuelled up and loaded the result is the back of the trailer tends to be low. The upshot is that the back of the trailer can clash with the road as I live on a very high camber side road. I can't actually drive it on. This is a specific problem but something you may wish to consider depending on your actual road access. Speed bumps and when on the road no problems at all it tows, like a dream. I could if I wanted enclose the trailer to keep the car clean and for security etc but it would reduce my access when its in the garage. The size of my bed would allow me to store a couple of jerry cans of fuel and the tyre rack at the front could be a useful extra to save keeping tyres in your tow car.  The choice of twin axle is basically your preference but from towing my caravan and seeing the debris strewn across the motorways when it all goes wrong I would certainly suggest twin axle. Should you wish to stay single wheel and remember tyre loadings will be double you can get Tyron bands installed which allow for a semi run flat without the tyre coming off. The down side of twin axle being manoeuvreability but careful use of the jockey wheel can lift the front wheels up and allow for easier handballing. Remember the comment above about my ground clearance issues though but I manage ok single handed. If you have a sloping roadway or drive it can be a bit heavy. So for me the BJ Minno max is as ideal as it can be. They do maintain there prices so its not a financial big hit if you change your mind but as you are doing your research up front it should assist in the decision process.

I think I may modify my bed and fill in the gap between the two sides, keeps out road muck etc. I have front wheel stops and have modified tie down straps so that the front wheels are strapped flat  round the centre of the tread by using U bolts which keep the straps in the right place, makes tying down quicker and in my mind more secure.

Overall well impressed with the Minno and although it has a few issue for me those are caused by VW tow hitch height, Councils insistence that the camber isn't excessive all silly issues but just slows me down when leaving for a track day etc.

 

Hope that helps a little.

 

Bob

[Marto303]

BJ Minno shuttle  

 

Not perfect but the best solution for me, the main problem being bed width   I have to swap all 4 CXR's for some std steel Fiesta 13"x 5" rims, I have made the front cycle wings removable so they come off and I have scraped the rear wings opening & closing the rear clam shell  all this makes for a little more work loading and offloading / setting up at speed series events but it works.

 

It tows like a dream behind my T5 camper and the big bonus for me is storage, when not in use it's stored under a mezzanine floor in the workshop and takes up little more space than the Westy or as is now up on a 2.5T two post lift.

 

Here's my two together 

 

[SootySport]

Bob above has covered most things on trailer selection,  I'll just add a bit more.   There are a few trailer manufacturers about that make very similar versions to the BJ Minno Max, you should also consider -   Woodford & PRG.     4 wheelers do offer greater stability and bed is usually lower to the ground compared to 2 wheelers. You can pick up a decent used 4 wheeler for about £1000, sometimes advertised on WSCC forum and I guess a few on Ebay.     If you are buying an older trailer take note of the age of the tyres, they tend to never have been changed since the trailer was born and can lead to hardening & cracking which can let you down.  Light fittings are another problem area with condensation attacking the bulbs and contacts but these can be sorted easily with a small piece of wet & dry and a can of WD40, the trailer plug needs regular spraying as well.

[Barry Ashcroft]

When I bought mine all 4 tyres 145/10 were perished. But changing to a more common size 5.00/10 saw me buying wheels and tyres for £38 each

[Fordboi]

Thanks for all the good advice. That's some trailer Barry! I like the look of these minnos. There are a couple on ebay but at 1,250 and still rising so quite pricey. I'm torn between one of these and a slightly bigger BJ clubman. I don't really need the bigger trailer but its there if i were to need it and makes it more versatile. Storage isn't an issue so I'm not too concerned with the width. Mmm decisions..

[Stu Faulkner]

I know that it's been discussed elseware but I haven't got the room for a trailer.

What is an alternative - A frame or dolly?

[Mark (smokey mow)]

I know that it's been discussed elseware but I haven't got the room for a trailer

What is an alternative - A frame or dolly?

really your only legal option would be to borrow or hire a trailer when needed. It's been discussed at great length in the past and also on other forums but A-frames and Dolly's should be assumed to only be legal for recovery purposes.

http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/90946-who-tows-their-westie-with-an-a-frame/?hl=a-frame

[Stu Faulkner]

really your only legal option would be to borrow or hire a trailer when needed. It's been discussed at great length in the past and also on other forums but A-frames and Dolly's should be assumed to only be legal for recovery purposes.

http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/90946-who-tows-their-westie-with-an-a-frame/?hl=a-frame

I thought as much.

[Arm]

I've had 3 Brian James, 1 Dastle Racebox and now have the PRG. Also just bought a big trailer for work and also went to PRG.

[SootySport]

Thanks for all the good advice. That's some trailer Barry! I like the look of these minnos. There are a couple on ebay but at 1,250 and still rising so quite pricey. I'm torn between one of these and a slightly bigger BJ clubman. I don't really need the bigger trailer but its there if i were to need it and makes it more versatile. Storage isn't an issue so I'm not too concerned with the width. Mmm decisions..

If storage is no problem then go for a Clubman, much more versatile, room to strap spare wheels as well.

[jeff oakley]

always get the biggest you can afford or pull! There have been several on here who have swapped a Westfield and then had to buy another trailer as the new car does not fit.

 

My trailer is home made, but the axle weights are known so there is no problem with that.

 

One area that you need to be aware of is that Vosa is now able to keep any fines they raise and as a result they have really started to look at this area as it is easy pickings for them. Even where your trailer is able to carry more than your car weight if it is loaded incorrectly you could find one axle overloaded. So lets say you have an axle weight of 750kg each axle, if you load up the wheel rack with tools and fuel then have the car too far forward, you might find that there is 800kg on the front axle as a result, where moving the car back would make it correct.

Other thing they are picking up a lot on is tyre rating. Again you need to ensure that your tyres are reinforced commercial as weight again is an issue. You might pay £40 for a 165X13 but a 6 ply van tyre will be £60 so some cut corners, handy to know if haggling on price.

[litcoat]

Be very careful if buying second hand. Electrics, tyres, etc can be checked out just by looking.The brakes and damper need to be tested to ensure they work correctly otherwise you could be in for some expensive repairs. Personally I wouldn't buy second hand and I would check out what ifor williams produce.

[Barry Ashcroft]

I had the local caravan service guy service my trailer cost me £75, worth it for piece of mind.

[stephenh]

Personally, I'm very happy with my B J Clubman, but I'm interested to see what Arm says. If you don't know who he is, just take it from me that he is very experienced and very knowledgeable when it comes to high performance and competition vehicles, and transporting them about!