Track Car Towing Options

[mubezzi]

Curious as to what members are using to trailer their cars to/from the track. How heavy is a 105 series car and what would you need in way of a vehicle and trailer? Not looking for a 5 star set-up; maybe 2-3 stars.

[genericwood]

Most 105 race cars are around 1800-2200 pounds. A relatively stock GTV would be more like 2400. I personally prefer a trailer to flat towing. Depending on what you are towing with, a single-axle car trailer can be used. But with most single-axle trailers, you won't have trailer brakes. You want to make sure you have great brakes on your tow rig and you still need to be very careful. Don't even think about going into the mountains! You should be able to find a good single-axle car trailer for less than $1000.

1 STAR - flat towing
2 STARS - single-axle open trailer
3 STARS - two-axle open trailer behind a pickup or big SUV
4 STARS - two-axle enclosed trailer behind a diesel
5 STARS - RV cab semi with 2 level enclosed trailer (Toter-Home)

I currently have a 3.5, a two-axle open trailer behind a crew cab diesel pickup. But I'm hoping for a 4 in the not-too-distant future! Sadly, the 5 will probably always be in my dreams.

Erik

[mubezzi]

Perfect response Erik! I am debating what to do with my car...

[Bruce Colby]

I might add a "0 Star" option in the form of a tow-dolly.

[RedVerde]

http://alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=22429

[mubezzi]

Nice thread. I need to win the lottery so badly.

[Alfaowner]

From 1999 to 2004 I towed my MGB which weighs about the same as a GTV, on an open trailer behind a Saab 9-5 SE. Trailer had twin axles & electric brakes. Towed like a dream, including being able to accelerate going up the hills of Connecticut going to Lime Rock. Averaged 19 mpg to/from Watkins Glen.

Just bought an enclosed aluminum trailer & towed it back from Atlanta to Tampa empty. Didn't tow as well behind my BMW X3 as the combo above. I need to do some adjusting or buy a bigger SUV or lighter trailer. But this trailer has plenty of room for the Guilietta Spider or the Turner plus tools, spares, etc. Hope I can make it work as I don't like big SUV's.

Norm
66 MGB (For Sale) - '59 Turner Mk1 - 60 Spider Normale

[Wil Painter]

I've seen some really awful trailer accidents when too much trailer was pulled by too little truck (or car). It's always "OK" in non-emergency situations, but when a gust of wind or traffic incident puts you into an evasive or unstable situation, there's no way out if the tow package is mismatched.
I urge everyone putting together a tow package to not cut corners, not only for your sake, but for the Alfa's sake and, more importantly, the rest of those travelers around you who will get involved when you lose it.
Understand (and don't exceed) the rating on your tow vehicle, set up a proper braking system, maintain your trailer, rig/balance your load carefully, use first quality tie down systems, please!
Good Luck,
Wil Painter

[geh458]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wil Painter I've seen some really awful trailer accidents when too much trailer was pulled by too little truck (or car). It's always "OK" in non-emergency situations, but when a gust of wind or traffic incident puts you into an evasive or unstable situation, there's no way out if the tow package is mismatched. I urge everyone putting together a tow package to not cut corners, not only for your sake, but for the Alfa's sake and, more importantly, the rest of those travelers around you who will get involved when you lose it. Understand (and don't exceed) the rating on your tow vehicle, set up a proper braking system, maintain your trailer, rig/balance your load carefully, use first quality tie down systems, please! Good Luck, Wil Painter

[Bruce Colby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wil Painter I've seen some really awful trailer accidents when too much trailer was pulled by too little truck (or car). It's always "OK" in non-emergency situations, but when a gust of wind or traffic incident puts you into an evasive or unstable situation, there's no way out if the tow package is mismatched. I urge everyone putting together a tow package to not cut corners, not only for your sake, but for the Alfa's sake and, more importantly, the rest of those travelers around you who will get involved when you lose it. Understand (and don't exceed) the rating on your tow vehicle, set up a proper braking system, maintain your trailer, rig/balance your load carefully, use first quality tie down systems, please! Good Luck, Wil Painter

[75evo]

Does anyone have any idea how heavy an average car dolly weighs? I'm hoping it is around 700 lbs? I wasted my time surfing all over the new, couldn't find a straight answer.

[jrclem]

Here's my latest iteration of tow rig.... a little over kill perhaps, but the hot shower is great after a midday session!

[nizam]

I have a few things to add. This past weekend (Labor Day weekend, 2006) we trailered a GTV6 from San Jose to Willow Springs for the school. Aside from the obvious benefit of having the truck & trailer taking my sorry behind home when my car failed, it was no picnic climbing to the mountain pass.

For those coming down I-5 southbound from NorCal, the climb to Tejon Pass (4,000+ ft) is a very steep one. You better be sure you have enough truck to maintain a reasonable pace (35mph is borderline reasonable).

Add to that steep roadway was the ambient temperature of 105F.

Had we been in a tow vehicle with a smaller engine, and one that wasn't ready for towing (oil cooler, tranny cooler, larger alternator, larger radiator) we would have been stuck on the side of I-5 in the heat. The truck's water temp reached 240F (red light comes on at 250F). Our Dodge's 5.9-liter pushrod motor was a welcome benefit during those times.

On the way back down, having the electric brakes on the trailer (and a brake controller in the tow vehicle) was a HUGE help! Made all the difference between having a nice drive home versus a nerve wrecking, nail-biting "am I going to make it around that next downhill bend" feeling. I refuse to imagine what would happen in an emergency situation should the trailer had to depend on the tow vehicle's brakes alone.

Lessons learned: you can't have too much truck for the job , trailer brakes and brake controllers are awesome, and reducing payload (lighter trailer, lighter racecar?) also help.

[Hit an Apex]

We have a 16' double axle ALUMINUM open trailer. It is from featherlite and pretty badass. Will take about 4,500lbss and weighs in around 800!

Electric brakes + brake controller + Chevy Avalanche, you don't even realize you are towing anything.

[bobwass]

geez rick. i thought your rig was a lot bigger from the way you were talking, but i put my ruler up to the screen and it was barely 5 inches long. did i miss something?