THSCC Forums

I would like to "enclose" my open trailer in order to provide weather protection while towing and to make the race car a little less obvious in hotel parking lots. Goal is to add minimal weight or wind resistance (i.e. standing height not needed/wanted). Ease of access to load/unload car (using a winch) is important! The car's fiberglass bodywork is too flimsy to use a "boat cover" approach directly on the car. Ideas I have include a canvas cover installed on a "hoop" framework similar to what some truck trailers use or some sort of "clamshell" or other rigid cover or low profile enclosure. Budget is limited! Any suggestions for a business in the RTP area that could do this kind of work would be appreciated as well as ideas for the "enclosure".

Thanks!

_________________
Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

You know, my first thought is a place that does canopies for businesses. They generally weld up custom aluminum frames and custom size their canvas.

Perhaps worth a call.

Anders

_________________
Lina Racing: As Seen On Radio

Hey Dick,

Let me know when you figure out the best approach. I have a utility trailer that's about 5 x 8 with a nice steel frame and 3000 lb rated axles. It's over kill for four tires, but it serves many purposes. Hauling furniture, lawnmowers, etc. are common tasks.

However, I would like to have an a removable enclosure for the same reasons you do. But... I was thinking that whatever I put on, must be easily removed so I can go back to furniture and and big stuff duty when needed. My cover would probably be fairly low. However, if it could easily be raised, as if it was mounted on telescoping tent poles, it would make a nice sunshade at those 95 degree events we have.

I haven't put much effort into this, but someday, I might get around to it.

Let me know what you come up with.

Miles

Ask if they do bus awnings too, you know, just in case.

_________________
Has no responsibility whatsoever.

_________________
91 Jetta GLI STS/DSP 111
85 Porsche 944 ASP 11
http://www.blackforestindustries.com

There's a guy who races nationally who isn't very well liked, but he "enclosed" an open trailer for a formula car. It doesn't do much for the "inconspicuous" portion of your request, but what he did was use a big sheet of some sort of plexiglass (I hope it was Lexan) and literally bowed it over the top and affixed it in between what I think were some 2x8's running the length of the trailer. The bowed section was *not* as wide as the car...picture the 2x8's laying flat on top of the cars wheels (but obviously up above them some). I think he has the whole thing "hinge" on some bolts at the front and uses a prop stick of some sort to raise it up to get the car off.

I'm not sure he encloses the ends, but it wouldn't be terrible to do. I do know he didn't tie his trailer down at Peru last year and a big storm blew it into the Grand Cherokee parked next to it and put a *BIG* gash in the side of the GC. Ugly.

I'm with Anders...one of those awning places can probably do an aluminum frame and custom canopy that's easily removable, but I'd guess it'll cost around $1000. Not sure how it'll like the wind load going down the road, though...


--Donnie

Donnie, Anders, Miles and others,

Thanks for the input.

I think the guy Donnie has in mind is Jim Murphy who runs an F Mod F500. By the way Jim was the main advocate for separating the F500's and Solo Vees into a separate class from C Mod. I think I want both a more "conventional" look than Jim's (FM guys tend to be rather unconventional ) and I know I want full weather and visual protection. I will probably check on the awning shop idea since it appears no one knows of a shop that is likely to build a "solid" enclosure on an existing trailer. I have learned by the way that there are motorcycle enclosed trailers which are lower profile and at least one manufacturer makes one with a lower than normal floor height by using floor beams which have less vertical "thickness". George Bowland (A Mod National Champ and NC resident) just bought one. Unfortunately the price was close to $5K:(

_________________
Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

As is so often the case, I'm concerned that any attempt to build something that looks nice, is functional, reliable, and lightweight would cost more than I could buy something used already made. Anything that is truly reliable, nice looking and functional is not cheap. And anything cheap, is not all of the above.

Dick, if you could fit your car into an eight foot trailer, it would be really hard to beat something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... gory=80770

If the link is dead above, it was a used 5 x 8 enclosed trailer with a side door and a back door. I think such an animal could be had for anywhere between $700 and $1500 locally, used. The more patient you are, the cheaper you can get one. I know because I almost bought one awhile back.

It's just really hard to imagine any solution that I created that would cost significantly less and be anywhere nearly as good. The only problem is that I don't want to be stuck with an enclosed trailer all the time. So.. maybe I have two trailers... a cheap open one, and a nicer enclosed one. Yeah, that would work. My wife would love that.

Miles

Miles,

Too bad you probably cannot store the open trailer in an enclosed trailer. Maybe you can get an enclosed trailer, a sawzall, and some latches and make the enclosed trailer a "hardtop convertible".

Be careful with used cargo trailers to check for overloading, etc. considering how they may have been used/abused. However, Dexter (the main supplier of axles, brakes, etc.) sells replacement parts relatively inexpensively. I bought a new custom axle a few years ago, with brakes, for what seemed like a pretty fair price at the time.

_________________
Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Dick,
They sell aluminum clamshell tops like you describe to enclose snowmobile trailers that may serve your purpose. Might be a little hard to find around here tho.
If you wanted to DIY, I'd expect that R&J could weld you up a framework out of aluminum square tubing or channel stock from an industrial supply house and you could cover it with aluminum sheet siding like is used on travel trailers or some small storage buildings and carports with sealant and pop rivets kinda like the small one Richard West uses . Wouldn't be a seriously major project.

_________________
SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Frank,

Good ideas. Thanks.

_________________
Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT