THSCC Forums

Ok. So I've made the decision to AutoX all next year. Now the problem lies with traveling back and forth on the "race" tires. So I've been looking into the trailer option. Can someone lend some advice/knowledge into what I need to look for and what I would need to get. What I've been finding is that most of the trailers are just utility trailers with additions put on. Am I off the mark with that? Thanks for the help!

Standard 3x4 utility trailer with $50 box bolted on purchased at HD.

What I thought was best about it was being "unpacked" from the autox just by unhooking the trailer.

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Diane (Hall) Bundas
1992 Spec Miata #48 - 1997 Chevy Tahoe - 2007 Honda Civic Coupe

So you're going to be running in what class???

Street Tire eXtreme?



Noob.

Do you not have a backseat? If you do, the money saved by not buying a trailer and receiver can be used for more tires.

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Rich
http://www.v8mongrel.com/

I bought a $175 Trailer at Harbor Freight and have plywood and a box on it for tool storage. Diane is right, no need to unpack the car and worry about the tires getting your seat dirty....oh wait, I saw your car at L'burg and I think dirty is irrelevant

If you get one, upgrade to the larger wheels than standard. Other than that it is easier than dumping it all in the car

You should watch the episode of "Fifth Gear" that address items placed in the back seat and what happens in the event of an accident before making that reccomendation maybe. I personally would rather avoid having a 40 lb wheel/tire hit me in the back of the head going 50 mph, let alone four of them.

I got a 40x48 inch trailer from Northern Tool in Cary. It cost like $140 and then you can get a tool box and bolt it to the trailer. I used $15 worth of bolts, nuts, and other assorted pieces from Home Depot to make up my tire mounting rack.

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2010 Honda Fit Sport
Couple of bicycles

Diane: I am probably going to go with a slightly larger one, but that is what I needed, thanks.

Kevin: Sometimes I really do despise you.

Rich: I do have a backseat, all 4 tires do fit back there, but I'd rather not load them and unload them from there every event. Besides, I'm hoping I can convince some family members that this will be a Christmas present which still leaves more money for tires.

Rob: The car was dirty yes, but the inside was slightly cleaner. Like to keep it that way. Thanks for the heads up on the wheels too.

Les: Agreed. More of a reason to keep it out of the backseat. Besides, if/when my little girl starts going to these with me, she'll need somewhere to sit.

Keith: More of what I wanted. Thanks.

omg. That was a great show. Christine said, "Holy crap. Would that really happen?" (or something like that) "Uh, it just did."

Then she understood why when we packed for long trips I only allowed soft items to be stored in the back seat.

Cos, I could build you one like mine...oh wait you wanted something cheap.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

Hey, I've driven to Laurinburg and back & Greenville and back on Toyo RA-1's. And they aren't even ST-legal. Aren't STX tires just high-performance street tires? Oh, wait, they sure are - I drove to Maggie Valley on the same tires I beat Tom (and everybody else) on at the Subaru Challenge. And I even spent several days on vacation up there driving around on them. Hey, they're still on my car! Ack! I should put them on a tire trailer before I wear them out or something else really bad happens! You know I just like to give you crap.

If you really want to do it right, you'll do what Mike Whitney does - put the race tires on the car at home, tow it to the autox behind the new Hemi-powered tow vehicle, unload the car & it's ready to race.

The only downside is the extra weight of the hitch hanging off the back. If you get fancy, maybe figure out a way to diconnect it at an event. But that is a small price to pay.

One thing to consider, upgrade your AAA to cover the trailer. You do have AAA don't you? The last thing you want is the trailer left alongside the road as they tow your car. Ask TeamUnderdog what happens when that occurs.

I am adding a hitch to Camaro and use a tire trailer for local and Virginia events. It was nice last weekend pulling the car into the garage and jumping in the truck to go out for the evening. No messing with backing the trailer in, unloading the car, unloading the truck, etc.

Now, the real arguement...tool box on the front or rear of the trailer?

By the way, two of my tire trailers are still in the club...Chris and Rick have old trailers of mine.

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

Here is a vote for FRONT!!!

Mine is on the rear and I hate it. My structural engineer thought differently.

Cos, be wary of advice give by Vincent, unless you want your tire trailer to cost as much as your car!

Ohh, and this is for STREET tires? If you gonna go to the trouble of buying a trailer and a 2nd set of rims, grow a set and get R comps!

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Definitely! That episode is always in the back of my mind when
I put stuff back there. Even just a 24-pack of Pabst back there
could do some serious damage. (<totally jinxing myself)

Seriously though, I'm thinking about the investment considering the fact that I have a trailer hitch already mounted for a bike rack.

Let us know what you end up going with.

A set of money trees?

My first R compound season ended up like this:

Hoosier A3SO4's from Tire Rack on closeout= about $600 said-n-done (heat cycled, shipped)

40 runs grinning ear-to-ear= $15 a run

Will I be doing it again next year, yep.