THSCC Forums

Interesting trailer for sale that MIGHT be a replacement for a Bus. Move timing, registration, etc. to a trailer like this and buy an appropriate truck to haul the heavy stuff and pull the trailer. Replace truck as needed.

FYI I just confirmed that you don't have to be an ApexSpeed.com/forums member to see the pics but the download can be slow. The basic idea is that this is a "vendor" trailer with side panels that open to creat "solid awnings" over two long openings. Trailer also has a small side door and a ramp rear door.

http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43382

Go to post # 5 for clear pricing info.

Option 1.
YOu can apply to take over the lease payments of $266.08 per month until 7/2014.
In Aug/2014 you can decide to keep the trailer and the buy out payment is $1223.80 or return it to the leasing company and the buy out payment is $1223.80

Option 2.
YOu can payoff the balance and own the trailer for $12886.72 (price good til Jan, 11 2011)

I hope this clears up the actual price confusion I caused.

GIve me a call
248-494-2826

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

That thing rules. While I think we would need a generator (yes I said the G word), I like the idea of this. A box truck pull it and keep all of the messy stuff in it. - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

How about a pickup with a shell instead of a box truck? Or a E350 or so van?

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Weight and capacity info from seller:

2 3500# axles
GVWR 7000
2600ish lbs empty.

If the heavy stuff (except generator(s) for AC and computers ) goes in the truck bed the truck won't need to be very big other than dealing with the high trailer's drag. A cargo van would make cone, etc. loading easier than a box truck or a pickup with shell.

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

I'm a big fan of separating the "truck" from the "Timing and Scoring area", but I'm not sure this is the right way. For starters, the AC is useless if that thing has to be open for timing and scoring to do their jobs. For another, that tiny window on the other side isn't stellar for timing to be able to see out of both sides, which can be necessary at some sites with some course designs. Lastly, it's kind of expensive for what it is, IMHO.

I still think the bigger need than separating the two, though, is keeping them combined bug going with something beefy enough that ultimately the club could buy a bit bigger trailer that has enough room for the club stuff *and* a car. That way it's MUCH easier to find someone who can drive the thing to events and back. And I don't see any reason why the next bus shouldn't be considered a 10 year item instead of 5, and ideally longer. Let's get something that suits our needs so well that it just makes sense to maintain it for a LONG time.

To me, that's a big step up in chassis (weight capacity and a better wheelbase/overhang ratio) and a little step up in new-ness. That'll stretch the budget such that I'm sure we can't re-do the trailer thing now, but that can be a couple years down the road if necessary.

Just my opinion.


--Donnie

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My Blog

Silly me about the AC with the big side windows open. An RV style AC probably wouldn't even provde a cool breeze. Better off with a fan.

How big a "bus" would it take to haul a trailer with enough additional space to haul a typical autox car? How about tongue weight with no car in the back? What kind of drivers's license? Just questions since I have no clue and no opinion about what is best or even good.

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

My guess is worst case if tongue weight was a problem with/without a car then someone would have to move the cones from the front to the back when hauling with no car. Still probably better than not having that ability at all.

The other option is a box truck big enough to hold all the "stuff" and pull a trailer that is really just T&S in the front with room for a car in the back. Then the weight differential isn't much of an issue since the T&S load is relatively insignificant.

Big drawback with that is a heavier duty truck means a box much taller off the ground than a trailer, which means more loading work. And since those trucks load from the rear, it also means you pretty much have to hook/unhook at every event, too. Maybe not a huge deal, just something to consider. Oh, the other drawback to this option is the migration path...unlike the other idea you pretty much have to go whole hog and do it all at once since the current trailer lacks the ability to be a T&S rig since it has no windows.


--Donnie

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My Blog

Anybody know where to get one of these in the US?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-decker_bus

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

Cool, nothing like buying something with 20 Year Old Lucas mechanicals.....

Why do the English drink warm beer?...

Here's a link to an alternate resolution to the towing problem
http://www.maxchevy.com/tech/2010/v_7-trailer-1.html
this solution was rejected by the club but for the life of me I don't know why. Virtually any bus you can buy will still have the overhang and associated sway problem. The used one I located was in the 1500 dollar range and I'm sure the guy would have come down on the price.This thing works and should still be considered. If we're looking at spending 10 to 12 K on another rig we still may be looking at the sway situation anyway. It seems more logical to me to spend a grand to see if the problem is corrected. If at that point we need another bus then buy one. But if the problem is cured then may be a lesser amount of money could be used to upgrade the existing bus, and save the trouble of rehabing the interior of another vehicle to suit our needs. JMHO

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2004 C5(415whp,390ft/lbs),
1997C5,1997Trans Am, 1986 C4,
1990 Miata, 1976 MGB,1997 Protege, 1989 MR2

Thats very cool Bernie.

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2005 Mazda RX8 STX 11

NCR Solo Chair & Cape Fear Chapter Coordinator
http://www.ncrscca.com

*sigh*

I told myself I was going to stay out of THAT argument, but man, it's just not a good idea.

For starters, you could be asking for a legal problem. It is, by definition, another trailer. You're towing doubles with that thing, period. It connects to your existing hitch, so no amount of arguing is going to have it considered *part* of the tow vehicle. And towing double trailers is only legal under very specific COMMERCIAL circumstances in NC. Period, end of story. Can you get away with it? Probably. But do you want club members taking that chance?!?

In any emergency situation, adding ANOTHER pivot point is a bad idea. To back it up you need to go connect the pins that make it *not* pivot, which means you're going to be scrubbing the tires all over the place when trying to connect the trailer. And it's even more craziness to know and understand. Oh, and God forbid you end up needing to back the entire rig up thanks to pulling into a situation you HAVE to back out of.

It's a bad band-aid that could introduce more problems than it solves. They are $3200 new, so if someone is selling one for a grand there is probably a very good reason for it.


--Donnie

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My Blog

At the last meeting, it was made extremely clear that the current bus is not suitable for the club needs. The mechanism you brought up in the November(?) meeting was discussed briefly, but that thing won't exactly help the bus from burning down due to an electrical fire.

The decision to get a new bus was unanimous and for a very, very good reason.

I well understand that the current bus has problems but they are not insurmountable and electrical problem can be repaired. A new bus however will require a large output of labor to set up to where it will be as useable as the current one. I question where this labor will come from? Bus cleaning days have drawn less and less members willing to pitch in. I question whether the folks that voted for a new bus will be there when there's work to be done.

Voting to buy, is not the same as outfitting one. And if we expect to get anything for the old bus it will have to be repaired to sell it. If we give it to the rally cross crowd it still needs to be repaired. Again where's all this labor coming from?

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2004 C5(415whp,390ft/lbs),
1997C5,1997Trans Am, 1986 C4,
1990 Miata, 1976 MGB,1997 Protege, 1989 MR2

The seller was selling the trailer and going into a motor home with space for the car. toy toter I believe they're called. So I would say he wasn't unloading it because it didn't work.

Backing is a problem with the toad but so is the overhang on the buses that are suitable for the timing and scoring equipment. Apparently the swaying all over the road is not just a problem with the THSCC bus, but with all long tailed vehicles that tow heavy trailers.
I understand you see it as a bad band aid, I see it as an alternative that I have seen in operation and it works. As far as licensing that would have to be clarified, but again maybe Virginia law sees it as a hitch. Maybe NC would see it that way also, who knows??

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2004 C5(415whp,390ft/lbs),
1997C5,1997Trans Am, 1986 C4,
1990 Miata, 1976 MGB,1997 Protege, 1989 MR2