Bros, I need to make my mind up on this van. Make decisions for me
01-03-2012, 03:41 PM
#41
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When is your first event? I mean you could hold off buying a trailer until you find the right one. All else fails just rent one from U-Haul if you have not found one by the first event.
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01-03-2012, 03:46 PM
#42
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3x the mileage and 3x the price!
You are trying to force a square peg in to a round hole.
This seems like reasonable advice.
The best advice probably involves avoiding track days outside of AAA towing radius until the student loans and other non-deductible debt over ~3% interest is paid off, but with car enthusiasts... sometimes it's about choosing the least bad option.
You are trying to force a square peg in to a round hole.
This seems like reasonable advice.
The best advice probably involves avoiding track days outside of AAA towing radius until the student loans and other non-deductible debt over ~3% interest is paid off, but with car enthusiasts... sometimes it's about choosing the least bad option.
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01-03-2012, 03:46 PM
#43
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The first race is the last weekend in January...I'll drive the Miata down there one last time. After that, the next "travel event" is April or May.
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01-03-2012, 04:04 PM
#47
I am not understanding that last part.
I have been looking to possibly make a single axle trailer based off of a Dexter Torflex axle to eliminate the need for leaf springs and the axle mounts directly to the trailer frame. It makes it a super simple design. Plus you can use rectangular tube frame rather than C channel to save a fair amount of weight. I think you could make it for around $800 with the axle/brakes.
Something like this with better tires and axle suspension. From the looks of it, it is a simple axle with no leaf spring or torsion axle.
http://www.racingjunk.com/Open-Car-A...r-trailer.html
I have been looking to possibly make a single axle trailer based off of a Dexter Torflex axle to eliminate the need for leaf springs and the axle mounts directly to the trailer frame. It makes it a super simple design. Plus you can use rectangular tube frame rather than C channel to save a fair amount of weight. I think you could make it for around $800 with the axle/brakes.
Something like this with better tires and axle suspension. From the looks of it, it is a simple axle with no leaf spring or torsion axle.
http://www.racingjunk.com/Open-Car-A...r-trailer.html
Last edited by rharris19; 01-03-2012 at 04:21 PM.
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01-03-2012, 04:10 PM
#48
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I am not understanding that last part.
I have been looking to possibly make a single axle trailer based off of a Dexter Torflex axle to eliminate the need for leaf springs and the axle mounts directly to the trailer frame. It makes it a super simple design. Plus you can use rectangular tube frame rather than C channel to save a fair amount of weight. I think you could make it for around $800 with the axle/brakes.
I have been looking to possibly make a single axle trailer based off of a Dexter Torflex axle to eliminate the need for leaf springs and the axle mounts directly to the trailer frame. It makes it a super simple design. Plus you can use rectangular tube frame rather than C channel to save a fair amount of weight. I think you could make it for around $800 with the axle/brakes.
Do you want to make two? Seriously.
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01-03-2012, 04:15 PM
#49
I may think about it if you are real sweet on me. We have that steel deck double axle trailer that weighs about 2100lbs and is pretty damn big. I may build a new one since Michael will be towing his own car now and that would be much more manageable. I'll let you know how the first one goes if I build it and what we can do.
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01-03-2012, 04:19 PM
#50
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I may think about it if you are real sweet on me. We have that steel deck double axle trailer that weighs about 2100lbs and is pretty damn big. I may build a new one since Michael will be towing his own car now and that would be much more manageable. I'll let you know how the first one goes if I build it and what we can do.
BTW, that VVT engine John bought from you is sitting in my garage.
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01-03-2012, 04:21 PM
#51
You'll be fine towing with that van. Just make sure you take it out of over drive.
I would strongly suggest a dual axle trailer because it will keep your car from bouncing around so much. The majority of the suspension in the trailer is in the tires, so don't go buying shitty car tires or something.
But on the other hand, you are only towing a miata so...
I would strongly suggest a dual axle trailer because it will keep your car from bouncing around so much. The majority of the suspension in the trailer is in the tires, so don't go buying shitty car tires or something.
But on the other hand, you are only towing a miata so...
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01-03-2012, 05:20 PM
#57
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You can leave it in OD until you come to a hill. Before you get to the hill, turn off OD. If it's a short uphill followed by a flat area then another hill, leave it in OD the whole time. Once everything is flat again, put it back in OD.
Minor grades can remain in OD. You'll get a feel for what conditions will make it downshift after driving it a bit. The key is to keep the trans in one gear or the other instead of allowing it to shift constantly.
If the van has a tow package, then it will already have a trans cooler.
Minor grades can remain in OD. You'll get a feel for what conditions will make it downshift after driving it a bit. The key is to keep the trans in one gear or the other instead of allowing it to shift constantly.
If the van has a tow package, then it will already have a trans cooler.
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01-03-2012, 05:37 PM
#58
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You can leave it in OD until you come to a hill. Before you get to the hill, turn off OD. If it's a short uphill followed by a flat area then another hill, leave it in OD the whole time. Once everything is flat again, put it back in OD.
Minor grades can remain in OD. You'll get a feel for what conditions will make it downshift after driving it a bit. The key is to keep the trans in one gear or the other instead of allowing it to shift constantly.
If the van has a tow package, then it will already have a trans cooler.
Minor grades can remain in OD. You'll get a feel for what conditions will make it downshift after driving it a bit. The key is to keep the trans in one gear or the other instead of allowing it to shift constantly.
If the van has a tow package, then it will already have a trans cooler.
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01-03-2012, 05:54 PM
#59
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I'm looking forward to the progress. I find a panel van to be second only to a short bus in terms of combination of practical and low-priced towing options that are able to accomodate partying.
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