Beast From The East

At least the race forum has folks that are level and sane (sort of like the Big List) - this is all good advice so far. I am leaning towards something along the lines of a 3/4 ton truck with a large enough motor to tow the car and trailer, and I'm looking at small enclosed vs. open trailers based on what I've seen discussed so far. Therfore I need something that pulls between 5K and 6K lbs. Gas milage is not an issue since I was driving the RX7 as my daily driver anyway, and it's milage is similar to the trucks described. I want to go extended cab and 2 wheel drive for the added space, wheelbase, and towing capacity (plus I have no need for 4x4, which would not be used and just adds to cost). I'd go used on the truck, and might go new on the trailer but I have seen on ebay a couple of used trailers that have some great modifications (winches, workbenches/cabinets, tiedowns, electrical and or lighting, tire racks, etc.) that cost the same as a new trailer with no adds. So far I'm thinking I'll need roughtly $15K to do the job right. Tandem axles on the trailer, with ebrakes on both axles best, and the enclosed trailer has the drive up feature vs. ramps. Also want the load leveling hitch.

So, my first step is get the truck. I also need to confirm I have the storage lined up for the trailer and the car (not enough room at the house). I have one other new wrinkle, and that is insurance. State Farm will cover the truck and trailer of course, but they won't even offer comprehensive on the car to cover it in case of theft. Are they any insurance companies that will cover race cars as personal property, such that it is covered in the event of theft OR if it is involved in an accident while on the trailer? Obviously they won't cover damage on the car while it is on the track, but it would seem like you could get reasonable covereage in case of theft. It's expensive to replace a modded single turbo.....

I may need to start a separate thread on this after doing a search.....I'll also call Hagerty who insures my 71 Triumph classic.....
thx.

Beast

wlfpkrcn

If you are towing and have an accident the truck insurance should cover the trailer and car for damages. If it's parked at a hotel, and some steals it off of/ out of the trailer then ???? I never thought about it before. It would be hard to drive a full blown racecar thru town. If it is stolen out of your garage wouldn't home insurance cover it?

tims

start with a good base. A solid truck or van with 3/4 ton or better suspension. I would stay with the big three and the truck will give the best performance. I have towed with several SUV's and the truck is alot better and feels safer. Insurance usually will cover the trailer(if added to policy) but not the contents. Seperate insurers may be able to help. I use a GMC 2500HD with the 6.0 gas engine and an 18' tandem open trailer to haul my RX7 and all the support equipment. It will cruise with the cruise control on at any speed(I mean any speed) and can crest the grapevine at 75mph. I can run the A/C in the hottest part of summer with no problems. use a good solid truck and relax to and from the track. good luck.

Cheers!

I haven't read all the responses yet. But if your wife is concerned with a 2nd vehicle, especially one that is smelly and ugly, go rent a F150 or F250 for the weekend. Then rent a car dolly. Or buy a el-cheapo good condition one. Go find a 18 wheeler garage and ask where you can find a 18 wheeler parking/holding lot. You can leave your car dolley there for about 50 bucks a month. It is gated, and fenced, so it's not easy to go steal stuff out of it.

A decent tow vehicle (since it seems you don't want a clunker) is easily 5000 to 7000 bucks.
A decent steel car trailer is like 2000 bucks.

To rent a F250 for the weekend, is 250 bucks give or take for the weekend?
You grab the truck from the rental place, pick up your car dolley. Load up the rx7. Off you go.

Now try to be in my situation. No space for trailer, No space for another vehicle. Means stuffing 4 R comps into the 2nd gen. Rubber made boxes. Tarps, and using every nook and cranny you got. Load up the car with tools, jack, 2 jack stands, change of clothes, tarp, some spare parts. Helmet... etc... Hold a AAA card and cell phone as well jsut in casel. Go do time trial racing. Pack up after the day, head to motel, repeat for next day. Pack up, drive home.

If car breaks, AAA gets a call for a flat bed. I did it 2 weekends ago. I called AAA. Good thing I got their most expensive premium package. Else towing gets expensive once u are over your allowed miles.


Hello AAA, how can we help you.
Me: My car broke down.
AAA: I'm sorry to hear that, where abouts are you?
Me: In a town...
AAA: Which town exactly? are you in a parking lot?
Me: (wondering what to say...) I'm at gate #1 at Mosport International Raceway... my car broke down infront of the gate...
AAA: Yes we know where that is, we will send someone there shortly.
Me: Needs to be a flat bed...
AAA: Sure there is a 25 dollar surchage if we determine you dont' need a flatbed.
ME: Believe me madam, I definitly need a flat bed.

Beast From The East

This Sunday is "go look at trucks and trailers" day. I have a feeling I'm going to go with an enclosed trailer, from 20 to 28 feet. Looking for used on eBay and any other avenues I can find-used trailers seem to be able to be had for the price of new but they have all the 'goodies' like workbenches, winches, tire racks, electirical, etc. If I can't find what I'm looking for, the I'll probably go new 24 to 28' and slowly build it up with the extras.

I'm cruising my paper and other truck outlets on a daily basis looking at Ford/Chevy/GMC 3/4 ton trucks, ext. cab 4x2, mid to late 90's with larger v8's (350/351). I will buy the truck first (need something to get around in), then pick up the trailer, then prep the car for it's first HPDE at either Thunderhill or Sears Point via NASA or some other club. Once I get my feet wet at a couple of those and I determine this is something I will commit to for long term then I will commit to really upgrading the car to meet a proper class in SCCA and drive my brains out.

Getting the track insurance, and already have my storage arranged, so now it's time to watch and pounce with the opportunity presents itself. As Peter said, most insurance companies have written out HPDE from their coverage, and State Farm won't even extend my homeowners coverage to a track-only car in a garage (hence the need for the race car insurance, which will cover it as long as it is in an enclosed facility, not the trailer unless it is in transit to or from an event).

This is quite an adventure......

Beast

KeloidJonesJr.

iTrader: (8)

Someone on this forum pickup one up posted it in the loung.

Beast From The East

Uh, eatmyclutch, can you translate what you typed? Engrish, prease....is what you meant to type that someone picked up a truck or trailer and posted it in the lounge, or that they have something for sale?

tims

beast,
welcome to the club of racing nuts who look through countless ads for a decent tow vehicle and race car insurance.

Beast From The East

Thanks, Tim. I'm totally obsessed at this point, and I have not even gone to the track in two years (I have been drag racing for a while, but stayed away from road racing for fear of bending up my daily driver....not anymore!). Finding a tow vehicle is not going to be the problem - getting the trailer seems to be the bigger challenge here in Northern California. All the enclosed 20 to 28 footer trailers I find used are in the midwest or south...very little here on the west coast so far. I can order new and have it shipped, but I would rather get the 'extras' on a gently used trailer vs. starting new and having to add them over time (and spend the extra money).


I'm going to two local trailer companies this afternoon, but I'm going to guess they only do new and the prices will be high since they are the only games in town, it would seem.

tims

best time of the year for trailers seems to be from about october to february. racers are unloading their stuff. keep looking and something will come by.

Beast From The East

Well, I played hooky from work during the afternoon and went to two trailer places here locally - Bar None and PacWest. PacWest does a good job supporting the local race sceen (especially drag racing), supplying Rockitt and Sunoco race fuel as well as trailers. The Carson trailer they stock is NICE compared to the Haulmark at Bar None (PacWest also has the Haulmark). However, I'm looking at 8 to 9k for the unit I'd want. Crap, racing is expensive.


How do you make a small fortune in racing? Start with a large one (old joke, but very true.....)

I did find an eBay ad for another Carson dealer up in Orland (Performance Specialty) who seems to run loss leaders to attract attention - he's got base Carson 8.5X20' units for the mid 6K figure, which seems like a loss leader. Still, Orland ain't that far...but I'd rather go 24' and get the workbench space.

So, this weekend we spend more time looking for tow vehicles. Both places recommended going diesel for the power and milage, so now I'm going to focus on that in a 3/4 ton chassis.....

What an adventure.....

Julian

iTrader: (14)

I started thinking a few year old 3/4 ton diesel.. but current pricing on a new Ram 2500 diesel is so good that I will go that way and replace the wifes car

Beast From The East

So, I ended up buying the first truck I looked at. 2001 F-250 V10 4x2 ext.cab with 4.3 lsd rear end, with three toolboxes in the bed and a roof rack that extends over the cab - perfect to haul the car/trailer and also use to work on my rentals when needed. 8800 GVWR, already has a hitch just need to get the breakaway electric brake pack. It has 122K miles since the painting contractor who owned it ran it back and forth from the Bay Area quite a bit, so the milage is basically highway. He did tow a small open trailer with 2 quad bikes. Straight body, clean interior. All for $7400.....I figure this will last me quite a few years and if I get super serious about towing a big trailer then I will upgrade to the diesel dually and a long gooseneck trailer with either living quarters or room for multiple cars (hey, my Dad will want to race his car, too).

Now I need to focus on the trailer. More to come....