Towing a Caterham

[MagicalTrevor]

I intend buying a Caterham in the future, most likely an Academy car. I'd. E towing it to tracks mostly so I'm interested in people's experiences in doing so. I'm mainly interested in what car you use, whether you feel your car has enough power/torque and generally how you've got on.

I currently have a 2013 Volvo V40 D2 (1.6D) and whilst the weight limits are fine, I'm not sure how a ~110bhp car would handle towing a Caterham.

[radical78]

caterhams weigh next to nothing and are very easy to tow just do it

[ewenm]

I towed mine with a 110bhp A3 with no problems.

[Aeroscreens]

2001 Ford Focus TDdi 90bhp (earlier model) for me, does the trick no problem.

[MagicalTrevor]

Surprising responses so far! I was honestly expecting people to say that I need 140bhp/2.0D engines so it's very encouraging.

Cheers! Of course, still keen to hear other thoughts

[BritishRacinGrin]

So long as you're using an appropriately sized trailer it should manage fine. A small Brian James trailer will weigh less than 350kg so your all up weight is less than 900kg.

[MagicalTrevor]

I was looking at the Brian James C2 Blue

[mnrvortxf20c]

id look for a twin axle b/j minno. they are superb!

[Grubbster]

I use a 3.0 doublecab Hilux which is perfect of course - but I did used to use a 109bhp Volvo V50d with no problems.

[MagicalTrevor]

mnrvortxf20c said:

id look for a twin axle b/j minno. they are superb!

I'm sure with a little google work I could find the answer but is there a big difference between single and twin axle trailers? I was trying to keep my costs down, hence the single axle trailer.

[jeffw]

If you lose a tyre you will instantly appreciate why a double axle is better....

[ewenm]

The Brian James Minno is the standard trailer for Caterham towing. I found mine excellent, but they aren't cheap

Edited by ewenm on Monday 17th February 10:15

[DCL]

I use the longer Micro Max and it's more than big enough. Single axle is a big weight saving and I have towed with a 80 BHP 306 with no problems. The blow-out argument is hard to disagree with, but if the tyres are well maintained, and most importantly replaced when old, they are no more likely to fail than a car tyre.

Edited by DCL on Monday 17th February 10:11

[BritishRacinGrin]

Would have no qualms about going single axle unless I needed to get two sets of wheels/tyres and three jerry cans on the front like you do with a Minno (optional racks). My advice would be to get a trailer with 13" wheels rather than the usual 10".

[JeffC]

MagicalTrevor said:

Surprising responses so far! I was honestly expecting people to say that I need 140bhp/2.0D engines so it's very encouraging.

Cheers! Of course, still keen to hear other thoughts

years ago my pals dad used to own a 1256cc Vauxhall Viva with 53bhp , each year he towed his 1970"s 4 berth caravan which will have weighed as much as the QE2 and the aerodynamics of a housebrick from the north east to Cornwall every year with a family of 5 onboard and all the cases and food for a fortnight , based on that I would be pretty sure a 110 bhp modern diesel car will manage just fine

[MagicalTrevor]

Had a quick look at second hand prices for a Minno and they're surprisingly expensive! A C2 Blue (which appears to be the replacement for the Minno) is £1299 new plus the various options (more like £2k).

I'm hesitant about the longer twin axle is that it would be going in my garage with the car stored on top

[Red Seven]

A twin axle trailer is no longer than a single axle one.

[MagicalTrevor]

Red Seven said:

A twin axle trailer is no longer than a single axle one.

The C2 is 4.18m and the C4 is 4.62m (at least for the shortest/cheapest one that I'd want)

http://www.brianjames.co.uk/pdf/Blueallmodels_1.pd...

[Guy Lowe]

This post will probably get deleted but I have a nice little trailer for sale HERE

Edited by Guy Lowe on Wednesday 19th February 10:17

[StoatWithToast]

A great thread re-animation post!

What trailer did you get?
How was it?

Now also looking at similar things - SV chassis and Elise S2 to tow, but growing up like the pal's dad - we went out every weekend and every summer holiday in a crap old car towing what was basically the weight of a house and never had a blow out and moving a twin axle by hand is a lot more faff than a single axle, so keen on the BJT C2.

Overhang ok on those beds? - The bed is shorter than the cars, but a fair bit more than the wheel base.
Decent quality?
Any regrets?

I'd never even thought of it before, but is the C2's optional suspension worth it do people think? Only ever towed without.