What do you have to tow / trailer your car?
Discussion
Similar thread in the Motorsport section.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I had a similar problem about 18 months ago but my limited budget restricted choice a little. I ended up with a 2005 2.2 dci x-trail. It has a 2-ton tow capacity and hauls pretty well when loaded up. I aim to swap for a discovery at some point (if I can keep racing costs under control enough).
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I had a similar problem about 18 months ago but my limited budget restricted choice a little. I ended up with a 2005 2.2 dci x-trail. It has a 2-ton tow capacity and hauls pretty well when loaded up. I aim to swap for a discovery at some point (if I can keep racing costs under control enough).
Towed with a 3.2 Shogun and rented from my local trailer place. Much preferred their big Ifor Williams trailers to the Brian James. Make sure you can open the door on the car over the trailer wheel arch on whatever you get. Big pain if you can't, have to winch on or get out of the window.
You need to make an important decision before you buy - will the trailer be used just for the MX5, or would it be useful to be able to move bigger vehicles?
I decided that I wanted a transport my MX5/Exocet. I welded a load of box tube to a caravan chassis. It towed really nicely, was lightweight to be pulled easily with an estate car and only cost me about £100. However, it was only big enough for the MX5 footprint and so I eventually decided I wanted a big trailer...
It's a 16ft Brian James tilt bed and it's excellent. I can move almost any car or small machine on it. I have a Toyota Hilux 4Runner with which to pull it...assuming that my wife hasn't taken it to pull her horse trailer! The only down-side is that my Sylva Riot looks a bit absurd on it!
We do a lot of towing and have used a lot of different tow vehicles. Big 4x4s are ideal in my experience. If you get something with a hefty tow capacity, substantial mass and fantastic brakes and you won't go far wrong.
I decided that I wanted a transport my MX5/Exocet. I welded a load of box tube to a caravan chassis. It towed really nicely, was lightweight to be pulled easily with an estate car and only cost me about £100. However, it was only big enough for the MX5 footprint and so I eventually decided I wanted a big trailer...
It's a 16ft Brian James tilt bed and it's excellent. I can move almost any car or small machine on it. I have a Toyota Hilux 4Runner with which to pull it...assuming that my wife hasn't taken it to pull her horse trailer! The only down-side is that my Sylva Riot looks a bit absurd on it!
We do a lot of towing and have used a lot of different tow vehicles. Big 4x4s are ideal in my experience. If you get something with a hefty tow capacity, substantial mass and fantastic brakes and you won't go far wrong.
You should check your car is allowed to tow for starters, ask any Towbar fitting company. Check the towing capacity against the all up tow weight as well.
Buy a twin axle trailer, they are very stable in crosswinds and at speed. With a single axle trailer a puncture in either wheel spells disaster, been there, done that.
I have a PRG twin axle for my Westfield towed by an Audi A3 Quattro.
Buy a twin axle trailer, they are very stable in crosswinds and at speed. With a single axle trailer a puncture in either wheel spells disaster, been there, done that.
I have a PRG twin axle for my Westfield towed by an Audi A3 Quattro.
jassihayre said:
Would just trailer the MX5 and keep everything as light as possible as I cant really justify having a dedicated tow car so would want to use a daily driver that is a fun drive when towing so trying to avoid SUV's and the like.
got to be a BMW diesel of some sort then.. Back in the day I've towed with plenty of them, 530d, X3, 320D all more than able to pull your MX5. BJ minno might be just big enough for the MX5, if so it can be stored in a single garage. Which is the other problem, you will need some where secure to park your trailer.Have used lots of different tow cars for the racing cars over the years, big engined rear wheel drive estates are best, others I have towed with include Omega Estates, Volvo T5 estate V70, Volvo S60 2.4D, BMW 530d, 525i, 330d, 323i coupe, 320d tourings, Passat Estate Tdi, MG ZS180, Caravelle 2.5i, Hyundai Santa Fe D, Ford S Max, Sierra XR4x4, Mondeo 2.5 estate.
I don't see the need to get some big daft truck to tow your racing car when a powerful estate does the job so well.
I don't see the need to get some big daft truck to tow your racing car when a powerful estate does the job so well.
I tow my race cars, track car, vintage and classic cars and occasionally supercars in this. It's easy to forget the trailer is there the GL is so capable. Awesome bit of kit. 7 full seats, air suspension, quick as you would want a car like this to be, comfy and good tech.




Edited by _Leg_ on Saturday 31st March 22:11
_Leg_ said:
I tow my race cars, track car, vintage and classic cars and occasionally supercars in this. It's easy to forget the trailer is there the GL is so capable. Awesome bit of kit. 7 full seats, air suspension, quick as you would want a car like this to be, comfy and good tech.


What a gorgeous car. I really like the GL range. 

Edited by _Leg_ on Saturday 31st March 22:11
If your vehicle has a maximum allowable braked towing weight of 1600kg then the rating plate on the trailer must be equal or lower than 1600kg, if you have a trailer capable of combined load of 2000kg then you can not use it.
You are judged on what the trailer "could" carry and not what you actually carry
But to your original question yes if your car has a rating of 1600 and you are pulling 1400 no issues.
You are judged on what the trailer "could" carry and not what you actually carry
But to your original question yes if your car has a rating of 1600 and you are pulling 1400 no issues.
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