Looking at buying my first trailer. What do you think?

[Smokinscotty]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150860439591?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649#ht_2541wt_1344

Anyone had experience putting low MX5s on a beaver tailed setup like this one? Thought it would be better for my rather low 5 than a conventional flat tray one.

Thoughts?

[david_syd_au]

Those wheel guards on the trailer could get in the way of opening the car doors, making getting in and out of the car when it is on the trailer into a real pain.

Also note that although the blurb says electric brakes are extra, they would be legally required when towing the trailer with a car loaded, so factor them into the price, and also a brake controller fitted in your tow vehicle.

I suggest you try loading your car onto one of the trailers at their factory, to be sure of clearance, before buying.

[rascal]

Those wheel guards on the trailer could get in the way of opening the car doors, making getting in and out of the car when it is on the trailer into a real pain.

Also note that although the blurb says electric brakes are extra, they would be legally required when towing the trailer with a car loaded, so factor them into the price, and also a brake controller fitted in your tow vehicle.

I suggest you try loading your car onto one of the trailers at their factory, to be sure of clearance, before buying.

Electric brakes are not legally required. Hydraulic are permitted if the trailer gym is 1990kg or less which many entry level trailers (such as this one) are. Trailer tare is usually 600 odd so a 1990gvm gives you a 1400kg payload which an mx5 is comfortably under. (actually ad states 1540kg so this one is only 450kg)

Electric brakes are however preferred as they allow you to control sway from inside the car if you load it wrong, as well as giving you brakes when reversing.

[Smokinscotty]

Ok, from what I could find on the RTA site, if the total weight laden is under 2 tonnes an override system would suffice.

For trailers with a GTM of up to 2 tonnes, this braking system can be either an overrun sysytem or one that is operated from the driver's seat.

It does also appear that the bulletins on the RTA site are a little dated

edit: looks like rascals been through this as well

[david_syd_au]

Those wheel guards on the trailer could get in the way of opening the car doors, making getting in and out of the car when it is on the trailer into a real pain.

Also note that although the blurb says electric brakes are extra, they would be legally required when towing the trailer with a car loaded, so factor them into the price, and also a brake controller fitted in your tow vehicle.

I suggest you try loading your car onto one of the trailers at their factory, to be sure of clearance, before buying.

Electric brakes are not legally required. Hydraulic are permitted if the trailer gym is 1990kg or less which many entry level trailers (such as this one) are. Trailer tare is usually 600 odd so a 1990gvm gives you a 1400kg payload which an mx5 is comfortably under. (actually ad states 1540kg so this one is only 450kg)

Electric brakes are however preferred as they allow you to control sway from inside the car if you load it wrong, as well as giving you brakes when reversing.

Yes, you are right. Thanks for that

[mazmad]

I am sure you are on to this, but some of these ebay sellers are using lighter gauge steel, something to check over and make sure it is solid enough.

[manga_blue]

The concept looks OK, just needs a few details sorted out. An open bottomed trailer like this one lets you use it do some of the servicing.

Tail lights on this one are set rather low and unguarded underneath. You will probably wipe them out entering driveways or crossing gutters. Ask them to add shields to the underside of them. You'll also snag and bend the number plate if it hangs down below the rear bar. It needs shielding too.

It looks like the mudguards will foul the doors. Some makers can make the drivers side guard removable,. Otherwise you'll need to open the roof to get in and out (and not have a hardtop).

Electric brakes will help you stop the death wobbles if they start. On a sprung trailer of around 1600Kg I reckon that this is a necessary inclusion. Unsprung (springless) trailers generally don't get the wobbles. So if you get an unsprung one then mechanical (override) brakes are good enough.

[manga_blue]

Also, a deck 4256mm long seems excessive. Mine is a fraction too long at 3650. From memory rascal is using one with a 3000 deck but it does look a bit too squeezy.

[Smokinscotty]

I was thinking a winch would get around the door opening issue, plus the hardtop comes on and off easy enough with a helper.

Good point about lights and plate! I've always liked the hinged plate bracket that folds out of the way for loading etc. I work in a truck parts shop, so LED lights are readily available, regardless they are fairly minor mods and should be easy enough to take on at home.

A trailer thats a bit too long is alright isn't it? Might make it more convenient when helping others... My cars still regoed, so if someone breaks a daily, they mount the trailer and I drive my car on the road. I would love to get a skyline again down the road.
Initially I wanted a single axle tilting one, but for the amount of trailer you get for the price with this one it's hard to go past.

[mazmad]

Following with interest fellas as I am in the market for one over Xmas too.

My rego is up then so decision time as to whether I still drive to the track.

[Magpie]

MX5 Plus was developing a trailer it may be worth contacting them to see how it progressed.

[PAU61L]

Hello everyone, give Peter @ Elf Trailers a call and tell him what you need.
I have done electrical work for him, and bought bits off him for my trailers.
He builds the trailers at Ingleburn, so he can build it to your specs.
If needed I could do a trial fit onto the trailer for you, with my NB8B.
Another trailer to consider is tiltatrailer in Brisbane, Ray in the club uses the single axle has taken it to Phillip Island and it works well.
Paul

[Smokinscotty]

Lol yeah I spotted his ads on eBay, and sent him an email with what I was looking for, this was one of three he recommended as possibly suitable. Easy enough guy to get along with.
I liked the look of the tilta brand, but thought they also looked more expensive plus the cost of freight was concerning. Cheaper trailer means more tyres for the fun car!

[rascal]

I was thinking a winch would get around the door opening issue, plus the hardtop comes on and off easy enough with a helper.

Having to winch the car versus simply driving it on or taking the hardtop off and on each time would get old pretty quick.
Also if you can't open the doors then you can't put the windows up after you have fitted the roof. I ended up fitting remote window switches in the boot to get around this exact issue.
(drive car on trailer, open roof, climb out, close roof through open windows, walk to boot and close windows) definitely a non ideal situation, but necessary as trailer (10x6) was what I had to work with.
If buying a new one then definitely get it right first time, ie doors can open, cos what seems a minor inconvenience at the start becomes a pita the 50th time you do it.

A trailer thats a bit too long is alright isn't it? Might make it more convenient when helping others... My cars still regoed, so if someone breaks a daily, they mount the trailer and I drive my car on the road. I would love to get a skyline again down the road.
Initially I wanted a single axle tilting one, but for the amount of trailer you get for the price with this one it's hard to go past.

If it's longer than you need then it weighs more, is more cumbersome to tow, reverse with, and takes up more space at home when not in use.
Flip side is it is more versatile than just a mx5 trailer.
IMO, I'd never tow a car with a single axle trailer, even though many do.

[Smokinscotty]

Cheers rascal, appreciate your input.
I wanted to request a different option for carrying the ramps, as his other car trailers have them mounted flat, which will be better for getting the weight forward. I will also enquire about hinging the guard.