DYI 911 race-car trailer

collier · 01-26-2004, 05:27 AM

Does anyone have any experience with building thier own trailer for their 911?

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum......I will try to incorporate some Technical Information.....

I want to know the best way to build a car hauler for the 911; I would need to know the technical aspects of the weight distribution??

Should the car go hood first (towards the tow vehicle) or should the tail of the car go towards the tow vehicle?

Should this be open or enclosed trailer?
Should this be single or double axle? (double is my thought)
Should I have storage for tires, tool boxes etc.

Anyone have any ideas, or sources for trailer plans so that I may build my own?

Thanks,

chris

Groesbeck Hurricane · 01-26-2004, 05:37 AM

Chris,

Unless you have experience doing this type of work, I would not recommend making your own trailer. There are many out there used that can be had for less than the materials required to make one. Look around and you might be very pleasantly surprised! We found two very inexpensive enclosed trailers four years ago when we just started to ask around. Bought a nice one within the week.

I prefer an open trailer, double axel is the only way to go. Make sure you have brakes on the trailer. I prefer electric brakes with the control box in the tow vehicle but many people like the friction style brakes that come on when the trailer starts getting closer to the tow vehicle. Those brakes make backing very difficult.

I always pull the car forward with the engine in the rear and make sure the tongue of the trailer has weight on it. In this area, I would defer to people who tow their 911's more often than I do.

My flatbed does not have storage for tools or car tyres, but I carry these in the pick-up. This is more of a personal choice type item? The enclosed trailer has storage for tools, tyres, anything you want to take along.

Lothar · Lothar's Garage

Hey Chris,

Check out these for someone who has built a trailer. The guy used mobile home axles which may not be legal where you live but you could use any trailer axle.

http://www.circletrack.com/howto/78218/

http://www.circletrack.com/howto/78358/

I would think open for a build your own. Tandem axle with 3500# axles is pretty typical. I would definitely get a tire rack at the least. I have to haul my spare tires inside my Trailblazer for now and it sucks.

Good luck,

GDSOB · GDSOB's Garage

I'd advise against using Mobile Home axles for your trailer, as they are designed to be "disposable" with many parts that are not serviceable. Probably ok for the guy with the bomber class car towing to the local dirt track, but most Porsche racers are towing farther and have much more invested. The 3500# rubber torsion or "torflex" axles with electric brakes are a great way to go since the leaf springs are eliminated.

Zeke · 01-26-2004, 06:17 AM

The parts are greater than the whole. Lots of open trailers for $600 and up. You'll get to do enough work on it customizing it for your needs to satisfy any desires to construct.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

1500 bucks gets you a nice NEW double axle trailer with electric brakes and ramps.....2500 if you want diamond plate, tire rack and a beaver tail. Why bust a nut when they are so cheap?

Dantilla · 01-26-2004, 06:32 AM

I would also recomend going to a race to look at other trailers, and asking people what they like or don't like about their setup.

Jon Merck · 01-26-2004, 07:41 AM

Shop around! I bought a used trailer, w/two-5000# axles, electric brakes cheap. Painted it last week and it looks new. Just make sure axles, bearings and the like are ok.
jon

911ctS · 01-26-2004, 08:08 AM

Featherlite aluminum trailers are very good. Strong and light, incase your towing with a weaker vehicle like a toyota tacoma or something. Then all you'll need is one of those aluminum "racing" jacks and you'll be all set.

collier · 09:07 AM

I want to thank everyone for their input, it is nice to get several perspectives on thoughts.

I am curious why more people are not proponents of building a trailer; it seems with the gifted, and mechanically adept persons on this list, that more people would be eager to fabricate something as straightforward as a trailer

Just a thought...

I have found several places that sell plans:

http://search.ebay.com/ws/search/SaleSearch?basicsearch=&ht=1&satitle=trailer+plans&sosortproperty=1&from=R9

http://www.tjtrailers.com/store/trailer-plans-blueprints.html

And even a place that sells kits:
http://www.championtrailers.com/UTILITY_TRAILER_KITS.HTM

Groesbeck Hurricane · 01-26-2004, 09:17 AM

Chris,

I see you are in horse country. Ask the breeders why they will not fabricate or use home-made trailers for their animals. The answers will generally be that they have too much invested to trust such a vehicle. The aerodynamics, the measurements, making sure everything is properly assembled and torqued, and then trying to register it. I've got one self-assembled trailer. It is a real b!t@h to haul those 1400 pound round bales with. Never again.

collier · 01-26-2004, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Groesbeck Hurricane
Chris,

I see you are in horse country. Ask the breeders why they will not fabricate or use home-made trailers for their animals. The answers will generally be that they have too much invested to trust such a vehicle. The aerodynamics, the measurements, making sure everything is properly assembled and torqued, and then trying to register it. I've got one self-assembled trailer. It is a real b!t@h to haul those 1400 pound round bales with. Never again.

hmmm, point well taken..........after all the work I will be putting into my cars, the last thing I want to do is sabotoge their transport

chris

Lothar · Lothar's Garage

Regarding mobile home axles: I have researched these axles. They are designed for single use WITH A HOUSE ON THEM!

They are typically rated at 7000 lbs. compared to 3500lbs for a nice trailer axle. The bearings are standard GM parts and can easily be replaced. The axle itself can be replaced for under $100. You could change them out every couple years and have less maintenance than many other trailers.

The weak link are the tires. The mobile home tires should be replaced with heavy duty Low Boy tires for serious highway use. They are very robust and are usually 8 to 12 ply.

I believe ELombard has a single axle trailer with Mobile home axles and has had no problems even with crummy looking tires. I am putting less than 4000 pounds over two axles with a gross rating of 14000 pounds!!! I think there is some safety factor and I regularly inspect the welds where the axle is connected to the brake baking plate.

All in all, you can save some money with this set-up of you have some basic welding skills. If you can build a trailer for $400 to $500, you could buy a lot of goodies with the $1000 to $1300 you save.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

I'll be the dissenting voice on the tandem setup. If you don't have 1/4 acre of maneuvering room and/or the skills for precise backing, a single axle trailer is easier to live with.

If you need to move it, you can just go grab the hitch and push it where you want. With a tandem, you're fighting an extra set of tires. hauling Uh-merican iron? You need a tandem. Porsche race cars are just fine with a 3500# - #4000 lb. single axle.

BTDT.

jpnovak · 01-26-2004, 10:16 AM

My father had an single axle aluminum trailer built by a boat trailer builder in FL. Not much more than $1000. Has a diamond plate center and a hand winch for loading the car. The single axle is rated at 3500# and is more than enough for the heaviest 911. You don't even know the car is back there.

Just keep a close eye on the tires. you don't want a failure on a single axle trailer. Just like most things, maintenence is key.