Posted: 09 November 2007 at 8:55pm | IP Logged

Hi Everyone,

Having spent 2007 messing about with a hired trailer in 2007, I'm now buying one for 2008.

Questions

1. Does anyone have one for sale?
2. How much does a typical 2 axle Brian James/PRG weigh - I'm also changing my road car and want to make sure I get something that'll tow the race car?
3. What's the best size - will a 924 go on a 12' bed or do I need to get a 14 footer?

All replies most welcome

Thanks

John B

Posted: 10 November 2007 at 2:18am | IP Logged

Hi John,

Ours is a 14foot Brian James which we got new at the start of 2006 season, and it's superb.

 Brian James have them in stock most of the time so you can just give them a ring a couple of weeks before you need it. Ours was an absolutley basic one without any extras and it cost about £1350 as far as I can remember.

We bought new because they are so saleable that you only save a couple of hundred on a ten year old one from ebay....on the other hand there are loads on ebay so you might get lucky.....

I used to tow a 944 on a similar trailer behind an old Audi100 and I know of someone who towed one behind a Rover 214....so I think anything you can fit a tow bar to will drag your race car to meetings!

Andy

Posted: 10 November 2007 at 4:57pm | IP Logged

Hi john

you will need a 14 footer. I am thinking about selling my Woodford Trailers tilt bed if you are interested. Its a great trailer but a bit overkill for the 924, I think its max load is 2.5 ton!

As far as tow cars go you do need to be carefull. use a car which is too light and you will end up with the tail wagging the dog, which is no fun! I had this a couple of times when towing with my A4.

The laws on towing are very clear check this link.

A basic guideline is that the weight of the trailer should not exceed 85% of the unlaiden weight of the towing vehicle. So if the combined weight of the race car and trailer is around 1500kg your tow vehicle needs to weigh the best part of 1800Kg.  add to that all the tools spairs and passengers we drag to race meetings and you will exceed the capacity of most saloon cars. So to tow safely (and legally) you will need a big vehicle. I use a Frontera (yes yes I know snigger snigger!) but you will notice a lot of folks use some sort of 4x4 or van's for there obvious practical advantage. 

Steve

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/Caravan sTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_1001307

Posted: 10 November 2007 at 6:25pm | IP Logged

Thanks guys,

Looks like it'll be a 14 footer then.

Steve - As a matter of interest, what does your OTT Woodford weigh?

John B

Posted: 10 November 2007 at 8:10pm | IP Logged

John

Not sure what its exact weight is but I think it is between 450 -500kg with the tyre rack fitted.

Steve

Posted: 11 November 2007 at 7:41pm | IP Logged

I think that most largish modern saloons are around the 1400-1500 kilo range which suggests that with car at around 930kg plus trailer at 450-500kg we must be on the margins.

Which reminds me, at one point I was towing a Formula Ford with an MG Midget......

Posted: 11 November 2007 at 9:42pm | IP Logged

Hi John,

You don't need a 14ft trailer - I used a 13ft one for nearly 2 years and I now use a new BJ 13ft trailer to tow my 968, which is 1250Kg so its heavier by a fair bit than the 924 was.

You get a tiny bit of overhang, but its fine and it will fit in most garages too (the reason I went for a 13ft in the first place).

Tow with something nice big and heavy though so the trailer does not drive the car so to speak - you will be doing a few long runs and the more comfortable you are the better. I used a motorhame and now use an LT35 (sprinter type van) and apart from the width I hardly notice the trailer is attached.

Gazza

Posted: 12 November 2007 at 11:30am | IP Logged

Hi

It may state the obvious but unless you have some space restrictions as in Gary's case then I would go for the 14 footer. It gives you a bit more space and you can alter the position of the car to balance the trailer better. If in any doubt it may be worth asking B James what there most popular seller is ( I bet its the 14ft ) which of course means it will be easier to sell at the end.

If you can afford it go for the shuttle RS3 ( fibreglass hinged lid ). I use mine to store my Radical and they tow like a dream . I paid £6500 in 2005 for mine and would still expect it to fetch close to that mark now. There was a short waiting list in 2005.

Regards david #91

Posted: 12 November 2007 at 1:32pm | IP Logged

HOLD HARD JB....my mate has brand new ( used once ) BJ trailer...the story is the previous one was stolen and the insurance company replaced it. It has stood "unused" since then....he's just gone to measure it...!

details shortly...

david #91