I have a small, 4x8 trailer that can hold 1500 pounds and a car to tow it with. So instead of keeping a road-legal Solo II car or upgrading to a massive beast of a truck just to tow a track Miata, I want something that will fit my current car/trailer combo. I really want something that resembles a "race car" as opposed to a racing cart. I am thinking a formula V that is no longer suitable for track competition, or a small replica of an Indy car. Any thoughts out there?
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April 7, 2009 9:38 a.m. pinchvalve UltraDork
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April 7, 2009 9:44 a.m. mistanfo Dork
Unless you're on the hefty side, a racing kart will kill most things out there. Even if you are, it'll give 'er a go. Plus, spares are disturbingly cheap for karts. Of course, depending on your region, karts may not be very usable (the Blue Ridge Region SCCA has very few courses that can have karts on them, though you aren't in the BRR). Plus, I'd rather tow a small fraction of the allowable weight, as opposed to right up at the limit.
Of course, you could build a locost that would JUST fit the trailer, and have something unique (if not competitive, depending on what class you get stuffed in).
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April 7, 2009 9:45 a.m. mistanfo Dork
Oh, just had a though. Wait for the Bezerkely to go up for sale? I think that it might fit in that small a space.
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April 7, 2009 9:46 a.m. DILYSI Dave UltimaDork
FSAE is bigger than a kart and smaller than a car.
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April 7, 2009 9:55 a.m. mw Reader
I believe you could get a miata down to 1500lbs. It wouldn't really resemble a race car anymore because you would be missing many body panels, but I'm quite confident it can be done.
How much does a mini weigh?
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April 7, 2009 10:37 a.m. SVreX UberDork
My Yugo in race trim weighs 1250 lbs. wet.
Note, however, that trailers are usually rated for their GROSS weight (GVW). That would NOT be it's cargo rate, it would be it's TOTAL weight (including the weight of the trailer).
1500 lbs. gross or cargo capacity?
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April 7, 2009 10:40 a.m. PaulY New Reader
Yea, an FSAE or D-sport seems to fit the bill.
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April 7, 2009 10:45 a.m. DWNSHFT New Reader
The right answer is 125cc shifter kart. If you're dead set against a kart, then look at small formula cars. Formula V, Formula First, Club Ford (older Formula Fords). I think they will weight 1100-1300 pounds. I don't know if their wheelbase will fit on an 8' trailer, though.
My shifter kart fits on my 4'X8' trailer with extra room for the kart stand.
David
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April 7, 2009 10:50 a.m. Keith UberDork
mw wrote:
I believe you could get a miata down to 1500lbs. It wouldn't really resemble a race car anymore because you would be missing many body panels, but I'm quite confident it can be done.
How much does a mini weigh?
I don't think a Miata can get to 1500 lbs, but I want to see someone try!
My classic Mini weighs 1450 lbs without any attempt at lightening at all. Full interior, roll up windows, a row of lights along the grille, etc. It's amazing.
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April 7, 2009 11:34 a.m. Type Q HalfDork
Locost
Someone had to say it.
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April 7, 2009 11:59 a.m. Brotus7 New Reader
Formula 440 or F500? Some clubs don't allow shifter carts, but they'll allow F500 cars.
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April 7, 2009 12:03 p.m. mw Reader
Keith wrote:
I don't think a Miata can get to 1500 lbs, but I want to see someone try!
Mine is at 1650 and I still have a 18lb battery, full trunk lid, hood, fenders, bumper covers, brake dust shieds, non cross drilled rotors, all the stock wiring, solid sway bars, all the stock undercoating, steel bodied shocks and full size coil springs, etc. I think I could lose more weight if I got rid of the seat slider, made a lightweight steering column, properly depowered my rack, lighter rad, and started drilling holes in things.
I just don't have any time to get these things done.
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April 7, 2009 12:12 p.m. alfadriver Reader
Type Q wrote:
Locost
Someone had to say it.
Or a real 7.
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April 7, 2009 12:55 p.m. JThw8 SuperDork
A decent Formula V would work, a good one will weigh in around 1000lbs.
My first one was towed behind a Ford Focus on a little 4x8 utility trailer with no problems.
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April 7, 2009 12:57 p.m. maroon92 SuperDork
I would say F440 or F500....FMod FTW.
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April 7, 2009 1:34 p.m. 2002maniac New Reader
I'm not sure how big a dwarf car would be, but they sure look like fun!
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April 7, 2009 2:26 p.m. rl48mini New Reader
a mini (as small as they are) is 10' long bumper to bumper and just about 4 and a half feet wide. A little too big for the 4 x 8 trailer.
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April 7, 2009 3:18 p.m. Gonzo_Bmod New Reader
B Mod or F Mod. Find an older flat bottom DSR Legrand. The DSR cost is definitely grassroots for a true race chassis. 1000cc / 150+HP bike power is fun and cheap.
If your not sold on the 2 cycle weed wacker in the F Mod, there is a new movement to 600 cc bike power in the works with conversion kits already out there.
Both have about 80" wheelbases and are well under 1000 lb without the driver.
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April 7, 2009 3:48 p.m. ignorant PowerDork
kart. They are just so easy to store.
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April 7, 2009 3:57 p.m. Keith UberDork
mw wrote:
Keith wrote:
I don't think a Miata can get to 1500 lbs, but I want to see someone try!
Mine is at 1650 and I still have a 18lb battery, full trunk lid, hood, fenders, bumper covers, brake dust shieds, non cross drilled rotors, all the stock wiring, solid sway bars, all the stock undercoating, steel bodied shocks and full size coil springs, etc. I think I could lose more weight if I got rid of the seat slider, made a lightweight steering column, properly depowered my rack, lighter rad, and started drilling holes in things.
I just don't have any time to get these things done.
Here's a tip for you: the 1999-05 steering column is hollow and is 170 grams lighter than the earlier one.
If you can take an extra 150 lbs out of a 1650 lb Miata, I doff my hat to you. Do you measure dry or wet?
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April 7, 2009 8:15 p.m. Tyler H Dork
I have a 5x8 trailer with a 1500lb axle on it. There's no way that anything resembling a car is going on that trailer.
My 18hp 48" cut riding mower is a snug fit on width, and I'm a foot wider than you.
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April 7, 2009 8:44 p.m. JoeyM New Reader
I don't know if they fit your trailer, but the little Gould GR55 hill climb cars look a lot like the Jordan F1 cars.
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April 7, 2009 9:12 p.m. ManofFewWords Reader
I haven't yet heard of anyone searching for a car to fit a $200 trailer.
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April 7, 2009 10:55 p.m. jgp1843 HalfDork
Tyler hit the key point - width. I used to have a Solo Vee (actually it was a road race legal car at about 900 pounds without driver) and weight was no problem - but you will have a very hard time finding anything that is less than 48 inches wide at the outside of the tires that is not a kart.
Besides, a 125 shifter kart is mega fast - looks like that's the best plan, if you have places to run it.
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April 8, 2009 6:45 a.m. Ian F Reader
ManofFewWords wrote: I haven't yet heard of anyone searching for a car to fit a $200 trailer.
+1.
Seems like putting the cart in front of the horse... IMHO, determine the maximum trailer weight you can tow, then upgrade your trailer & car to match.
Or skip the trailer all together and pick up a Northerntool tow-dolly...
