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Open Trailer Designed For Low Cars

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#1
Johnny D

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Video at the bottom

 

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If you have a low front clearance race car like a Porsche GT3 Cup or a Radical SR3, you know that getting it on to your trailer can be a pain. You need Race Ramps and lots of wood and you have to search for the right parking lot slope.

 

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We were recently introduced to the Futura, an articulated power-lowering and sloping trailer that addresses this problem. The Futura, which is designed and manufactured in New Zealand, adjusts itself to a 3 degree approach angle. This works for many low clearance production cars and helps a lot with super low sports racers or formula cars. For example, while the GT3 Cup is a 2.5 degree car, it makes it on to the Futura with no ramps or wood thanks to a flexible front splitter which just touches the bed upon entry. Note that the Futura's secret is that the bed doesn't just tilt, it is also lowered by the winch mechanism. Check out the video at the bottom of the page to see the Futura in operation.

 

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The Futura also includes a second winch for pulling your car onto the trailer, a tire rack for carrying your tires and a solar panel for keeping the winch battery charged. The aluminum Futura weighs 1300 lb and is priced at $9995 for the 16'5" x 78.75" bed. With the extra winch, tire rack, solar panel and stone guard as shown here the price is $11,995. That's more than typical aluminum trailer, although once you price those with all the extras, including delivery, the difference shrinks. The Futura also comes with a 19'8" x 78.75" bed if you have a really big car. The low weight, combined with a light car like a Spec Miata or a Radical, probably allows towing even by smaller SUVs.

 

For track days especially, this seems like a very convenient solution if you're running a low car.

 

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For more information on Futura trailers in the U.S. contact Juliann Pokorny: juliann@windingroad.com

 


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#2
Tom Hampton

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Hmm....I suppose, but at that price why wouldn't I just get an enclosed trailer?


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#3
dstevens

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Hmm....I suppose, but at that price why wouldn't I just get an enclosed trailer?

Weight.  Instead of spending the extra money on a tow vehicle I suppose the alternative is spending it on a trailer.  When I moved from karts to cars I was looking to be able to pull a Miata with an Escape.  Ended up having to get a truck.  Around here for $12k you can get a 20' used trailer and truck in good enough shape to tow.  But you'd still have to store them both.



#4
Tom Hampton

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Around here for $12k you can get a 20' used trailer and truck in good enough shape to tow.  But you'd still have to store them both.


Yeah but....then you have a truck! Everybody needs a truck---life is so much simpler when you have a truck. But, then....I'm from Texas---where its considered un-American (or un-Texan which, honestly, is worse) to NOT own a truck.
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#5
dstevens

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I thought the law in TX was you had to have one truck for every two people in the household...


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#6
Andy Mitchell

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Trucks (and enclosed trailers) are both cool in my book. You can just park the enclosed trailer somewhere when you come back from the track, and unload at your leisure days later. Tools, gas cans, helmets etc. all safe. Also, it's a clubhouse at the track when it rains. Plus, you have a truck to mess around with between events. Amazing how useful that can actually be.

 

YMMV, of course.


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