17 replies to this topic

[Brandon]

Hallo.

Wanted to try and move the tires we currently haul from the back of the Expedition to somewhere on the trailer. I currently bring to a race at minimum 6 mounted (4x rain, 2x dry) but like the idea of being able to bring 8 total (4x both rain & dry) however the interior of the truck doesn't appreciate.

This leaves me with cobbling together some manner of tire rack on the trailer itself, which isn't too much of a stretch for me, but getting into a project this close to my season start (coupled with spending $$$ on welding & cutting tools) leaves me with simple, bolt-on options only.

Here's the trailer I have:
There's quite a bit of space from the battery storage box (little black thing behind the jack) and the front of the trailer frame (nearly 4' I think) and the nose is framed by 3x (almost) 4" steel "C-beams" - plenty of heft there.

What I'd like to do is something like this:
But with 3 posts (one on each nose beam) and long enough to support 3 tires on each.

Good idea/bad idea?

This isn't a permanent solution by any means. Merely an effort to have "something" without learning how to weld and design a structure that sits above your racecar. I'm also noodling on some mechanism to supply additional support that ties all 3 poles together through the top.

Thanks for the opinions!
Brandon

Edited by Brandon, 02-26-2012 05:17 PM.

[Cy Peake]

Do it right the first time. Get someone who knows what they're doing to build one for you just ahead of the decking. Mine cost about $500 and holds 2 sets of tires and my trailer spare. It's low, protecting the front of the car from whatever gets kicked up by the truck's rear tires. I just put a fresh coat of POR15 on it last weekend. I can take photos for you next week if you want me to (it's all loaded and ready to head to the track later this afternoon). Let me know via PM and include your email addy.

[Chris Adams]

I really like the "Trail-ex" designed tire rack. You could make it even more simple and low by using two traingular brackets then weld your bracket (hole) where the bar would run through on the point of the triangle. Put a hole through the bar on each side so you can lock the bar on and no one steals them

Stick figure of the idea:

--o-()()()()()-o--
/ \.........../ \


Picture of a Trail-ex design:


I'm also looking for a quick solution to tire towing so any ideas are greatly appreciated. I have a steel-frame wood-deck trailer I use and my fiance is tired of the Envoy having gravel/tire marks in it

See:






edit: LOOK AT THOSE GAS PRICES!

[Brandon]

All suggestions are good, I do want a proper tire rack but I don't think I can get anything done before next weekend.
The pipe fitting/pole idea was a temporary implementation to accomplish my immediate goal.

[Chris Adams]

Another Idea...

[Jaime Florence]

Brandon,

I just solved this same problem on my old beater trailer. I went to Evil Genius Racing and within a couple of hours they finshed it. Total cost was less then $300.


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There is plenty of room under the tire rack for the front of a Miata, but mine sits entirely behind the tire rack anyway.

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They made the bracket for the bar (to secure the wheels) with some adjustment so that larger wheels could be used. Also they added some bent little bar stubs so I can hang bicycles off of each side of the trailer.

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I'll bet that any decent iron works shop or welding shop can build you something similar for darn cheap. I hope this helps.


Jaime

[Johnny D]

I have a tool box on the bottom rails. It's nice to put the strapes, chucks, winch battery, etc. in.
Too close to the crank and you start hitting it while cranking.
2 sets of tires up top, pipe runs the middle and locks at end. Maybe not too high if you don't like lifting tires.
I have 2 square holders farther back for 5 gal jugs on each side.
Mesh runs in between the 5 gal jugs for ice chest, bike, etc.
The way I have it I CAN'T get my hood up because of the frame/mesh, plan Accordingly.
J~

[Chris Adams]

Jaime, that is a simple, yet effective tire rack!

That's what I am planning on putting together for mine. Simple, cheap, effective. And they even used that pad lock throug the hole in the end!

[dstevens]

Putting the tires on poles that far forward on the trailer tongue will substantially increase your tongue weight and likely change the trailer handling pretty dramatically. As much as a 100 or so lbs that far forward can make a big difference. If you are still favoring the pole idea try to get the weight back to where the tongue joins the trailer as you can.

The racks mentioned by others in the thread can be made in an afternoon with under a 100 bucks worth of material and a small 110 volt mig or one of the tombstone buzz boxes.

[Brandon]

I'm cognizant of the tongue weight issue, and plan on getting a weight-distribution hitch regardless. Depending upon what comes out of my trailer reseller visit this weekend (cost & time) I may still get a proper rack done "right".

Believe me, I do realize how easy it is to put something like those together (I do woodworking during the off-season ) but I wouldn't trust my first welding job to support 264#+ above my car let alone expect it to survive a 2-hour interstate drive.

I'll just say I think proper welding requires more skill than I've got and in woodworking something can look like crap but you can always stick another nail/screw into a wood project to fix something! Plus, the wife's already nixed the notion of getting into metal working tools - her justification is "You've got enough already!"



A man can never have enough tools.

[Chris Adams]

Amen!

Or tires, or cars, or toys...

[wheel]

If tongue weight is an issue, you can always back the Miata on, and put the engine weight further back.

[Tom Hampton]

Plus, the wife's already nixed the notion of getting into metal working tools - her justification is "You've got enough already!"

Dude, you made a major strategy error. You can't start with your own project needs. You have to start with something around the house: fence, gate, etc. I had a nice, older woman drive off the road and into our pipe fence. Then the garbage man backed into our steel gate. Now the wife wants me to cut the gate in half and reweld it into two half-gates instead of the full width gate that it is today. And she's found even more metal work projects to be done, since we don't have to hire a welder anymore.

Is it my fault that all these things NEEDED a mig welder, and that its sooooo much cheaper to buy some equipment than it is to hire someone to do it. One job pays for the welder.

Now...hmmm.....is it my fault that I've ended up with a new tool that needs to be stored in the shop? Of course not! It wasn't my idea for that lady to run into our fence....not that anyone can proove anyway.

[rookie]

Looking for a light trailer to tow behind a midsize SUV (max tow rating of 3500lbs)- Trailex Alum is my preference - a new one is out of the budget - any suggestions on MFGs that provide a cost effective "lighter" steel unit similar to one pictured?

[Cy Peake]

Mine.

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[Bench Racer]

A man can never have enough tools.

Unless he has a wife.

[Cy Peake]

^^^That's when those ear plugs you use at the track come in handy

[Chris Adams]

^^^That's when those ear plugs you use at the track come in handy