14 replies to this topic

[manthony121]

I am new to Spec Miata racing, and I'm thinking about buying my first race car/hauler/tow vehicle.  After doing quite a bit of research, I'm leaning toward buying a Class C RV, about 30-35 feet long, with a 6,000 pound towing capacity, and using that to pull an open trailer with the SM car.  (For political reasons, it will be much easier to sell my wife on the idea of my buying a race car if she gets a family-friendly RV in the deal.)

 

Among all the discussion about trailers, haulers, toy haulers, etc, I never see anyone talk about "flat towing" a race car: hooking a bar to the front of the car and letting it roll behind the RV on its four wheels.  The RV people talk a LOT about towing a "dinghy" in that fashion, but they are talking about street cars.

 

So, what is it about flat towing a spec miata that makes it so unpopular?  Wear and tear on the bearings?  Tranny?

[wheel]

Yes.

[Michael Novak]

Nothing wrong with flat towing except changing tires and the possibility of damage while racing that could make it hard to tow home.
I

[Kevin B]

Welcome to the sport! 

 

I'm now about 4 years into car ownership and I've gone from initially borrowing an open trailer to purchasing a used steel open trailer to owning a gooseneck enclosed version and a larger tow vehicle.  (Slippery slope... : )

 

Each stage and approach has its advantages in hindsight.  With no trailer, I was obviously at the mercy of a generous friend but I didn't have to worry about storage.

The steel open tandem-axle trailer with a box and tire rack is great.  It towed easily behind an older F250 and carried much of what I needed before I had many extra spares, wheels, tires, etc.  I still have it and use it to transport the cars locally, if needed.  It's small enough that I can store it inside the shop space I rent.  It wasn't expensive, ~$1,100 and an afternoon of rewiring and paint.  I know I could sell it if/when needed and get all of my money back.

 

On to the gooseneck enclosed.  I bought a clean used one and I couldn't be happier with it.  I've spent the last year tinkering and customizing it for our use.  I upgraded to a RAM 3500 along the way.  There are many more spares to carry now and much more packing required.  It is, however, extremely convenient to drop everything off post-race and get back to it a few days later when I feel like unloading, instead of having to do it late night on a Sunday.

 

Know this, you'll likely grow into whatever platform you pick.  I'm surprised at how crowded the doghouse was on this last SIC weekend...

 

Funny thing, as much as I like today's approach, I do sometimes miss how simple it all was initially.  Here in the southeast, we're very fortunate to have great support at the track from teams like OPM Autosports, Panic Motorsports, BSI Racing, East Street, Trackside Tim, etc., so newbies like I was can go bug Tom and Steve for parts that I never imagined I'd need to bring...  (Still do, BTW.  Thanks, Tom, for that end link bushing my crew chief forgot to secure after the rain session...)

 

Make friends at the track and build a good support system from the onset.  A twelve-pack of cold beer will go a long way in that effort...  SM is great class that pulls together to help out and the friends you make would prefer to beat you on the racetrack instead of driving past you parked in the paddock. 

 

Good luck and have fun!

 

-Kevin Bailey

[Tom Sager]

IMO using an open trailer would be much preferred over flat tow.  With flat towing you run the risk of messing up your alignment and subjecting the suspension to a lot of extra wear and tear, particularly if the car happens to encounter bad pavement or debris. That and you would probably end up carrying an extra set of wheels (towing wheels and tires).  Open trailers are cheap and easy to resell.

[mdavis]

Have seen the flat tow many times.  If your objective is to have fun with the wife and/or family while racing then the flat tow is where it's at.  Ideally you'd get an extra set of 4x100 wheels with some crapped out street tires and use those for towing.  

 

To Mr. Novak's point (it always sucks trying to load a wrecked car); most tracks will let you leave it behind and deal with it later if it's not drivable.  Better yet most everyone in our class will offer a solution!!

 

Very glad you've decided to join in!!

[wheel]

If you flat tow, it is still a good idea to disconnect the drive shaft.  With the tranny in neutral, the output shaft will turn, but not the input shaft.  Not sure about the Miata transmission as to whether this affects the lubrication as it did on some of the cars I used to flat tow.  

[Johnny D]

http://www.uhaul.com...port-Rental/AT/

J~

[manthony121]

http://www.uhaul.com...port-Rental/AT/

J~

Thanks for the link.  I watched the video of loading the car onto the trailer.  Is it a coincidence that the car is a NA Miata?

[Carl]

I flat towed my rx7 (same tranny as Miata) from San Diego to Phoenix or Laguna Seca many times.  Never had any problems other then having an on (Off actually) track experience that left some broken suspension parts.  Just flat towed the RX7 (SM on the trailer) to California Speedway this weekend so that my son and I could both race.  I would like to find a set-up so that I can flat tow the Miata too when needed.  I think RennMetal made one, but they quit business before I could buy one.  

[Bench Racer]

Thanks for the link.  I watched the video of loading the car onto the trailer.  Is it a coincidence that the car is a NA Miata?

Someone should have told Alan to attach the rear safety chain to the OEM tow loops or directly to the rear sub-frame. Those sub-frame braces are not all that strong to be the last attempt at keeping the car on the trailer. Critical comment, you bet.

[mhiggins10]

Someone should have told Alan to attach the rear safety chain to the OEM tow loops or directly to the rear sub-frame. Those sub-frame braces are not all that strong to be the last attempt at keeping the car on the trailer. Critical comment, you bet.

What about securing it to the tow hook on the back of the car?  I have one on the drivers side, and since the chain is on the passenger side of the UHaul trailer I usually rent, I just run it across to the hook.  Also, does this preclude needing to buy an additional strap to tie the back down from passenger rear subframe to a hook on the drivers side of the trailer in an X-pattern?

 

I never noticed the chain up front- what should one secure that to?  

 

Who knew a UHaul youtube video would be so instructional...

[manthony121]

I flat towed my rx7 (same tranny as Miata) from San Diego to Phoenix or Laguna Seca many times.  Never had any problems other then having an on (Off actually) track experience that left some broken suspension parts.  Just flat towed the RX7 (SM on the trailer) to California Speedway this weekend so that my son and I could both race.  I would like to find a set-up so that I can flat tow the Miata too when needed.  I think RennMetal made one, but they quit business before I could buy one.  

Did you disconnect the driveshaft, as others have suggested?  What kind of setup do you need to flat tow the Miata?  Do you mean a tow bar?  What is invoved in attaching/detaching one?

[Carl]

I did not disconnect the driveshaft on the RX7.  You need a tow bar.  I converted one meant for a VW bug that I got on Craigslist.  You can also get new ones from DrawTite.  

 

I don't have a setup for the Miata, but would like one. If you search for "RennenMetal Miata Tow Brackets" you can find photos and instruction manuals for their set-up which is unfortunately no longer available.  I may eventually get around to making my own.  

 

Based on my RX7 flat towing experience (and that of many other Southern California Spec RX7 racers), there should be no problem with flat towing the Miata.  It really makes for a simple set-up, especially if you have a truck bed to haul spares, etc.  The one time I wrecked the suspension, I went to the U-Haul dealer in Pahrump, Nev and one-way rented a tow dolly to San Diego.  I think it cost all of $75.

 

Good luck. 

[Bench Racer]

What about securing it to the tow hook on the back of the car?  I have one on the drivers side, and since the chain is on the passenger side of the UHaul trailer I usually rent, I just run it across to the hook.  Also, does this preclude needing to buy an additional strap to tie the back down from passenger rear subframe to a hook on the drivers side of the trailer in an X-pattern?

 

I never noticed the chain up front- what should one secure that to?  

 

Who knew a UHaul youtube video would be so instructional...

A thing to remember when using one diagonal strap on front or rear, the car will move sideways to the trailer. If I used diagonal straps, I'd use two front and two rear......................

 

U-Haul front chain, I'd loop around the front sub-frame.