| Author | Message | ||
     Nik |
I'm signed up for a track day that's 200 miles away. I'm debating how to transport the bike to the track. 1) Ride it; the back up plan. I know I'd be hating life on the way back and an off course excursion would leave me totally screwed. 2) Rent a truck/van. Appears that Ryder is having a deal right now for $40/day and 500 miles free. Probably more fees than that. 3) Beg/borrow truck trailer space with someone else who's going. Working on it now, has always managed to work in the past... 4) Buy a truck... I wish. Before the economy went to hell I was planning on picking up a G8 ST as a graduation present. 5) Buy/build hitch and trailer for my car. Even though its the most expensive option I'm leaning towards this right now. There's been so many occasions in the past that I could've used one and I know they'll be more. I'd probably modify one of the small Harbor Fright trailers. I just have a little MR2 so it can't handle all that much but a small trailer and a single bike should be okay. I've done track days before with my car but this will be the first with the bike. | ||
| Dbird29 |
#3 | ||
| Eboos |
Here is the proper order 3, 2, 5, 4, 1. I wouldn't ride up there unless there was absolutely no other way. You are going to be very tired at the end of the day, and that's if everything goes well. | ||
| Rfischer |
#3 In the alternative, put a hitch on your car and rent a small utility trailer from U-haul for 'bout $35. I did that for some time before buying my own enclosed race trailer. Not as convenient as having your own, but cheep-cheep. | ||
| Nik |
I doubt I'd be able to rent a trailer for my car. It is not spec'd by Toyota to tow. As it is I have to build my own hitch (from proven/engineered plans). | ||
| Hootowl |
You should be able to find a hitch that will fit your car, even if it isn't rated for towing...most cars aren't. Look at places like hiddenhitch etc. http://www.hiddenhitch.com/ I don't know what kind of Toyota you have, but I found one for a 2007 Corolla just now, no drilling required. I went the HF trailer route and couldn't be happier. They are built pretty well, and they're really quite inexpensive. The bed tilts for easy loading too. I tow with an 06 Jetta, and I can barely even tell the thing is back there. | ||
| Nik |
Hidden-hitch doesn't have a design for my car (1991 Toyota MR2). Da'lan made one, and it looks like Curt builds it now. It requires drilling in order to bolt up to the exhaust hangers on the truck floorpan and costs ~$300. It is hidden, but its also heavy, requires permanent modification to the car, and I don't really like the idea of towing stuff around by my trunk sheet metal. The one I would build was designed for racers towing small trailers with race tires and tools around from event to event. It bolts up to the tow hooks and engine mount/crossmember. Much more stout and it can be removed in minutes. | ||
| Slaughter |
I have a hitch on my little Dodge Stratus. I used a Uhaul trailer and hauled BOTH my bikes 650 miles to a two day track day. Trailer is less than $20 a day (and you CAN get 2 bikes on the Uhaul moto trailer) Otherwise, I rent an Enterprise cargo van now. I use a 1984 Toyota pickup for short runs to races but that's just a 40 mile round trip. I won't trust the old pickup much beyond walking distance. | ||
| Jstfrfun |
The rental makes sense to me. That MR2 is NOT a towing vehicle, not even for a grocery cart! | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
Nik, what track are you going to? | ||
| Nik |
Streets of Willow, Nov 1 w/ other SCABs. | ||
| Slaughter |
Heck Nik - there has GOT to be one or two Sandy Eggans coming up that you could bum a spot on a trailer or in a van. Heck, a bunch of us are doing the track day at Willow on the 26th of October. Trackxperience.com is doing an $80 intro offer (AND they have their squid filter turned way up) and the full instructor staff on hand. | ||
| Ducbsa |
A buddy and I towed 2 bikes on a trailer behind my Chevette from Chicago to Daytona (1200 miles) and back several times. It could only do 45 up Lookout Mt near Chattanooga, but was fine other than that. 1600cc and 4:11 gears. | ||
| Reepicheep |
My Saab 9-3 will haul a harbor freight trailer carrying a 9sx and a KLR-250 just fine... I think it's rated from the factory to pull 2000 pounds. I was surprised how well the car actually did... Fuel economy dropped from a best of about 33 mpg highway, to about 27 mpg highway. My preferred hauler is my nieghbors truck though  | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
What about buying a cheap small truck for toy hauling and other "work" duties? I just picked up an 89 gmc s-15 with a 4.3L for $850. It gets 17-20 mpg so it will sit most of the time but its nice having a hauler available any time the need arises. With something like that, all you need are tow straps and a ramp. (Although my inclined driveway is taking the place of a ramp for now) | ||
| Slaughter |
This is why I don't get rid of the old 1984 beater Toyota SR5 - gets my bike, generator, tools, popup, racing gear - all to the track and back. Truck couldn't sell for $1000 so I thought I'd just run her til she drops. No regrets. Racing costs average a tad more than $1000 per month, I can't afford payments so I'm staying cheap. |
