Trailer for Speedster Spyder

Drop axle w/ 14" is ok but be careful that you don't get too low, this will pick up road debris from the towing vehicles tires ...wide mud flaps or stone guard on the trailer would be cheap insurance.

Alan Merklin posted:

 

Good looking car right there....

Troy Sloan posted:

Dutch posted:

Robert, who sells these in CA? I tried going with a tow bar and it is just not working out, a trailer would be a better choice for me.

Dutch.  I'm curious about what it is that's not working out with a tow bar?   I've been towing at least 30 different pan based Speedsters for thousands of miles with a car and now a small pickup and never had a problem.  Never! Not even when the car had an anti-sway bar.  I know your buddy Jim is doing the same, so why isn't it working for you?

Hi Troy. My fit problem is not one of ground clearance. I modeled the tow bar after the one that Musbjim had. It was made with the same dimensions but when I tried it on my CMC it was about 1/4" too wide on either side of the axle. I took it back to the fabricator who built it for me and had him bend the tubes in a bit and re-weld the shackles. He showed me the fit on a set of VW front axles. Well this time it cleared the axle ends just fine but the front right(looking from the front) did not seat all the way up onto the axle tube, something was in the way...When I felt the backside of the axle tube there was some sort of support strut that was in the way and keeps it from seating correctly. I am taking the tow bar and the car to to the fabricator next week to see what he can do about the clearance of that pesky bracket.

Does that bracket attach to a tube that goes back to the pan? If it does it strengthens the beam to keep it from flexing. There should be 1 on the other side as well.

WOLFGANG posted:

I too have no issues with a slightly modified VW tow bar (narrowed to clear bumper bracket connections to the H beam).  I do have to use an adjustable height hitch receiver since I have a taller Toyota 4WD 4Rnr but it was only $20 at HF.  I'm just careful not to try backing up.  Even a light 4 cyl automatic can tow a Speedster.  

A trailer is nice but it takes extra cost license plate, inspection (some states), where do you store it?  

Wolgang, I need to get my car up on the quick jack to see why it is not fit

WOLFGANG posted:

I too have no issues with a slightly modified VW tow bar (narrowed to clear bumper bracket connections to the H beam).  I do have to use an adjustable height hitch receiver since I have a taller Toyota 4WD 4Rnr but it was only $20 at HF.  I'm just careful not to try backing up.  Even a light 4 cyl automatic can tow a Speedster.  

A trailer is nice but it takes extra cost license plate, inspection (some states), where do you store it?  

Wolfgang - I need to get my speedy up on the Quickjack to take a look and see why it is not fitting right. I too had it narrowed to fit to the inside of the axle beam ends but the front driver side shackle will not seat all the way up onto the axle, there is something on the back side in the way . Once I get it up on the left this weekend I'll have a better picture of whats happening.

Rusty S posted:

@MusbJim designed a tow bar that I use with great success. It is much longer than an EMPI tow bar. Jim uses the same setup and he has drop spindles.

Here's a picture of it:

Hello Rusty - my tow bar was also modeled after Jims but it was too wide to fit my CMC. I had it narrowed to where it finally fit between the axle ends but now it hangs up on the driver side to where the Shackle does not go all the way up onto the beam and I cannot get the pin into the holes to lock it in. I just need to get it back up on the quick jack this weekend and see what the #%@*) is happening. I am out to Denver for business from tomorrow the 26th and back late Saturday eve. I'll crawl underneath it Sunday and see what I can find. Hope you are doing well.

Speedster specific trailer, single axle 2,900 GVW . Empty weight is just 755 lbs.         You can easily haul this with a smaller pick up or  SUV.  2" ball.  New tires , new wheels, spare , steel loading ramps w/ slide in storage, hand winch & 4 load ratchet straps. New LED lighting, 4 prong electrical plug. New wood flat bed deck trailer measures 6 1/2' x 12'. Sits low to the ground for easy loading, adjust tire pressure for best ride. I built it just 9 months ago but didn't bother getting a title, I just borrowed a tag from my other trailer, I assume it is easy to get a home built trailer in most states. $1,350  Perfect for a Speedster,  Spyder, SCCA car, Bikes, (I have a wood wheel slot chock)  ATV's,  Snow Sleds etc. $1, 350........... Can deliver at Carlisle weekend.

Here's a picture of my considerably shorter and reinforced tow bar. My theory is that having the car closer to the towing vehicle helps prevent stone chips, but I have no empirical proof of that. 

Pulled the trigger today on a custom trailer. Standard features were LED lights, 15" radial tires with chrome center caps, 6' loading ramps with wire screen on top for traction, tongue jack, 5" bumper lip in the front to prevent accidental roll off, stake pockets on all sides, drop axles rated at 3500 GVW, and wood floor. Measured the Speedster before I went to the guy's shop so we could get the proper placement of the axle so the door will clear. I went ahead and ordered the axle with the trailer brake. It was a $150 option but definitely cheaper now than trying to add trailer brakes later if I decided I wanted/needed them. Bought an actuator, went home, and had that installed in about 20 minutes.

I also ordered 2-10' sections of E-Track and four ratcheting wheel bonnets for tying it all down. I'll be all in for $2100.00 including tax and registration.

Alan's trailer is a steal at $1350.00 if you're close enough to pick it up. It would be easy enough to add stake pockets and build paneled sides to get double use from this trailer for yard waste, moving furniture, or any other usage. Alan has it advertised as a Speedster trailer but don't let that limit your usage or hold you back from buying it. Think of it as a Speedster trailer and so much more.

And because this is Alan's thread I'll move his ad to here:

Speedster specific trailer, single axle 2,900 GVW . Empty weight is just 755 lbs.         You can easily haul this with a smaller pick up or  SUV.  2" ball.  New tires , new wheels, spare , steel loading ramps w/ slide in storage, hand winch & 4 load ratchet straps. New LED lighting, 4 prong electrical plug. New wood flat bed deck trailer measures 6 1/2' x 12'. Sits low to the ground for easy loading, adjust tire pressure for best ride. I built it just 9 months ago but didn't bother getting a title, I just borrowed a tag from my other trailer, I assume it is easy to get a home built trailer in most states. $1,350  Perfect for a Speedster,  Spyder, SCCA car, Bikes, (I have a wood wheel slot chock)  ATV's,  Snow Sleds etc. $1, 350........... Can deliver at Carlisle weekend.

Bob  all the specs seem ok but check that the 5" forward stop may be a bit tall and be too close to the body ?  Alan

Price Reduction .... Super deal at $1,000  Speedster specific trailer, single axle 2,900 GVW . Empty weight is just 755 lbs.   You can easily haul this with a smaller pick up or  SUV.  2" ball.  New tires , new wheels, spare , steel loading ramps w/ slide in storage, hand winch & 4 load ratchet straps. New LED lighting, 4 prong electrical plug. New wood flat bed deck trailer measures 6 1/2' x 12'. Sits low to the ground for easy loading, adjust tire pressure for best ride. I built it just 9 months ago but didn't bother getting a title, I just borrowed a tag from my other trailer, I assume it is easy to get a home built trailer in most states. Perfect for a Speedster,  Spyder, SCCA car, Bikes, (I have a wood wheel slot chock)  ATV's,  Snow Sleds etc. $1,000........... Can deliver to Hotel at Carlisle weekend.

Incredible deal, Alan.  If I had anywhere to store this and anyway to get it home I'd be on this like a mosquito at a nudist colony.

Trailer is Sold~

Alan Merklin posted:

Trailer is Sold~

Congratulations with the sale!