I'm looking for ideas/reviews/whatever on ways to transport race tires to Autocrosses.
I've searched but found no answers- seems like most people put 'em inside. I'd love to, but we'll have a full Mini (2 adults, 2 wee dogs).
I couldn't find any reviews of tire hitch-racks like MiniDoMore sells, which look pretty good...
I also considered a roof rack (for that mid-60's Rally Monte Carlo flair!! ), but then I'd have to remove it alla time...
Any thoughts anyone?

thanks in advance,
Russ

 

hitch racks with 4 tires wind up with a lot of tongue weight. If you can store it, go for a small trailer.

We wind up packing light and just go for 2 adults, 2 dogs, 4 wheels/tires/jack/race gear/luggage inside one MINI. Good thing they're mini schnauzers.

Per

 

COR BLMY has the nicest setup I've seen:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=124366

 

Yeah, the heavy tires was one of my concerns. By the way, I found your GRMS review of the MDM setup on their website- thank you for that!

Uhhh... you fit 2 adults, 2 dogs, wheels, tires, jack, gear, and luggage all INSIDE a Mini, Per?!? Holy cow- you got any pictures of that??
I mean, we're not transporting Newfoundlands or anything (now *there's* a photo I'd love to see!), just a coupla Corgis, but I cannot imagine how on earth that could all fit inside our MCS for a 3 hour tour, er, I mean drive...

BlimeyCab -thanks for the link, that IS a nice setup. Hmmm...dunno if I really have room to store a trailer, but possibly.

Thanks for the info, guys!

 

This is what I've been doing. I've had this trailer for 4yrs now. And I had a similar one before this for about 7yrs. I prefer enclosed trailers to the open harbor freight things that other do. There is some piece of mind in knowing your things are secure and out of sight of prying eyes. We've had my wife and I, 2 kids and 2 dogs in the Mini for as much as a 4hr drive. And you don't have to put any autox equipment in the car...ever.

 

Greg - that's a REALLY nice trailer - what's the story behind it? (i.e. where did it come from, etc.)...

 

Hello ... It's me




Thanks Blimeycabrio ... or would that actually be "COR BLIMY" CABRIO

Even "looks" better with the new race wheels and tires ...

I did remove one of the springs in the 3 spring pack ... It now "rides" much better.
I figured that the trailer was rated for and designed to carry 1000+ pounds.
Now it doesn't bounce nearly as much.

 

Please be careful. I did the same thing to a boat trailer that I used to have, for the same reason. After not that long the remaning springs broke while I was still 4 hours from home. I had to jury rig a "spring" out of a section of tire, scavanged from a service station(remember what one of What a trip that turned to be.

After I got home I had a set of 4 leaf springs made by a local spring shop, for much less than I expected. They were designed specifically for the weight of the trailer and boat plus whatever gear would be normally carried. What a difference. The boat rode like a cadillac after that. Smooth!

Check around the local area for a spring replacement shop. Leaf springs are relatively easy to have made to fit your application. Just give them the weight of everything, including everything you carry on it, minus the weight of the axle and wheels. They should be able to handle the rest of it. If you bring them one of the springs they will be able to take dimensions for the length and width, axle placement, and style of the ends of the springs. When you get them home it should be a simple bolt on application.

 

gareno that is a sweet set-up. Please post more info on it.

 

Autocross vehicle and autocross support vehicle!
(And autocross co-driver!)

 

The spring I removed from the pack was NOT a loop or eylet spring ... the trailer with 12" wheels and added load capacity has an additional helper spring about 8" long. The trailer that has 8" wheels is the same less the very spring I removed.
So I could have got the low weight trailer and upgraded to 12" wheels as an option
But the 12" trailer is LESS than the 8" and, the 12" wheel/tire are $50 each

That is the spring I removed.

If it is a full arch spring ... you can have issues.

 

I had removed the smaller leaf also, figuring I would be safe. But in less than 1,000 miles it failed.

 

Well, I'm not sure what you want to know. I had it custom built locally. I could take some measurements for you. But its roughly 6' long, 34" wide, and 28" tall inside(all guesses). I can fit 2 rows of 4 tires in it. And still have plenty of room for air tank, tools, a 2gal gas can, helmet, water sprayers, chairs and much more...even an ez-up awning. All my magnets stick to the inside roof. Its got LED lighting inside and out. Hydraulic lifts on the lid. The undercarriage is all sprayed with bedliner coating. Its got real 13" car tires and wheels, and is butter smooth to tow with its torsion axle. Aluminum rock guard on the front and a tongue stand.

I can take a picture of it loaded with gear if anyone wants to see it. And like I said...measurements too. Then you can take it to your builder of choice. That's basically what I did.

Like I said, I had another enclosed tire trailer before this one...but during those 7yrs, I kept a little wish list going...and when I was ready...I had it built exactly the way I wanted. The only thing I have on my list now...that the trailer doesn't currently have is a dc-ac convertor for charging cordless impacts or whatever...Maybe next time.

 

I've used a trailer to carry my autocross wheels and necessary gear for the last two years. I adapted a cheap Harbor Freight trailer and have had no issues with the rig itself. However, there are peripherial issues that must be dealt with. First, the hitch. I installed a hidden MiniDoMore system which involved removing and reinstalling the rear bumper and rear fender flares- not the easiest of tasks. Second, attaching the tow bar before towing is a PITA, to say the least. You have to get down on the ground (and get wet if it is raining) and work in a very small space to get the pin and retaining clip in place. I've actually lost some blood doing this. Third, proper tongue weight is critical. Too much and you are stressing the hitch assembly; too little and the hitch will rattle enough to drive you crazy during the tow. My trailer has tires in the rear, storage box forward and I must arrange my jack and other equipment as far forward in the box as possible to give me enough tongue weight. Configuring my trailer in the opposite manner would not allow me to store it as I do, which brings up my last point. Where will you store your trailer? I have a three-car garage to park my three cars. I store my trailer, with tires on it, vertically in front of my MINI. Obviously, others will find their own solution to storage, but a solution must be found. Hope this helps in the decision regarding how to carry autocross tires.

 

I just store mine in the garage. In the season, I don't even unhook it. My garage is deep enough to just leave it all hooked up. And I don't drive the car, except to events. So every weekend, there is no time needed to dedicate to "getting ready" or "getting loaded". Its always ready. Just start her up, and head out. Again, kinda nice. Especially since there is an event every weekend, that would be a lot of work to do load/unload 4times, every weekend.

 

I've fabricated a simple little rack out of PVC pipe.
It sits nicely on the rear seats when folded down.
Velcro straps attach it securely to the rear headrests and
the rear seat latches.
I'll post some pix when I load the car this weekend.
Basically it is just a rectangle base (1.5" PVC pipe), plus the straps.
I have plenty of room left for my jack, tools, helmet, etc.
even with a passenger.
photos to follow....

 

Stand them up in the back seat. Throw the junk in the trunk and away you go.