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How wrong would a trailer be?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by mk e, Jun 29, 2005.

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How wrong would a trailer be?

  1. It’s wrong and your keys should be taken for even thinking it.

  2. It’s fine as long as you like looking like a woodchuck.

  3. It’s acceptable as long as nothing but race tires is EVER on the trailer.

  4. I don’t understand the problem? I use mine to haul gravel all the time….

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  1. andrewg

    andrewg F1 Rookie
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    #26 andrewg, Jun 29, 2005
    Chris Rea used to have a roof rack for his 308gt4, to take his slicks to the track
     
  2. mk e

    mk e F1 World Champ

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    #27 mk e, Jun 29, 2005
    It dynos a touch under 450 hp……at the wheels

    The car does pretty well against other cars on street tires (although it is a handful), well enough for a win when everyone in my class showed up on street tires….but last week every one but me was on race tire and I was slaughtered…..it fact only a handful of the 200 cars at the event had true street tires. Autocross has really changed in the past few years.
     
  3. zjpj

    zjpj F1 Veteran

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    #28 zjpj, Jun 29, 2005
    There's lots of picutres of that 275 with something in tow...
     
  4. GrahamS

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    #29 GrahamS, Jun 29, 2005
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  5. mk e

    mk e F1 World Champ

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    #30 mk e, Jun 29, 2005
    Sweet! :)
     
  6. mk e

    mk e F1 World Champ

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    #31 mk e, Jun 29, 2005
    I just went out and looked at it, the rear sway bar attachment points look just about perfect for the job. I could do a very simple bolt-on hitch there.

    A stronger, but harder way to do it is to replace the rear bumper shocks with solid mounts and use the bumper mounting points, but at least on mine (us car fitted with euro bumper, no spacer) I would need to build the reciever into the bumper. That would look neat (receiver cut into the bottom of course) and handle a heavy trailer, but since I only want to tow a few hundred lbs, it looks like the sway bar mounts are for me.

    Harbor freight has a 40"x48", 120 lb utility trailer with an 850 capcity for $170...that might be the ticket.
     
  7. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    #32 boxerman, Jun 29, 2005
    Saw a porche at the scca races at limerock towing a small trailer with wheels/tires. Seemed like a great idea, and the trailer prevents you from overdoing thingas on the way to the track. Biggest reason for having a whole car trailer is to bring unrunnable car home. But then there is no limit to how complex setups can become.

    If you can attach the hitch, and drive reasonably on the street so as not to stress the car with the extra load I would say go for it, the ultimate cool drivers setup.
     
  8. PassionIsFerrari

    PassionIsFerrari Formula 3

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    #33 PassionIsFerrari, Jun 29, 2005
    great pic! classic!
     
  9. alx355gt

    alx355gt F1 Veteran

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    #34 alx355gt, Jun 30, 2005
    Hehe... great pic... I know the place :)

    To me, a Ferrari with a trailer is like a jetfighterplane with an advertisement banner behind... just would look a bit ridicolous IMO

    BTW, is it safe to do something like this? A sportscar is not designed to pull trailers... that's why there are jeeps...

    Of course, everyone is free to do what he wants... freedom! :D
    Good luck with it :)
    And feel free to post a pic :)
     
  10. docweed

    docweed Formula Junior

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    #35 docweed, Jul 3, 2005
    Yuck!
     
  11. pete04222

    pete04222 Formula Junior

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    #36 pete04222, Jul 4, 2005
    And Jeeps are not good at pulling trailers. Short wheelbase. I have an offroad Jeep that I use for rockcrawling and trailriding. I have a 3/4 ton truck and a tandem axle car trailer that I use to haul the thing around. Great setup.

    If I were racing my Ferrari, I'd want to put the whole car on the trailer and haul it down to the track. You never know what is going to happen during track day and I want to be sure I can get myself and my car back home.

    Mark, I understand you don't have a vehicle right now that can haul all your racing stuff. Although I have never seen it, I don't see why you couldn't pull a trailer up to 1,000 lbs behind the 308. Heck, I've seen trailers behind 'Vettes and the Plymouth Prowler even came with a trailer.
     
  12. geo3

    geo3 Karting

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    #37 geo3, Jan 14, 2009
    I am also looking for a tow hitch kit, but for a Ferrari Mondial 8. Nothing seems to be available in North America. Is there anyone making kits in Europe?

    Currently my R129 Mercedes-Benz SL has a tow hitch, and is great for towing my small utility trailer. However, I may part with the SL soon, but still want to tow (hate trucks or SUVs). There is a tow hitch kit available for my Fat 500 Abarth (rear engine), but I would prefer to use my Mondial.

    In Europe, I used to tow my Kart to races using my Alfa Romeo.
     
  13. toggie

    toggie F1 World Champ
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    #38 toggie, Jan 14, 2009
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    Yes, I believe that is Dave Olimpi's 275 GTB.

    He is an FCA councours judge, by the way.
    You'll see is name on the roster of judges like Cavallino.

    He lives in Virginia and always has a few interesting cars to sell.
    His website is: http://www.daveolimpiautomobiles.com/

    Here is a pic of his 275 towing his motorcycle.
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  14. geo3

    geo3 Karting

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    #39 geo3, Jan 14, 2009
    Many thanks for info, Toggie.
     
  15. UroTrash

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    #40 UroTrash, Jan 14, 2009
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  16. ProCoach

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    #41 ProCoach, Jan 14, 2009
    Hah! +1!
     
  17. whart

    whart F1 Veteran
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    #42 whart, Jan 14, 2009
    There is no shame in living in a trailer. I would point out that, when clustered in groups a/k/a 'trailer parks,' they do seem to draw tornadoes.
    Otherwise, the idea is sound.
     
  18. bwassam

    bwassam Formula Junior

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    #43 bwassam, Jan 14, 2009
    The better way to take your Ferrari racing is to rent a trailer from U-Haul and tow the Ferrari on the trailer. The advantages are that you don't have to deal with changing tires at the venue, If you crash your Ferrari to the point where you can not drive it, you don't have to leave it at the track while you figure out a way home for yourself and your race car. Also you can carry some other spares on the trailer and in your tow vehicle. Pickups are better than UTE's for this because you can carry more stuff in the bed.

    Good luck with your trials. Take some pictures.
     
  19. DGS

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    #44 DGS, Jan 15, 2009
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  20. PAP 348

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    #45 PAP 348, Jan 15, 2009
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  21. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    #46 BT, Jan 15, 2009
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    How about the hidden hitch idea mentioned earlier with one of those cargo trays? It should be large enough for a set of tires and a few other items. No wiring to deal with, and they only cost about $100.
    BT
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  22. Artvonne

    Artvonne F1 Veteran

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    #47 Artvonne, Jan 15, 2009
    No one makes a trailer hitch or any kind of kit for any Ferrari. This is something that would have to be engineered individually.

    There is nothing difficult about pulling a light trailer (1500 pounds), any small underpowered car can do it, and a Ferrari would have no trouble at all with a trailer a bit heavier than that (2500#?).

    The first problem is attachment, and I believe simple clamps that grasp the rectangular frame sections between the muffler and engine compartment could be fabricated. As long as its engineered sufficiently, something could be fabricated up that could un-pin after use so the car bears no witness. And because its clamped around the frame members, the car would remain completely unmodified.

    The second problem involves the ability to load the trailer properly so as to keep tounge weight low. The Ferrari is already pretty low slung, and the smallest addition weight placed behind the bumper will be magnified in effect.

    In the end though, a dedicated car trailer, and pulling it behind something built to handle it makes the most sense. Outside of the old full size Jeep Wagoneers and J-10 series trucks, Jeep has never built anything that was good at pulling a heavy trailer. Too short of a wheelbase with most of them (CJ, virtually ANY of the mini Wagoneer/Cherokee variants), they are in fact rather dangerous should you find yourself making any abrupt manuever with any kind of substantial trailer behind them. Ford, Dodge or Chevy full size trucks, especially Suburbans or Expeditions, all will pull a decent car trailer with no problem, and in complete comfort. Much nicer than being white knuckled in something totally on the edge.
     
  23. geo3

    geo3 Karting

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    #48 geo3, Jan 15, 2009
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