grahamc Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Never looked at these before.... What is suggested? Who has had what and experiences with it? Enclosed VS open? Where do I look? What do I look for when buying? Its to tow the MX5 (track car), Datsun 240z and maybe a couple of others (maybe the GTR at some point). Will more than likely do quite a few miles over to Europe (Spa, Nurburgring, etc.) Tow car will be a Discovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedrosixfour Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 I have a tri axle beavertail that I pull behind the Navara. Absolutely spot on and a pleasure to tow, when laden. But if I was contemplating trips to Europe, and it is something I'd always be keeping an eye out for, I think I'd be looking at a 7.5 ton covered transporter from the likes of Daf, MAN or even a Mercedes. Far less hassle, plenty of space for spares or even bunking down for a night, a lot safer and probably cheaper in the long run when cross channel ferries are considered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 I have a tri axle beavertail that I pull behind the Navara. Absolutely spot on and a pleasure to tow, when laden. But if I was contemplating trips to Europe, and it is something I'd always be keeping an eye out for, I think I'd be looking at a 7.5 ton covered transporter from the likes of Daf, MAN or even a Mercedes. Far less hassle, plenty of space for spares or even bunking down for a night, a lot safer and probably cheaper in the long run when cross channel ferries are considered. Thanks - any pics of yours? The full transporter with sleeping, etc is something that I have been considering, the initial cost is just a worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedrosixfour Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 You won't, or at least not at all easily, find a 7.5 tonner with a tail lift able to lift the Skyline, or even the 240Z. You need a serious bit of kit to lift a Skyline, and it's only likely to be on big HGV's. You also may find the Skyline would take a 7.5 tonner over the weight limit. Does your licence cover you for a 7.5 tonner? I am old enough for 7.5 tonners to have been part of my licence since I passed a car test, but younger drivers will find they need to take an LGV test to drive one. A trailer may be easier, I favour flat bed ones as they are very useful for other jobs, wheel under bed. A trailer wide enough for the GTR, with the bed between the wheels, may well be illegally wide. Sometimes you can find ex hire trailers for sensible money. I have Brian James 4 wheeler, wheels under bed, with extended ramps and extended tilt. And no, I don't use it for deliveries or loan it out, before anyone asks If you want to go the full hog get a proper HGV, my ex Demon Tweeks, custom built transporter takes 4 full weight cars on two decks. But it's just under 40 feet long, with a lot of overhang past the back wheels, a few moments lapse of attention turning left or right with a queue of traffic alongside will result in a very expensive insurance claim. One of the Demon Tweaks sons got misdirected in Monaco in it, at the Grand Prix, and had to back it several hundred yards through packed parked cars and crowds of people, out of the harbour area. I could see him trembling as he recalled this.... Being able to take multiple cars, with full belly lockers, compressor, generator, welding gear etcetera may be a bit OTT, but running an 18 tonner probably doesn't cost much more than running a 7.5 tonner, apart from fuel of course. Filling a 150 gallon tank makes you realise just how expensive fuel is these days Have you got space for a covered trailer, a 7.5 tonner or something even bigger? I would imagine there are some laws governing what you can park on your own drive in many places. I know a pal of mine can't even have a small caravan or a Transit sized van on his drive. http://www.gatesgarth.com/truck/truck.html I widened the gates after these photos, reversing it in was a real PITA with the original ones. Here are some photos of my old Mercedes 814 7.5 tonner, I could get an F3000 in that, dimensionally, just, but no way would the tail lift raise anything saloon car weight. http://www.chriswilson.tv/more814/814.html I don't think I have any photos of the trailer, but it's like hundreds of others, save it has a gizmo so you can drive a car on to it, then onwards over the hitch, onto a beaver tail transporter, without UN-hitching the trailer from the transporter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedrosixfour Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Here's another shot of the complete rig, minus the car. I know what Chris is saying about tail-lifts suitable for heavy lifting being extremely rare on the smaller trucks, but the correct shaped floor, i.e. sloping downwards after the rear axle, coupled with a decent set of ramps and a remotely controlled winch would negate the need for a tail lift in most circumstances in my opinion. But I'm HGV licensed as well, so the option for me is there without the need to sit tests and such, I did honestly think a car license covered you to 7.5 ton, but even looking at my own that seems to have been a complete fabrication on my part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Thanks Chris My license was converted from South African and that has been since 1997, so pretty sure myself and missus can go up 7.5T. The GTR being such a heavy and wide b**ch makes life very difficult when looking at these sorts of things. For now I am just looking at the MX5 and the 240z, so both sub 1100kg cars. Full HGV is just a bit too much, this is the sort of thing I was looking at as the next big step above a trailer:- Then found these http://static1.squarespace.com/static/52f7a61be4b0374e6a0a7146/t/5506077ce4b01b33c973f537/1426458493066/ http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/_mg_6534.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Here's another shot of the complete rig, minus the car. http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=178537&d=1387636909 I know what Chris is saying about tail-lifts suitable for heavy lifting being extremely rare on the smaller trucks, but the correct shaped floor, i.e. sloping downwards after the rear axle, coupled with a decent set of ramps and a remotely controlled winch would negate the need for a tail lift in most circumstances in my opinion. But I'm HGV licensed as well, so the option for me is there without the need to sit tests and such, I did honestly think a car license covered you to 7.5 ton, but even looking at my own that seems to have been a complete fabrication on my part. Nice.... On the note of space, we will be moving shortly and there will be enough space for the trailer or the 7.5T. Obviously 7.5T would need to be serviced like a car, but what needs to be done to the trailers from a maintenance perspective? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I had a Corgi model of the Ecurie Ecosse transporter as a child. The real one was restored from a sad mess to the present as new condition by Lynx, the Jag specialists / re-bodiers. It sold at Bonhams, you could have bought that Years ago I had a 7.5 tonner with no tail lift and a normal height floor at the back. The ramps to get a car in were as long as the truck, weighed a ton, and still flexed alarmingly... A truck with a beaver tail inside floor, like some bread vans might work with ramps, as Damien suggests. Most 7.5 tonner tail lifts, once extended to take a car's wheelbase, only handle smallish single seaters or ultra light Special Saloons. Tail lift conversions, done professionally, cost a bomb, especially if the rear framework of the truck body needs upgrading, strength wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedrosixfour Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 This is the type of body I'd be going for. Chiefly because it could double its uses as covered transport for small electrical warehouse machines in work too. That would appear to be bigger than a 7.5 ton chassis though, possible a 12 ton, no problem, if you're licensed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Nice.... On the note of space, we will be moving shortly and there will be enough space for the trailer or the 7.5T. Obviously 7.5T would need to be serviced like a car, but what needs to be done to the trailers from a maintenance perspective? Can't beat space, mark my words, you will soon fill it Once you start looking at used trailers you will soon see most people do as little as bloody possible to them, maintenance wise! That's why I said ex hire ones are often a good buy, they have a duty of care to other road users and the hirer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattdavies Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Once you start looking at used trailers you will soon see most people do as little as bloody possible to them, maintenance wise! That's why I said ex hire ones are often a good buy, they have a duty of care to other road users and the hirer. Maintenance wise what is there to do apart from, Wheel bearing ( dont want the wheels falling off ) Hitch, Electrics and rust prevention ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Cable brakes need cables replacing or regularly greasing. Winches need the cables checking and the ratchet checking. Tyres need checking to make sure they are the right load rating. Wheel bearings and the mechanisms inside the brake drums need checking. There was talk of a trailer test but test centres got in a flap due to the logistics of it all. I wouldn't even consider a none galvanised trailer. Often it's easiest to rewire using LED lights unless it's new enough to have them already. LED ones don't blow filaments all the time on bumpy roads. A new plug on the lighting cable is good insurance, as is carrying a complete rear lighting trailer board (cheap as chips), then if you get a lighting problem on a wet night you just tie the trailer board on and connect that up instead, rather than pratting about with artics passing feet away. Practice reversing, if you can't reverse it save on an open car park you WILL get in a situation where you both look bleedin' ridiculous and wind up a huge queue of irate motorists. Unhooking, then manhandling a car on a trailer on the jockey wheel (and be SURE to get a heavy duty one, AND double check i's locked TIGHT in the up position) is hard work and VERY uncool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 I had a Corgi model of the Ecurie Ecosse transporter as a child. The real one was restored from a sad mess to the present as new condition by Lynx, the Jag specialists / re-bodiers. It sold at Bonhams, you could have bought that Years ago I had a 7.5 tonner with no tail lift and a normal height floor at the back. The ramps to get a car in were as long as the truck, weighed a ton, and still flexed alarmingly... A truck with a beaver tail inside floor, like some bread vans might work with ramps, as Damien suggests. Most 7.5 tonner tail lifts, once extended to take a car's wheelbase, only handle smallish single seaters or ultra light Special Saloons. Tail lift conversions, done professionally, cost a bomb, especially if the rear framework of the truck body needs upgrading, strength wise. Didnt see it costing that much.... This is the type of body I'd be going for. Chiefly because it could double its uses as covered transport for small electrical warehouse machines in work too. https://racecarsdirect.com/content/UserImages/59852/392588.jpg That would appear to be bigger than a 7.5 ton chassis though, possible a 12 ton, no problem, if you're licensed. Nice.... I dont have the double purpose, the only thing I need for work is 13" of pure power............... my ultrabook Cable brakes need cables replacing or regularly greasing. Winches need the cables checking and the ratchet checking. Tyres need checking to make sure they are the right load rating. Wheel bearings and the mechanisms inside the brake drums need checking. There was talk of a trailer test but test centres got in a flap due to the logistics of it all. I wouldn't even consider a none galvanised trailer. Often it's easiest to rewire using LED lights unless it's new enough to have them already. LED ones don't blow filaments all the time on bumpy roads. A new plug on the lighting cable is good insurance, as is carrying a complete rear lighting trailer board (cheap as chips), then if you get a lighting problem on a wet night you just tie the trailer board on and connect that up instead, rather than pratting about with artics passing feet away. Practice reversing, if you can't reverse it save on an open car park you WILL get in a situation where you both look bleedin' ridiculous and wind up a huge queue of irate motorists. Unhooking, then manhandling a car on a trailer on the jockey wheel (and be SURE to get a heavy duty one, AND double check i's locked TIGHT in the up position) is hard work and VERY uncool Good suggestion about the hire ones, will keep that in mind. Thanks for all the advise, will be re-reading that list tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 This is my sisters set up. Works well with the awning on the side and has a fully functional kitchen fitted to the bulkhead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedrosixfour Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 This is my sisters set up. SWEET! Is she single? If not it don't matter. Neither am I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 This is my sisters set up. Works well with the awning on the side and has a fully functional kitchen fitted to the bulkhead I think I like the cars a whole lot more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I think I like the cars a whole lot more Agreed but if you fancy a bit of lunch the g/f or wife has no excuse - - - Updated - - - SWEET! Is she single? If not it don't matter. Neither am I. Yep she's single ish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 This is my sisters set up. Works well with the awning on the side and has a fully functional kitchen fitted to the bulkhead I have never got up the courage to try and put up my awning, although it came with the truck. A 4 car awning is pretty daunting even packed up. It looks definitely a two or 3 person job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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