15 replies to this topic

[Fangio]

After I get a supercharger upgrade done I'm going to take the car off the road and trailer it to track days. I've been in touch with Brian James Trailers and they have recommended the following 2 models as most suitable for the VX - Clubman 100-420 or A-max 120-2100. Both are twin axle.

Anyone any experience of either or other similar models? Also, given engine position on the VX, is it better for weight distribution to reverse the car on to the trailer to ensure sufficient weight on the tow hitch? Does this present any problems with the standard length ramps supplied with these trailers?

Thanks in advance.

For reference, here is a link to a summary of the BJ Clubman range ....

http://www.trailerte...n-james-clubman

[jules_s]

Far better to reverse on iirc JJJ is your man here

[Duncan VXR]

Yep reverse on ;-) DG

[westie]

As above ,because the engine in the rear you need place the bulk of the weight towards the front which does mean reversing the car on, this places most of the weight on the towing eye end, normal saloon cars would drive on forward.it looks like the 100-420 would be ideal, there's no problems with ground clearance as the ramps are quite long you would be fine with this trailer, when the cars on the trailer and you want to move it about by hand, it's quite hard because of the twin axle's but you can just about move it ,though its better with two people. I've used the brian james tilt trailer a couple of times and that's brilliant, it's got very short ramps and the bed tilts up to load and unload the car, its a complete 1 person operation which is ideal if your on your own. Whatever you decide there a great investment, well built, and will hold its value quite well.

[Boombang]

As I always say in any towing threads, take it you have a B+E entitlement on your license?

[Mike (Cliffie)]

Twin axle if you can afford it and reverse it on.

[KurtVerbose]

I drove mine forwards onto the trailer, but I have a very long trailer (it's not a car trailer) so it was easy to get the weight distribution correct. I only did it a couple of times, once to ship from the UK to Switzerland, and once to get it to the Swiss MOT station and back. If you're doing it regularly to a track day there's a lot to be said for getting the correct trailer, mine was a car-fuffle to get on and strap down. And as above, twin axles are way better than single.

[deano01]

Twin axle, back it on and if monies allow a tilt bed. However make sure your trailer is long enough to even the weight out. You dont want to much weight at the front of the trailer. No more than 150kgs on the hitch, Ideally. Especially if you have a front wheel drive car.

[Crabash]

On some twin axles you can wind the front wheel up a good way and unload 1 axle making it much easier to move around manually.

[kipper]

I trailer to most of my track days. Have hired both the BJ tilt bed and the A-Max. Both brilliant trailers, extremely well built and tow like a dream. Twin axle for me on all occasions, has the built in safety of a tyre blow out over using a single axle trailer, plus grater carrying capacity. Looking to invest in my own trailer this year and would go for the A-Max with the slide out ramps, (you can specify extra long ones as well). Deck stored ones look a pain. A must is a fully covered centre deck, mainly to stop all of the road crud spraying up under the car whilst on the move. Plus you can more fully use the trailer for other uses. I’d go for the 2600 Kgs capacity, only because I anticipate larger loads than the VX. I would certainly have the wheel chocks and a lockable fuel container…winch only a nice to have extra. Loading the VX normally on the A-Max is no problem as regarding weight distribution for towing, as long as you position the car as far forward on the trailer as possible.

[Thealastair34]

ive been looking at the trailers but the single axle versions. do they tow much worse than a twin setup? its just the weight of the trailer that putting my off and storage room

[darronwall]

Twin axle trailers tow a lot better

[Crabash]

Another thing to think of is to possibly go for larger than you need, the small one that will take an elise/vx etc but not saloons will likely have a smaller buyer base come the time you want to sell. You do need a lot more space than you think to store one too.

Edited by Crabash, 14 December 2012 - 08:05 PM.

[Fangio]

Thanks for the excellent responses. A lot of good sensible advice there.

[Bootdog]

Hi Fangio, John's SC upgrade converted you then eh?! I'm thinking of trailering mine too when I get it back to IRL, the motor tax has gone past the point that it makes sense. I was looking at "autograss" trailers, I reckoned they would be from about £400 upwards.

[mbes2]

I've tried the VX on the trailer both ways, and backwards is deffo the best feel.

I had the vx a little too far back in this photos.. but another thumbs up for twin