IPF Racing Posted December 7, 2018 Report Share Posted December 7, 2018 So we run a 24ft + V nose enclosed trailer and currently I carry a spare motor on a small pallet and a crate with other drive train spares in it. Small spares are kept on shelves in HD totes, but I'm trying to expand this to a full drive train and a spare of each corners suspension. How is everyone doing this? Do you have a custom cart that all these components mount to? I'd prefer not to disassemble each corner, just have it attach to something as a full assembly. These components don't leave the trailer often so it doesn't need to be anything fancy..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Infiniti Posted December 7, 2018 Report Share Posted December 7, 2018 A little questionable with a nice trailer but have you explored hanging the less often needed suspension stuff underneath? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPF Racing Posted December 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2018 I hadn't thought about that, although the trailer doesn't sit that high off the ground. I'm really just curious if anyone has any clever storage ideas like on casters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wittenauer Racing Posted December 7, 2018 Report Share Posted December 7, 2018 I've thought about in-floor boxes in the rear of the trailer right behind the rear axle but haven't pursued. Figure could get a 10-12" deep box 4 feet wide and 2 or 3 feet long between the frame rails and cross braces..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pintodave Posted December 8, 2018 Report Share Posted December 8, 2018 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pintodave Posted December 8, 2018 Report Share Posted December 8, 2018 (edited) Other than the preferred method displayed above (wtf, back to google image linking issues it looks like...), we have ramp-overs in the trailer to clear the trailer wheel wells (used to haul a dirt late model in this trailer). They are about 12" deep. That is fantastic parts storage. Just make sure you leave the jack out of the storage compartments that you might need to change a trailer tire with... Jus' sayin'. Edited December 22, 2018 by pintodave 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBone Posted December 8, 2018 Report Share Posted December 8, 2018 2 hours ago, pintodave said: Other than the preferred method displayed above, we have ramp-overs in the trailer to clear the trailer wheel wells (used to haul a dirt late model in this trailer). They are about 12" deep. That is fantastic parts storage. Just make sure you leave the jack out of the storage compartments that you might need to change a trailer tire with... Jus' sayin'. Jack? For the trailer? Google "Trailer Aid." It's worth every penny. You're welcome. Now back to storage. I carried an assembled engine and transmission on a simple wooden 2x4 frame with wheels. Basically a big "T". Motor mounts sat on stubby 4x4s at the front, trans was strapped to the end. Compact, simple, portable. For suspension, I'd probably keep the struts separate. They can go on a crate. The rest really depends on how assembled you think they need to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPF Racing Posted December 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2018 I like the idea of the 2x4 T frame, I think thats what I'm kind of getting at. Below is the current layout of the trailer. The motor and suspension will live under the front shelf in the nose of the trailer. Struts are definitely in the parts crate separately. I think having the whole corner bolted together would be convenient. I've got a bunch of updates to do on the trailer next weekend so we'll see how far I get with some sort of motor cart. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodger Coan-Burningham Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 This is not a good picture because of it being after dark, but this is our parts storage. I am planning to put another row below these, but just no time yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoparBoyy Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 we have totes labeled for each car, a very large tote that holds axles for the FWD car and long suspension pieces. We have a gooseneck, so the 8'x9' storage area in the front holds everything with tons of room to spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPF Racing Posted December 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2018 I wish I had a gooseneck, although I'd probably use it to sleep it at the track instead. I pulled the motor out this weekend to work on a cart and put in some lights, a winch, and an electric tongue jack. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Andrew D Johnson Posted December 20, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted December 20, 2018 (edited) I have a tote with a few random spares, but I don't bring anything I am not going to feel like changing at the track plus I can't afford spare engine or trans. I keep some spares like lug nuts in the top of my tool box. So, I don't have anything like a clutch or major suspension parts. I do bring spark plugs and lug nuts, but not more than one tote of parts. I also have a 24' V nose. Edited December 20, 2018 by red0 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Andrew D Johnson Posted December 20, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted December 20, 2018 3 minutes ago, red0 said: I have a tote with a few random spares, but I don't bring anything I am not going to feel like changing at the track plus I can't afford spare engine or trans. I keep some spares like lug nuts in the top of my tool box. So, I don't have anything like a clutch or major suspension parts. I do bring spark plugs and lug nuts, but not more than one tote of parts. I also have a 24' V nose. I also pay attention to other cars, so I know who to ask about parts at the track. For instance @JDChristianson and the MiElan team use the same calipers as me. I don't have any spares but if I had one fail I would ask them first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDChristianson Posted December 20, 2018 Report Share Posted December 20, 2018 45 minutes ago, red0 said: I also pay attention to other cars, so I know who to ask about parts at the track. For instance @JDChristianson and the MiElan team use the same calipers as me. I don't have any spares but if I had one fail I would ask them first. Ha. Yea we bring a little car in a biggish trailer. We have a lot of stuff along. Our theory, it’s a lot of work and generally a long ways to get to the race. We want to be able to drive on track, not to the parts store. ( we’ve done that too ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Andrew D Johnson Posted December 20, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted December 20, 2018 17 minutes ago, JDChristianson said: Ha. Yea we bring a little car in a biggish trailer. We have a lot of stuff along. Our theory, it’s a lot of work and generally a long ways to get to the race. We want to be able to drive on track, not to the parts store. ( we’ve done that too ) Far more logical than what I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slugworks Paul Posted December 20, 2018 Report Share Posted December 20, 2018 I need to improve my storage methodology, I prescribe to the 'having a lot more trailer than needed' theory which allows me to just throw in totes of parts. I used to bring everything + the kitchen sink but it was too much work and I don't really like the idea of changing an engine at the track anymore. I did add some E-track to my trailer and got some of the 2x4/shelf anchors so I can put up shelves to store stuff. I'm planning on building a shelf in the nose like IPF posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDChristianson Posted December 20, 2018 Report Share Posted December 20, 2018 Always keep balancing the trailer in mind when planning storage. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wittenauer Racing Posted December 20, 2018 Report Share Posted December 20, 2018 25 minutes ago, JDChristianson said: Always keep balancing the trailer in mind when planning storage. That's the big problem I have in my trailer. Tools + spares + tires + cooler weighs almost as much as the car. I wish we could just move the axles 2 feet forwards (maybe 3) to get it sorted... Right now we run toolbox and tires up front, then 6 feet of empty space/bbq grill/empty fuel cans, then car, then spares bins stuffed next to the car and tied to the back door. We'll be adding a shelf/rack and maybe in floor bins in the back of the trailer in the spring. Much easier to move a couple spares bins before unloading than backing on the car.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoparBoyy Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 2 hours ago, Wittenauer Racing said: That's the big problem I have in my trailer. Tools + spares + tires + cooler weighs almost as much as the car. I wish we could just move the axles 2 feet forwards (maybe 3) to get it sorted... Right now we run toolbox and tires up front, then 6 feet of empty space/bbq grill/empty fuel cans, then car, then spares bins stuffed next to the car and tied to the back door. We'll be adding a shelf/rack and maybe in floor bins in the back of the trailer in the spring. Much easier to move a couple spares bins before unloading than backing on the car.... get a bigger truck one ton trucks dont care how you much weight is on the tongue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemy Autosport Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 We stuff the Miata in a toy hauler with about 4 sqft of space left over when all packed. We bring 3 bins of the bigger parts like suspension/brakes and some larger engine partsparts and a bottom toolbox converted to parts storage and we tuck a trans and diff around the car and hope for the best. It is awful to pack and unpack the car, 60 minutes minimum. We are brainstorming building some racks under the toy hauler for the Trans/Diff and bins and then they dont have to go in/out all the time. This is the advantage of the toy hauler with the higher ground clearance. We already build a rack under for the ramps and it works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPF Racing Posted December 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 Toy hauler would does seem like an awesome idea! Having other teams with common parts would be nice but not really viable running a mk3 Supra with a V8 swap, hence why I keep a full drivetrain in the trailer. I did scale the tongue weight (1,700lbs empty, but with the spare drivetrain) and determine the full trailer weight (10,500lbs fully loaded) so I'm looking at a first gen cummins 1 ton come spring. The E track really is the way to go. I just made some tire racks to move the wheel sets farther rearward and it took all of 10 minutes with some E track brackets. I'm not sure I'd want to swap the motor at the track but drivers pay to be there so its hard to argue the need to do so..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemy Autosport Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 Our toy hauler is about 28ft (I think) and all loaded up is about 11,500lbs and we pull it with a 2009 GMC Yukon XL. Its pretty sketch but it works somehow. We are looking to upgrade to a 1-ton Diesel next year. Will be nice to have the long bed space to put a few things as well. I think eventually a Gooseneck toyhauler will be the cats-ass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitney Posted December 21, 2018 Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 (edited) 5 hours ago, Wittenauer Racing said: That's the big problem I have in my trailer. Tools + spares + tires + cooler weighs almost as much as the car. I wish we could just move the axles 2 feet forwards (maybe 3) to get it sorted... Right now we run toolbox and tires up front, then 6 feet of empty space/bbq grill/empty fuel cans, then car, then spares bins stuffed next to the car and tied to the back door. $50 craigslist School lockers bolted at the back hold all of our heavy, infrequently used spares (axles, calipers, rotors, subframe, etc etc) to balance the weight of all our crap in the cabinets up front. Before the lockers we had heavy spares on a tongue box and our tongue weight was 1100 lbs (oops!). Edited December 21, 2018 by whitney 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Andrew D Johnson Posted December 21, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 12 hours ago, MoparBoyy said: get a bigger truck one ton trucks dont care how you much weight is on the tongue. 8.1L dually 1 ton FTW! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Chris Huggins Posted December 21, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted December 21, 2018 53 minutes ago, red0 said: 8.1L dually 1 ton FTW! My experience towing with an 8.1 and an open trailer resulted in plenty of opportunities to buy lottery tickets. On a serious note, How does one go about considering tongue weight? My trailers tires are mounted too far back for my liking as well. By my calculations, I am between 1500 and 2000 lb tongue weight on a class IV hitch, at 10k gross trailer weight. The truck doesnt seem to care, and I have the beefiest solid hitch receiver ball setup I could find, but I am sure we are close to some theoretical or recommended limit. I was planning on putting a rack near the back of the trailer, but well, wing makes that challenging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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