I have been tossing around the idea of getting a trailer to move my mini's around whilst they are in various stages of disrepair but the more I think about it I think it could be worth it in the long run to have one down the track if I want to say take one to Hay with Mrs Womble and not drive it there (sounding like a good excuse to buy a trailer to me )

Anyone have suggestions on what works and what doesn't with car trailers and mini's? or a recommendation from what you have bought?

cheers,

CJ

Good question. I've also been keeping an eye out for the smallest and lightest trailer that will carry a Mini as I will use it infrequently. Alternatively, is there an A-frame style hitch that will safely tow a Mini on its rear wheels?

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

I like the lightest weight possible, so I built an unsprung trailer with single axle and 13" light truck tyres.
It's light enough that I didn't have to fit brakes,keeps costs and maintenance down.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

I am in the process of going through the same exercise. Having looked at a number of options I am going to build one with a single axle approximately 3m x 1.5m deck level. My calculations indicate that the trailer will have a tare weight of approx. 300kg. At this satge I am not planning to fit brakes as the total weight will be less than 1000kg and the tow vehicle will handle this satisfactory. If I fit brakes it will be electric brakes as my car is set up accordingly.

The frame of the trailer will be 50mm x 25mm gal RHS with plate or grid supports for the car. The draw bar will be 100mm x 50mm gal RHS. I was planning to run Commodore rims, mainly because I have five in the shed, with light truck tyres probably with sprung axle in order the get the mudguard low enough that you can open a Mini door when on the trailer.

Just my initial thoughts

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John Sneddon
0408 431 807
1963 Morris Cooper
1965 Morris 850
1968 Morris Cooper S

Looking around I saw this which looks interesting http://www.tiltatrailer.com.au/trailers/trailer-models/single-axle-trailer/ not sure I would go the option of towing on an A frame though? I think if I was going to get a trailer I may as well get one I can put a shell on if I have to.

passed in the ether with the tilta trailer there.

alternative

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/dundas/cars-vans-utes/1996-ford-transit-van-minivan/1053695322

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

In NSW use to be
under 750kg gross brakes not needed
over 750 kg gross needs brakes
also under 250kg tare no weight tax on rego
over 250 kg tare you have to pay weight tax on rego

Have these rules changed ?

as far as the weights go - no.



http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/2005_10_towingtrailers.pdf

_________________
the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

And keep the tare under 250kg to avoid an anual inspection

I finally got around to getting a trailer a couple months back, as I now have room to store it.

I initially went down the "as small and light as possible and still fit a mini" track, but to be practical as a car transporter a trailer either needs to be low in the first place, or tip. I soon realised there seemed to be bugger all around that met those criteria and were small/light. It seems most small trailers are also 2 feet of the ground.

I ended up getting something that excels as a general purpose trailer as well: deck is 1.8m by 3m, 300mm high removable sides and front, single axle on falcon rims, Durotorque suspension, steel treadplate deck, and it tips.

The thing is with the durotorque it's so damn low the tip function is just about overkill. I can easily load a non-running mini onto it myself, either with ramps or by tipping. It really is the schnizzle.

Something to consider: an estimate is given above of 300kg for a small unsprung trailer. My trailer is 3m by 1.8, suspension, tips, and weighs in at 380kg. That 80kgs buys you a trailer that will carry half a cord of firewood not even level with the sides, or damn near half a house lot of furniture. If I stick a cage on it I've just about got a truck....

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http://www.mini-hb.co.nz

Just some suggestions not criticisms. BTDT
14" light truck tyres are cheaper, easier to find and carry more than 13"
A sprung trailer that would allow doors to open, ends up too high.
Gal pipe is crap to weld and still rusts at welds.
Unsprung trailers actually ride really well.
Make draw bar a long as reasonably possible, tows better and easier to back.
Make basic part of trailer, get it officially weighed, then add ramps, tracks etc. Keeps 'rego' weight down.
Oh, and don't forget to use load rated D shackles.

I have a tiltatrailer single axle and it suits me, however i think a 10 X 6 with mods like above would be a good all rounder so long as you could get a reasonable ramp angle. The tiltatrailer weighs less than 300kg with 14in light truck tyres(3) and an overide brake... and is specced for 1500kg all up,,, so 1200kg of car.. has ford bearings rated to 750kg... I do like the tilt,(no ramps to carry and much less length overall needed when everyone is packing up at the same time) i do like the ease of towing, it is easy to get wheel tie downs on. It has a dodgy latch to keep the deck in the upright position ( so i am rectifying) it doesn't allow opening of doors easily ( i have to drive fully forward onto ramp and deck, get out then push back to a better balanced towing position.(over the trailer wheel arches). just takes getting used to..... it would be relatively easy to make a similar one for someone handy with welder and get these little things right.. It is adjustable for track width.. and just so happens to be able to fit my torana ( 960kgs) as well

I've been through all of this as well. I started with a very light 3mx1.5 that I sold to someone on here. Brilliant trailer, towed well and you hardly knew it was behind you. Was bare bones and weighed less than 300kg on single axle. Downside, nowhere to store anything. You cannot possibly make a trailer that will tow a mini and stay under 750kg, but I would love to be corrected if thats possible.

My father has a tilta trailer, similar size. Tows well and allows for fitting of a very low mini. Downside, the ramps are incorporated onto the deck so the overall length is pretty long, also nowhere to store anything.

Step 3, purchased an enclosed trailer that was custom made for a mini. Proceeded to pull it all apart and modify it to suit my needs. Deck is 4mx1.8. Has storage in front for tools and spare tyres. Has shelving that sits above the bonnet for spares. Has a custom side annex made that is 4mx3m so I can work on the car in shade or shelter. Looks the dogs nuts. Downside, its heavy. I lightened everything but bare weight is around 550kg, dual axle. All loaded up 1450kg.

Next problem I had is the need to take 2 cars to the same venue, so came up with something I am working on atm.
Bought an XR8 ute with a tray back. Fitting a tilt system and a removable tray extension that takes the tray to a total of 2.6m bed, so one on the rear and one inside the trailer.

Problem solved.

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1970 Cooper S ex-Bathurst & ATCC
1964 Austin Cooper S ex-Group C race car
1967 Morris Cooper S ex-Group B
1962 Mini Speed sports sedan
1968-71 ex-Peter Manton Shell car

Here is one i saw at Oran park a few years ago. interesting idea on how to get doors open.

I would not use 10" wheels because the tyres are not load rated for a trailer.









cheers
michael

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

Is that the bit missing over the wheel arch?