Race truck or trailer? - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

Walshy · 30 Sep 2005, 10:25

No doubt Diz and Redracer will wind me up about this one as I am a bit of a bird when it comes to decision making of this proportion and I've been bending their ears for a while over this.........

I currently tow a trailer with a 4x4 and a Formula Ford on the back. We camp at any "away" rounds and everything is hunky dory. Except for the fact that we sat down the other night and worked out the cost per month of my 4x4 and it was scandalous. It sups juice for fun and, well lets say, you could pay a pretty tidy mortgage with what it's costing to run......

So, options.

We fancy the race truck thing. Put some living space in it instead of camping and get something with an awning to keep you dry if it's raining. We have seen a couple of good examples for around the £3k to 4k mark. However, there are issues of storage, more tax and insurance and long periods of inactivity with it.

Then the other option is the race box. A covered trailer, you can sleep in as a couple of the lads do (and they say it's much warmer than a tent), no overheads and keeps the car dry on the motorway. Only downside, is most of these are more expensive than a truck!!!!!! Plus, a good tow car is still needed.....

Anyone out there got any good or bad experiences of running each alternative..........

ActiveMS · 30 Sep 2005, 10:51

Ive been running a 7.5t truck for the last 2 years having previously used a race box.
I camp in the back of the 20ft box which is of course large enough to work on the car during bad weather (even changed engines regularly in the truck).

Much better than towing and I use the truck to store car in.
Did this as it was cheaper than running tow car and secure storage of trailer (blinkin things get nicked all the time).

Here are the costs if you are interested:

7.5t truck = £8k (mine was a very nice std example, but as you say there are cheaper ones around)

Insurance = £350 pa (fully comp)
Tax = £160odd pa (same as car)
Roadside Assistance £214 pa (includes unlimted tows in uk and all labour)

As long as you run "Not for Hire or Reward" stickers on side, its not a commercial vehicle and not subject to an operators plate.

If anyone wants contacts for above insurance and roadside assistance costs, let me know.

Actually, if anyone is interested due to single seater retirement this year, my truck is up for sale.

1998 'S' Iveco Cargo (7E15) 5.9ltr DTurbo
Excellent Condition and good paintwork.
20ft Box (all white, no stickers, including full aero kit on cab).
1 Tonne lift (not extended)
155,000 miles (engines are good for 400,000)
4 Brand new rear tyres. Fronts still good for a couple of years.
Leaf Spring bushes replaced in 05 and MOT until November 2006.
Tie down point for single seater
5 Shoring Poles used as tyre racks.
£5k
Call Jonathan (send PM for phone number)

Walshy · 30 Sep 2005, 11:07

I'm interested mate.

I'll PM you for a nosey if you can send me some pics........

Cheers

MGDavid · 1 Oct 2005, 01:09

I've just been through the same decision - been using car and trailer for a couple of years, and using B&Bs or hotels which gets expensive and misses the 'craic' in the paddock. Also I was probably illegal on towing weights etc. Just bought an ex-motocross van, Iveco 3510, huge storage in the back and a very civilised camper for 2 or 3 in the front. Tows a dream. Will save even more money if we use it for weekends away, and Le Mans 24 of course.

StephenRae · 1 Oct 2005, 09:06

One drawback of a truck is you are marooned at the circuit if you have no other transport...and the ones I've had go wrong all the time.

HiRich · 1 Oct 2005, 12:28

Sorry to mess with your head, but there are a couple of other options that are probably worth at least a cursory examination.

Estate Car Or MPV
It sounds like the 4x4 is your concren, not the trailer. A decent estate (M-reg Audi 80?) or a small MPV (Zafira?) might be the solution:
- Bit more economical
- More use through the rest of the week
- Likely to be able to make better progress when towing
- You're not 'losing' more money by selling the trailer as well
You might be losing some towing capacity, but is that really an issue - are you using all of it at the moment?
An MPV with a couple of seats out might give you more stowage space. Even if you have less (say with the estate), a bit of planning and bolting things to the trailer might solve that.
So I'd say it's worth at least asking the right questions and checking prices.

A Van (with the car stowed inside)
You have three options:-

.5t (Transit, LDV, Mercedes, etc.), van body or perhaps Luton body, or >3.5t (Mercedes, Iveco Daily). Choose a high roof model, so you can use the space as an office, kitchen, workshop and bedroom. The two key questions are:
- How many seats do you need?
- Will your car fit easily through the rear doors?
If the answers are good, then I think this is well worth considering. You are likely to be able to travel faster than with a truck, and might find more other uses for a van. With a bit of planning, and a couple of hundred quid's worth of 3/4" ply, you could create a very interesting multi-purpose conversion. Considering a van body, I would suggest:
- Install 'running boards' full-length, over the wheelarches, on which the car will sit.
- Install a solid floor
- Under the running boards, you have stowage space. Use some for custom-built cabinets (which also provide the vertical support), others are 'holes' to place your toolkit, gas stove, etc.
- You now have a large space under the car. Plan how all your other kit will fit in there.
- Your ramps can sit on the top of this gap when in transit. Design in a drip tray (or locations for one) so the items beneath are protected.
- Make the section of the running board by the side loading door removable.
- You could buy a permanent side awning unit. Or, with some tarpaulin, a sewing machine, and some custom-made poles make one that is water and wind proof, and perfectly suited to your needs.
- Plan everything to be dual use. It should serve one purpose in transit, and another when you are in the Paddock. When you arrive in the Paddock, it should take 15 minutes to unload and set it up as your Paddock Unit.
- A roll of carpet along the running boards, and you have a bench seat. Another along the floor, and you have a decent base for your bed. For transit, you roll them up and stow them away. Alternatively, flip the running boards so you have seat on one side, friction surface on the other?
- Two stowage boxes come out and stack to create the stand for your stove?
- Then remember to make everything bolted down for security in transit, and removable (so you can use it as an ordinary van)

Walshy · 1 Oct 2005, 16:50

Thanks for that.

I might be in luck though.

We both sat down the other night and decided that the truck thing is an unneccessary cost. And just another worry of things breaking or having to pay tax and insurance.

I have been back onto my car dealer who look like they are going to let me trade up to the diesel equivalent of my current car. At a very good cost I might add as well. On top of that, I have seen a very very good box trailer for a good price, so I think we might follow this route.

But then, anyone that knows me will tell you this could all change tomorrow...................

Keep the advise coming though. It's good to hear differing opinions on this subject.

SPBRacing · 1 Oct 2005, 18:46

Hi

I use a box van for the car and bits then tow a caravan for the wife & kid. The love it so leave me in piece for racing. I also put an awning on the side for the bad weather. Also if you need to you can use it for a trip out why at the circuit or for home DIY etc. It also keeps the racing and living area seperate so no smells and cross mess.

Stephen

Ali Rushforth · 1 Oct 2005, 20:57

We bought an LDV Convoy High Top Minibus. Had it converted to a "day van" with living area, extra seats, cooker etc etc. At the very rear of the van we've built a workshop type area with tool boxes, storage racking, fuel storage etc which is all removable. We have an awning on the side of the van and also sometimes carry very large ez-up. Tows mini c/w 12 spare wheels on trailer.

Reason for doing Day van conversion opposed to full camper is I have 3 young children and my Dad has also young twins!!(never learnt his lesson first time!!) It can be used for trips to coast etc and as workshop area is totally seperate, it makes for a good day tripping vehicle.

RAY DACKOMBE · 2 Oct 2005, 00:42

WHY NOT CONVERT THE 4X4 TO LPG, IF YOU DO A BIT OF MILAGE A YEAR IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO GET THE CONVERSION COST BACK, IT WOULD ALSO SAVE THE EXTRA COST OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, I RUN AN 850 VOLVO A TRIP TO MANCHESTER FROM HANTS COST £16-14p.

MGDavid · 3 Oct 2005, 13:47

It's a grey area 'cos the MOT man does not know what 'goods' it's been designed for. Put a couple of long clothes rails in and tell him you move shmutter for the fashion industry, or inflated balloons for parties, or.. see what I mean?

thatorangething · 3 Oct 2005, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGDavid

It's a grey area 'cos the MOT man does not know what 'goods' it's been designed for. Put a couple of long clothes rails in and tell him you move shmutter for the fashion industry, or inflated balloons for parties, or.. see what I mean?

Ah, but if you tell him that, you might well find yourself needing an O licence and planning permission to park the truck!

If you fancy getting into REAL grey area stuff, then try using a Range Rover for professional towing - you need a tacho, and operate to drivers hours (and the working time directive) but only when the trailer's hanging on the back