mdrums

Glad Rad only mentioned semi-fast and GT3RS......guess that leaves me out...whew!

deputydog95

It's not as big as it looks. It's 4x4x8. It will hold two sets of wheels and gear with ease though.

I had thought about painting it all black, but I'm afraid the interior would turn into a furnace when parked outside on the tarmac at Sebring.

Thanks

I had a feeling you'd say that. I'm sure Nick has a purse I can borrow. I tried the pro coach thing once. Wasn't the greatest experience. Not totally the coach's fault. It was a poor event to use a coach for... Too much traffic (event was oversold) and he didn't have his communicator. I'm going to take another shot at it this year, preferably at a Safe event where we can get on and off the track as often as necessary. Lord knows I could use the help.

This trailer has toured the US behind a 997. Previous owner was a national auto crosser. Even if some sort of worst case scenario happened (knock on wood), I don't see any potential for structural damage beyond a new bumper and that $150 bumper reinforcement bar.

Greek's gonna have to get his own trailer I am going to have the wheels painted black for sure.

The trailer is around 500 pounds and probably 200-300 pounds of gear.

I could, but I won't I enjoy the AC at the chateau way too much.

This is not a wilwood hitch, but similar design. I'm guessing its a rip off of sorts.... I had to replace my original metal bumper reinforcement bar with that of a 996 (used $150). It's hard to explain without pics, but there is a lip on the metal pieces that are behind the bumperettes that is one of the locking points for each side of the hitch. Then there's two more bolts on each side to secure it in place. And of course chains as a backup. Its really well thought out. The bracket even dips in the middle to not obscure the tag when not towing if you don't want to take the bracket off.

I did however bring the trailer over to the local trailer shop to have the bearings packed and upgrade the lights to brighter LED's. He thought the bracket was pretty nicely designed, but felt it could use more reinforcement in the center section as it was slightly torquing the middle. Nothing serious, he was just pointing it out. Bear in mind, this setup has been across the country before with two set of wheels and full gear with no problems. For the minimal expense, I told the trailer guy to go ahead and beef it up. Couldn't hurt. He's going to weld a thicker metal plate to the center section, and then powder coat the whole thing black.

Total weight will probably be 800 pounds when all is said and done. 500 or so for the trailer, and then a few hundred in wheels, tires, gear. More than I would prefer, but the previous owner towed the same setup in his boxster, and then his 997. He said he had no issues at all. It doesn't feel as heavy as it is. I can wheel it around my driveway with no problems. It has that third retractable wheel up front which makes getting it on and off the hitch very easy. I'm really shocked at how balanced it is. I don't know how much tongue weight is on it, but I would be surprised if its anywhere near 60 pounds.

I'm with you on the tires. It came with a spare. Which unfortunately had to be used on the way to my delivery from Boca. Seller said the tire blew and he didn't even notice it had come off the rim because the trailer was so well balanced. He finally figured it out when someone pulled up next to him waving. After we got the hitch installed and the trailer hooked up, I immediately went over to goodyear and got two brand new tires. Not taking any chances.

Still can't decide between black or yellow. I just don't like it in silver. Yellow would look cool for sure, but I think black would look great too.

How much of an impact do you think a black exterior will have on the interior temps of the interior?

BTW, I'm not the only GT3 on here towing his tires

R6's on order. Hoping to at least keep Randy in site and not have Reter lap me

mkk62

Great trailer. Was wondering how you were getting those r6's to the track. Ur gonna need em C u soon. Mike

sin911

First of all congrats! I agree with painting the trailer black and yellow Porsche lettering

Second, I thought our bumper brackets weren't strong enough to support trailers (even small ones). Did you do anything for that or just attached it?

mdrums

I've heard it both ways....Porsche and others have said DO NOT tow anything but I've seen guys at the track show up with small open trailers towing tires. I know of 1 guy who towed a very small tire trailer with a hitch ball that just screwed into the bumper with a hole through the license plate. He never had a problem I knew of.

If I end up going this route I want to keep it simple and clean. I don't want the look of a hitch on my rear bumper when I'm not towing.

Viperbob1

They have to say never tow as do you know how many regs they would have to go though to make it work? First of all you are towing off a 5 mph impact bumper that has 2 tiny shocks designed to absorb IMPACT. Towing is mostly outward stress (until panic braking where that 500 lb trailer helps add to the weight of that rear end wanting to swing out). The 4 little 8mm bolts holding that trailer through the bumper to the shocks then into the chassis in back were never tested like that. Not to say they would fail, just that that is not something else EVER Porsche or any other manufacturer would do.

deputydog95

It's the 996 bumper reinforcement bar. It's different than the 997.

My setup is completely removable in about 5 minutes. I'm just lazy and it's a great conversation piece. People ask about it all the time. My local trailer shop said they could replicate the whole thing, and actually make a better version.

Agreed. It's easier for Porsche to just say no. If I hadn't seen so many other people do it, I would be concerned as well. As Mike said, Erik tows his trailer with just a ball welded to the tow hook. The previous owner of my trailer/hitch had done two 3k mile trips using his boxster initially, and then another with the 997. In addition to the four bolts, it's also locked into place using the overhook lips on the top of the metal shocks to lock the hitch into place. The 997 shock doesn't have that lip so that's why I had to switch to the 996 version. It's one more part of the reinforcement process and is probably overkill, but you can't take enough precautions. Wilwood has been doing Porsche hitches for years: http://www.willwoodsystem.com/

I wouldn't drag this setup over dirt roads at 100 mph, but for normal street driving at reasonable speeds I think it will be fine. I'm guessing this has to be at least as secure as the those little bumper hitches you see all the time on small pickup truck bumpers.

deputydog95

Done.

TRAKCAR

Very color coordinated.

P.J.S.

it looks great!
for full effect, black out the car wheels :-)

sin911

Nice! I need to get one myself, but would like to get a smaller one.

Andrew, are you coming to Sebring in November so I can see the trailer in person?

24Chromium

Where's the wing for the trailer? It needs downforce. LOL

Seriously... this is awesome. Nicely played.

ponzzzz

looks cool, but needs the crest also

deputydog95

Thank you sir. It's a big hit at Sebring this weekend. Quite the conversation piece.

Track wheels are black. Wife won't let me paint the stockers

Thank you. It's turned out great. All my tires, go ped, jack, tools, in a nice neat package. I'm really pleased with it so far. And the hitch on the back keeps Izzone from tail gating me on the track

There's a huge crest on the back. I'll have to take a pic.

deputydog95

Maybe. Which event?