mx5cartalk.com

What advice can the collective offer on car trailers.

I have lost my car storage solution and may have to move my MX-5 from Perth up to the Kimberley.

The roads up here weren't even suitable for my STi which I had to sell last year, so if it doesn't stay in Perth, i'd need to trailer the MX-5. (Nearest U98 is a 5 hour drive away) so essentially it will be stored on the trailer.

Like most MX-5s mine is very low to the ground so the trailer would need to suit low cars.

It will also need to handle thousands of kilometers including a portion on rough 4WD roads.

Initially it would be cheaper to pay for storage in Perth but after a number of years the car trailer would start paying for itself.

It would be more economic to sell the MX-5, with approximately 60,000kms it should fetch a decent amount, but I don't want to part with it.

It would be a pity to sell the beast , so I hope you can find a way ...

How many round trips Perth-Kimberley-Perth do you envisage - just the one? That would have a bearing I think, as that's a not insignificant haul. I bought an el cheapo quite a few years ago (15+), but my hauls are either short, or at least not far from civilisation (towing, repairs) (Canberra-Bathurst/PI/ Wakefield/Oran Park/SMP/Winton) max around 1k kms, no issues except brake linings and wheel bearings.

Low cars not a problem, providing you don't have a trailer really high off the ground, obviously that affects either/both ramp length/ramp angle. But solvable. If 'rough 4wd roads' means tough suspension, that's one thing, if it means tall tyres that will add height to the loading height, but if it one trip you can do all sorts of weird things as a one-off (deflate tyres - even remove wheels and jack it up again when loaded , tilt trailer, extend ramps, etc).

Weather protection? Thinking sun, also small animals/reptiles if car not regularly used - have you a plan for hurricanes? Enclosed would be good, but exxy and heavier. Alternative might be to build an enclosure when you get up there to convert it to enclosed, remove when no longer needed (return journey).

That is my initial thoughts, FWTW.

All good points, enclosed would be more secure for sure.

It does make more sense to sell it. It would also be kinder to the car (not that cars have feelings!)

It would be like betraying an old friend, i've asked a lot of this little car over the years and it's delivered. Plus with under 70k on the clock, I doubt i'd get what it's really worth.

What towing capacity do you have?

A tandem tilt-a trailer would be the most stable. I have a single axle tilt-a trailer for mine which stays under the 1800kg loaded, but being single axle is less stable. The longest trip I’ve done with it was about 2000km return.

I would not be keen to tow on unsealed roads though, even though it has a stone guard.

You often see these behind motorhomes with a swift or a jimny or similar on them.

Yeah I think dual axle as a minimum.