MX5 as a trailer on an MX5.

[Ben MX5]

Good luck with the trip. Keep us all posted on how you go.

I agree with your comments re backpackers. It's inspirational to hear that you're getting out and having an adventure.

IMHO, thinking like a hiker seems to be a good way to go. It would be nice if you could work out how to fit enough in without a trailer.

Does any one know if those aerosol tyre sealants are any good? Would it make sense to carry one of those instead of the spare?

[Apu]

I'd definitely recommend a tyre sealant can. I've used a few in the past and they have been very effective - great for those small leaks (eg nail in tyre) which allows you to get to a tyre shop to have it properly fixed.

I'd also suggest getting a tyre plug kit.

[davekmoore]

x 2

[hks_kansei]

I'd suggest a can on that gunk, but I'd also strongly suggest a spare.

Since it's a round Australia trip there will be long distances involved.

The tyre can goo works fine for smaller stuff, but if you get a nail in a sidewall, or pop a bead off the seat, it won't help you.

I would also suggest making sure you've got a few spare valve cores as well as the little tool to remove and replace them (my tool is a 4 way one, has the core remover, a cap thread cutter, a valve thread cutter, and a valve seat reamer)

[PeterB]

If you use Gemini hubs (4 x 100) on the trailer, you can run MX5 rims, so share a spare between car and trailer.

I would not head out without a full size spare, having dríven to Perth last year - saw plenty of flats and can be long way between tyre places.

I just took my light weight box trailer with kayak on board for a short run behind my NB. She hardly knew it was there.
I will be using the trailer to carry semi-slicks and jack/tools to race tracks.

[Cus]

So, we got excited earlier and started looking at the feasibility of building a trailer.

Follow-up post in a minute from the computer

[Cus]

So, to explain the previous post with more words.

Building this is actually going to be pretty easy.

Design requirements are (in approximate order of importance):
- Hold Hard Top
- Use same wheels as Lil Red & hold spares
- Be as light as possible
- Not be any higher than the boot of Lil Red
- Provide extra storage
- Be well balanced / nice to tow

I'll be getting in contact with a crowd in baccus marsh that do "DIY Trailer Kits" to see if they can get me the parts I need. Buying a kit from ebay will be cheapest but at the same time the trailer floor will be up 100mm or so from the axles limiting the actual storage area available (remember, I'm being OCD about overall height of trailer) so I'm going to see if I can get a drop-axle to move the whole frame down lower. Like a car, I presume a lower COG is going to be beneficial to the towing experience, and lower is better. (says the man on stock springs)

The outside track of the wheels is going to be 1600mm (same as the car) and the length of the draw bar will be 900mm from the front of the frame. The draw bar on the final product will be an A-Frame from 50x25x2.5 tube. The frame itself is 1100x1700. Not exactly the dimensions I'd planned, but also this frame is square, and already built, so they're big selling points! The wheels on the frame will be slightly further forward from the centre point so the HT clears the guards.

The front area will open from the front of the trailer; one wide door that encompass the trailer roof and most of the front wall of the trailer. Basic ideas for using the factory mounts on the HT have been fleshed out, and there will be a false roof under the HT roof, because most of the time, the HT won't be on the trailer anyway.

...I think that's all of the main points.

Oh, and a lovely forum member is working on getting a tow hitch for me (and Lil Red) so we can drag all this around!

[bruce]

Think about security/theft of the items and the trailer.

[Cus]

There should be enough room to install a midget with a shotgun in there somewhere

But seriously, everything will be lockable - the hardtop is the security for the car, so anywhere i'm stopping longer than half an hour or so, or where I can't see the car the HT will be going back on - prior to buying lil red my previous car was broken into in my back yard, so I'm a little bit paranoid about security these days. (To be fair, it was unlocked, but also it was *in* my back yard, with one way in and out, they weren't just passing by and trying doors, they were in my back yard actively performing mischief)

And the trailer is going to be pretty unique, so if anyone does nick it, pretty much every person on this forum is going to know which car should be towing it, and hopefully let their local po-po know. I'd install a GPS tracker, but that also means a GSM module, and power, and the cost of paying for a GSM service each month, and blah blah blah, way expensive, I'll just hope the trailer is unique enough, and perceptually useless enough to other people for them to leave it alone.

[malibu Q]

Sounds like a good plan Cus. Have you considered one of those rooftop type tents for it? Like the one Sparra has.
Keep posting. I'm loving this thread.

[Cus]

I Don't think I'm going to end up with enough usable roof area for a roof-tent like Sparra has - but that thing sure looks like a palace!

Sparra how much does your trailer weigh in full "touring" mode?

Okibi feel free to change the thread title to something more relevant: "having your cake and eating it too" - "no is just the first part of 'now that might work'" - "mx5 towing, camping and distance driving; discussion and ideas" - ...or causes buoyancy in your vessel

-edit grammar-

[PAU61L]

Look at kamp rite tentcot, or bed tent, they fold up to 1/3 size and have a cover, you could put It on the front of the trailer and a tool/storage box in the middle, with mounting points fixed to the tool box for the front hardtop mounts

[davekmoore]

If you're really set on doing this, see this: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7326770 ... 7505561426

[Cus]

Sent a request to be added thanks Dave!

[greenltd]

How did the trailer turn out?

cheers,
Stephen