Help picking a tow vehicle and trailer for my Caterham

[savagete2860]

I posted this on reddit's r/cartrackdays, but it was suggested to me to ask here as well which seems like a no brainer. My local track, PittRace, is closing and there are no tracks in comfortable driving rage. So I am looking at towing options now.

 

To start, my home is NOT conducive to larger vehicles. I am on a very narrow one lane street and my house has about a 20ft long drive way that is just barely two cars wide and is pretty darn steep (backing a trailer onto my property is likely impossible or at the very least close to it). It leads into a "2" car garage, which really feels more like an over sized 1.5 car garage. My Caterham is currently parked in here along with my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek (tow rating = 1500#s). I generally work from home and share this vehicle with my wife as our daily driver. The tow vehicle will replace this. Given my space constraints and the primary use case, I am looking for something relatively small. The smaller the better with modern niceties of apple car play and heated front seats are top of list. I am looking at a truck at this point vs an SUV/Crossover/etc.

 

Trailer wise, I don't know where yet, but it will need to stay off property. I simply have no where to keep one. My first thought was an aluminum single axle tilt trailer. That would let me get something like a Ford Maverick with the 4k tow package (this was my front runner for a vehicle) and my total payload would only be ~2k lbs. The more I read and look, the more I think I want dual axle for safety and enclosed would be nice on the trips that are further out where the weather might be questionable in route or overnight parking in sketchy parking lots. So what is the smallest size enclosed trailer that can fit an s3 Caterham? I have seen a few 7x14s, but I am wondering if a 6x12 would work? I think even with a 7x14 trailer, I could squeeze in under the Mavericks 4k tow limit, but being enclosed I am not sure how terrifying that would be to drive with the additional surface area on windy days/passing semis blowing me around.

 

If I must, I think I can squeeze into a mid-size truck, but it will BARELY fit in my garage.

 

So what say ye - what's a good truck/trailer combo for my use case?

 

[Kitcat]

I used a VW Touareg to tow my Caterham. It has a rating of 7700 lbs and the footprint of an Accord. It was the only tow vehicle my wife would drive. The Touareg has been replaced by the Atlas in the VW lineup with the same tow stats. The tow package option is a must.

[Timothy Keith-Lucas]

Hmmm. If the trailer/Caterham combination were to be stored off site, you want an enclosed trailer. By going to the manufacturer I got a 7x12 single axle enclosed trailer that can barely be towed by my wife's Dodge Grand Caravan (everything close to capacity) with either her Model T or my Seven. It's better with our Ford F-150 pickup, the standard family vehicle in this rural county.

 

Our other option is a 6x12 (very common) single axle utility trailer. It tows either car comfortably with the mini-van and is hardly noticed by the truck. I mounted some plywood on the front to keep gravel off my Seven's snout. 

 

Both trailers have small winches mounted that run off the vehicle battery.

 

Hope that gives you some ideas.

[7Westfield]

If you want to spend some bucks, a friend uses a Porsche Cayenne to tow his vintage racer 912 in (i think) a 20 foot enclosed.

 

I tow a friend's vintage formula ford in a 14 footer with my Suburban 2500. Overkill for your app. 

Sometimes use it for the Westfield as well, but I do have a small open trailer as well

Many 7s would go in a 6x12, but very difficult to get around to the tiedowns, etc, and your anchors would need to be right out in the corners.

A 7x14 is just easier, if you can deal with it when not in use.

I don't recall seeing a 12 with dual axles, might have to be special order, but be sure to get decent size wheels and tires.

 

If you go open, darn near anything should pull it.  As we are winding down the FF deal, I keep thinking of putting a hitch on my 20 year old accord.....

Edited November 15, 2025 by 7Westfield

[savagete2860]

Thanks for the replies. Most of the higher tow capacity SUVs are just as wide as a mid size truck, so really don't think I'd go for those since I would like something with a bed as well for other purposes. Also a P car for a tow vehicle is out of the budget lol. I am still leaning pretty hard towards a maverick, I just need to make sure the trailer options would work with it weight wise.

 

Also just to clarify, the Caterham will still be stored my garage, the trailer will be stored somewhere else. Thats one of the reasonsd I want to stay on the smaller side for the tow vehicle.

 

Sounds like an enclosed 6x12 does fit a Caterham, its just a but of a squeeze. I would be fine with that, I think. I just want to make sure were talking enclosed and not an open trailer. Is that tight on the width side or the length side, or both? Anyone have photos of a seven in an enclosed 6x12 trailer and how its tied down?

 

Lets say I end up with an enclosed trailer, what do I need to look for inside of the trailer? I am not looking for anything fancy other than loading in the car and making it secure. Should tie downs be in a specific, maybe non-standard place?

 

How sketchy is a single axle, really? It looks like the 2nd axle usually adds about 600lbs. Is that worth it for safety? I never really towed anything so maybe I am ignorant but how often are tires really blowing out to cause issues?

 

V nose is a good idea I assume?

[7Westfield]

While the weather holds, I'd drive the Cat to a trailer lot, and ask to drive it into a 6x12

It will be tight both length and width, but doable

V nose a def help in this case, it will give you a bit more room up front for tie downs

Inside will be bare unless you spec a wall covering

Tie downs will be extra    You'll want them as far fore and aft as possible. You don't want the straps to go straight down to the tie point, as that will not control shifting back and forth, like a flatter angle will. You don't want the car to kiss the front under braking.

 

Tires....a real can of worms

On another (racing) forum I'm on, a lot of them replace tires every 3--4 years, regardless of mileage.  UV is a killer. OTOH ours are prob 5 years old and lookin good. We put about 6-7000 miles a year on them, and I pull them and store them in the shed over winter.  Also a pretty good theft deterrent.

I wouldn't run anything smaller than a 14"--we are on 205/15s   More tire spreads the load, and 15 keeps the rpm down

The OE tires will probably be some no-names from some backwater, good for a couple of years at most.

We currently run Carlisle, and they seem good.  Goodyear Marathons are pretty good, too.  Trailer tires lead a rough life, low mileage aside. They get a lot of neglect, rubbed on curbs (they do have a heavier sidewall) and so forth

A spare will cost extra

 

Brakes    I don't know the numbers, but I think you are under the radar on that.  But, they are sure nice, esp with a lighter weight tow vehicle.

If you get a dual axle, consider putting on both axles, and get the self adjusting ones. Trailer brakes are a PITA to adjust.  Ask if your proposed tow vehicle has a built in brake controller--if not, you'll have to install one, and run another wire to the back.

The bigger stuff, like pickups and SUV's have come with wiring in place for years, not sure about the smaller vehicles.

 

 

Edited November 15, 2025 by 7Westfield

[IamScotticus]

I have found on a dual axle, it's far easier to maneuver it by removing the trailing axle wheels.  Can you fit a four post lift in the garage? You could stack. The trailer will go under the 7. The 7 will have a service lift for all the fun wrenching,  the straight in & out will allow you to keep the 4 wheels on the trailer, the costs of two years of tailer storage will pay for a lift.  

There's good older threads on trailers and lifts to find here.

My notes on lifts:

Bend Pak narrow 4 post 220V

Bend Pak XPR 10AXLS for 10k lbs
BendPak narrow HD-7P
200x100x100 in.

or

Peak 470P
Just know, the 7 is scant, but for lifting full size vehicles,  the concrete pad you bolt the lift onto will need to be of a certain hardness.

 

Edited November 15, 2025 by IamScotticus

[CarlB]

If you want trailer brakes, it is a good idea to check out the factory tow packages. I am not familiar with Ford's options, but My Chevy Colorado tow package has several feathers that beef up the truck, plus a brake controller. The brake controller is integrated with the anti-lock brakes for sway control.   

[Timothy Keith-Lucas]

If you're looking at a 6x12 enclosed, be very careful about the width of the door - it is not 6 feet.  We use a 7x12 single axle (a rater rare trailer; got it from the manufacturer) for my Seven and it doesn't leave much space. The V nose is a good place for a small winch that runs off the truck battery. Single axle trailers are good for 1,500 pounds or so payload; dual axles are good for twice that. Don't push the limits on either the trailer load or the vehicle towing capacity. We added 2x4 tracks to the trailer bed so it will load either my Seven or my wife's Ford Model T. 

[Marek]

We run a 3000lb-rated 16' single-axle open aluminum trailer with brakes to tow Sevens and Miatas.  It is a dream to tow.  The single axle is plenty and even without the brakes (controller problem!) it handled well.  Don't over size your trailer.  I recommend brakes, but stick with a single axle.

[mrmustang]

7 hours ago, Marek said:

We run a 3000lb-rated 16' single-axle open aluminum trailer with brakes to tow Sevens and Miatas.  It is a dream to tow.  The single axle is plenty and even without the brakes (controller problem!) it handled well.  Don't over size your trailer.  I recommend brakes, but stick with a single axle.

Do you have specs on the trailer you have, or was it a one off custom build?

[Marek]

Ours is a Worthington WU-6414 (14' deck, 16' overall).  2990# capacity, aluminum construction, wood deck, single axle with brakes, aluminum ramps.  One person can roll it around empty without much effort.

 

Worthington has been out of business for some years, but the Aluma 6814H is very similar.  The Aluma is a bit lighter, aluminum deck, and available with a tilt option - which would be nicer than ramps.  Light trailers with aluminum ramps can be noisy as the ramps rattle over bumps.

[mrmustang]

5 minutes ago, Marek said:

Ours is a Worthington WU-6414 (14' deck, 16' overall).  2990# capacity, aluminum construction, wood deck, single axle with brakes, aluminum ramps.  One person can roll it around empty without much effort.

 

Worthington has been out of business for some years, but the Aluma 6814H is very similar.  The Aluma is a bit lighter, aluminum deck, and available with a tilt option - which would be nicer than ramps.  Light trailers with aluminum ramps can be noisy as the ramps rattle over bumps.

I had a full deck 18' Worthington back in the 90's, sold it and bought a Trailex at the time, the one they call a 911 trailer CT-7551

[Marek]

@savagete2860 Have you considered a Softbits Storm Cap and an open trailer.  That would give you a very light, compact, setup which is much easier to load than an enclosed trailer and still provides weather protection.  Don't underestimate the convenience of a trailer you can disconnect and easily maneuver into place by hand.

 

In the UK, clamshell covered trailers are quite common.  But hard to find in the US.  Futura might have a clamshell model.

[7Westfield]

there's always Aerovault

[Vovchandr]

As I mentioned elsewhere the big choice is open vs enclosed and you go from there. If room and budget allows it, enclosed it always better especially an aluminum enclosed.

 

If enclosed is ruled out, aluminum is preferred again for various reasons including maintenance and resale. Brakes are preferred

 

Maybe we need a dedicated show off your trailer thread too

[wdb]

39 minutes ago, 7Westfield said:

there's always Aerovault

$$$$$

[savagete2860]

Thank you for the replies everyone, super useful stuff. I am still searching around for both trailer and truck. That was a good call out for checking the door width on 6x12s, a lot (all of the ones I was looking at) wouldn't fit my car.

 

I am sold on tandem axles, it just seems worth the added safety and stability. Also I didn't call it out but I was planning on brakes on whatever trailer I get as well.

 

I really REALLY wish those clam shell trailers that are all over the place in the UK were sold over here. I would snag one of those up in a second. I am guessing there isn't really anything comparable in the states, right? I haven't found anything but maybe I haven't looked everywhere. Maybe its worth reaching out to some custom trailer places and seeing if they could build something similar within a reasonable budget.

 

I did some rough measuring, and a mid size truck can fit in my garage along with my 7, only just (door opening might be a problem and not enough height to jack it up for maintenance). I need to try and test it out in real life to see how much of a pain that would be along with the miserable gas mileage. With only doing a few events a year, it might make more sense to get the smaller, more economical vehicle, and deal with the downsides of an open trailer. I'm still pondering it all...

 

 

4 hours ago, Vovchandr said:

Maybe we need a dedicated show off your trailer thread too

 

I would love to see some more tow setups.

[Vovchandr]

22 minutes ago, savagete2860 said:

Thank you for the replies everyone, super useful stuff. I am still searching around for both trailer and truck. That was a good call out for checking the door width on 6x12s, a lot (all of the ones I was looking at) wouldn't fit my car.

 

I am sold on tandem axles, it just seems worth the added safety and stability. Also I didn't call it out but I was planning on brakes on whatever trailer I get as well.

 

I really REALLY wish those clam shell trailers that are all over the place in the UK were sold over here. I would snag one of those up in a second. I am guessing there isn't really anything comparable in the states, right? I haven't found anything but maybe I haven't looked everywhere. Maybe its worth reaching out to some custom trailer places and seeing if they could build something similar within a reasonable budget.

 

I did some rough measuring, and a mid size truck can fit in my garage along with my 7, only just (door opening might be a problem and not enough height to jack it up for maintenance). I need to try and test it out in real life to see how much of a pain that would be along with the miserable gas mileage. With only doing a few events a year, it might make more sense to get the smaller, more economical vehicle, and deal with the downsides of an open trailer. I'm still pondering it all...

 

 

 

I would love to see some more tow setups.

 

Pardon the ancient picture taken with a potato in 2012 but this might be just what you're looking for

 

Don't know the brand or cost, maybe others here do

 

Saw this at Watkins Glen

 

Man of good taste

 

[locost7018]

Looks like a snowmobile trailer to me. Russ