So I was just wondering what would be some options for me (short of borrowing from a friend) if I wanted to tow my car up for a track day. Are there places that rent out truck/trailer setups? i have a track day coming up and would like to tow if possible

 

get a friend its the cheapest solution.
Most rental company's will not alow towing with there trucks.

 

There are places, like U-Haul, that do -- but they are really set up for moving across country, not towing to a race track for the weekend.

In order of cost/ease:

1) just self-support -- drive to the track with your gear in the trunk
2) have somebody else take all your tires and gear, but you drive the car
3) borrow a truck and trailer from a friend
4) install a trailer hitch and tow your tires and gear behind you
5) rent a truck and trailer
6) buy a truck and trailer
7) hire a professional car hauler

It's a lot easier to borrow just a trailer than it is to borrow a truck. Lots of people are willing to loan out their open race trailers if they aren't using them. Not so many people will loan you the haul vehicle. They (rightly) fear that you don't know how to drive a truck and trailer if you are asking to borrow the whole setup.

I've borrowed an open trailer before and had my dad pull it with his F250. Still, I've done almost all of my track days using options 1, 2, and 4.

 

k thx for the info guys...i'll probably just prep the car before hand and have some of my friedns drive my tools up in their car. Just wanted to see if it would be easy to get a tow...looks like it might not be worth it

 

U haul but the rig will cost you more than the track time.

 

Unless you are using an extra set of wheels, you should have no problem fitting all of your track day tools and gear in the trunk and passenger seat. If you do, you are taking too much stuff.

 

[QUOTE=tinkfist,Jul 16 2007, 11:52 AM] Unless you are using an extra set of wheels, you should have no problem fitting all of your track day tools and gear in the trunk and passenger seat.

 

The real hassle, IMO, was unloading and loading all of the gear at the track. If it rains, then you need a tarp to cover everything. Also, security of your belongings becomes an issue if you do the trunk method. As far as space, I was easily able to fit tools, spare parts, clothes, helmet, and even a tent and sleeping bag!

The Harbor Freight trailer is a great investment (if you are considering it). It went a long way in simplifiying track day organization as well as expanding upon what you can and cannot bring to the track.

 

If you know others that are going, the smart thing to do is consolidate items brought. There is no need for 2 or 3 floor jacks, 2-3 same-capability torque wrenches, etc. We do that if none of us has a trailer/truck.

 

The real answer, if you're going to get somewhat serious about track/autocross, is to get a hitch, build yourself a Harbor Freight trailer, and be self-sufficient. I did this for a couple of years with my S2000 for track days; I still do it with the S2000 for autocross, and I do it with my Miata for race weekends (admittedly, I know of only one other guy who tows his tires/tools behind his race car, but lots of folks do it at autocross).

As for rain, we know a bit about that here in Seattle. For a track day, most everything will fit under the trailer, or in the tool box; I've never had a problem with things getting wet. For autocross, I bring trash bags, which work just fine.

It's really nice being self-sufficient, and sometimes has been key to getting home. I've cracked rotors; I've run through brake pads; I've corded tires; it's rained and I could change tires to treaded tires; and various other predictable things have happened while at the track or autocross, and (so far) I've always been able to handle it at the track/autocross site. Some day, I know, my race car will get too badly bent, and I'll have a problem, but I'm not ready to buy a truck and a trailer (in Mike's place, I would buy an open trailer and use my father's truck, but that's not an option for me).