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#61

Shop Tools And Equipment / Re: New trailer for the mini

Last post by Scargo - April 15, 2026, 05:00:53 AM

Mine is a 12' Aluma tilt bed which some of you guys have seen. It hauls the Minis and Sprite effortlessly. Driving onto the trailer has never been a challenge.

I also installed a manual winch on the front frame rail in case I ever have to haul a non-running car.

I criss-cross my ratchet straps at all four outside corners, and I've never had a car shift around on me. I check the straps at every pit stop during my trips.

#62

Shop Tools And Equipment / Re: New trailer for the mini

Last post by Willie_B - April 15, 2026, 04:42:47 AM

I wonder if I could convert my tow dolly to use fastraps?

#63

Shop Tools And Equipment / Re: New trailer for the mini

Last post by 94touring - April 15, 2026, 04:16:49 AM

Correct, suspension needs to travel. Strapping down the vespa you hook over each front handlebar and the rear metal frame on the back of the seat. But, this means you're compressing the shocks, so it's not really ideal but there aren't other options.  I tighten them up to almost full suspension travel and call it good. It works on a scooter ok.

If all I did was haul minis on a dedicated trailer that setup Red Riley posted would be something I'd consider.

#64

Shop Tools And Equipment / Re: New trailer for the mini

Last post by Dan Moffet - April 15, 2026, 04:10:07 AM

I had my Mini hauled home a couple of times on a roll-back: entertaining to see the driver trying to make the basket type straps made for larger wheels fit onto my wee 12 inchers. But he did it. He declined to even consider the tow ring, even though we were going less than a mile.

#65

Shop Tools And Equipment / Re: New trailer for the mini

Last post by Dan Moffet - April 15, 2026, 04:05:15 AM

Looking back at your pics, you've already got eye bolts up front. Perfect for having  a chain or smaller strap to one or more of your front D rings. You just don't want it extra tight because the suspension of the car needs to move freely of course. Toss something loosely over the rear subframe and hook into your center rear D ring and you're set.

The way I understand it, tow companies use the wheel straps/baskets because they'd be anchoring the unsprung part of the car, keeping a firm attachment of the wheels to the deck or dolly and let the car body wobble on its suspension. When using chains they try to hook onto axles or outer ends of independent suspensions. To tie onto the body means the ties could slacken on every bump. It is interesting to see heavy military vehicles like tanks chained on rail cars - crossed chains front and back as well as linear ones. A tank has to be anchored to the body because it has so many "wheels" inside the tracks.

#66

Shop Tools And Equipment / Re: New trailer for the mini

Last post by cstudep - April 14, 2026, 08:21:49 PM

That style of tie down would be ideal for sure, or a trailer that has those tie down rails permanently mounted in the floor.

I don't currently have a small trailer dedicated to the mini, so any sort of specific mounting like that would end up being in the way when I used the trailer for other things. I already have 4 trailers and convincing my wife I need another is probably out of the cards......for now at least lol.

#67

Shop Tools And Equipment / Re: New trailer for the mini

Last post by Red Riley - April 14, 2026, 04:05:25 PM

My Fastraps in use.

#68

Shop Tools And Equipment / Re: New trailer for the mini

Last post by Red Riley - April 14, 2026, 02:45:09 PM

Just FYI. I have used these for years on my Elf with 13 inch tires. Once you attach the wheel chocks and the straps, you drive it on and it goes in exactly the same spot every time and stays put. I used one on each wheel, and I trailered from South Carolina to Canada and to Minnesota and lots of other long drives. Never had any issues at all.
Fastraps

#69

Daves Garage / Re: Mini ST Hotrod

Last post by BruceK - April 14, 2026, 01:37:36 PM

Nice progress!

#70

Daves Garage / Re: Mini ST Hotrod

Last post by MiniDave - April 14, 2026, 01:24:12 PM

Sort of a milestone.....on some of its wheels, and on the ground!