Slipstream - January 2002

Building a Track Trailer for your 911 or Boxster
By Doug Molny
So You Want to Build A Track Trailer For Your 911 or Boxster?
Well then, read on.......
My most recent memory of seeing a 911 pulling a trailer was at
Texas World Speedway at the end of 2000. I queried the gentleman
and he told me that he started with a trailer he found at "Harbor
Freight" online for $220.00. It comes with a light kit as well and the
paperwork to have it registered and licensed. The price was right so I
placed the order on line and had it delivered to my office, it came in 2-
easily managed boxes along with the extra spare tire and stand I had
ordered as an option. The spare tire and stand ran about $80.00. It
was like putting together the old erector sets when I was a kid, very
easy with a minimum of tools and rather enjoyable.
. . . I was very impressed until I
got the bill . . .
My first problem was that I do not weld, so it was imperative that
I find someone who could custom make supports for each wheel and
tire and a lockable bar to run through the wheels. In the past when I
needed something special done to my other cars I had been directed to
a gentleman who builds hotrods and this guy turned out some quality
work. My next step was to find a tool box for the rear and one that
was lockable and as indestructible as I could possibly find. "Earl Owen
Company" in downtown Dallas carried a large selection so I picked
one that fit and delivered it to my hotrod guy. When he was done with
the welding work he painted it black and mounted the tool box, wired
the lights and handed me a bill for twice the cost of the trailer. I must
admit it did come out great and the tire rack and tool box made the
trailer very stable but I had convinced myself I was going to do this
cheaply, oh well so much for that fantasy.
The tool box is very roomy and you can get everything necessary
to make tire changing easy in there. The tool box cost about $225 and
is worth every penny, it comes with a hydraulic arm for the top and a
Photo by Doug Molny
Yes, a hitch can go on the bumper of a 911.
built-in lock. The Porsche pulls it quite well with no difficulties
except for backing up, since it is so short it is a little tricky!
While the trailer was being worked on I went over to "Joe's Hitch
& Trailer" they had previously made several hitches for other Porsche
owners and had a good idea what it takes to make a trailer hitch from
scratch. Once they were done I was very impressed until I got the bill
$460 including the wiring harness for the lights and 2 locks one for the
tongue and one for the hitch assembly. The wiring harness under the
rear hood is difficult to conceal, I used a pull tie and tucked in over
the right front wheel. So once again we all know how expensive it is to
go racing, but I had longed for the "Southsport" trailers that are manufactured
in Florida and thought this would be a great way to save
money and get the next best thing.
Well, the cost was about the same and, I am still not sure what the
best choice was. As you can see, it's perfect for DE's and Autocrosses
and keeps me from hauling track tires in my Benz which stills smells
from track tires from before the trailer was completed. I have used it
many times now and it is just the best way short of buying a SUV and
a 16' trailer to make our events with all the necessary paraphernalia. If
you would like more information or would like to see it in person call
me I will be happy to show it to you and provide you with names and
numbers (dmolny@ jimlakeco.com).
Photo by Doug Molny
Photo by Doug Molny
The trailer and tow vehicle.
Add a Porsche sticker as a finishing touch.
Watch for upcoming Slipstream issues for an article about how to install a
trailer hitch on your Porsche so that you, too, can have a trailer like Doug’s!
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