Does anyone make this trailer anymore?

[Tom Duncan]

Does anyone make a trailer like this anymore?



It is registered as a "Penny". I would like to find a similar lightweight (but with a bit wider rails) trailer. Most of the car haulers are way too heavy duty for a FF. The 'rocket launchers' and front box are my additions for carrying awning poles and corners.

Tom Duncan

[Dave Harmison]

If anything on the trialer tells you where it was made, that may help, but most importantly, save it if it's "original" to a car.

Sounds goofy? Here's the deal. I have a Titan Mk5 that I bought for $500 years ago because I wanted the trailer it was sitting on. Very similar to your trailer. I kept the trailer even after I bought a big enclosed one.

I've been dabbling at restoring the Titan and noticed the old open trailer tongue says the trailer is from Maidenshead, England. My theory, and it seems to agree with the vintage guys, is that in order to safely ship the Titan from England, have an easy was to transport it from the docks when it came off the boat, avoid having the dock workers mess with the car, etc. this is the trailer it was shipped with when new. May add to the collector value to have a "matched pair".

Dave Harmison

[Rick Kirchner]

Dude - you can build that in an afternoon. all you need is a stick welder and a chopsaw. All the parts are available from Northern Equipment except the basic frame, and you could pick up all the metal you need for less than a hundred bucks.

[SteveG]

Tom,

Your trailer looks like an IRD, International Racing Designs I think. I've had 3 of them over the years and there are IMO the greatest light weight trailer ever made. Unfortunately IRD went out of business many years ago. I've yet to find a suitable replacement so I'm trying very hard to keep my current one in good condition.

Are you looking for something to put a wider car on? I might be able to find my previous one which was wide enough for a 87 Reynard. Give me a yell if you're interested and I start looking.

Steve

[Frank C]

I had a British "Don Parker" trailer that I used for 15 years with my Van Diemen RF81. It was just wide enough for the rear tires. All up weight of car and trailer was 1500 pounds and I could move the car and trailer around by hand. It originally had 10" Mini (the real one) wheels, and I upgraded to Sprite wheels. The main frame members were large diameter tube.
- Frank C

[Rene Gimenez]

That is indeed an IRD trailer. If I remember correctly, they were built in Southern California. They are registered as "Penny", which is short for "Penny Pincher", which I believe was the model name. IRD did go out of business in the mid eighties. In the 70's and 80's they were THE trailer to have if you had a FF-FC-FV / sports racer / small bore production car. I've owned several, and currently own one to carry my Van Diemen. The axle is set back- it's the easiest towing trailer I've ever owned. In addition, it's extremely light and fits in the average sized garage. I'm suprised that you would be looking for something wider. Not knowing what you have, it looks like the "rocket launchers" on your trailer are infringing on a couple of inches that the car can take up.

[LolaT440]

I think Mike, stonebridge20, has one of these. But it is in CT.

If you make one, I had a friend with a similar trailer. But it had dropped axels. Then on the rear of the ramps he had thin aluminum extensions about 1.5 feet. Well, when you jacked up the tongue, you could drive on and off without ramps. It was a great trailer.

[TedV]

Looks like the trailer I got with my RP-31, except the axle on mine have been moved forward a bit. Have to load the car backwards, and with a low car the \_____/ shaped chanels can damage side pods. On the plus note, the Suburban has no clue it's back there even with the car.

[Tom Duncan]

Thanks all for contributing information. I do now remember that IRD was a name attached to this trailer, but I didn't know that the 'Penny' referred to 'Penny Pincher'. Very apt name for my effort.

I have to agree with everyone that this trailer moves a light formula car very well. The only problem I have with it is I forget it's there. When Buttonwillow (California) first opened up I did a race weekend there, and inorder to show my friends the track I did two circuits in my tow vehicle just before I left the track for home with a video camera sitting on the dash. This was with permission of the operator, of course. Two thirds of the way around the first lap I remembered that I had the race car on the trailer behind me and had better slow down!

I am planning on replacing this trailer as I have had it 20 years, and it was old and tattered when I got it. It is too narrow for a modern FF (which I am planning on getting) and just narrow enough for my PRS with widened front suspension. Also the trough is likely too deep for a modern car. The 'rocket launchers' (does anyone have an large "USAF" stickers?) do not make the trailer any narrower.

If I end up keeping my PRS I will have this sandblasted, checked for failing welds, maybe brace it up some, and have it painted. On the other hand I can get a new trailer for $1400, or a really bitchin Featherlight aluminum for $2600.

Thanks again

Tom

[Octonion]

Dude - you can build that in an afternoon. all you need is a stick welder and a chopsaw. All the parts are available from Northern Equipment except the basic frame, and you could pick up all the metal you need for less than a hundred bucks.

Sorry to bump this up but I am looking for a very light weight trailer to tow my RF94. I don't have much space either so looking for something I can push by hand into a corner.

Can anyone let me know if there are schematics of how to DIY a IRD Penny like trailer for formula cars?

[Lee Johnson]

Sorry to bump this up but I am looking for a very light weight trailer to tow my RF94. I don't have much space either so looking for something I can push by hand into a corner.

Can anyone let me know if there are schematics of how to DIY a IRD Penny like trailer for formula cars?

I also had an IRD trailer for many years-- it was light, tidy & reliable! IRD was founded by Margie (M. M.) Smith, BSME. She wrote several books about trailers (design, build, evaluate & maintain, etc.) that were published in the 1990s, but no longer in print as far as I can tell.

Here is an Amazon link to 2 of those books (used), found by searching the title "Trailers: how to design and build" --

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=trailers%...ref=nb_sb_noss

Lee

[Rick Iverson]

……and currently own one to carry my Van Diemen.

Can anyone let me know if there are schematics of how to DIY a IRD Penny like trailer for formula cars?

Gents;

I initiated a thread some time ago regarding an Apex collectively designed small open trailer. One thing I recalled from the thread were comments regarding open trailers with a formula car aboard drawing looks, smiles, thumbs up, and generally stimulating interest in our sport.

If Rene could take some accurate and detailed measurements of the chassis design, axle location, wheel platforms dimensions and gauge etc., I am supremely confident others would chime in about dropped axles, ramp storage, add-ons like tire racks, PVC tube mounting for paddock canopy frame transport etc. Just a thought.

[djones]

I picked up volume 1. I loved my little open car hauler but unfortunately she broke in half on the way to pick up a car last winter. Have some very talented welder buddies so hopefully we can build a new one.
Gonna let someone else pick up volume 2
On sale now for $888.88

[Purple Frog]

I built this one a few years ago for $1,700. to haul the Outlaw Bug long distances.
Tilt bed. No ramps needed.
4" drop axle (Dexter)
Electric brakes.
Tows great at 90 mph.

[Rick Iverson]

Tows great at 90 mph.

Frog, you maniac.

[BLS]

Boy is my monitor color messed up. That trailer looks red

[racersonly]

I used this IRD stacker for my 40 yrs of racing. Towed great. Even with two cars on it. Now owned by Mike Stumbo of Maine. Mike tells me he’s going to retire after this season and put his car and trailer up for sale. Someone should snap this up.

[Lee Johnson]

I picked up volume 1. I loved my little open car hauler but unfortunately she broke in half on the way to pick up a car last winter. Have some very talented welder buddies so hopefully we can build a new one.
Gonna let someone else pick up volume 2
On sale now for $888.88

When I clicked on "Used" in the $888.88 listing for Vol. 2, I saw three options for used ranging from $74.58 to $100.00. Not as outrageous as $888.88, but more than what the original 1991 version of (V.1 + V. 2) sold for @ $29.95. Sorry, my copy is NOT for sale!

For someone really interested, one might contact M. M. Smith @ Techni-Visions -- still a registered LLC in Paamount, California. Here is the Dun& Bradstreet URL to the company:

https://www.dnb.com/business-directo...dd1cabc76.html

Lee

[djones]

I missed that green trailer last time it was listed. Please pm me the new owners info
Thanks
Don

[Garey Guzman]

I missed that green trailer last time it was listed. Please pm me the new owners info
Thanks
Don

Don, you're going to need about 5 of those for all your cars, aren't you?

Actually, that may be a great solution for all my cars too!

[billtebbutt]

I built this one a few years ago for $1,700. to haul the Outlaw Bug long distances.
Tilt bed. No ramps needed.
4" drop axle (Dexter)
Electric brakes.
Tows great at 90 mph.

Frog, is it more aerodynamically efficient with the bug facing forwards or backwards on the ........
Never mind
bt

[Rick Iverson]

I picked up volume 1. I loved my little open car hauler but unfortunately she broke in half on the way to pick up a car last winter. Have some very talented welder buddies so hopefully we can build a new one.
Gonna let someone else pick up volume 2
On sale now for $888.88

I just picked a NEW, Vol 1 signed by M. M. Smith. I would let it go for WAAAAY less than $888.88.