Trailering your Kart

Chris Gannon · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:21 pm Post subject: Trailering your Kart

Is it okay to trailer your kart on the stand? I was told no, but only bc it would hurt the stand. It's a pain to work on the kart and always have to ask someone to help load it.

So my question is, can you just strap the kart down on its stand inside your trailer?

Dan Haynes · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:17 pm Post subject:

We have had a kartlift for about 6 years or so now and have always left the kart on the stand and tied it down (the kart). My anchors aren't on the floor so the pull isn't directly downwards but the anchor points are about 1 foot below the kart. I trailered it about 400 miles and back with no problems. The kartlift was never tied to anything. Just the weight of the kart holding the lift in place. The kartlift does have bumper hooks so the stand can't really roll out from under it. With a conventional stand I would tie the kart to the stand and then tie the kart to the trailer. A couple of times I have hauled our 2nd kart on a streeter style stand the same way but didn't tie the kart to the stand but we were only going about 5 miles and the trailer was packed tight enough that neither the kart or stand were going anywhere.
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John Matthews · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:12 am Post subject: Re: Trailering your Kart

Ken Schilling · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 1345

I did it once with an 'X' type kart stand with bad results. The weight of the kart being jostled around caused the stand to completely fail.

The RLV kart stands are much more robust and would probably have no problem.
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Bill Cox · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:00 pm Post subject:

I've used the KartRaiser for several years now with great success. My shifter kart stays on the stand and I tie it down for hauling in my enclosed trailer.

That is has an electric motor to help me raise the kart is the extra benefit. After a long race, it's nice to get the kart up on the stand without all that heavy lifting!

The KartRaiser is worth dollar to purchase it! www.kartraiser.com

Make certain you follow Michael's directions for setup. Watch his videos.
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NCK Super Stock CR125 #36

Chris Gannon · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:06 pm Post subject: Thanks for all of the feedback

The biggest issue I have is when I get home I want to work on the kart and never have someone to help me lift it back up. I know the stand(see below link) might not support the weight bouncing, but maybe with enough tie downs holding it secure it will be okay.

Worst case scenario, the stand breaks and I just have to get it welded back.

thoughts?
Here is an example of my kart stand:
http://www.tsracing.com/store/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Product_ID=4697&CATID=25

Bill Cox · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject:

Chris:

The KartRaiser is built to haul your kart on the stand in your trailer.

It also has the electric motor to raise your kart off the ground with the press of a button.

I go to the track solo and the KartRaiser is my other set of hands at the track and at home.

Check it out.
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Bill Cox
NCK Super Stock CR125 #36

Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1556

I've seen some of the stands like you pictured fail when trailered, but its usually because they are ratchet strapped down excessively. Lots of people transport their karts on the stand, but it is a little risky.

I make about 10 different kart stands and when people ask me about transporting karts on the stand I have a standard answer. "Use the straps to take the load off the stand, not add to it." In other words, don't rely on the steel to carry the weight of both the kart and your straps, because bad things will happen. Even Bill's favorite stand will have problems if it isn't strapped down correctly. Very Happy

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Michael Knauf · Joined: 31 Oct 2011 Posts: 58

I use one of those RLV pit buggys and strap it at the bottom where the tool tray is and it is nice and stiff. Then I simply use velcro straps to hold it on the upper part of the stand...

Laugh all you want about that velcro but 4 of those suckers around the frame and the stand and the kart isn't going anywhere unless the stand or the kart breaks.

I have one of these as well for carrying multiple karts:

http://www.streetersuperstands.com/stackers.html

Same concept to hold them down except this actually has nice beefy gussets to latch your ratchet strap to.
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John Matthews · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:28 am Post subject:

The thing to keep in mind here is the question of dynamic loads. What will happen to your kart & stand when you go over that giant pothole, or have to emergency stop and jackknife the trailer.

I've often said the best solution is to get a buddy involved who can help if possible. You'll have more fun and the extra set of eyes makes a big difference in almost every aspect of racing Cool

Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1556

This is what I use. I can put 2 tag karts that weigh #230 each and a WinchLift powered lifting stand all in the space that one kart takes. Its called the WinchStacker (pat. pending). It works quite well, although I may be a bit partial. Wink

The only downside is that you do need help stacking the karts up at the end of the day.

The picture shows a customer's setup with TonyKart cadets, but I used it with Tag karts equally well.

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Chris Laird · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:52 am Post subject:

Simple solution. I can't imagine that a couple 2or 3 2x4's going from the top rails to the bottom of the stand wouldn't re-enforce the stand enough to haul the kart on the stand. One in the back and 2 in the front since the front would be resting on the pan. Back the kart up to the trailer wall. Put pad I between bumper and wall. 2 straps going from front nerf bars over back tires to wall and one strap going from front of kart to floor. Doesnt have to be super tight and should be no problem. You're only holding down 250 lbs tops. Run over all the pot holes you can. Shouldn't budge.

Mike Zamora · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 56

Are there any concerns with with leaving your kart on the trailer floor while towing? I have mixed feelings about it, not sure if the bouncing it will endure while going down the highway are bad for it or not...

Chris Laird · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 11:49 am Post subject:

No problem so long as its tied down. You don't want it bouncing off the walls. Graphic kits are expensive! Laughing

Think about what a kart goes through on the track. A trailer ride shouldn't be anywhere close to that. It's kinda like the guys that try to break their back to make sure the front wheels are straight when setting a kart on the ground. Pointless unless you're dropping the kart 5 feet.

Ace Rossi · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 6:46 pm Post subject:

Nobody has brought up the fact that theres the possibility of tweaking your chassis if you strap it to the top of any stand where the chassis is in direct contact with the stand. I feel its best to have the tires on the floor or platform of sorts to absorb the rough ride and no chance of tweaking! Again, just my un professional opinion!