Is anyone using this thing?

http://www.tiretail.com/

It seems to me that this will put a lot of weight on the hitch and the hitch mounting points. Looks like about 100 pounds suspended. Tounge weight for a small trailer would be more like 20 pounds. Still, it seems to be a cheap way to get racing tires to the event.

Also, does the Da'Lan hitch weigh a lot? I assume it is steel rather than aluminum, and probably should be for the strength needed to carry the tires like this.

 

According to my bathroom scale, the Da'Lan hitch weighs about 17 pounds. It is made from steel.

The Tire Tail is discussed a lot in the Miata.net forums - and it is controvesial there for the very reasons you mentioned. The weight is cantilevered out behind the car, putting a different kind of stress on the hitch than a traler would. I opted for the tire trailer solution and it has worked out very well for me. It allows much more room for equipment in the trailer boz and a dry place to securely store items during the driving event.

 

The worst part of the tail is how it puts a lot of twisting forces into the hitch, the kind of forces a hitch is not designed for, they are really designed for pulling. I was sure I was going to go this way, but chickened out, too many people who seem to have some knowledge give it the thumbs down.

 

I ran something similiar to this on my Miata.

Blew out the rear shocks the first time I got onto the freeway. granted, they were the factory shocks but the car was miserable to drive with it on... I really think it's a bad idea.

 

good for tailgaters and doing wheelies, though

 

Maybe I could build a cradle that puts the tires over my head. Good for sunny days only!

 

^ a rollbar mounted tire rack would be super cool!

 

FWIW, the owner of the yellow car pictured in Trip H's post PMed me that she still uses the tire tail and prefers it to her old trailer. She doesn't really seem to notice it when she drives.

 

Helps to keep the tail planted too...HA!

All depends on har far you have to go. The trailer seems to be the second best alternative for those that want to be able to travel further from home (only second to the S2000 in a trailer pulled by a truck).

Bill, just suck it up and go the way I did. Otherwise, you'll keep seeing my setup at the track and wish you did. You never regret buying the best!

Kind Regards, Chris

 

I have it on my Miata. I carry the tires with it to any driving event. On the highway/freeway you don't notice you carry the tires - you can drive 120mph if you want it doesn't change how the car feels - it is not noticeable. You can speed, change lanes - just like without it. Just keep in mind when passing and changing lanes that your car is a bit longer Of course slow down in twisties and tight on-ramps.