Track forum general chit chat.

[turbo_joe]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Anyone have recommendations for trailer strap brands?

Without a doubt these are the best straps I have ever used
https://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/c...32334634647626

I've had a set for 4 years now and they have seen rain, hot/cold weather, etc. and have held up amazing. Through the wheel is the easiest way to tie down our cars IMO, plus you are not loading up the suspension

[Kelse92]

Vote Number 2 for Macs or bust. Worth every penny

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by turbo_joe

Without a doubt these are the best straps I have ever used
https://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/c...32334634647626

I've had a set for 4 years now and they have seen rain, hot/cold weather, etc. and have held up amazing. Through the wheel is the easiest way to tie down our cars IMO, plus you are not loading up the suspension

That looks like a perfect kit. Thanks!

[OG Shark]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Anyone have recommendations for trailer strap brands?

Also, has anyone used any hitch balls that display tongue weight? I'll be towing two very different vehicles on this trailer, so I figure it might help.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...fe/WSUN-2.html

I like Macs too - have multiple sets of their ratchet and tire straps and they have all held up well. Have a few other brands from local trailer stores too - really never had an issue with any of them as long as they are rated appropriately. I do always carry at minimum one extra strap & ratchet though too. And prefer snap hooks

The weighsafe hitches are nice - help take some of the guess work out of load positioning. I think they are worth the premium.

[roastbeef]

This is why this forum is so damn good.

[dogbone]

Mac's Tie Down straps =

Weigh Safe hitch ball looks cool. For towing two different vehicles, especially when you're new to towing, you'll get a quick bit of reassurance that the setup is good to go.

It wouldn't work with my Equalizer weight distribution hitch because there's not enough room for the scale part. I have a separate tongue scale that I leave in my center console. I don't use it very often.

[OG Shark]

Originally Posted by dogbone

Mac's Tie Down straps =

Weigh Safe hitch ball looks cool. For towing two different vehicles, especially when you're new to towing, you'll get a quick bit of reassurance that the setup is good to go.

It wouldn't work with my Equalizer weight distribution hitch because there's not enough room for the scale part. I have a separate tongue scale that I leave in my center console. I don't use it very often.

Get a real truck - won't need those silly weight distribution hitches...

[dogbone]

Originally Posted by OG Shark

Get a real truck - won't need those silly weight distribution hitches...

haha! I've always used a weight distribution hitch because the Tundra benefitted from it quite a bit. So, I just moved the setup to the Chevy. But the Equalizer hitch also has sway control built in which is AWESOME. That trailer doesn't wag an inch regardless of how high the crosswinds might be. With my current setup, I'm more interested in the sway control aspect of the hitch than anything else.

But we can turn this into a Ford versus Chevy thing if you want!! I test drove the Ford----no thanks!

[b4hand]

Originally Posted by dogbone

haha! I've always used a weight distribution hitch because the Tundra benefitted from it quite a bit. So, I just moved the setup to the Chevy. But the Equalizer hitch also has sway control built in which is AWESOME. That trailer doesn't wag an inch regardless of how high the crosswinds might be. With my current setup, I'm more interested in the sway control aspect of the hitch than anything else.

But we can turn this into a Ford versus Chevy thing if you want!! I test drove the Ford----no thanks!

Jason convinced me on the Ford but I got the "Not a real truck" version.

[sbo76]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

we have a futura trailer we use and its an absolute beast of trailer.

https://www.futuratrailers.com/discover-futura

I am considering going halves on one of these with a buddy of mine. These things are super expensive (12K+). I also have a side by side that will be towed with it as well. In your experience are these things tough enough for heavy use? when i looked at a loaner it seemed really flimsy although i know aluminum is very strong without using as much material. Given the price tag it had better last for 20 years.

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by sbo76

I am considering going halves on one of these with a buddy of mine. These things are super expensive (12K+). I also have a side by side that will be towed with it as well. In your experience are these things tough enough for heavy use? when i looked at a loaner it seemed really flimsy although i know aluminum is very strong without using as much material. Given the price tag it had better last for 20 years.

full set of wheels and tires + car is no issue. doesn't feel flimsy to me at all, even towing a full weighted street car.

i even know a guy who tows his GT3RS everywhere with his raptor, and he has had no issues with it.

[roastbeef]

Great quality stuff.

[Bimmer Barney]

Describe to me how you take from turn 2 at Laguna Seca starting with braking zone off the straight to exit target heading to 3. More detail the better. If you have entry, corner, and exit speeds that's good too.

[slcook54]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Barney

Describe to me how you take from turn 2 at Laguna Seca starting with braking zone off the straight to exit target heading to 3. More detail the better. If you have entry, corner, and exit speeds that's good too.

I try to follow Chris's line.

[dogbone]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Barney

Describe to me how you take from turn 2 at Laguna Seca starting with braking zone off the straight to exit target heading to 3. More detail the better. If you have entry, corner, and exit speeds that's good too.

Not saying my approach is any better or worse, but it's at least another one to check out. My videos usually show gas, brake, gears and you can see the steering wheel, so there's a fair amount to check out in addition to seeing the line taken. The speed is true GPS speed from the AIM.

I've never seen Chris's video before now. In looking at it, I'd say my initial turn in is slightly later than his. And I take the exit slightly wider than him. I think our approaches to the double-apexing are fairly similar.

[Ximian]

Originally Posted by dogbone

Not saying my approach is any better or worse, but it's at least another one to check out. My videos usually show gas, brake, gears and you can see the steering wheel, so there's a fair amount to check out in addition to seeing the line taken. The speed is true GPS speed from the AIM.

I've never seen Chris's video before now. In looking at it, I'd say my initial turn in is slightly later than his. And I take the exit slightly wider than him. I think our approaches to the double-apexing are fairly similar.

It doesn't look like you're not shifting yourself. Is it auto shifting?

[Bimmer Barney]

Thanks! Next up is turn 5. That is my worst turn on the entire loop (see profile pic)

[rhyary]

Do we have any one here I can talk to about E46 M3?

Please DM me if you can "drop some knowledge" about the setup.

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by rhyary

Do we have any one here I can talk to about E46 M3?

Please DM me if you can "drop some knowledge" about the setup.

He sold his car, but ThunderMoose would be the person I'd be talking to about e46's

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

He sold his car, but ThunderMoose would be the person I'd be talking to about e46's

He did? woh.

Yes I have talked him. I will reach him on email.

Thank you!

[dogbone]

Originally Posted by Ximian

It doesn't look like you're not shifting yourself. Is it auto shifting?

I'm shifting with the paddles. No auto-shifting. I've never once been on a race track with auto shifting on.

By itself, the DCT in the auto-mode would never hold high revs when you're accelerating. And auto-mode does not downshift aggressively at all while braking. You gotta control all that yourself with the paddles.

Where the GTS-DCT tune comes into play is how aggressively the DCT will chase the rev-matching on downshifts. The stock DCT software doesn't work so hard to perfectly rev match to preserve the balance of the car. The GTS-DCT works very hard to aggressively rev-match on downshifts. The car doesn't get upset even a little with the GTS-DCT downshift rev-matching. It's amazing. Of course, you build up more heat in the transmission when the car is working that hard to rev-match. But it's worth it for me. I can be in the perfect gear at the perfect time on corner exit with the revs where I want them so I can get the hell out of the corner as fast as possible.

[Ximian]

Originally Posted by dogbone

I'm shifting with the paddles. No auto-shifting. I've never once been on a race track with auto shifting on.

Looked again and it was more subtle than I expected. Everyone else (including me) is conducting an orchestra while pressing the paddles.