Haulers get the action to the track

August 29, 2001
3:25 PM EDT (1925 GMT)

If you think a NASCAR race starts when the green flag is dropped, you’ve never been to the track on a Wednesday or Thursday morning before race weekend.

With the rising sun comes an impressive parade of 18-wheel race team haulers maneuvering into position in the racing infield.

Featherlite, the “Official Trailer and Motorcoach” of NASCAR, combines innovative designs and a commitment to extraordinary service to custom-build personalized vehicles based on a race team’s exact specifications.

These glittering, gleaming trailers, painted identically to the famous cars that ride inside, are instantly recognizable billboards for NASCAR competition. Getting the car and equipment to the track is a critical part of their jobs, but it is once they are at the track that these haulers serve another very important function.

Luxurious? You bet, but the haulers play a much more vital role than just showpiece. For a race team to be successful when it is hundreds of miles from the home shop, every possible contingency must be planned for. Teams that aren’t prepared will likely miss their chance at victory.

Featherlite trailers are designed to house absolutely anything a race team might need for a weekend. Typically, the hauler serves as a mobile race shop, containing all of the parts and equipment needed to allow a car to compete at the highest level.

A look inside a NASCAR transporter reveals multiple levels: an upper deck, which houses two race cars, a work area in which crew members perform mechanical work and often fabricate replacement parts, and a comfortable lounge area.

For many NASCAR Winston Cup teams, the hauler carries two complete race cars (including engines), as many as three or four other engines and several transmissions. Other large pieces, including front and rear suspension components, rear end housings and body panels are also found inside.

The upper deck includes special tie downs that keep cars securely fastened, and an aluminum lift gate raises or lowers the cars the nine feet to the ground. The work area is equipped with several sizes of built-in and portable storage and tool cabinets.

Of course, keeping these parts and equipment in place and accessible can be difficult, especially in a vehicle that has to travel up to 2,800 miles between races. Featherlite engineers work with the teams to design and build each hauler to exactly meet their specifications.

Featherlite’s work and storage areas are designed for the highest efficiency and durability. Featherlite’s durable laminate cabinets are custom-built and fully encased with backs to withstand the abuse of a full racing season. Teams can choose from a variety of colors and finishes.

And convenience is supplemented by comfort, with quiet, air-mounted generators provide Featherlite customers outstanding personal comfort with noise- and vibration-reduction mounting systems that have taken years to develop.

Underneath and outside the trailer, these haulers are just as impressive. Designed for maximum strength and durability, Featherlite’s patented spread axle enables customers to haul 20,000 pounds per axle.

Pound for pound, aluminum Featherlite trailers are engineered lighter so that payloads can be increased. Yet, chassis strength and integrity remain where needed.

Featherlite is a title sponsor of the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series and the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series.