Might I suggest a lightly used E250 Econoline Van?
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In a Mercedes Sprinter you can fit the kart with the front wheels perfectly between the wheel wells, the rear wheels won’t fit through though, but it works perfectly as it locks in place by the side pods that way and I don’t have to use tie downs when the rear doors are closed. I can lift it out on my own without help using one of the semi-auto Dalmi pitcarts. SEMI-AUTOMATIC - Dalmi Karting
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I need it for 2 karts. Is there space above for another one?
I do think that should be possible, although you don’t want to go up too high as the Sprinter van has a bit of a wedge shape near the top of the van.
I found this online for a VW Crafter, so I think it should work for the sprinter too as they share the same platform. Haven’t seen the lift inside the van before, but seems to work very well.
https://www.facebook.com/imonellikartshop/videos/we-are-very-happy-that-you-are-interested-in-our-van-liftthe-kart-lift-for-vans-/364878911509847/
After kicking around this same question, I just settled on a Sprinter with a “moto van” setup. My plan is to carry two karts on a stacker stand, but I’m not sure it’s actually possible to push those 500 lbs up a ramp. The load floor is 28” so I’d probably need a 12’ ramp, or a portable winch.
But the nice thing about moto vans is they can come with nice amenities: 120v inverter, air compressor, water sprayer, solar, A/C, etc.
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I think a winch mounted in the front would be perfect. Then you can just leave it hooked up as an extra tie down. I used to push a double stacker into the bed of my truck (one of the karts was a cadet, though). It was tough, but doable.
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So I ended up buying aluma motorcycle trailer MC2F model. Its folding and very light yet it’s pretty big.
Now need to figure out how to transport karts on it. I like idea of double stacker stand, are they all the same or there is brand that’s stronger better? Is it suitable to transport 2 karts on it? Would it work as single kart stand when on track? Trailer got wide enough ramp that I can simply roll stand onto it. Is strapping by bottom stand part good enough?
Wow what a cool trailer! But with the stock ramp, no way you could get a double stacker stand up it. First because the ramp is too narrow (you need 31” wide) and second because 5’ is too short so the angle is too steep for this much weight.
I know of only two double stacker stands (Streeter and Kart Lift) and they seem pretty much the same. Yes you can totally transport on that, but you need to secure the karts to it. Total height is 34.5”, so it’s quite a lift to get the second kart up and down. I’m trying to find some way to do that solo, but I don’t think it’s possible. My best idea so far is smaller casters (2.5” saved) and the tallest possible electric lift (Streeter Super Lift??) but that may not even do it. And getting a kart on/off the bottom position also requires two people unless you unscrew the 4 stub posts every time, somewhat of a hassle.
Actually… I got 2018 trailer, maybe it was different back then but ramp is sticking out like 1ft when driving, and it’s much wider(55in). And flat surface (no ribs).
Rolling onto it probably wouldn’t happen, but I am thinking mounting hand winch to pull stand onto the trailer. You see bunch of holes, it is used so no issues with making more holes 
Got it pretty cheap, all serviced, greased, wiring, etc. It’s good to go.
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I have seen this van lift on Instagram and it wouldn’t be too hard to make something like it. It looks like it would work well to stack 2-3 karts in a van https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSS3wWNCC3V/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
That Easy Lift stacker from Kartservice.it is wicked cool, but I haven’t seen any evidence that it’s ever been sold or installed in the U.S. I recall some US dealer maybe was showing it on their web site for around $4,000 but it’s rather uncharted territory sadly. If I were working with an upfitter on a $50k project (which is what a full upfit costs — plus another $50k+ for the van — for seating, shelving, cabinets, partition, air compressor, solar, water, mini-fridge, etc) then this is the way to go!
I’ve seen a bunch of home made lifts in car trailers over the years. With a kart, it doesn’t have to be near as heavy duty, so I can think of a few ways to do it. There are cheap linear rails that could be used, or even just 80/20 aluminum extrusion with the wheel carriages and a platform. Manual locking pins would secure the deck.
YT showed this. Not what I was thinking, but could probably work https://youtu.be/Uf1hI64wIFw?si=cIMbajW36_5WjLyu
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This is kind of. Kind of. What I am being debating right now.
Refresher - I got this motorcycle trailer. I can roll kart onto it easily.
Currently, I plan to use double-stacker. I will be on a track with my son, he is 10, I guess he is getting stronger. We can put his kadet on top (I hope?) - I have no issue with lifting on back.
But alternative option was for me to build some kind of system, very similar to this YT video, but where I don’t have to roll kart up.
The platform will be simple square that lifts up with a kart. So, I drive kart over it, and then using some level simply lift it up. And bottom kart just rolls under.
This would require fabrication, and I am just lazy. For double-stacker - no fabrication needed, and we can roll this thing straight to the grid. On test days it would be fine to have our both karts there.
I would do a van for the following reasons:
- Ability to avoid accidents easier than a trailer
- Compactness to fit at the track and your house
- More versatility for other things outside of karting
- Extra registration for the trailer with DMV (where I live at least)
- Keeps a lower profile for theft (in my opinion) - tint the windows and throw some blankets over stuff. No one knows what is inside. Trailer means something valuable is inside.
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What brand is the trailer? looks super nice
This is Aluma MC2F trailer. Folding, right now stored upright in garage, once I get karts I can store them in a trailer with back folded
If you look on their site current models have narrow ramp. I just browsed FB and saw this one..
I was looking at both. All your points make sense. In our state we do have to plate trailer, but luckily tag could be permanent/life time.
I monitored for metris/transporter (Sprinter is too hight for my garage doors) and at $10k it’s all 200k mile ones. Better ones are all in 20+k range price-wise.
I plan to go to test days once ot twice a week and having all in a van, pickup my son from school and go would be really convenient.
However, I don’t really have space to park outside. And in garage, it would be problematic to do anything to karts without unloading. With this trailer I can put it against a wall outside and be done with it. Or, move it inside garage with karts on it and even work in situ.
Given both pros and cons and $$ difference to me trailer looks better now. But yeah, driving, hooking it up, etc - all definitely not convenient.
That makes sense. Good input to consider. I will be in the same boat in about 1 year time.
My son and I each have a kart. We use a 6x12 enclosed trailer and tow it with a Ford Flex. The positive of having a trailer is the karting stuff is stored in the trailer until we get it out to work on it. Keeps the garage open for other things.
Well yeah. That would be nice, if there was a space for trailer on my property.
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