Lo-Buck EF

Brakes, suspension and a trans that can take the extra load. Just about any pick-up can tow a car on an open trailor and definately with a dolly. You could trade the element for a ridgeline and rock a dolly or aluminum full trailor but I would recommend getting something more suited for towing. Cause once u start towing u find yourself bringing more stuff with you.

Stinkycheezmonky

Element's have a 1500lb tow capacity. Won't work.

bokals

I drive my car to the track and had an issue once, but had a dolly for recovery.
If you don't have the money to buy a nice tow realible tow vehicle I wouldn't do it.

I would just try and bring every imaginable part that would go bad and you couldn't make it home.

Brakes, Dizzy, Axles, Spare wheels, Brake lines, Fluids. Jb weld, zip ties, tools, jacks etc...



Its alot to bring, but it also gives you somewhat a piece of mind that you if something goes bad you have the parts/tools to replace them.

Also a heads up to those buying a tow vehicle, look into tow ratings, Its real important look into Transmission coolers/oil coolers better brake pads and rotors.

VegasHB

Yeah, I was on Element Owner Club forums and there's a strange argument with Elements on towing capacity. The Australian owners manual states the towing capacity at 2,645 lbs if trailer has electric breaks. Anyway, that's down the road and I couldnt imagine towing a civic with my element regardless even on a dolly.

topdog

iTrader: (1)

I have a ridgeline that I use to tow with also my dd. So far I have been very impress with it. It mostly pull a 18 foot trailer and my civic with no problem. Last year towed my brother new TL from Nashville to RI in the snow without a hick ip and got and average of 13.7 mpg.

mrlegoman

After several tranny explosions, a couple tire walls, turbo falling off and some other mishaps, this may be the year I seriously looking into a trailer setup.

VIR is only about an hour away. But I feel very uncomfortable going to anything further because of all the mishaps I've had over the last couple of years. If the car was a little less stressed, I'd rock it back and forth to the track like the old days. But considering my luck and how hard I push it, I need to grow up and get a proper rig.

dirty19

iTrader: (1)

This isnt a recent pic is it Don?

Last time i saw it ... geeez its been two years it was much cleaner.
The piece of mind you have when you can just bring it home on a trailer should something go awry. its worth the expense.
Plus you get to carry more goodies and spares... I think this is where it gets out of hand.
You have an open trailer you can carry more. Closed you can carry even more.
Then you look into a toy hauler that can handle the weight and you can have a shower ..
It begins to look like a second mortgage.
The price of convenience and bringing all your "stuff" to the track.

mrlegoman

No, that was the tire wall incident at GT Live 08 right before the ButtonWillow/SEMA trip. No tire walls since then. But I have gone through two trannies, front splitter, dump tube, waste gate diaphragm, and a engine mount (burned out from the loss dump tube) since then. I need to get a trailer before something really bad happens.

wupike21

I'd love to be able to tow my car to the track... the problem lies in the amount of parking spaces I have currently (condos FTL)... that and finding a suitable truck/suv that woman would like. Thinking of a V8 4Runner.

E-AT_me

btw, if you buy a pick up, you will never be without one again. it is the best tool in my tool box.

dirty19

iTrader: (1)

Amen..I can say its paid for itself many times over.

I store my trailer at a local rv storage lot.. I pay about 40 bux a month. Not too bad considering others pay much more. If I didnt live in a HOA i'd store it at home.
My next house will have side rv access so i can keep whatever upgrade i get from a open 18 foot trailer to something much more homey.

Whew Don thats enough breaking dont you think?
Time to get that urban assault vehicle and a carrier.

Davidss

I don't trailer. But I have AAA. It's around $100 a year and you get up to 4 100 mile tows per year for a little more you can get upgrade that to 200 mile tows! If you do the math it's pretty insanely cheap insurance to get you home!

E-AT_me

except VIR is about 240miles from my house.

unrealwrc

I have been off track and broken something every time i have been to the track.. luckily i drive a Honda and someone always has spare parts. If i had the option I would trailer my car even with having AAA road side. plus i would have a dedicated track car... unfortunately that is not in all of our budgets so... you gotta do what you gotta do.

95_civic_gsr

I always have a friend drive a truck. There is a trailer rental right next to the track if I would ever need it.

Stinkycheezmonky

You're totally doing it wrong

JH4DC231

I like this alternative.

Davidss

And you get all of the other services that AAA provides (roadside, locksmith, etc). Basically you get 4 service calls a year and those can go to whatever you want towing or locksmith or roadside, etc. I already used mine once this year when I locked my keys in the CRX!

At first I was concerned about this scenario but after some though I think:

A) If I can get the car within 20-40 miles from home it would be pretty easy to get a buddy with a truck to tow me the rest of the way.
B) I could always call AAA back after the first tow and then use a second tow to make it the rest of the way.
C) The most likely solution would be just to pay the driver under the table to tow me the rest of the way.

JH4DC231

I learn something new here everyday.

dirty19

iTrader: (1)

In my opinion to rely on AAA is just silly.
It's a cheaper alternative to buying a truck and trailer.... But..

Having the piece of mind that I will get home and bring my car back with me is much more appealing to me than scrambling to get a service out to me, then worry about will they take me all the way home. I dont want to rely on a friend either.
Nope... I brought it, im taking it home.
Its tough though... its a financial investment to buy both then deal with storage.
Even at 40 bux a month for me x 12 =480 bux a year.. Thats just about a set of tires.

nickrps

Amen.

To simply answer the OP's question, I tow because I can AFFORD to do it. In the past, I drove to the track, but now I can afford a big truck, trailer, gas, and insurance. I prefer to sit back, relax with my ipod plugged in and the a/c or heater blazin.

Tow Vehicle = '03 tundra V8, AEM intake, JBA exhaust, "helper" leafs in rear
Trailer = 16' deck - Texas Bragg car hauler (2250 lbs., heavy as hell!)

conekiller98

If Tow-Dollies count as trailering.. then yes..

E-AT_me

you ain't movin under your own power, so yes...

Lo-Buck EF

X2
i'd be all over one of those

rmcdaniels

I drive to and from the track, there's no room at the estate or $ for a tow rig. In a pinch, I can get a ride home from someone and come back with the Grand Marquis and a tow dolly, but I've only had to do that with my brother's car when it snapped a cam and bent some valves. I'm also a bit of an optimist; I drive my LeMons car to and from the track as well.