I'm curious about what you guys use to tow your racecars. What kind of vehicle? What kind of engine? Do you need something more powerful? (ie when you pass the Grapevine on the way to Buttonwillow).

 

I will be renting a '05 Chevy Trailblazer.....They tow pretty nice and are fairly stable at freeway speeds.

I did a cost breakdown on what type of vehicle I could afford right, matinence...etc. vs. renting and renting worked out best for me at this time.

Also, I should note that my good friend runs a Enterprise Rental and hooks me up pretty nice!

$40 per day with unlimited mileage....


Modified by jisu009 at 1:19 AM 5/13/2004

 

So Enterprise rents tow vehicles? How much does it cost? (day/mileage) I've looked far and wide for rental companies that will loan out cars for towing....

 

Enterprise rents vehicles that are equipped with a towing package. I let my buddy know that I would be towing and he said that was fine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D.CACO &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So Enterprise rents tow vehicles? How much does it cost? (day/mileage) I've looked far and wide for rental companies that will loan out cars for towing....</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd like to know how brake controller is handled in a case like this....some trucks are pre-wired so it's plug an play, most are not...

 

The Trailblazer is prewired.

 

 

Fully loaded with car, spares, tools, etc, my trailer weighs approximately 7,500 lbs. I tow with a 2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD equipped with a Durmax diesel. I guess I don't really "need" that much power, but it sure makes the hills a lot easier

 

90 GMC Suburban. 350 w/Turbo-400, 2500 (3/4 ton chassis). Sure, about 4 times a year (on a hill) I wish it had a big block or a turbo, but that's about it. If and when the engine ever goes, I'll replace it with a 383 crate engine. Gas mileage is about 12mpg. 10-11mpg if you're towing. Every town in America has parts for it. Any average mechanic can work on it. Good examples can be found for less than $5000. Cost per mile is WAY better than payments, insurance and fuel on a new dually diesel. I love it. It's the ****.

It makes me smile every time I see it.

Thawley

 

Always buy the best tow vehichle you can buy. I'm not talking about all the goodies like CD changer, heated seats, cup holders, power this n' that.

Spend the money on the two equipment and skip the rest.

I bought a 02 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD with the 8.1 liter gas engine (340 hp, 450 lb torque).

It's never let me down and can two my trailer, all my gear and my car at 90 mph without a problem.

It's probably overkill, but that sure beats having an underpowered tow vehicle.

Regards,

Jon P. Kofod
#40 Guident Technologies/HRPWorld.com/Flatoutracing.net Integra LS H4

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jason Franza &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I guess I don't really "need" that much power, but it sure makes the hills a lot easier </TD></TR></TABLE>

"It's not more then you need, it's just more then you're used to"

Man, I bet that Duramax pulls very nice!! That is the truck I would buy if I had the dough...

 

'03 Dodge 3500 Quad Cab 4X4 with Cummins 5.9L HO (305hp/555tq) & 3.73 rear end - tows my 5500# (loaded) trailer as though there is little there.

It really seems to like crusing at 80.

Nash - who uses his truck daily for work as well as towing the toy

 

1997 Ford E350 with the 7.3 L Powerstroke Diesel.

Real trucks...or vans...don't have spark plugs!

AJ

 

Excellent post idea!

I've recently been looking and am ready to buy/lease a new vehicle.

But, it will be for the wife and as a bonus will tow when we go to the track. The big issue is getting her into the biggest most powerful truck that she feels comfortable with. Right now that is the Trailblazer or GMC Envoy.

Any advice for this class?

I understand that having more than you need is the way to go powerwise but in my case I have to compromise a bit and in reality I'll only be towing to the track 3 to 5 times tops per season for the next 3 or so years so the Trailblazer seemed decent enough of a compromise.

Comments, ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

Toyota Tacoma with the big 4 cyl pulling a 42' gooseneck.

 

2001 Silverado extended cab w/ 5.3L V8 (the biggest offered in a half ton), Z71 suspension, and tow package.

i think it's just right for what i pull, 18ft full deck trailer (about 2klbs) with a 2k lb miata on top of it. i wouldn't want to tow with anything less. tows dead-nutz straight on the freeway in any nasty crosswind kansas can throw at it. it could tow the 24ft enclosed trailer i'd like to get in a few years, but a 3/4 ton diesel would do the job much better.

i almost got a diesel in the first place, but considering that i'd have to move up to 3/4 ton, and i drive the thing everyday, i ended up with the regular gasoline burner. as soon as i get another vehicle to drive on a daily basis.......i'll have my owm mobile oil recycler .

 

See, I did a little test driving yesterday and after driving an 04 Powerstroke F250 and 04 Cummins Ram 2500, it seems like I'd be able to live with driving one of those Rams every day. It was, dare I say it? carlike aside from being ginormous. Now, an older diesel truck might not hack it for me because I know they've gotten tons better with the redesign, but I'll be damned if I wasn't impressed. The F250 was fine but I didn't like it nearly as much.

 

I'm with you spark plugs are for race cars not real truck...real trucks rattle. I have a F250 7.3L Turbo Diesel ext cab long bed with brake controller, fifth wheel hitch and bumper hitch so I can pull darn near anything that is thrown at my truck. I really like getting next to people on the mountains with there little gas engine trucks with trailer pulling as hard as they can and just hanging with them for a little bit then look over and pull away going up the mountain with a trailer on the back. If you want stump pulling power get a diesel I say a PSD but Cummins and Durmax have good power too. Gas engine will get the job done but a diesel will do it and not huff about it. I will never own a gas powered truck again. I love diesel power...

 

I'm using a 99 Chevy Astro van. It works great for my needs. My trailer is 700lbs, Civic weighs 1910, plus a few hundred lbs of gear, and usually the whole family (wife & 2 kids). I get around 16mpg towing, and have no problem keeping up with anyone. And, the added bonus is that it makes a great hotel room when I'm traveling alone and feeling cheap.

-Chris

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Excellent post idea!

I've recently been looking and am ready to buy/lease a new vehicle.

But, it will be for the wife and as a bonus will tow when we go to the track. The big issue is getting her into the biggest most powerful truck that she feels comfortable with. Right now that is the Trailblazer or GMC Envoy.

Any advice for this class?

I understand that having more than you need is the way to go powerwise but in my case I have to compromise a bit and in reality I'll only be towing to the track 3 to 5 times tops per season for the next 3 or so years so the Trailblazer seemed decent enough of a compromise.

Comments, ideas? Thanks in advance.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i'm pretty sure the envoy can tow more than the trailblazer, but i'm not 100% positive. nor do i know what the difference is. i think the envoy can take 7k lbs, which is pretty damn good for that size of SUV. anyway........i'd look into that.

 

At the moment, either car is on a 16' bed open trailer, with a 4' high x 6' wide storage box at the front, pulled by either a '99 AWD Exploder V8, or the '95 self-propelled House on Wheels.

Trailer is a little heavy for what it is at just less than 2000lbs. With the Honda on it that makes the total 3800; when carrying the Toyoter, 4500. The Exploder will pull at any speed my cheeks can be squeezed, up or down hill. Personal opinon is this last generation 302 (215hp/290tq/5200rpm shift points) is a better all around motor than the current 4.6, gas mileage aside. Towing it's usually in the 11's doing 70-75. I use a weight distributing set-up, but haven't found a need for sway control.

The RV is a 29' Class C on a '95 Ford Econoline cut-a-way, with a 460 rated at 245hp/410tq. I've been tempted to do headers and exhaust on this beast, as that is really supposed to wake this big block up, but too many other projects. with a 208" wheelbase, and a loaded weight of 12,500lbs, you REALLY don't know the trailer is back there, even in acceleration, since it ain't exactly a dragster to begin with. It just gets incrementally slower. Mileage solo is 7-8; trailer attached 6.5-7, though on tanks with some tough uphill pulls I have gotten as low as 6. I just use a dead weight ball mount; the tongue weight doesn't even squat the RV a 1/2". It will do at least 55mph on any Interstate grade. Happily cruises the flats at 70, which coincidentally is about the speed where the torque converter stays locked up in OD anyway.

At the moment the RV is for sale, then following that deal if/when it happens, the Exploder will go on the block too. I'm leaning in the direction of a 3/4 ton 'Burb, 6.0 or 8.1 undecided, pulling a toy hauler type enclosed, with 10' living quarters/16' garage.

 

Previous tow vehicle was a 99 Suburban C2500, RWD with the 454 gasser. It actually towed quite well, but was getting old and high mileage, so I sold it while it was still worth more than a few grand.

Replaced it with a 2001 Ford Excursion Limited with the 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel engine. Have not towed with it yet. But I'm digging the 17mpg in city driving that I'm getting...with my foot way in it to listen to the 4" turbo-back exhaust . A friend up the street tows an enclosed with his Excursion, which is stock, and reports that all is goodness and light.

A side note - I have towed (not owned) my trailer with an 03 Expidition with the 5.4L gasser and independent rear end. I have to say, that is the single best towing vehicle I've ever been in. Had NO idea the trailer was back there, was comfy, and just handled great. If I had the coin I might spring for one of those.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i'm pretty sure the envoy can tow more than the trailblazer, but i'm not 100% positive. nor do i know what the difference is. i think the envoy can take 7k lbs, which is pretty damn good for that size of SUV. anyway........i'd look into that.</TD></TR></TABLE>

They're very similar with 400 lbs max capacity difference. 275 HP and 275 TQ in a Vortec I6: http://autos.msn.com/

Is there any reason I should shy away from something like this considering my compromise?

I also considered an Astro van, same engine equal to even a bit higher towing capacity but it didn't agree with the woman and or vice versa. Tahoe is a bit too big and a Burban is out of the question. It will be her daily driver and must be AWD. Anything else in the midsized SUV's that I should consider?

There are some great breaks/rebates from Chevy till the 19th of this month $4,000. but I'm in no hurry till I really decide on something. Not towing till September anyway.

 

Disclaimer: the apparent server glitch caused me to post two similar posts.

OK, the server just blasted a big long post I'd crafted so I'll keep this brief.

I've had a 99 Suburban and an 01 Excursion. The Ford is MUCH better built, with better seats, materials, panel fit, you name it.

preparedcivic, I strongly recommend you consider the Excursion along with the Suburban. I know people complain about its size, but it's really not that much bigger than my burb was...only a few inches in any direction. Visualize a crew cab F-250 short bed with a camper top and you've got the size.

It's the only diesel full size SUV you can get, and from my experience (a model generation ago), the Suburban pales in comparison.


Modified by krshultz at 12:06 AM 5/13/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They're very similar with 400 lbs max capacity difference. 275 HP and 275 TQ in a Vortec I6: http://autos.msn.com/

Is there any reason I should shy away from something like this considering my compromise?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you're gonna buy new, the V8 4Runner would also be in that price range (high 20's to low $30's). It's a very good daily driver and tows great with Toyota quality.