47 replies to this topic

[Tom Scheifler]

We towed 2 cars, tires, etc in a 44 ft trailer with a heavy-duty dually pickup. As others have said, it towed but safety was questionable and the towing was brutal on the truck.
This year we got this used FL70 (CAT 3126B, 7.2L, 300HP, 800TQ). I would not want to go back to using a pickup.

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[FTodaro]

I have an enclosed Trailer that I think is about 7,000 lbs.

 

I started with a Ford F-150, Not so good got 6 mpg as it worked its ass off.

 

Then went to a Ford F350 SRW 6.7 diesel, 800 ft lbs of Tq went to 11 mpg I love this truck, its got balls.

 

Now I am using a 36 ft diesel pusher with a cat 330 hp 800 ft lbs. of Tq. my MPG is still better than the F150 at about 7 to 7.5 if no head wind.  (Drago says the worst decision ever) But I can stop and sleep whenever i need to. And I always have cold beer in the fridge. I park next to Tom Brown in case i run out.

 

Just a side note, you have to love those gas prices, Cuts the tow bill down considerably.

[tom1977]

7.3 excursion with 24' enclosed trailer. Truck has e rated highway terrain tires and stock setup with light hypertech tune. I use load leveling and sway control. I have towed many, many tight mountain roads and long distance in all types of conditions. I don't think I could have done any better for the price of under 17k. I used to tow with a 3.4 Toyota Tacoma and 16' atv flatbed with dual 3.5k axles, and it did its best... I would skip over any 1/2 ton pickups if planning on enclosed trailer. If I were to tow any more substantial weight (currently have trailer at approx 6k total) I would probably want a commercial type tow rig! I get 10+ mpg towing, maybe 13mpg if lucky. Without towing I get up to 17.5mpg

[Chris Ashcraft]

I use our business F350 15 passenger van, tows really well. I take the rear two seats out of it so i can throw all my tires and tools in, also give us a place to sit if it rains. 

[Sean - MiataCage]

Good call on mentioning the load leveling hitch. Regardless of what the towing number is for the big 3 they all default to a maximum towing of 5000lbs without the load leveling hitch.

[dstevens]

Good call on mentioning the load leveling hitch. Regardless of what the towing number is for the big 3 they all default to a maximum towing of 5000lbs without the load leveling hitch.

The primary function of a load leveling hitch is to redistribute tongue weight, not necessarily towing capacity.  Reducing tongue weight is where proper trailer loading comes into play.   You are spreading a fair amount of disinformation regarding towing capacity of the trucks.   The factory tow specs are with trucks that are properly equipped.  A tow package does just that.  You get a beefier mount, wiring, gearing, engine capacity and depending on the model, stronger axles, trans and oil cooling and sway control.  I can say without a doubt I had a 9200# towing cap on that F150.   To state that without a load lever the max cap is 5k is so not right it's not even wrong.

[Sean - MiataCage]

Hey Dale..... I suggest you understand the topic at hand before you start spouting off that I don't know what I'm talking about. Why don't you pull up that tow guide link that was posted and look at the bottom of page 2 and tell everyone what bullet point # 2 says.

I'll be waiting..... You can apologize after you post it.

Thanks..... Sean

[MotoFusi]

38' Holiday Rambler with a 5.9 Cummins, 20' enclosed trailer that came with the car

[Johnny D]

You can apologize after you post it.

https://www.youtube....h?v=oOnEGlhdbm0

J~

[Cnj]

Well I'm on the opposite end.

For years I towed my SM (open trailer) with my Porsche Cayenne S. A surprisingly good tow vehicle. Huge brakes and rock solid on the road with lots of power (for towing an open trailer). A couple of my PCA buddies use Cayennes to tow enclosed trailers and I'm told they are stable, although I have no personal experience. I am now towing with a Macan S (with trailer brake package) and it has been surprisingly good, but not as stable as the Cayenne. For longer runs we will probably use my buddies 1 ton truck but I'm fine towing with the Macan to local Dallas tracks.

For a while I lusted after a big trailer and a dually but ultimately decided that storage was a pain and there was a lot of money tied up in vehicles I would only use a few weekends a year. Instead I bought a house with a 4 car garage which actually has a chance of increasing in value compared to anything with the word "racing" related to it

cnj

[LarryKing]

I know a lot of folks love their motopalaces. Whatever flips your trigger. I'm in CNJ's camp - open trailer and in my case an old full-size SUV.

Hotel vs motorhome: I don't have to store, insure, clean, pump shiz, fill a 100 gal fuel tank, or maneuver a hotel room. For what a motorhome cost I can rent rooms for the next 20 years. Added benefit when I visit tracks is exploring local sites and cuisine away from the track plus get a good night's sleep away from the beer-fueled hijinks.

[steveracer]

I know a lot of folks love their motopalaces. Whatever flips your trigger. I'm in CNJ's camp - open trailer and in my case an old full-size SUV.

Hotel vs motorhome: I don't have to store, insure, clean, pump shiz, fill a 100 gal fuel tank, or maneuver a hotel room. For what a motorhome cost I can rent rooms for the next 20 years. Added benefit when I visit tracks is exploring local sites and cuisine away from the track plus get a good night's sleep away from the beer-fueled hijinks.

Racing in Texas, with a wife and 2 young daughters, an enclosed trailer with A/C was well worth the investment just for the reduction of grumpy girls.

 

I did consider a motorhome, but came to the same conclusion.

[Ryan Roberson]

F-350 6.7L dually. Handles the trailer like a champ, and is nicer, or at least as nice, as any SUV while towing. Couldn't be happier. Mileage isn't what I thought it would/could be, and so far hasn't exceeded 11 mpg. It's been as bad as 8 mpg with a dead headwind heading to Mid-Ohio. But, I did see the mileage on my F-250 with the same engine jump almost 10% as the mileage crept over about 12K. FWIW, I don't think the OP asked, but some have mentioned hotel v. staying at the track. I really thought I was a die-hard hotel guy, but I found last season that I REALLY enjoy staying at the track, and have gotten to know many more guys by staying at the track v. heading to the hotel at night. Plus, I can get the car ready for the next day, at my leisure, the night before, and can crawl out of bed about three minutes before the drivers meeting!

[Ron Alan]

I know a lot of folks love their motopalaces. Whatever flips your trigger. I'm in CNJ's camp - open trailer and in my case an old full-size SUV.

Hotel vs motorhome: I don't have to store, insure, clean, pump shiz, fill a 100 gal fuel tank, or maneuver a hotel room. For what a motorhome cost I can rent rooms for the next 20 years. Added benefit when I visit tracks is exploring local sites and cuisine away from the track plus get a good night's sleep away from the beer-fueled hijinks.

 

 

All in good fun WV  And I can buy beer with the money i save not renting a hotel room and eating at the highest rated 1 star restaurants! 

[Bench Racer]

^ Ron, you and Johnny D. share note at a video Christmas party.

[Todd Tagget]

 

 

All in good fun WV  And I can buy beer with the money i save not renting a hotel room and eating at the highest rated 1 star restaurants! 

Shall I tell Cathy you called her kitchen a 1 star restaurant ? hahaha

[fotostars]

I know of one guy with a Volkswagen Touareg with an open trailer, seems to work well.
 

 

That would be me ;-)

Touareg is over 5000# in itself and the towing is rated at 7700#.

Tows really nice. I have air suspension that are self-leveling when loaded.

Comes pre-wired for brake controller. Also has an "extra computer" to manage trailer brakes when suspensions are detecting excess swaying.

And it's a nice family car when not towing. (It's a Porsche Cayenne at VW price point).

[av8tor]

If you are looking for a new half ton, please don't listen to what the salesmen or TV commercials tells you it will tow.  The TV commercials are best case scenario which always means 2WD standard cab (no 4 doors or extended cab) and the salesmen simply do not know.  They think they do, but trust me they don't.  They will regurgitate some max case scenario based off of on the motor only and it is usually never right.  You need to look at the plates in the door jamb and calculate what you will be towing and carrying (payload/people) and see if the truck was BUILT with that capability.  Diff, Wheel Size, Cab, Engine, Trans, etc, etc, etc all play a part in what a truck is legally allowed to tow.  There are plenty of calculators online that you use to help you accomplish this.

 

I get it..... As men, if it has a hitch we generally will tow it.  The problem for me comes into play if and when an accident occurs.  It's pretty easy to prove if someone was towing more than their vehicle was rated for which can mean problems when sorting out insurance and fault etc.

 

Do the research yourself so you know what capabilities you are needing and getting with your purchase.  

 

Seanendation is that a rig has a 10,000# towing capacity that means it can pull up grades and down grades in cross winds etc.  

 

stepping out of this fight.  I am glad that Sean has other's interest in mind.  I don't think he is an attorney specializing in insurance, so his legal advice should be taken with a grain of salt. Lots of engineers and experienced towers will agree that one does not necessarily need a 3/4 rig to pull a 2225# miata on a 4500# trailer.   But, more is always better when it comes to a tow rig, unless you are considering maintenance cost, impact to the environment, fuel cost, convenience with fueling,

stopping for the night, turning around in restaurant parking lots etc.

 

One other thing, I noticed a lot of people writing about 1/2 ton SUVs as if they were 1/2 ton trucks.  They are not.  Most have a multi link rear end for rider comfort, while most trucks have a leaf spring rear end.  The leaf spring rear end will give you much more lateral stability.

[av8tor]

My wife and I both time trial our Miatas in a northeast time trial series (COM Sports Car club) and I do some regional SCCA races when they don't conflict with COM's schedule. I also teach with a bunch of local clubs when I have time. I've currently got a Freightliner FL60 with a beaver-tail box that I haul my car with. It's got room for tires, spares, tools, etc, but no living space. Her car is still street legal, so for things that are close she usually drives it. For more distant trips, we tow it on an open trailer:

 

 

It's been very reliable and relatively inexpensive to maintain.

 Jeff I tried to PM you but the system wouldn't let me.  Can you give me more details on that rig.  I have looked for that truck for a long time.  Any idea where I might find another like it?  Thanks kevin@ridefast.us

[robertcope]

I pull with my 2012 Expedition. It's rated at 9500lbs. My trailer weighs about 1500lbs (small, custom, aluminum), my car about 2200lbs, plus a set of tires, tools, etc. I can barely tell the trailer is back there, honestly. Some day I'd like to hook up something more significant to it and see how it handles it. The Expedition is definitely a compromise vehicle; it's the family hauler when it isn't pulling my trailer. It does dual duty exceptionally well, IMHO.

 

robert