Your tow vehicule
11-22-07, 02:21 PM
#26
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a 1/2 ton (loaner) suburban worked pretty well for me, though if I get this new job, I"ll probably get a 3/4 tons diesel pickup.
The nice thing about the suburban is the heated seats and the extra space...
The nice thing about the suburban is the heated seats and the extra space...
11-22-07, 02:38 PM
#27
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11-22-07, 03:27 PM
#28
Granted, a pickup is no guarantee to avoid that, as there is a window in the back of the cab that stuff could fly through.
Just jamming hard on the brakes though, or a minor or somewhat rough collision, and that stuff in the back of a pickup is going to stay in the back.
11-22-07, 07:59 PM
#31
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There is a small thing to work out in terms of a rental, you'll need to (at least for long tows) rig up the big controllers. Chevys are all wired in so all you have to do is plug it in, but not sure about other brands...
11-23-07, 12:09 AM
#32
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I tow my enclosed trailer with a 35' Fleetwood motorhome without much trouble. Also tow a 14' Trailex trailer with my S10 Blazer with no problems. The trailer has surge brakes that work great. The car in or on both trailers is a 2nd Gen RX7.
11-23-07, 04:01 AM
#33
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I used to tow with my Mazda B2600i 4x4... After jackknifing it multiple times with just an unloaded FB and a 400 lb tow dolly, I decided to ask around here...
I was told it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to have a good daily driver and tow vehicle in one. I should get a dedicated tow vehicle and a large trailer.
I HATED backing up with the tow dolly, it'd always go somewhere else when I wanted it to go straight... I figured a trailer would do the same... If only there was some way to get the trailer and tow vehicle in one package...
It started it's life as a standard 1989 F350 Styleside Crewcab Diesel pickup... There's a company called "Hodges Custom Haulers" that cut the frame and added some I-beam to the middle, then extended the wiring and added a section of driveshaft. The stock bed was pitched in lieu of a custom diamond plate steel platform. The rear suspension consists of the stock leaf springs, an overload leaf, and a helper coil spring.
International Harvester 7.3L V8 IDI N/A diesel ain't quick, nor economical; It gets the job done though. This past summer, I hauled a Chevy 1500 pickup and an empty 2000 lb flat 16ft open trailer 2000 miles from Washington D.C. to Aurora IL., then to St. Louis MO, then back home again. It didn't even know it was back there.
I was told it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to have a good daily driver and tow vehicle in one. I should get a dedicated tow vehicle and a large trailer.
I HATED backing up with the tow dolly, it'd always go somewhere else when I wanted it to go straight... I figured a trailer would do the same... If only there was some way to get the trailer and tow vehicle in one package...
It started it's life as a standard 1989 F350 Styleside Crewcab Diesel pickup... There's a company called "Hodges Custom Haulers" that cut the frame and added some I-beam to the middle, then extended the wiring and added a section of driveshaft. The stock bed was pitched in lieu of a custom diamond plate steel platform. The rear suspension consists of the stock leaf springs, an overload leaf, and a helper coil spring.
International Harvester 7.3L V8 IDI N/A diesel ain't quick, nor economical; It gets the job done though. This past summer, I hauled a Chevy 1500 pickup and an empty 2000 lb flat 16ft open trailer 2000 miles from Washington D.C. to Aurora IL., then to St. Louis MO, then back home again. It didn't even know it was back there.
11-23-07, 07:18 AM
#34
Old Rotary Dog
Tow dollys are certainly evil and not a viable long term solution.
But backing up a trailer is entirely different than backing a tow dolly. Much, much easier.
-b
But backing up a trailer is entirely different than backing a tow dolly. Much, much easier.
-b
11-23-07, 07:37 PM
#35
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My current tow vehicle is a 2002 E350 15 Passenger van with a 6.8L V10. I bought used in 2003 - it was from a hotel fleet in CA and had 27K miles on it. It was cheap at $16K and came with the factory tow package. I have had 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks before. The 3/4 ton trucks worked the best. None of them are better than my van!
I tow a 16' open trailer that has a tire rack. The car weighs 2200 and the trailer about 1500. So it is not too much to tow for the van. Remember to consider the tools, tires and spare parts that you plan on taking. That can add allot of weight.
The best way to go is to have more tow vehicle than you need. You'll find that you get to the track and home with no worries. That way you only have to deal with the scary stuff that is on the track!!!
I tow a 16' open trailer that has a tire rack. The car weighs 2200 and the trailer about 1500. So it is not too much to tow for the van. Remember to consider the tools, tires and spare parts that you plan on taking. That can add allot of weight.
The best way to go is to have more tow vehicle than you need. You'll find that you get to the track and home with no worries. That way you only have to deal with the scary stuff that is on the track!!!
I use a Chevy 2500 van. Its way better than a pickup or an SUV. I leave one bench in the back for hauling people around when we're at the track. There is a ton of cargo room and you don't have to worry about anything getting stolen.
11-24-07, 12:21 PM
#37
Old Rotary Dog
As far as backing up is concerned? It's because I only have to worry about a single "pivot point" (ie. axle) with the trailer, rather than two with the tow dolly. I've backed my loaded 16-foot trailer up a 400-foot gravel drive before in less than 5 minutes. I couldn't see doing that with a tow dolly.
-bill
-bill
11-25-07, 08:17 AM
#38
back from the land of v8s
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I have been pulling things for 20+ years with 1/2 ton truck and never had an issue. The one wreck I have been involved in was when I was in a ONE ton F350 back in 94 and that was on base where the speed limit was 25mph. Fortunately I wasn't at fault 
Personally I think as long as when your towing you slow down and give yourself extra space to stop you'll be fine.
I used to tow my old FC with my v6F150 and never had an issue. My new tow vehicle is my Dakota now that the V10 is in and running.
Best of luck on what ever route you go. AND I do second the opinion you can never have overkill with a tow vehicle.
Personally I think as long as when your towing you slow down and give yourself extra space to stop you'll be fine.
I used to tow my old FC with my v6F150 and never had an issue. My new tow vehicle is my Dakota now that the V10 is in and running.
Best of luck on what ever route you go. AND I do second the opinion you can never have overkill with a tow vehicle.
11-25-07, 05:20 PM
#39
Even with my F250 diesel truck I leave plenty of room. Pulling my rallyx RX-7 to an event this weekend, a deer literally jumped in front of my truck. I slammed my brakes and punted the good sized buck into the ditch. I'm glad my truck had enough brakes and mass to keep everything under control. Size your truck for the unexpected.
11-27-07, 10:51 AM
#40
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My Tow Vehicle: 1991 Ford F250, 7.3 liter Navistar diesel with ATS turbo
Electric trailer brakes are a MUST when pulling a race car. If I didn't have trailer brakes, I would have had many crashes when some ******** cuts over into my lane, then jams on the brakes to make a turn. You must have electric trailer brakes to save you from the other idiots on the road; you never know when you have to make a panic stop.
Electric trailer brakes are a MUST when pulling a race car. If I didn't have trailer brakes, I would have had many crashes when some ******** cuts over into my lane, then jams on the brakes to make a turn. You must have electric trailer brakes to save you from the other idiots on the road; you never know when you have to make a panic stop.
11-27-07, 11:03 AM
#41
I'll post pics later, but my friend has a 1989 3/4 Ton Suburban that has been converted to a Cummins Turbo Diesel and Allison Tranny from a BlueBird Bus.
It has a HD Towing Package which includes beefier leaf springs and airbags.
I have a 1978 Dodge Tradesman 200 "StreetVan" with Hellwig swaybars front & rear, and a Jasper Stage II 360ci V8 mated to an upgraded B&M tranny and a factory LSD. Even with trailer brakes and a good controller, from a 50MPH panic stop, she just skidded and didn't want to stop!
:-) neil
It has a HD Towing Package which includes beefier leaf springs and airbags.
I have a 1978 Dodge Tradesman 200 "StreetVan" with Hellwig swaybars front & rear, and a Jasper Stage II 360ci V8 mated to an upgraded B&M tranny and a factory LSD. Even with trailer brakes and a good controller, from a 50MPH panic stop, she just skidded and didn't want to stop!
:-) neil
12-10-07, 06:40 AM
#44
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Here's the problem... I've toasted the brakes on that truck all around. The clutch is starting to go prematurely. The radiator didn't like the mountains. And the previously mentioned jack knifing...
This is an all around bad idea.
Can it be done? Yes... Hell, you could tow with your RX-7, just use a tow rope and have someone in the towed car all the time.
Is it advisable? Not so much.
12-10-07, 07:06 PM
#45
havnt gotten to do much towing yet but i have a 2500 silverado 7.4. overkill is the way to go, i had to insist on it living in a mountain state. pulling power really is only 1/2 the equation you need to be able to stop. especially on insanely steep grades.
12-10-07, 08:15 PM
#46
I got an F250 - brakes and cooling are pretty good. Tranny is 5 speed manual, so tranny temps have not been any problem. Could use more power for the hills, but most of the time don't have to go below 4th gear.
The 460 big block would have handled the hills better, but at the cost of about 4mpg all around.
12-10-07, 11:06 PM
#47
my dad has a dakota...when i was looking for a tow vehicle he asked me why i didnt just borrow his truck. and i just laughed at him. if your going to do it do it right.
i did, years ago, tow an old ford falcon i had with it. did not work so good, even a short distance, like 20 miles...
ideally i think i might like a diesel excursion if money was no object. kinda pissed i didnt get a diesel but i got a great price on mine.
i did, years ago, tow an old ford falcon i had with it. did not work so good, even a short distance, like 20 miles...
ideally i think i might like a diesel excursion if money was no object. kinda pissed i didnt get a diesel but i got a great price on mine.
12-12-07, 12:13 PM
#50
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I use a Dodge Ram 3500 Van with the 5.9L V8. I used to pull a 24' enclosed with my FC inside, total weight approx ~5500lbs, without any problems.
Now I use an open trailer and it's even easier. Van's are great for transport of tools, tires, etc.
Now I use an open trailer and it's even easier. Van's are great for transport of tools, tires, etc.