What do YOU use to tow your track car?
#61
I definitely see the perks, I was just curious. If you already have a tow vehicle, then it seems like an obvious decision. I can just see how things can get out of hand quickly when modifying a car for track duty, and adding another vehicle on top of that is a pretty big commitment.
#64
2010 Cummings
16mpg @ 70 unloaded
10mpg towing a 30' 5th wheel @ 70
8 mpg @ 60 mph @ 8000' 14+% grade passing grandma in the buick
considering deletes
Still sourcing a trailer.
Has anyone found a toy hauler that they like, that will fit their miata. It cant be much larger than a sand rail.
#67
Yea the 20' covered trailer weighs about 3000 lbs by itself. The V6 S10 Blazer or even a mercedes diesl Sprinter is not going to like towing that. The Dodge Cummins however doesn’t seem to care much whether it is towing 3000 or 6000# total weight It still gets about the same fuel economy and goes up hills without issue. I also have a Banks exhaust brake on it it really saves using the brakes hard going down hills.
Bob
Bob
for about an year, I've been towing my Miata on an open steel trailer (4,000LB total) with a v6 Pathfinder. towing mpg is 13-14mpg.
I just bought a Class C RV (Ford v10) to tow the same trailer. It drop mpg from 8 to 7mpg
#69
I agree on the aero aspect of towing an enclosed trailer. The aero is crap on enclosed trailers and your going to drop mpg or need more power for the same or less weight if its enclosed. I towed with a 01 Toyota Sequoia 4x4 with a lift and 33"s with a open 12ft single axel for 1.5 years and had 0 problems. I pulled a closed 14ft uhaul trailer 500 miles empty that pulled worse than my loaded 12ft open.
#70
I agree on the aero aspect of towing an enclosed trailer. The aero is crap on enclosed trailers and your going to drop mpg or need more power for the same or less weight if its enclosed. I towed with a 01 Toyota Sequoia 4x4 with a lift and 33"s with a open 12ft single axel for 1.5 years and had 0 problems. I pulled a closed 14ft uhaul trailer 500 miles empty that pulled worse than my loaded 12ft open.
Bob
#71
Current tow vehicle is my wife's V8 Pathfinder. She loves it as a DD and it has enough ***** to pull my 18ft open trailer without trying.
I've owned quite a few tow vehicles through the years and all have their pluses and minuses.
2500 Cummins (900HP, 1600TQ) Best
S-10 w/ 4.3 Worst
Nissan Titan
Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.2 V8)
V10 28ft Class C RV
Toyota 4Runner (V6)
Chevy 3500 15pass Van (6.0 V8)
If I could pick the best of all, it would be a 12-15 pass van with a diesel driveline. You would be able to pack it to the gills and pull a load without issue. The only downside was that it is not really usable except on the weekend's your towing, so you end up with an additional vehicle that sits 24+ days a month.
I'm liking the Pathfinder for the time being. I would have loved to gone with a crew cab Cummins or Duramax, but I know I wont leave the damn thing alone. All I need is another vehicle to dump $$$$$ into. The mega cab cummins rear seat looks big enough to host a full/queen size mattress when folded down. That is enticing for the budget minded track weekend camper that I am.
I've owned quite a few tow vehicles through the years and all have their pluses and minuses.
2500 Cummins (900HP, 1600TQ) Best
S-10 w/ 4.3 Worst
Nissan Titan
Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.2 V8)
V10 28ft Class C RV
Toyota 4Runner (V6)
Chevy 3500 15pass Van (6.0 V8)
If I could pick the best of all, it would be a 12-15 pass van with a diesel driveline. You would be able to pack it to the gills and pull a load without issue. The only downside was that it is not really usable except on the weekend's your towing, so you end up with an additional vehicle that sits 24+ days a month.
I'm liking the Pathfinder for the time being. I would have loved to gone with a crew cab Cummins or Duramax, but I know I wont leave the damn thing alone. All I need is another vehicle to dump $$$$$ into. The mega cab cummins rear seat looks big enough to host a full/queen size mattress when folded down. That is enticing for the budget minded track weekend camper that I am.
#73
OP; I use my DD, 08 Honda Pilot which I upgraded with the following - Trans cooler, oil cooler, power steering cooler, Air Lift bags for the rear and a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 controller. The Pilot tows 4500 lbs stock and with my 13 ft double axle narrow trailer, it pulls the Miata anywhere with no problem. Plus, I get between 12-14 mpg while towing, speed/grade dependent.
#74
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Yep. Big trucks don't like going fast, but you can't lug the motor either. The difference in towing mileage from 60 to 68 isn't all that big (maybe 1-2mpg) but even unloaded, I lose 4mpg going from 70 to 80mph.
My truck is totally stock, except for an updated turbo mouthpiece to solve the overheating issues that MY05 trucks had. The cost of a built Allison ($2-3k+labor) is the best deterrent in the world against chips, tuners, etc.
My truck is totally stock, except for an updated turbo mouthpiece to solve the overheating issues that MY05 trucks had. The cost of a built Allison ($2-3k+labor) is the best deterrent in the world against chips, tuners, etc.
#77
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I'm about to buy a 5.4l Ford rape van. This way I can pull to and from the track with AC, and sleep in it at the track because in Texas, we are significantly more hardcore than Cali and typically crunk on Four Loko.
Any thoughts on my van idea/ I still need to pick up a trailer.
BTW, back in January when we raced at Houston I saw a Ford Ranger cruise by with a huge goose-neck trailer, lol. It was the first Ranger I've seen with a 5th wheel.
Any thoughts on my van idea/ I still need to pick up a trailer.
BTW, back in January when we raced at Houston I saw a Ford Ranger cruise by with a huge goose-neck trailer, lol. It was the first Ranger I've seen with a 5th wheel.
#78
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I'm thinking something similar to hustler's idea, except maybe a bigass box-van. So basically a f450/4500 dually diesel that could tow just about anything. Then you'd have enough room for all your tools, a work bench, store all your **** and even a cot or two.
Seem to be finding them for only around $6000 too.
Seem to be finding them for only around $6000 too.
#79
You'd be surprised what those little trucks can do if you keep wheel spin down, which can be hard even with an 8.8 torsen and 235/75/15 tires, of course a v8 vehicle would be easier.
From Mazda's sales brochure, you'll notice (if the pic is clear enough) this is a B3000 not a B4000
I had one with a miata on the trailer but I can't find it.
#80
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The remaining wild-card is the 2012 diesel Wrangler...but I seriously doubt my willingness to finance a $30k vehicle with modern, sketchy, euro technology.