What do YOU use to tow your track car?
#162
Legally an RV.
And, I never want to hear about overkill tow vehicles again.
Without the semi-tractor style fifth wheel it only needs a class A. I think he also had a two car stacker he towed with that setup.
This is my, and Seefo's setup. I have the F150, he has the E150. Both on ~16ft open trailers.
#163
That's not far from my current setup, a 90 hp Berlingo and a two wheeled braked trailer (no picture, sorry).
About 500 lbs over the weight for the hitch, but that's just a ticket, if stopped and weighed.
Getting a bigger van (with space for sleeping) is the plan but that would require an upgraded license since the total weight goes past 7700lbs.
About 500 lbs over the weight for the hitch, but that's just a ticket, if stopped and weighed.
Getting a bigger van (with space for sleeping) is the plan but that would require an upgraded license since the total weight goes past 7700lbs.
#164
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The laws in CA are extremely screwy due to the RV industry lobby. Big trailer RVs are covered under non-commercial class A, but to tow a flatbed of the same weight and length, you need a full-blown commercial class A license (same as what 80,000lb semi rig drivers have) which precludes you from doing traffic school. Hence the very specific 9,999lb GVWR on the trailer (10,000.0 is legal too but I don't feel like arguing that with an LEO/judge someday).
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart.htm
Last edited by Savington; 09-17-2014 at 01:27 PM.
#166
I run almost the exact same setup, 2009 Xterra.
OK is a relative term. I've been towing with a single axle trailer for the last few years. I'd prefer a double axle but I don't have the space for my own trailer and the person that rents his to me is fairly reasonable in price and availability. Initially I used a 3.4l 4runner, it does ok as long as you aren't trying to win any races.
A double axle is more stable as well. I currently use a stabilizer bar which helps quite a bit though. The lack of tire redundancy is also a concern.
Couple of questions:
Is this setup below OK? I thought it was generally a bad idea to tow a car on a single axle trailer.
How heavy are most two axle open/flat car trailers?
I'm considering a trailer, but would want as light as possible since I'd be towing with a v6 Toyota 4runner.
Is this setup below OK? I thought it was generally a bad idea to tow a car on a single axle trailer.
How heavy are most two axle open/flat car trailers?
I'm considering a trailer, but would want as light as possible since I'd be towing with a v6 Toyota 4runner.
It totally depends on the axle rating. 3500 pounds is a common axle weight rating, so if you can build a 1000 pound trailer body, you can put a 2200 pound Miata on it and have a bit of weight capacity to spare.
As I see it, the big downside to having a single axle trailer is that you have no tire redundancy, so a tire failure is more significant.
--Ian
As I see it, the big downside to having a single axle trailer is that you have no tire redundancy, so a tire failure is more significant.
--Ian
#167
Anyone here ever use the 1500 conversion vans for towing? I`m looking for something to double as a cheap tow vehicle and I can sleep in it comfortably. I currently use my dakota as a DD and tow vehicle but using the tent in the middle of summer in GA etc. is getting old.
I`m debating buying a DD convertible (probably another miata), and then a conversion van for the towing. They seem like could be the ideal platform for what I am looking for if I built the suspension up a little bit to handle it. Hell, maybe I don`t need to. I would love to hear from some people which are doing this.
I`m debating buying a DD convertible (probably another miata), and then a conversion van for the towing. They seem like could be the ideal platform for what I am looking for if I built the suspension up a little bit to handle it. Hell, maybe I don`t need to. I would love to hear from some people which are doing this.
I have a Dodge b2500 w/ 1 ton axles and helper springs. I have airbags but haven't put them on yet. Anyway I can tow 7k lbs easily with my 5.9L. I drive around with 3 roll away took boxes full of tools in it and it gets around. I wouldn't hesitate to get a 1500 or 2500 and tow with it. If you get a cargo you can outfit it yourself which is always fun. Just be ready for the Candy van jokes.
I've only owned dodge vans and they've been great. I've always had to rebuild the transmission after about ~140k. These vans haven't changed much since the 70's so the parts are easy to come by in salvage form.
#169
Edit: From what I've read, the reason we usually have heavier tow vehicles is that our speeds towing are generally higher, and for longer. A 500 mile trip @ 75mph at night to get to the track is almost commonplace here.
#170
Btw, my Berlingo setup gets 30+ mpg towing... at 55mph (47mpg with no trailer)
900 miles is the longest one-way trip a friend of mine have, but living close to the arctic circle is his problem. He runs some other small scale setup, no freight train.
Most of the tracks here are within a 2 hour radius from me (priorities...).
Different references of what's "normal" of course.
If I had the licence I would not turn down a Silverado Duramax (or similar) and an enclosed trailer. Effortless towing regardless of incline have merits.
But I don't know what I'd use it for the other 47 weeks of the year.
900 miles is the longest one-way trip a friend of mine have, but living close to the arctic circle is his problem. He runs some other small scale setup, no freight train.
Most of the tracks here are within a 2 hour radius from me (priorities...).
Different references of what's "normal" of course.
If I had the licence I would not turn down a Silverado Duramax (or similar) and an enclosed trailer. Effortless towing regardless of incline have merits.
But I don't know what I'd use it for the other 47 weeks of the year.
#173
I've slept on the flat floor in the backseat of my Super Crew F150 more times that I would like to admit at races. Even being 6ft tall, it isn't really uncomfortable. Not sure I'd call it comfortable but it beats freezing rain in a tent on the trailer o a collapsed tent during the second coming of Noah.
#175
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Is your truck rated for 7500 weight carrying? If so, rock on. If not, a weight distributing hitch is (IMO) necessary from a liability standpoint, even if the truck is perfectly happy and capable. Nice trailer. I am jelly.
#176
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Is your truck rated for 7500 weight carrying? If so, rock on. If not, a weight distributing hitch is (IMO) necessary from a liability standpoint, even if the truck is perfectly happy and capable.
Nice trailer. I am jelly.
#178
I will be using this, my Jetta Sportwagen TDI. It has a stage 2 with no Emissions **** and around 330tq and a stage 2 clutch, which should help handle the load better. I'll be buying tow springs for the rear(if needed).
Going to get a custom 2" hitch welded into the rear bumper/subframe support.
Sorta like this
And this tow dolly to tow it. Assist brakes and a slew of other features for ~$1k. I'd love to use a flatbed but I'd exceed my towing limit(3600) by a bit unless I paid a shitload for a 14' aluminum flatbed.
Car gets 48mpg normally so it should probably do about 38-40 avg as long as I keep it under 75.
Going to get a custom 2" hitch welded into the rear bumper/subframe support.
Sorta like this
And this tow dolly to tow it. Assist brakes and a slew of other features for ~$1k. I'd love to use a flatbed but I'd exceed my towing limit(3600) by a bit unless I paid a shitload for a 14' aluminum flatbed.
Car gets 48mpg normally so it should probably do about 38-40 avg as long as I keep it under 75.
Last edited by Jeffbucc; 09-18-2014 at 06:29 PM.
#179
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Yep. I used to have straps that were cut down to length so there was no excess, but I haven't added D-rings in the correct places on this trailer yet, so when it's just one car, I need ~11ft long straps to reach the car from the front/back.
Hitch is rated to 10k, receiver is stock so only rated for 7500lb w/o WD, 12k with. Marginal, so I do have eventual plans to do an aftermarket class V receiver just to get a little cushion there. Truck's official towing capacity is 12k and GCWR is 22k so I'm well under those limits. I've towed stuff with my truck that I wouldn't let just anyone get behind the wheel of, but I let my dad jump behind the wheel of this and my only instructions were "it's long, careful around corners." It's that easy to drive
Thank you sir
Hitch is rated to 10k, receiver is stock so only rated for 7500lb w/o WD, 12k with. Marginal, so I do have eventual plans to do an aftermarket class V receiver just to get a little cushion there. Truck's official towing capacity is 12k and GCWR is 22k so I'm well under those limits. I've towed stuff with my truck that I wouldn't let just anyone get behind the wheel of, but I let my dad jump behind the wheel of this and my only instructions were "it's long, careful around corners." It's that easy to drive
Thank you sir