dogger15

Thanks a bunch for the feedback. So it looks like not only is the open
trailer out, but so is the 1/2 ton truck.

JCP911S, all valid points and worth considering, but. I'm still resistant
to the idea of hiring this out. I currently live in a cheap state with a
couple of acres of land so storing my truck and trailer on site will not
be a problem. The cost of the truck and trailer will just be rolled into
my yearly race budget.

I did some internet research on 3/4 ton trucks and it looks like the big
three all have HD offerings that are more than enough to meet my
needs. I'm going with a mid grade crew cab with a diesel. I'm limited
to an overall length of 22 feet (garage space), so it will have to be a
short bed. I will visit the various dealers this coming week and see
which one I like best. It's been about ten years since I bought a new
car/truck so I'm overdue anyway.

gwf911, sounds like you are on your way. Looks like we're working
from the same book - you're just several chapters ahead of me.

Kurtkrum, I used to own a class C motor home based on a Ford E350
chassis. It was powered by a 460 and it was the only vehicle I ever
had where you could actually watch the gas gauge drop as you drove
down the road. I replaced that motor home with a diesel powered
model and never looked back. The diesel would tick along at 1700
RPM, sipping fuel while moving you down the interstate at 70 mph.
I know the gas engine 2500s could handle the size and weight of
what I intend to pull, it's just that they are not as well suited as a
diesel for this task, IMO.

Viperbob1, great idea about renting. If I wasn't buying, I think that's
the direction I'd take.

RickBetterley

Good move - I'm a big advocate of sufficient tow vehicles.
1 downside of short bed trucks is the small fuel tank (at least for the Ford versions).
My short bed 2008 F250 diesel came with a 28 gallon tank. Too small even for diesel.
Current F250 longbed holds 38 gallons. Much better.
But it lives outdoors.
You can buy supplemental tanks that fit beside the factory tank I think.
Btw - love your 'roll it into the racing budget' comment!

GWF911

Good Luck with the purchases!

Viperbob1

Good Luck with purchase. My Dodge 2500 has 34 gallon tank with crew cab and short bed

rlm328

A comment on the barn door effect of the front of the trailer. It is not as bad as you would think, the Pickups have all the aerodynamics of a shoe box and punch a pretty good sized hole in the air. You can see how big the hole is by going and looking at the front of the trailers at you next event. I got an extra 6-in of height added to mine for various reasons and you can see where bugs, dirt, etc. hit around the edges but not the middle of the frontside.

GMP911

I'm in the same process - car, truck, and trailer all in next two months. I ordered an inTech 28' Al that I will pull with an F-250 diesel - should not be an issue. I'll add a sway bar unit and be ready to go.

Now all I have to do is practice backing up a trailer that long.

Drew_K

I've lived the progression of 1/2 ton truck to now an F250 diesel along with open trailer to enclosed. If you're doing infrequent, short trips, you can get away with pushing closer to your towing limits. Otherwise, towing an enclosed, you'll be very happy to have the 3/4 or 1 ton, and even happier with the diesel.

Also, if you're looking at an F250, might as well get the F350. Costs only a little more. Around $500 more comparably equipped when I was truck shopping.

A few folks have mentioned the diesel fuel tank size. Mine is a short bed F250, which came with a 28 gallon tank. I swapped it out for a 51 gallon tank and highly recommend something similar, whether it's swapping out the OEM tank or adding an external tank in the bed. Pulling an enclosed trailer, you can't just pull into any fuel station, assuming it even has diesel. The big tank gives you a lot more flexibility to decide when you want to refuel. But I also average 10K-15K towing miles per year, so the added tank capacity is a huge convenience for me.

Drew_K

I've had my 24' Intech for 2+ years now. Fantastic trailer - you won't be disappointed.

If you can back up an open trailer, you won't have any problems with your new one. Main difference is that you can't see what's behind you as well with an enclosed, obviously, but otherwise it's basically the same. I regularly have to back up my Intech as well as an RV that's about the same overall length as your new trailer. The only difference I've noticed is that the RV reacts a little slower, as you would expect.

DTMiller

For you diesel guys, get a Flying J/Pilot RV card. You get the cash price for diesel but you swipe the card at the pump and you can use the truck lanes at the Flying J/Pilot which obviously are way easier to navigate than just about any other gas station.

We have one for our RV and it is the best thing ever. Also, bulk DEF at the pump at way lower prices too.

audipwr1

Also don't forget to get the 10k gvwr option or pay commercial insurance in the people's republic

GMP911

Thanks for the positive feedback on the inTech and learning to backup! I'm going to install a camera on the back of the trailer to help while I'm learning.

rlm328

Most of the truck stops you see along the road are $0.10 to $0.15 higher per gallon than the normal gas stations. I have seen the difference as high as $0.25.

RickBetterley

Noticed the same thing. Is it to fund the extra amenities (trashy as they might be) or because there are large rebates or bonus points for using them? Or to pay for the Pilot card discount?
I do like the 'DEF at the pump' opportunity. Much cheaper (if you use the right nozzle).

DTMiller

My recollection from our trip last fall was that we paid about the same. I think there is a discount on top of the cash price. In any event, in a pinch the truck lanes provide a simple fuel option. We used to travel in a gas RV and getting in and out of gas stations in a 36 foot + towed vehicle was always a chore.

dogger15

Lots of good points. I did the RV deal for a number of years and learned a
lot about some of the points being raised. That class C I wrote about in my
previous post was 32' and averaged about 6 mpg with a 35 gallon tank.
Needless to say, you never passed a gas station without topping off,
especially out West where the stations could be some distance apart. I
swapped it for a 38' Country Coach pusher with a Cat 3126 and Allison
6 spd automatic with two overdrives. The coach also had two 50 gallon
saddle tanks which gave me a range of over 1000 miles - talk about
opposite ends of the spectrum. Anyway, RVing was a good learning
experience on many levels (truck stops for fuel and wash, etc.). I
should be able to apply some of that to the "getting to and from the
race" part of this endeavor.

Right now, The GMC Sierra is looking the best for me on paper. It comes
with a slew of tow goodies (exhaust brake, integrated trailer sway and brake
control, back up camera, etc.) It comes with a 36 gallon tank standard even
with the short bed.

rim328, good point about the truck opening the hole. My previous combo
was scaled down for motorcycles and my trailers were equipped with an
aero device called a nose cone which mounted high on the front above
most of the wash from the truck. I dragged trailers with and without this
and the trailers with were definitely more stable in crosswinds and semi
passing situations, so I'm looking at this from a stability as well as reduced
drag standpoint. I don't know if a simple rounded front will help with
either. Maybe the same kind of nose cone can be adapted to fit the front
of the ATC.

audipwr1, Thanks for the tip. I'll make sure I check that box.