xsboost90

ok ok, i know ive always said that if you cant drive it to the track how you gonna race it. Ive finally come to the realization that when you get to the track and break something, a big truck and a trailer are your best friends. Im looking to upgrade, so what do you have and how do you like the way it tows. Im thinking FORD but whatayagonnado.

heres what i have to upgrade from- sure it has a tow package but the little 3.0L just isnt gonna cut it for long hauls im thinking.

josephsc

What a coincidence! I just trailered around two 944's just today!

FWIW, I have a '99 ranger with a 4.0L engine and normally tow with the heavy U-haul auto-transport. I have had no issues doing 300+miles towing 944-variants -- except on hill climbs. I've even done a 450 mile move with a loaded bed and a 944 on the trailer -- but that was painful (you start losing traction on the front wheels at that point....).

That said, a real full-sized truck would be a nicer support vehicle. A friend of mine recently picked up a Jeep Grand Cherokee (can't remember which engine) to tow around his 968. He says it works well...

Legoland951

Full size 95 bronco with a 351 CI engine is what I use. You have to have weight when it comes to your tow vehicle or if you have to brake hard especially around a turn, the trailer will toss your truck around. Here in CA, a mini truck has to pay $130+ for registration because of commercial plates whereas a SUV (bronco, which is a truck platform) pays only $40+.

Lemming

2005 F150 with 5.4L. Pulls an open trailer with trackcar easily. Even at that size, get a trailer with brakes. If you are looking at an enclosed trailer, don't consider anything less than F250 size.

Jason Judd

2002 Toyota Sequoia SUV...I pull an open steel tilt-bed trailer and my 968.

All I've done over the 105K miles is change the oil every 5K and brake pads every 15K.

The Toyota runs strong at 75 MPH all day long...of course I only get 15 MPG, too.

Truck feels like you're in the living room chair after a day at the track!

Jason

Uranium-235

Doesn't the Grand Cherokee only have a 2000 lb tow rating? It may work okay for awhile, but it will die quickly.

I hauled a 944 with a '94 Suburban 4x4 twice, and it was a good experience. I now have a 2000 F-150, 5.4L, factory tow package, which should be just as good. I'd recommend something full size, get it with either a factory tow package (which should include additional cooling and upgraded rear axle ratio) or make sure it has this stuff properly installed. For what you're describing, how about a full size van? Comfy, roomy, good to tow with and you can sleep in it, if necessary.

944Fest (aka Dan P)

Many of the mid-sized utes if configured right can tow 5000, including the older jeep Cherokees (Yep, I was surprised too) but I'd say they would be overworked. As you know I tow with a Toyota Land Cruiser. She is a tank (6000+ LBS), a little sluggish, but I hardly know the trailer is back there. If I were to do it again I'd look for something post 95 (IIRC) with the V8. Back when I bought it my tow rig budget was $10,000 and I drove the Tacomas and Explorers in that price range. The Toy was head and shoulders above them in fit and finish. I regret not looking at the Grand Cherokees, but I had a bad experience with a Durango and wasn't ready to go back to Ma Mopar yet. Not needing the car to get you home from the track is worth about 2 seconds a lap.

shiners780

I use a Chevy 3500 one ton cargo van. It has a V8, 6 liter. Pulls like nothing's behind it, and the long wheelbase keeps everything super steady. You can get a full size van in the "conversion" van trim, with all the comforts of home in the rear. Plus, the best part is there is plenty of room for tools, tires, lawn furniture, gas grill, and a cot if you need somewhere to sleep. Plus you can hang out in there with AC on the super hot days, and heat on the cold/rainy miserable days.

M758

Used to tow my race car around on an open trailer with my 98 4.0L Jeep Cherokee. Did ok in town, but I did not want to press it for long hauls out of town.

Instead I got a 99 Dodge 2500 V10. That thing has the space for lots of spares and tows like the car is not even there. I really like overkill

josephsc

I thought that at first, too -- but not if you get the V8.

Waterguy

You might want to figure out what kind of trailer you are getting first. An open trailer should be fairly light and tow easily. Enclosed trailers take a bigger tow unit; full size truck, properly equipped for towing.

I rented an enclosed trailer for the weekend and it towed like a BRICK. 18', heavy steel frame, weighed over 4000 pounds EMPTY, front was a 8 foot by 8 foot flat wall. The good news was it was easy on brakes, because of all the air resistance. The other good news was we were towing it with my brother's pickup, which is a Chevy one ton with turbo diesel and six speed manual. 15,000 pound combined vehicle weight on the return trip and it pulled most grades through the Cascade mountains in overdrive while getting 12 miles to the (US) gallon. Totally easy and relaxed trip. It would be a lot of truck to buy and own just for an occasional trip to the track, though.

odie

I've towed my 944 real easy with a tow bar. Under the bumper you remove the 2 bumper mounting bolts and disconnect some the light wires. The bumper slides right off and any universal tow bar will attach to the bumper shocks once you rotate them 90'

Takes about 10 minutes tops.

Rock

dude dan, my stepbrother still lives in cincinnati.

hes got one of those 5.7 litre jeep grand cheerokees limited. Big V8 engine 4 wheel drive blah blah blah. I used this to haul the yeller down to Andys. Its black with tan interior.

Hes an idiot, and hes broke, last time i remember he was trying to sell it for 3000 dollars just because he didnt know how to replace brakes.

Andys seen it, its a pretty good little jeepy. you might want to look into it. im sure you could probally talk him down to like nothing. Ill ask him about it if you want me to.

The jeep grand cherokee has a big *** towing limit. I looked it up before i hauled the yeller.

Red1

When it comes to tow vehicles, the bigger you can live with the better off you'll be. The 5.4L Ford pulled well. The Dodge and Ford diesels I've driven were better, but they're expensive.

Legoland951

A major part of the consideration is what kind of transmission is in the vehicle. I was told by my trans shop and a master mechanic to get the "OJ" bronco because of the transmission. Lots of these SUV should not be used to haul since the extra load creates lots more heat in the trans and causing them to fail. The overdrive trannies in most later trucks and SUVs will cost you more to replace than the motor itself. Do your research first. I am partial towards chevy but the 700r4 transmission in the suburbans are just not as strong as they claim without modifications.