jeeper31

I totalled my car and am looking for one that I can use to trailer my Turbo to track events. Is a tow rating of 3500 lbs enough?

Kurt R

Are you going to flat tow your turbo?

944 + most trailers will be more than 3500. 5000 might not be enough with some trailers, depending on how much other stuff you bring along (extra tires, tools, jack, ez-up, etc.)

Fractured

No, it's not enough. You'll need to factor in the weight of the car, trailer, spares, and anything else you plan to haul to and from the track, including people. Then buy a tow vehicle that will haul at least that amount. I have a 4-cylinder Nissan Frontier that won't get out of its own way and it's rated at 3500 lbs. I wouldn't even think of towing anything larger than a very small boat.

xsboost90

i have an f150- says 5000lb tow- i have car + 2000lb trailer. Pretty close.

jeeper31

Thinking of a 6 cyl Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon or Sahara

xsboost90

if you get a nice featherlite alum trailer- yes no problem.

jeeper31

Was thinking of renting a u-hail trailer for a bit until i can buy one. What does a featherlite go for?

944Fest (aka Dan P)

This is a funny topic, as folks can be all over the map and nobody is really wrong. I tow with a TANK 90's Toyota land cruiser that is rated at 5k. It is underpowered when loaded, but that is probably because it is only a (big) 6 and the truck weighs 6k +. Guys use pickups, vans, Buick Roadmasters (LS1?) and all the utes. I've seen those small jeep cherokees rated at 5k and it makes me wonder. In hindsight (mostly because of the gas mileage) I'd look hard at the V8 grand Cherokees or similar. Sorry, but the Tahoes and Exploders just seemed horrible in my price range.

As for trailers, a new steel trailer is about $2500 +/- and will weigh close to 2k. A good aluminum one will cost 2x that and weigh 1/2 that. Best of all worlds, find a friend who is willing to let you borrow his for $75 a weekend or so. I've got a couple of guys who regularly pay to borrow mine. Owning a trailer has some big drawbacks, as in WTF to do with it for the other 350 days of the year!

I could be wrong, but I would think towing with the short wheelbase of a wrangler would be a nightmare!!!

PS..welcome to Rennlist, Frac!

Kurt R

You don't want to tow a car trailer with something that short. The trailer will whip the jeep back and forth, and you'll either end up in the ditch or dead tired when you get to the track.

Kurt R

Your 944 turbo probably weighs around 3000 lbs. A uhaul car trailer is steel, and about 2000 lbs. So you are already at 5000 lbs without packing anything else.

J Silverman

I just went through this decision not too long ago. First thing you need to do is figure out how much you are going to tow. In your case, 3000 lbs for the car, 2000 lbs for the trailer if youre renting from uhaul. Next you need to add in the weight of everthing that will be in the truck, including passengers. Lest be a little conservative, and say 1000 lbs. So at a minimum you want a truck that can tow 6000lbs. Personally I would not want to tow at max capacity, so if you factor in a 15% margin, you should be looking for capacity around 7000 lbs. Now you can get an aluminum trailer that will really cut down the weight (they weigh 800 lbs or so but cost around $5k, open steel trailers are about 1300lbs for an open deck.) so you could get less capacity.

I ended up with a new leftover 06 Nissan Titan. With tow package capacity is 9400lbs. It tows my 924S on an open steel trailer no problem. Some of the newer small trucks/SUVs have a decent capacity. Just remember the bigger the tow vehicle the safer it will be to tow.

Spidey944

+1 on NOT towing with a Jeep. Although I have seen some Crown Vics with hitches.....

Fractured

Thank you, 944Fest.

ttwirz

Here is my hands on experience. Our last boat was 22ft and weighed about 5,700 lbs. boat, trailer, gas and all other crap. I went to pick it up (200 mile trip) with my 99 Tacoma, V6 with headers, 5 speed. I had an extra leaf spring in the back (aka super spring). The stock Tacoma was rated for 5000 lbs. It was a long haul. The truck was definitely at its capacity. The extra spring took care of the suspension but the V6 was at its capacity. It also seemed like it was a bit small in front of all that weight. It was doable, but not plesurable. I also think it was a bit more ware and tear on the truck then it was intended for even being a Toyota. I promptly went and baught a 2001 Tundra, V8, almost full size, 6,800 lb towing capacity. Kids happy because they are not crammed in the back and it was a much better towing experience. If gas milage is your concern, look closely the gas milage difference between v6 and v8 is not that much different and when it comes to towing anything in the 5000 lb range I think you will be much hapier with a v8 and a longer wheal base. Just my 2 cents and welcome

xsboost90

i hauled a large steel trailer w/ a jeep once and it was scary. Later w/ the same jeep did it with an alum trailer- much better. Truck is far better though.