Spork

I posted on here a while ago about members road tripping their cars and got a lot of responses.

I am currently just outside of Denver (Arvada) on a road trip but in my truck, not the Porsche.

Went from northern NV across highway 50 to I-70 to Grand Junction then south to Ouray / Telluride. From there east to Pike's Peak and then up to Denver.

Some of 50 is pretty long and boring but the rest of the trip is over some fantastic roads and has had me really wanting to be in the Porsche. The amazing views has me dying to be top down driving as well.

I am in my truck because my dog travels with me and also this time of year can have really hot weather of very cold and stormy weather so I have a lot of clothes just in case. I don't think I can pack the Porsche with all my stuff so thinking about a solution.

Option 1: sell the Porsche and buy a larger touring car. I would like to have a convertible but would consider a coupe or sedan with large greenhouse for site seeing (sunroof would be nice too). I would like something with handling on par with the 996 and really would want a 6 speed manual trans. Budget would be $15 to $20K. Suggestions?

Option 2: Keep the Porsche but install a receiver hitch and pull a small trailer like this motorcycle trailer photo below. My uncle has a 996TT and a RUF and both have small receivers that he uses for a bike rack so I know it can be done. I think the small m/c trailer would give me enough extra room and other than when backing up, would not really feel it back there.

Option 3: Tow the car behind my truck and then go for days drives in various areas. This is the least desirable because inevitably I will end up towing on roads that I want to drive the car on. Plus towing can be a pain.

Any other suggestions (besides bring less crap with me! )?

cds72911

You could carry your extra junk in a Thule or similar roof top box on the Porsche.

Not sure how to delete this, but clearly that won't work with a cab.

Nickshu

I use a Rhino rack to carry track tires on my 996...do a search there are photos of the setup could carry cargo easily but would be exposed to the elements.

Spork

Did a search and didn't find anything for a cabrio unless I did something like this below!

ZuffenZeus

Hello Spork my friend.

This is an age old problem. Lots of my friends have gone back and forth between trucks and muscle cars, because frankly, you can't really blend the two into one. Some companies try to make you think you can have both in one vehicle, but you really can't. You'll miss one over the other every time. The Porsche 911 is a great car for short day trips or track days, but anything beyond that will be impractical especially if you're riding with a passenger or dog in your situation. The back seat is only good for children under the age of 3. Beyond that, it's just an extra area for storage.

Hate to say it, but I wouldn't put a hitch on the Porsche. Something about that seem really wrong. hahaha! I know some people install roof racks, but that's not my thing either and I wouldn't advise it on the cabriolet! hehehe If you want a more practical convertible, then maybe a Camaro or Mustang is in order? I've owned those cars, and I must say that traveling with people is much easier and you have plenty of luggage space for weekend trips. But they're not going to give you the Porsche rear engined driving experience. You might find that a Boxster would fit the bill, but again, just a two seater with limit luggage space.

I think you need to manage your trip expectations. No judging, but just a suggestion. If you're going solo and want the Porsche drive. Then, instead of doing the camping thing, go find a cheap hotel and make it a driving experience. When you have the urge for camping, then use your Chevy truck and keep you mind away from wanting the Porsche.

Or, if you have to have both on a trip, why not ask a friend to drive the truck with all the camping gear and you follow along with the Porsche. Boom... problem solved!

But don't go out and make a rushed decision. I miss my 996 every day, but I didn't have a choice, I needed to get my wife and girls in a newer SUV and frankly, I didn't have the spare cash on hand nor did I want to put my family in debt.

I've tried many times to get my wife and girls to go on trips in my sports cars, but the reality is that they prefer the comfort of their mom's Tahoe where they can stretch out and watch a movie or play games, etc. etc. Not gonna happen in the 996 nor any sports cars. I grew up with two sisters. I'm married and have two daughters and if I've learned anything about females is that they prefer comfort, security, clear direction, and driving amenities (i.e. USB for iPhone, heated leather seats, Navigation, etc.). The idea of sitting in a car that's 5 inches off the ground, listening to a loud sports exhaust system, and having to feel extreme G forces from someone rev matching a car around the mountains is right up there with walking bare foot across hot coals or having a colonoscopy.

Chris(MA)

Carry less stuff, its easy to get carried away with more is more, but less is more.
On my recently trip across Europe recently the 3 of us just had 3 carry on cases and some hand luggage.

Its also the cheapest option!

Cuda911

I would think that a trailer, while good for hauling stuff to the track, etc., would really dampen the driving experience.

9964runner

Would the removable hardtop give you the option to add roof racks?

Dr_Strangelove

Spork, I'm writing this under the assumption that it's just you, the dog, and King Louis XIV's wardrobe traveling with you. If you have an SO with you, this may not work.

Think of the frunk as your armoire, though in this case, the armoire is more of a dumpster. Throw the clothes in the dumpster, shut the lid. Get a nice car seat cover for the passenger seat and Rover sits next to you. Snacks & dog stuff in the footwell. Cooler #1 for drinks in the passenger rear seat, (small cooler, obviously.) Cooler #2 in the driver rear seat with your food, snacks, more clothes, whatever. Fill in the gaps between the cooler with your extra fur coats, high boots, cowboy hats, etc.

Your wingtip shoes for fancy nights, loafers, sneakers, sporting shoes, flip flops, and smoking shoes you can put in the passenger footwells.

Et voila, no?

Cuda911

Another solution: Get some of the "Golla on The Go" line of luggage, built specifically for the rear trunk of 996s.

joseph mitro

sell Porsche 996.
buy BMW E39 M5.

KNS

Just you and your dog, did I misunderstand? Your 996 should have plenty of room, what on earth are you packing?

If there are more of you then the M5 or some sort of sport sedan would be the answer.

808Bill

This> At the 3 minute mark.

Barn996

Here's what a friend of mine did with his Porsche back in the mid 70s when we both rode dirt bikes.

AWDGuy

I'd go with option #1