Notices
Cayenne 955-957 2003-2010 1st Generation
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Towing, lessons learned

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-24-2012, 07:49 PM
  #1  
f4 plt
Rennlist Member

Thread Starter
 
f4 plt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,136
Received 160 Likes on 79 Posts
Default Towing, lessons learned

Both pictures were taken with the cayman in the trailer and the track wheels and tires loaded on the overhead rack up front. Also in the first picture I had mounted a four drawer tool box in the left front door and there was an alum small floor jack mounted inside the right front door next to the trailer spare tire. There were also odd and ends loaded throughout the trailer. I had tied down the cayman with the engine basically over the axles. Sounds good and we towed that way from San Antonio to Savannah and back for parade last year. You can notice that the Cayenne is really down in the back with the suspension somewhat compressed. Basically it towed great, complement to the 2011 Cayenne S. Bad news is this last week I borrowed a tongue weight scale and was surprised to see I was caring a tongue weight of over 700 lbs. Porsche states max of 620 on the receiver for the Cayenne.

Today I loaded the car, removed the four drawer tool box up front and put all the tools in a steel totable tool box and put it in the far rear. I also moved cayman about 10 inches aft ( about as far aft as I can move it and the tongue weight is now 500lbs ( plus or minus the scale error) AND THE CAYENNE SITS LEVEL. I will get a Pit Pal wall mounted tool box and mount it on the wall in the rear.

I figured the total towing weight ( Cayman, spare wheels , tools and odds and end plus the trailer to be right at 5400 lbs) If I substitute the 911 Sc and its track tires I am almost 500 lbs lighter ( weight of the Sc is classified)

Bottom line to all this is if you tow , get a tongue weight scale and adjust your tongue weight to the proper weight not only is it safer but towing will be better. Learned a good lesson

PS the trailer is a Trailex and weighs out a 1950 with nothing in it other than the winch and its battery , both mounted at the front
Attached Images   
Old 05-24-2012, 08:32 PM
  #2  
jerry joseph
Pro
 
jerry joseph's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well done!
Thanks for sharing
Old 05-25-2012, 12:45 AM
  #3  
00Jay
Instructor
 
00Jay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

+1, towing in style.
Old 05-25-2012, 12:47 AM
  #4  
Mike in CA
Race Director
 
Mike in CA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: North Bay Area, CA
Posts: 11,969
Received 128 Likes on 67 Posts
Default

Thanks, f4 plt. Great looking rig.

BTW, I can't remember; do you have AS?
Old 05-25-2012, 01:19 AM
  #5  
herman maire
Racer
 
herman maire's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I though the air suspension would have levelled it out. I had a few range rovers with air suspension, no matter what I towed and loaded in the truck, the suspension would level itself perfectly .
I always put the heaviest weight right on top of the trailer axles. BTW, beautiful trailer and Cayenne .
Old 05-25-2012, 06:29 AM
  #6  
f4 plt
Rennlist Member

Thread Starter
 
f4 plt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,136
Received 160 Likes on 79 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Mike in CA
Thanks, f4 plt. Great looking rig.

BTW, I can't remember; do you have AS?
No AS just PASM. Had AS on my '08 Cayenne and it was OK

I am really impressed with the new Cayenne as even with way too much tongue weight and stuff in the pig, towing at 70 (ish) was no issue . The rig was stable, good acceleration and solid braking.


Mike, while your question of As was good, AS would have only masked the problem not solved it. I was still initially having a tongue weight not only much more than the 10% of the trailer weight rule of thumb, but more importantly I was exceeding the max tongue weight recommended by PORSCHE for the Cayenne receiver hitch.

Bottom line remains, to be safe, weigh the trailer tongue after you have loaded the trailer and make the necessary adjustments.

Last edited by f4 plt; 05-25-2012 at 06:54 AM.
Old 05-25-2012, 11:22 AM
  #7  
GTS Jay
Instructor
 
GTS Jay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Very well done & great contribution...

Quick question - it's hard to tell in the pic but is that trailer shaped like a brick in front, i.e. no pointed front end for aerodynamics? Looks like it would be pushing allot of wind and render terrible gas mileage. I wouldn't think a trailer that size would be designed like that but perhaps I'm just not seeing it due to the angle of the pic.

Trending Topics

Old 05-25-2012, 12:29 PM
  #8  
XR4Tim
Drifting
 
XR4Tim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Medina, OH USA
Posts: 2,006
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

It's pointed in front.
Old 05-25-2012, 12:48 PM
  #9  
Frank 993 C4S
Addict
Rennlist Member

 
Frank 993 C4S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NY Tri-State
Posts: 8,632
Received 843 Likes on 518 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by f4 plt
Bottom line to all this is if you tow , get a tongue weight scale and adjust your tongue weight to the proper weight not only is it safer but towing will be better. Learned a good lesson
Great advice!

I would have still expected for the air suspension to level the car, ever with the higher tongue weight.
Old 05-25-2012, 12:49 PM
  #10  
nathan1
Three Wheelin'
 
nathan1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 1,335
Received 404 Likes on 122 Posts
Default

What fuel mileage do you get towing? At what speed do you pull the trailer?

I am curious because I used to tow with a 2008 GTS and it got 9.5 mpg towing a Featherlite open weighing ~4200 lbs with P-car on it at 65 mph. ! I loved the ride but 9 mpg of premium fuel, ouch!

I switched to a 2003 Dodge 2500 Cummins HO 6-speed and it legitimately returns 19-20 mpg hand calculated towing the same load at 65mph. I was thrilled to make the switch but it was much cooler towing a P-car with a P-car...
Old 05-25-2012, 01:11 PM
  #11  
Frank 993 C4S
Addict
Rennlist Member

 
Frank 993 C4S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NY Tri-State
Posts: 8,632
Received 843 Likes on 518 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by nathan1
What fuel mileage do you get towing? At what speed do you pull the trailer?

I am curious because I used to tow with a 2008 GTS and it got 9.5 mpg towing a Featherlite open weighing ~4200 lbs with P-car on it at 65 mph. ! I loved the ride but 9 mpg of premium fuel, ouch!

I switched to a 2003 Dodge 2500 Cummins HO 6-speed and it legitimately returns 19-20 mpg hand calculated towing the same load at 65mph. I was thrilled to make the switch but it was much cooler towing a P-car with a P-car...
I got 14 - 15 mpg with Aluma open 4,100 lbs total weight on a '10 GTS. No tire rack.
Old 05-25-2012, 01:55 PM
  #12  
Mike in CA
Race Director
 
Mike in CA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: North Bay Area, CA
Posts: 11,969
Received 128 Likes on 67 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by f4 plt
Mike, while your question of As was good, AS would have only masked the problem not solved it. I was still initially having a tongue weight not only much more than the 10% of the trailer weight rule of thumb, but more importantly I was exceeding the max tongue weight recommended by PORSCHE for the Cayenne receiver hitch.
Didn't think AS would resolve the issue of tongue weight, was just curious if it might have masked the problem to some degree if you had it....
Old 05-25-2012, 02:48 PM
  #13  
f4 plt
Rennlist Member

Thread Starter
 
f4 plt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,136
Received 160 Likes on 79 Posts
Default

To the question of fuel mileage, when towing at 70 ish even when I had to much tongue weight I was getting just under 13 mpg. At 65 I would get almost 14. I tow in 7th not 8th gear ( more efficient RPM range). When not towing I get 23 plus at 75 ( love the new Texas speed limit)

Yes the trailer has a aero pointed nose. Great trailer an fantastic tow vehicle
Old 05-25-2012, 05:56 PM
  #14  
Van1
Drifting
 
Van1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,102
Received 64 Likes on 47 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by nathan1
What fuel mileage do you get towing? At what speed do you pull the trailer?

I am curious because I used to tow with a 2008 GTS and it got 9.5 mpg towing a Featherlite open weighing ~4200 lbs with P-car on it at 65 mph. ! I loved the ride but 9 mpg of premium fuel, ouch!

I switched to a 2003 Dodge 2500 Cummins HO 6-speed and it legitimately returns 19-20 mpg hand calculated towing the same load at 65mph. I was thrilled to make the switch but it was much cooler towing a P-car with a P-car...
Wow, didn't realize that a 3/4 ton pickup could do so well on gas mileage. What kind of mileage do you get when not towing a load?

My Touareg V10 TDI gets about 14-16mpg pulling my 5000lb Airstream at 65mph. Around 24-27mpg with no load, depending on wind conditions.
Old 05-26-2012, 02:52 AM
  #15  
SCOTITUDE
Pro
 
SCOTITUDE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lawn Guyland
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

IIRC my enclosed trailex only weighed 1300#. why is yours 600# heavier? Thats a chunk of a difference.


Quick Reply: Towing, lessons learned



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 11:56 PM.