CD for towing: to air or not to air?
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
CD for towing: to air or not to air?
Serendipitously, the hook has set deep with me for a Cayenne Diesel. (Emission scandal not withstanding, which I've inquired about here.)
I'm looking to replace my Ranger Rover Sport Supercharged with a CD; mainly as motorcycle track day hauler and storm chasing ski rig. It checks nearly all the boxes and will pair nicely with my 996tt.
I've found one that I like a great deal though no air suspension. While the tow rating is more than adequate, how much will I miss the air suspension for towing? Is it worth the premium?
Additionally, I do plan to get this thing dirty. After all, the Panorama story about Otis has certainly inspired me. How much of a benefit is the air suspension for overlanding and off-roading?
I'm looking to replace my Ranger Rover Sport Supercharged with a CD; mainly as motorcycle track day hauler and storm chasing ski rig. It checks nearly all the boxes and will pair nicely with my 996tt.
I've found one that I like a great deal though no air suspension. While the tow rating is more than adequate, how much will I miss the air suspension for towing? Is it worth the premium?
Additionally, I do plan to get this thing dirty. After all, the Panorama story about Otis has certainly inspired me. How much of a benefit is the air suspension for overlanding and off-roading?
#3
I have no issues towing a 24 foot enclosed with steel suspension in my CD. Air might be nice but I am not feeling like the suspension is an issue at all. I've towed maybe 7-8k miles across a variety of terrains.
#5
Rennlist Member
No air. More to break. Just load the trailer right and watch tongue weight
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
All good stuff. Thank you for the replies.
The other big thing is off-road. I know the air suspension does help in ground clearance, break-over and entrance/departure angles. I also know the steel suspension is rather robust. Is the air suspension worth the extra clams for getting the P!G way off the tarmac?
The other big thing is off-road. I know the air suspension does help in ground clearance, break-over and entrance/departure angles. I also know the steel suspension is rather robust. Is the air suspension worth the extra clams for getting the P!G way off the tarmac?
#7
No air on mine either - base steel springs. Tows my 18' open trailer w/Cayman on it no problem.
I'm not any kind of off-roader, but it does seem to have decent ground clearance...
I'm not any kind of off-roader, but it does seem to have decent ground clearance...
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#8
Banned
Simplify and add lightness......
As others have said, shifting weight off the tongue is important and not hard to do. Especially true when towing a 911 with its given distribution.
Steel will do well longterm (if intended to keep past newfound warranty) and not give any headaches if your tread leads you to the “Tundra.”
As others have said, shifting weight off the tongue is important and not hard to do. Especially true when towing a 911 with its given distribution.
Steel will do well longterm (if intended to keep past newfound warranty) and not give any headaches if your tread leads you to the “Tundra.”
#9
Rennlist Member
IMO there is no right or wrong answer on this. The CD is quite capable of towing up to its limit. If you are only going to tow the motorcycle trailer, no issues. I have air suspension and tow my 911 in an enclosed 24ft trailer and get close to max tow rating sometimes. I like the air suspension adjustment to keep the vehicle level. It's a convenience and perhaps a bit of a safety factor but certainly not a requirement. For off-roading it does add some extra body height but minimum ground clearance is still minimum ground clearance.
#11
Instructor
Thread Starter
IMO there is no right or wrong answer on this. The CD is quite capable of towing up to its limit. If you are only going to tow the motorcycle trailer, no issues. I have air suspension and tow my 911 in an enclosed 24ft trailer and get close to max tow rating sometimes. I like the air suspension adjustment to keep the vehicle level. It's a convenience and perhaps a bit of a safety factor but certainly not a requirement. For off-roading it does add some extra body height but minimum ground clearance is still minimum ground clearance.
Even then, all loaded up, I'm still not close to the tow rating limit.
That's my concern. My RRS has air suspension and it's nice. You hear it kick in as soon as I hitch the tongue. Though the vehicle itself has a short wheelbase and you feel it when towing.
#12
Three Wheelin'
What I really like about the air suspension is hooking and unhooking the trailer. When unhooking, I raise the suspension to full high, unwind the trailer jack until it touches the ground, and then set the suspension on the lowest level and it just lowers itself to separate from the trailer. When I hook it back up, I do the opposite and raise the car into the trailer hitch. No having to hand crank the trailer up and down.
#13
Instructor
Thread Starter
What I really like about the air suspension is hooking and unhooking the trailer. When unhooking, I raise the suspension to full high, unwind the trailer jack until it touches the ground, and then set the suspension on the lowest level and it just lowers itself to separate from the trailer. When I hook it back up, I do the opposite and raise the car into the trailer hitch. No having to hand crank the trailer up and down.
Though I pulled the trigger on the non-PASM CD I’d been eyeing. I supppose I’ll just need to make do without the air suspension. Given the grins this Cayenne has already given me, I don’t think I’ll miss the air suspension that much. This thing pulls like a freight train!
#14
Rennlist Member
I just did a quick turn around trip, up to NorCal from LA to grab my featherlite and GT3RS. ~30mpg on the way yup average speed near 80 :-)
On way back towing the RS took a bit longer average speed 67, about 19mpg door to door.
It pull great up the grapevine (0 to 4200 ft in a pretty short time heading south).
On way back towing the RS took a bit longer average speed 67, about 19mpg door to door.
It pull great up the grapevine (0 to 4200 ft in a pretty short time heading south).
#15
Instructor
Thread Starter
I just did a quick turn around trip, up to NorCal from LA to grab my featherlite and GT3RS. ~30mpg on the way yup average speed near 80 :-)
On way back towing the RS took a bit longer average speed 67, about 19mpg door to door.
It pull great up the grapevine (0 to 4200 ft in a pretty short time heading south).
On way back towing the RS took a bit longer average speed 67, about 19mpg door to door.
It pull great up the grapevine (0 to 4200 ft in a pretty short time heading south).
My RRS S/C would get maybe 11mpg towing my 5x8 enclosed motorcycle trailer. 10 if I was in hilly terrain. Unladen, the fuel economy was only slightly better.
I didnt buy the CD solely for the fuel economy, but it sure is a great benefit.