Towing Advice
 

I've got an old Subaru wagon DD that's costing more to maintain than I'd like. I've been thinking about getting rid of it and getting something a little larger that I can continue to DD a few days a week, but also use to tow my GT4. I'd also be looking at a lightweight, open 2-axle trailer (TrailEx, etc) to bring my car to my local track days, as the traveling man-cave is overkill, albeit appealing. I'd only be towing a few times a year, with a max radius of a few hundred miles, and no real steep grades to speak of.

As much as we all love torque, I can't fathom why I'd need some gigantic diesel duallie, as I'd ever tow more than 5K pounds. I'd been hoping I could get something like a new Toyota Tacoma (rated at 6400 lbs w/ tow package), but the rest of the Internet can't seem to agree as to whether the Taco is suited for it. Some reviewers seem to think it's totally fine, but others think it's garbage because it hits high RPMs while going up an 8 mile grade in the Rockies at 65mph while pulling a gigantic enclosed trailer.

I like the new 4Runners (rated 5000 lbs), but I'm concerned it might not be able to do the job well, so my preference is something like the Tacoma, but I'm open to other suggestions.

Any opinions or helpful suggestions? I'd be open to mid-size SUV's and dual-cab trucks.

You see tons of Cayennes and Touaregs at local PCA events as tow rigs. Just an FYI.

I'm considering an F-150 eco boost with the max trailer tow package. Several threads on tow vehicles over in the Racing and DE forum too.

Have you tried posting in the Trucks & Trailers forum?

https://rennlist.com/forums/trucks-and-trailers-239/

Aha! Didn't know that forum existed. I'll head over there...

Thanks!

F-150 Eco Boost! Great everyday driver, excellent towing. Mine has 105K going strong. Go drive one.

the simple setup is a featherlite (which I use) or Trailex trailer + a cayenne (which I use) or other similar SUV. The German mid-size have a 7600 tow rating which is more than most american or japanese mid size suv.

My cayenne diesel + featherlite gets towed all over the west coast and gets great economy, very comfortable, and very reliable. Pulls up grape vine NO problem. Brakes are great on it.

From there, it's a massively slippery slope.

If you get a truck for that setup a 1/2 ton pickup is fine. If you plan to get an enclosed other than the super light trailex, get a 3/4 ton diesel.

The tacoma i'm not sure is a great tow vehicle, what's the biggest motor you can get in that car (Hp/tq?)

I've been using a Jeep Grand Cherokee which has the 5.7 l V-8 pulling the Trailex CT-7541EB for several years with no issues. Getting about 15 mpg towing @ 70 mph.

Any medium sized SUV with a 6K towing capacity is plenty for an open trailer. Will it be easier with a 3/4 ton $70K F-X50 King Ranch...yes. There are also a lot of enclosed options that will work with a vehicle with a 6K limit. I've been using a X5 (M.....but I'd expect anything in the family would be fine) for the past 4 years towing an open trailer, and now an enclosed Trailex. Works great.

If you are towing over great distances at a time, then you'd be more comfortable in a modern 3/4 ton that has the mass and wheelbase to man-handle the trailer. But it's not necessary.

just me .02

The new XC90 has a tow rating of 5000lbs. Would this work for an open trailer?

Would be used primarily for 200 mile trips. For those of you in Southern California, would this be safe going over the grapevine? I would like to take the family occasionally so especially concerned with the safety aspect.

Oops should have searched. Guess it's not a good idea.

https://rennlist.com/forums/trucks-a...or-towing.html

If it's the new gen, the OEM hitch is rated at 5000lbs and 500lb tongue. That is enough for a GT4 on a trailex, which will come in around 4100lbs. It's not going to be a comfortable 80mph cruise in a cross wind....but it will work if you max out your tongue weight with the position of the car on the trailer and are conscientious and careful. The X5, Cayenne, and I'm sure the new XC90, have integrated stability control that will step in to control trailer oscillations and even go as far as pull engine power.

When you are done listening to a lot of folks you'll be buying a 2017 superduty to pull a garden tractor and beer cooler.....but we did buy a GT4 and not a Miata, so....I guess we're prone to buying a 3/4 ton.

XC90 ...with tow package. sorted.

I love the new XC90, but isn't it a turbocharged AND supercharged 2.0 4 banger? That doesn't exactly sound like the best long-term reliability option as a tow vehicle....??? Stressed much? Haha.

I think it's even crazier in the 2017 T8 Model supercharged, turbo + electric gets you 400hp and 475ft-lbs. More than a 7.3 Powerstroke of yesteryear.

Should be enough for occasional 200mile pulls in between daily duty as a family hauler/latte getter.

Not to mention a strong showing on the safety side of things....