Just bought my first trailer and.....
10-18-2017, 01:04 PM
#91
If dual purpose, I'd personally recommend a diesel SUV. No, it's not the best option, but they tow very well and I know of many people who tow even enclosed trailers without problems. Turbo diesel for torque and fuel economy. Cayenne diesel, Touareg TDI, Audi. BMW X5d tows well also, but last time I checked it was only rated for 5,000 lb. vs. 7700 lb. of Cayenne and Touareg. Having said all that, pick-up trucks can be very useful for a variety of endeavors..
The cayenne has a tongue limit of 617lbs, which is actually less than the X5...I think they are all basically benchmarked to be roughly the same by the way Europe does their ratings. Not sure why the Cayenne keeps its 7700 rating in the US, I would never attempt to tow that much with a 617lb tongue rating.
I pull a enclosed trailex behind my X5m with a 3100lb car and 200ish in supplies. Made a trip to WGI from Austin, and had no issues averaging 75-80mph the whole way, even up and down the mountains. Mileage was better than a friends who was in a 2017 F250 pulling his ATC...albeit he's got a much bigger load and punching a bigger hole through the air.
If I had room and could justify having a 3/4 ton at my beck and call as a tow vehicle, I would most definitely go that way. But as my daily driver with 3 kids, the X5 is perfectly fine, if not a little overkill.
10-19-2017, 12:31 AM
#92
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To the OP:
Keep things in perspective! I love this board. But if I had listened to everything folks advised, I'd have been poorer and not any better off wrt anything Porsche. Great thoughts here, but keep things in perspective, particularly with your use and budget:
1. You've got a relatively light tow rig in your trailex and car. I had the 7541 (IIRC) and a 2500lbSC. This truly is not "heavy" in terms of what many folks tow to the track.
2. Given point #1, any GM1500 or Ford F150 class will do you fine! No need to go "heavy duty," diesel, or mondo-whathaveyou, or stress about too much. Yes, you are at the limit with the MDX, and for short hops to track (say, under 90 minutes) I'd say "marginal" but ok. But for longer trips, or those involving hills (particularly downhill!) you need a better-suited car for safety's sake than an MDX. SUVs like suburbans are better for keeping your stuff locked up and safe, as well as accommodates people better (like my family) when tracking. But pickups are considerably cheaper. Weigh your needs. And your surge brakes on the trailex work great and simplify your job considerably.
3. The shortcoming with the MDX is more with short wheelbase and light weight relative to the mass behind it. A pickup won't be much heavier, but its longer wheelbase does much to add stability. More power and better brakes of said pickup are plusses, but it's the length you want.
4. Speaking of girth, these big trucks (and enclosed trailers)that folks love to recommend are really for folks who have that space and disposable income to do it this way. Kudos to them, but not everyone has that copious dedicated space or discretionary budget. You can accomplish lots (you already did by buying a smart trailer!!), with small sums and wise buying.
Bottom line: be smart, keep weighing opinions wrt what your needs are, and drive like you're towing children back there (my pet peeve are those driving trailers like they are in their 911 ...I don't care how great your rig is, that's just stupid). Be smart and you'll enjoy your trips to/from the track!
Edward
Keep things in perspective! I love this board. But if I had listened to everything folks advised, I'd have been poorer and not any better off wrt anything Porsche. Great thoughts here, but keep things in perspective, particularly with your use and budget:
1. You've got a relatively light tow rig in your trailex and car. I had the 7541 (IIRC) and a 2500lbSC. This truly is not "heavy" in terms of what many folks tow to the track.
2. Given point #1, any GM1500 or Ford F150 class will do you fine! No need to go "heavy duty," diesel, or mondo-whathaveyou, or stress about too much. Yes, you are at the limit with the MDX, and for short hops to track (say, under 90 minutes) I'd say "marginal" but ok. But for longer trips, or those involving hills (particularly downhill!) you need a better-suited car for safety's sake than an MDX. SUVs like suburbans are better for keeping your stuff locked up and safe, as well as accommodates people better (like my family) when tracking. But pickups are considerably cheaper. Weigh your needs. And your surge brakes on the trailex work great and simplify your job considerably.
3. The shortcoming with the MDX is more with short wheelbase and light weight relative to the mass behind it. A pickup won't be much heavier, but its longer wheelbase does much to add stability. More power and better brakes of said pickup are plusses, but it's the length you want.
4. Speaking of girth, these big trucks (and enclosed trailers)that folks love to recommend are really for folks who have that space and disposable income to do it this way. Kudos to them, but not everyone has that copious dedicated space or discretionary budget. You can accomplish lots (you already did by buying a smart trailer!!), with small sums and wise buying.
Bottom line: be smart, keep weighing opinions wrt what your needs are, and drive like you're towing children back there (my pet peeve are those driving trailers like they are in their 911 ...I don't care how great your rig is, that's just stupid). Be smart and you'll enjoy your trips to/from the track!
Edward
10-19-2017, 05:07 AM
#93
The E7X X5 model was rated at 6600 and 660 tongue, but 7700 in europe with a different hitch design. I think the GVW is the limiting factor in the US because they have different guidelines on tongue limit and vehicle weight vs trailer weight in europe vs US. The F15/85 X5 has a lower trailer load rating (6000), and a 620lb tongue weight limit (slightly lower again). The F15 is lighter than the E70 model it replaces. Same 7700 EU rating though.
The cayenne has a tongue limit of 617lbs, which is actually less than the X5...I think they are all basically benchmarked to be roughly the same by the way Europe does their ratings. Not sure why the Cayenne keeps its 7700 rating in the US, I would never attempt to tow that much with a 617lb tongue rating.
The cayenne has a tongue limit of 617lbs, which is actually less than the X5...I think they are all basically benchmarked to be roughly the same by the way Europe does their ratings. Not sure why the Cayenne keeps its 7700 rating in the US, I would never attempt to tow that much with a 617lb tongue rating.
As for Cayenne/Touareg, a buddy of mine used to tow an enclosed with approx. 7,000 lb. altogether using a Touareg, and he loved it. He now tows with a Cayenne and same story. Mind you, I'm NOT suggesting that people tow 7,000+ lb. with Cayenne/Touareg (I wouldn't), but there are people who do it without problems... well, except that drive axle issue but that's not related to towing weight.
10-30-2017, 10:46 AM
#95
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Was perfect on the way down. Not a single issue and very smooth.
Was a bit sketchy on the way home in that crazy rain and wind, but just took my time and got home safely with no problems.
Was extra careful in that weather on the way home. Glad I left early and got home just as it was getting dark.
Thanks for asking...
Was a bit sketchy on the way home in that crazy rain and wind, but just took my time and got home safely with no problems.
Was extra careful in that weather on the way home. Glad I left early and got home just as it was getting dark.
Thanks for asking...
10-30-2017, 10:58 AM
#96
Excellent! Of course it would be crazy windy and raining for your first long distance trip!
The first time I towed I found out the brake controller in my truck wasn't working properly in a lovely rain/snow mixture! After the second time hitching up in a downpour at night I ordered a backup camera for the truck.
The first time I towed I found out the brake controller in my truck wasn't working properly in a lovely rain/snow mixture! After the second time hitching up in a downpour at night I ordered a backup camera for the truck.
10-31-2017, 02:45 PM
#97
Great Thread. As some as posted - EVERY ONE has at least one trailer story.
Mine: Was trailering my 98 NSX to the track. It was probably my 3rd or 4th time trailering. I get ready to unload when a bunch of Honda Fanboys come over admiring my NSX. I'm bragging about it have the Type R suspension etc etc and unhitch the trailer before I unload.
I start up the NSX and start rolling backward and the whole damn trailer is going forward and about to hit my new Yukon XL Denali. I freak out but can't do anything about it. Luckily the trailer nose struck the steel beam next to the hitch. I got very very lucky. The Honda Fanboys and I were all in shock for a few seconds. Suffice it to say.... I DON'T TALK TO ANYONE until the car is safely unloaded and the trailer is safely put up!
Mine: Was trailering my 98 NSX to the track. It was probably my 3rd or 4th time trailering. I get ready to unload when a bunch of Honda Fanboys come over admiring my NSX. I'm bragging about it have the Type R suspension etc etc and unhitch the trailer before I unload.
I start up the NSX and start rolling backward and the whole damn trailer is going forward and about to hit my new Yukon XL Denali. I freak out but can't do anything about it. Luckily the trailer nose struck the steel beam next to the hitch. I got very very lucky. The Honda Fanboys and I were all in shock for a few seconds. Suffice it to say.... I DON'T TALK TO ANYONE until the car is safely unloaded and the trailer is safely put up!
