Bill L Seifert

I changed from an enclosed trailer to an open last year. I tow with a F250, and get about 14 mpg towing nothing, and about 10 mpg towing a 944 on an open steel trailer. I have seen some people towing steel trailers with race cars in the last year or so. Most have been the Nissan Frontier, or the Toyota Tacoma. Early this week I looked at a 2007 Chevy Colorado, crew cab with the 3.7 five cylinder motor. I looked up towing capacities for those three plus the Ford Ranger. Nissan- over 6000 lbs, Tacoma about the same, with the Ranger in the low 6000 range. The dang Colorado is listed everywhere I looked at 4000 lbs max towing capability. That seems really low, and I obviously could not haul the 944 on a trailer made of anything heavier that balsa wood. Why in the world would Chevy and GMC's be so low in towing capacity.

I would guess a normal steel trailer, with dovetail and wood floor would weigh at least 1,500 lbs. Does anyone out there use a small truck to haul something of about that weight. Trailer 1,500 lbs, Car 2650 lbs, plus tires, tools, etc? I know a Trailex would help, but those things are $5,500 open, and $14,000 for enclosed.

Bill Seifert

1987 944S Race Car

DrJupeman

Glen

The Colorado is the same as the H3 Hummer. You dont want to tow anything heavy with either...we found out when we tried to pull a 2 horse trailer(all aluminum with 1 horse in it) with the h3. It was not suited for the task. The driveline was fine but the chassis did not like to tow, very wobbly.

Mike Buck

Not even close. Even the below is marginal by Rennlist standards. lol

Bull

No, don't do it.

Bill L Seifert

I haven no inteneion of buying a Colorado, but I have not given up on a Nissan or Toyota. Ranger, possible, but unlikely. But I would still like to hear from people that have used one. I heard good things about the Dakota, but I have never been fond of Chrysler.

Bill

ltc

Well said.
Oil viscosity can't be far behind.

Tow vehicles, H&N restraints and Oil Viscosity.....each worthy of their own forums.

jaholmes

I have a v6 Toyota Tacoma 4wd. I would really like to tow an open aluminum trailer and my 993. I think I would be very close to the 5k limit. I think the next option is a v8 Tundra.

Chris M.

The difference between towing your setup with an F250 vs a Frontier or Tacoma is going to be huge. It sounds like you're trying to get better mileage so why not get a Tundra? The 4.7 tows 7800 and the mileage would be better than the F250 and only 2 mpg less than the Tacoma.
If you really want to hear about real world experience with these trucks go to the Toyota and Nissan forums. You'll read about all kinds of people towing cars, boats, horses, etc. with these trucks as well as the mods they do to make them better such as sway control, transmission coolers, airbags...
I've towed 4000 with a 5000 capacity vehicle (a Toyota) and I don't recommend it.

Why not use the Cayenne? I believe it tows 7000.

Tom W

While not a small truck, I towed an open steel trailer, a 2900 lb 964, a set of extra tires and tools with an ML430 and a rated capacity of 5000 lbs. For 2 years it worked fine (just not good in mountains). I now tow witha Chevy Silverado (Duramax version) and a tow capacity of 10,000 lbs (hitch limited). It's much nicer.

I thought Lewis was in love with the Cayenne as a tow vehicle ...

chrisp

Bill,

I tow with a 4Runner which isn't much different than a Tacoma. I have the 4.7 V8 and get 19-20 normal (with a really light foot) and 13-14 towing.

I'm pulling an SC (2500lbs), a Featherlite (1400 lbs) and about 350 lbs in wheels/spares/tools in the truck. I'm no where near the 4Runner's limit of 7,000 lbs.

I used to tow a heavy-ish steel trailer (1700lbs) and it wasn't too bad but the Featherlite is noticeably better even though it's only 300 lbs lighter. That leads me to believe that I'm near the edge of a comfort zone with the 4Runner. It can do 7,000 but it probably wouldn't be too enjoyable.

You can get some minimalistic steel trailers that weigh 1300 lbs. If you don't want to spend the $$ on aluminum then get one of those lighter steel trailers.

993944S2

I think the steel trailer you describe will be more like 2500 lbs. My trailex, all aluminum, is about 1000 empty.

Lou L

I too used to tow a 968 Firehawk on a trailex with a Forerunner and it was fine - but any cross wind or headwind and I could really feel it sway - also I towed only on relatively flat terrain - It would not be good in any hilly terrain - Rule of thumb - Do not go over 80% of the tow capacity, and remember the effects of wheel base and width on towing stability. I have since upgraded to a Dodge 2500 with the cummins diesel and what a difference and decent mileage also.

Lou Lipari
1992 968 Firehawk (For Sale)
PCA Nationally Certified Instructor

CMMTracknut

I tow a 26 ft enclosed Classic with my 993, 3 sets of wheels, LOTS of race fuel cabinets, generator and compressor all of over th country. I use a F150 and works great except in te mountains. If weight proerly distributed, good hitch and well maintained everything it is nice. Tow up to about 80-85 but will houla dance at those speeds. I get anywhere from 6 to 10 mpg depending on my speed. at 65-70 she is real nice and dont have to worry about passing see no need for super duty. hope this helps

mts

I currently tow with an F250 deisel, but for a couple years I used a V6 Cayenne to tow a 4,500lb load and with the tiptronic I thought it towed very nicely. Of course the F250 gets about the same mileage towing a 2 car trailer as the Cayenne did towing a 1 car. Still, I don't see the need for the overkill that some do especially if you only tow a few times a year.