SUV for Towing
12-18-2010, 08:41 PM
#46
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Location: Suburban DC
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That's where the GL comes in. It's bigger than the Q7, smaller than the Yukon/Suburban/Escade class. And no doubt if you need your tow vehicle to be a viable backup to the track car, then the Cayenne.
12-18-2010, 08:51 PM
#47
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I was seriously thinking about the GL. The Audi was a brief consideration, but not a big fan of Audi. I NEED 3 rows of seats and the GL is beautiful inside, longer wheelbase than the ML. The problem is me... but I just can't see myself taking something that nice to the track. Toolbox, spares, parts, coolers, etc. that sweet interior would get messed up so quickly. That's another reason I'm hanging onto the Yukon.... it's one less thing to worry about.
12-18-2010, 11:30 PM
#49
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Location: New York
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I've got an '08 which was rated just below 10k. Don't know about new standards. I tow an open trailex with a set of tires and gear and forget it's there.
12-19-2010, 10:56 AM
#50
Race Director
12-19-2010, 11:11 AM
#51
Race Director
I have an older ML320. Nice truck, but with V6 I would not tow a car on an open trailer. I might in a pinch, but not under normal circumstances. I would with a V8, but would be very limited in spares capacity. Of the 4 vehicles listed the ML is least capable.
Even so a simple car on an open trailer I would tow with anything with 300ft-lbs of torque and 6000lbs+ tow rating. I would attempt to keep the car and trailer to 5k max. I would not tow an enclosed trailer due to the sail area.
I got my 24 ft enclosed trailer in San Antonio and pulled it back to Phoenix. That was about 1000 miles. I towed it empty behind my 2500 dodge. I had alot of cross winds and when trucks drove by it really waged my truck around. At least my truck weighed near double that of my trailer. Not fun at all and fully loaded that never happened with my open trailer.
So I got home I order a weight distributing hitch with sway control. I also go the factory giant towing mirrors as I could not see crap with the standard ones. These were fine with a narrow open trailer, but useless on a 102" wide box.
Anyway since then and will proper loading the trailer is rock solid with the mirror I can see great. I would never tow this with less than a full size width truck/suv.
The biggest challenge in my mind is do you want to spend all day at the track working hard and using up energy only to need to be 100% on focus for 1-4 hour tow back home? Really you are tired from the track and need to get home, but do you want to drive tired with little margn for 250 miles? That seems more dangerious that the track.
When I first started I towed ym 2450lbs 944 on an open trailer behing my 4.0L Jeep Cherokee. It got me there and back, but always took alot of planning. Stopping was less than ideal and so was the power. I never felt comfortable towing more than 50 minutes. That is when I got my 2500 dodge. After that towing was my least concern.
Of course the major issues is what do you want to get stuck with all 350 days you are not towing each year?
12-19-2010, 11:14 AM
#52
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Audi Q7. Seats 7, tows up to 6600. AWD, beautifly appointed. Nice to drive when not towing. Sit in one at least.
http://models.audiusa.com/q7
http://models.audiusa.com/q7
12-19-2010, 11:38 AM
#53
Rennlist Member
Audi Q7. Seats 7, tows up to 6600. AWD, beautifly appointed. Nice to drive when not towing. Sit in one at least.
http://models.audiusa.com/q7
http://models.audiusa.com/q7
12-19-2010, 12:04 PM
#54
Rennlist Member
..
12-19-2010, 08:55 PM
#55
I was seriously thinking about the GL. The Audi was a brief consideration, but not a big fan of Audi. I NEED 3 rows of seats and the GL is beautiful inside, longer wheelbase than the ML. The problem is me... but I just can't see myself taking something that nice to the track. Toolbox, spares, parts, coolers, etc. that sweet interior would get messed up so quickly. That's another reason I'm hanging onto the Yukon.... it's one less thing to worry about.
12-22-2010, 01:46 AM
#56
Yesterday in mammoth plowed through nearly 2ft of snow to get out of unplowed parking lot. Tow vehicle doubles as snow vehicle. 2500 4x4 suburban with 8.1L motor. Why be green if you are racing? If GM would put a diesel in a burb I'd be first in line!
12-22-2010, 09:40 AM
#58
Rennlist Member
I wish they still equipped the Suburban with the 8.1. What a great combination that was!
Professional Racing and Driving Coach
12-22-2010, 09:52 AM
#59
Race Director
I am thinking a suburban 2500 with a ford eco boost turbo 3.5L V6 would be great combo.
Of course that will never happen, but a 2500 suburban with 350hp, 450 ft-lbs of torque and 24 mpg empty on the hwy would be a perfect combo for family use and towing. It can be done as the motors are out there or could be built, but I don't see GM doing it.
Of course that will never happen, but a 2500 suburban with 350hp, 450 ft-lbs of torque and 24 mpg empty on the hwy would be a perfect combo for family use and towing. It can be done as the motors are out there or could be built, but I don't see GM doing it.
12-22-2010, 10:03 AM
#60
Rennlist Member
I am thinking a suburban 2500 with a ford eco boost turbo 3.5L V6 would be great combo.
Of course that will never happen, but a 2500 suburban with 350hp, 450 ft-lbs of torque and 24 mpg empty on the hwy would be a perfect combo for family use and towing. It can be done as the motors are out there or could be built, but I don't see GM doing it.
Of course that will never happen, but a 2500 suburban with 350hp, 450 ft-lbs of torque and 24 mpg empty on the hwy would be a perfect combo for family use and towing. It can be done as the motors are out there or could be built, but I don't see GM doing it.
Professional Racing and Driving Coach