Newbie towing advice
#16
I've been towing an open Trailex w an MB R class diesel: it did GREAT until things started conking out. And the Germans aren't cheap to maintain/repair.
Considering Japanese opts including the Taco or LandCrusier versus Nissan Titan or Frontier.
Considering Japanese opts including the Taco or LandCrusier versus Nissan Titan or Frontier.
#17
When I got my Taco I looked at the Frontier as well. One important point that swayed it for me was the available back up camera on the Taco which wasn't available on the Frontier.
#18
Three Wheelin'
In the vane of this thread, I am looking at a older (2004) F-150 with the 4.6 and tow package for towing my Boxster and a uhaul trailer.
From what I can tell, trailer and car will be around 5200# and the truck I am looking at has a 6300# tow rating.
Its a great deal on the truck, will cost me just $1100. It does of course have 248k on the clock
Other than the mileage, its in great shape
From what I can tell, trailer and car will be around 5200# and the truck I am looking at has a 6300# tow rating.
Its a great deal on the truck, will cost me just $1100. It does of course have 248k on the clock
Other than the mileage, its in great shape
#19
Rennlist Member
Food for thought. Most open car trailers are rated for 7000# loaded. Even though you only have 5000# loaded and a 6000# capacity some inspection places along the highway may not like that. They don't care that you have only 5000# on your trailer. To them it is 7000# because that is what the name plate says. May or may not be an issue.
My maiden voyage in my brand new featherlight had me loosing a wheel just before destination, (loose lug nuts with ruined wheel) I pumped up the remaining wheel to max and went the short distance to the event. I did the math and the numbers did not work out for the load on the single tire for the way home. Kinda hard to hide the axle sticking out without a wheel on it. If I got pulled over bad things were going to happen.
Then I remembered tongue weight and threw that into the equation and the math worked! I loaded my car as off center towards the 2 good tires and easily made the trip home. Torsion axles also helped.
My maiden voyage in my brand new featherlight had me loosing a wheel just before destination, (loose lug nuts with ruined wheel) I pumped up the remaining wheel to max and went the short distance to the event. I did the math and the numbers did not work out for the load on the single tire for the way home. Kinda hard to hide the axle sticking out without a wheel on it. If I got pulled over bad things were going to happen.
Then I remembered tongue weight and threw that into the equation and the math worked! I loaded my car as off center towards the 2 good tires and easily made the trip home. Torsion axles also helped.
#20
What other weird stuff happens there?
#21
Rennlist Member
I've been through 27 states in the past year towing and have never stopped at a weigh station.
#23
First you are talking about inspection places (most likely semi weight stations) and now you are talking about cops inspecting you after pulling you over for speeding.
#24
In the vane of this thread, I am looking at a older (2004) F-150 with the 4.6 and tow package for towing my Boxster and a uhaul trailer.
From what I can tell, trailer and car will be around 5200# and the truck I am looking at has a 6300# tow rating.
Its a great deal on the truck, will cost me just $1100. It does of course have 248k on the clock
Other than the mileage, its in great shape
From what I can tell, trailer and car will be around 5200# and the truck I am looking at has a 6300# tow rating.
Its a great deal on the truck, will cost me just $1100. It does of course have 248k on the clock
Other than the mileage, its in great shape
I have a 2000 Ford Expedition with that 4.6L engine - - IMHO it doesn't have
enough power to climb a hill - - I towed my son's 911 on a steel trailer
around town and could feel the low power . . . If it were me I would look for
an old Dodge Hemi 2500 truck . . . if you were looking at low cost . . .
We now have a GMC 2500 Diesel towing a 24' enclosed @ 8K lbs.
Regards,
#25
Rennlist Member
And I was once pulled over in a completely empty 350 box truck for being over the limit on a local bridge. He was in my face about the tag rating. Then why did you ignore the F350 superduty in front of me? And there goes 2 more.
#26
Both my truck and trailer have commercial plates so I think a bit differently. If the **** hits the fan for any reason your 6000 rated tow vehicle is overloaded pulling a 7000 rated trailer.
And I was once pulled over in a completely empty 350 box truck for being over the limit on a local bridge. He was in my face about the tag rating. Then why did you ignore the F350 superduty in front of me? And there goes 2 more.
And I was once pulled over in a completely empty 350 box truck for being over the limit on a local bridge. He was in my face about the tag rating. Then why did you ignore the F350 superduty in front of me? And there goes 2 more.
#27
Rennlist Member
Great Idea
I tow with a 2006 4.7 Tundra, tow about 6,100 lbs, under the truck's maximum...great experience. You can get a used 4.7 Tundra for $9,000 to $14,000 depending on condition and mileage. If you go 4X4, your mileage will suffer as will your towing capacity...that front axel & diff are heavy.
#28
Three Wheelin'
JayG ,
I have a 2000 Ford Expedition with that 4.6L engine - - IMHO it doesn't have
enough power to climb a hill - - I towed my son's 911 on a steel trailer
around town and could feel the low power . . . If it were me I would look for
an old Dodge Hemi 2500 truck . . . if you were looking at low cost . . .
We now have a GMC 2500 Diesel towing a 24' enclosed @ 8K lbs.
Regards,
I have a 2000 Ford Expedition with that 4.6L engine - - IMHO it doesn't have
enough power to climb a hill - - I towed my son's 911 on a steel trailer
around town and could feel the low power . . . If it were me I would look for
an old Dodge Hemi 2500 truck . . . if you were looking at low cost . . .
We now have a GMC 2500 Diesel towing a 24' enclosed @ 8K lbs.
Regards,
I got back yesterday from my first track weekend towing and my cheapo F-150 ran great. I was using a friends steel trailer that weight just under 1900#, my car is around 3100, so approx 5k on the trailer.
Had 3 sets of wheels in the bed plus the rest of our stuff and my son with me. I am pretty sure I was at max GCWV (probably over a few 100# ).
While I was expecting to crawl up the hills at hopefully 40, I was pleasantly surprised that I could easily do 65+ with no problem. Yes, starting at the bottom of a hill from a dead stop was a bit slow getting to speed, but it pulled fine.
I was going to Chuckwalla from San Diego and there a a few good hills on I15 and RT 60. I filled up in Palm Desert and was surprised that I got 15 MPG!!
The last leg was Palm Desert to the track and on I-10 its a long grade (10 miles+)to the higher desert. Again no problem pulling and speeds 65+.
Not bad for a 13 yo truck with 250k on the clock I bought for $1100. I did add helper springs as I was concerned with the old springs and heavy load. The ride quality was great both pulling the load and empty.
With the maintenance I did ( oil, trans service, rear diff service, plugs , brake pads and full flush) and the springs I think I am now into the truck for around $1700 total
Now I think I need to get my own trailer. Damn slippery slope!!