Budget Towing / Trailer Security

Okay, so I'm continuing to plan out this whole transition to buying a spec racer. Right now, I'm starting to lean towards 944 Spec. Ask me in 3 days, and I'll probably have another idea.

I figure I'll need the ability to tow at some point. So, I'm looking into what my best options are for that.

My dad has a nice E350 Econoline van. It would be a perfect tow vehicle, but I don't know if I'll be able to count on having use of it. So, I'm thinking about a good DD that can do tow duty. Something relatively new, reliable, comfortable, and efficient that's not tough to drive around the city and parallel park. I'd like to be able to seat 4 adults. I'd rather not have to deal with a full-sized Truck or SUV. Some sort of large sedan, wagon, or Minivan seems like a good option.

I'm also thinking about trailers. One of those U-Haul type things that you just put the front wheels of the car on seems like it might be a good way to go, especially since my space is limited.

On that note, I have a driveway, but no garage. So I'm also thinking about how to secure a trailer. It seems like having a trailered car in the driveway would be relatively easy to steal. What do folks do to secure your trailers? That's another thought in favor of the small thing, because I could leave the car in the driveway, and have a friend help me stow the trailer in the side yard.

Salanis wrote: I'm also thinking about trailers. One of those U-Haul type things that you just put the front wheels of the car on seems like it might be a good way to go, especially since my space is limited.

Tow Dollies suck. You can't back up, you don't have room for a tool box, etc. Also, you have to disconnect the driveshaft on a lot of RWD cars to keep the tranny from frying.

and what happens if you wreck your racecar and it cannot be towed with the wheels on the ground?

Tommy Suddard wrote: Tow Dollies suck. You can't back up, you don't have room for a tool box, etc. Also, you have to disconnect the driveshaft on a lot of RWD cars to keep the tranny from frying.

That answers that. I figured you just had to leave the car in neutral.

Oh well, a real trailer is certainly cool too. They just seem to be generally more expensive, and I'd need more car to tow with.

So what about securing a normal trailer? Any suggestions for that?

What is a reasonable price for a used open car trailer? How big of one do I need to look for?

Rent a trailer for race days until you have space to store one.

Okay... so what about a practical/efficient tow vehicle.

Unless I can secure regular use of my dad's van, I'd like something that can double as a good DD, so: seat 4 adults; tow a trailer and spec car (say 5000# - 6000#+); get 18+ mpg (preferably 20+) around town; be relatively new and dependable; and costing under $8k.

I'm thinking Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma.

Edit: Really, I need to con my parents into regular use of the van, and trailer storage. Actually, should be doable.

Is there a car you could buy that your father would enjoy driving while you have his van? Is it possible that if you had a nice car to trade that he would be more willing to let you use the van?

My opinion is that towing 5k will require a serious vehicle. Full size pick up or van, and not a 1/2 ton van. I don't know how far you want to go, or how experienced you are, but it's real easy to really get messed up with an underqualified tow vehicle. I like the idea of getting a vehicle your Dad will enjoy driving while you beat the snot out of his van. Maybe the answer really is Miata!!

jrw1621 wrote: Is there a car you could buy that your father would enjoy driving while you have his van? Is it possible that if you had a nice car to trade that he would be more willing to let you use the van?

I am currently borrowing the van to help my girlfriend move apartments. In the meantime, my dad gets to use the M Coupe. I think we're both happy. But I'm planning to sell the BMW.

He actually just got a Miata. And it will be back on its wheels in the next couple of days. So having another vehicle won't be a problem for him.

The issue with the van is, technically it's my step mother's. My dad is just the one who always drives it. It is a van for the private school she runs, and so is used pretty much whenever there are field trips. I would not be able to use the van when the school needs it.

That should work fine for me though, since I'd be racing on weekends. I plan to make whatever car I get street legal. I can drive to a weekday HPDE nearby, and just trailer for race events. So this should be fine.

I can probably keep a trailer with them too. We should be able to fit one in a corner of the hangar behind the plane. If that's a problem, I can probably con my doting grandparents into letting me take up some of their driveway with a trailer.

I also won't have to tow far very often. There are 4 awesome race tracks within 4 hours, that do not require going up any mountains or significant hills. Infineon and Thunderhill are 1:30 away.

I'll have to discuss this with my family. But I'm feeling better about my options.

I love the fact that the back seat of the van folds down into a queen sized bed. It would just be the perfect support vehicle.

Salanis wrote: Okay... so what about a practical/efficient tow vehicle. Unless I can secure regular use of my dad's van, I'd like something that can double as a good DD, so: seat 4 adults; tow a trailer and spec car (say 5000# - 6000#+); get 18+ mpg (preferably 20+) around town; be relatively new and dependable; and costing under $8k. I'm thinking Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma. Edit: Really, I need to con my parents into regular use of the van, and trailer storage. Actually, should be doable.

V8 Explorer

Below is a V8 Explorer... and I don't back up.

Get this - when I put the back of my Rabbit up on jack stands my dolly goes right under my car and only takes up one stall of my garage. I'll take a picture of that when I get home. This is a space & cost thing for me. That dolly was $500.

Salanis wrote: On that note, I have a driveway, but no garage. So I'm also thinking about how to secure a trailer. It seems like having a trailered car in the driveway would be relatively easy to steal. What do folks do to secure your trailers? That's another thought in favor of the small thing, because I could leave the car in the driveway, and have a friend help me stow the trailer in the side yard.

I stick my trailer in the backyard with six Siberian Huskies. Haven't ever had a problem.

I tow with my E150 Chateau van, nice interior, wife loves it as her DD, seats 7 and still can carry a lot of groceries etc.

It has picked up about 15 cars this year, it has been to the Daytona 24 and towed to The Mitty and back without missing a beat, it will be going to get a car in MI tomorrow and will be at the Challenge in October.

Gets around 17 mpg without a load and about 15 loaded, less in the hills.

Factory tow pack with 351 it is rated to tow 7500lb and does so without any problems, however I always use a ride leveling kit.

We just HAD one of these threads!!! lol. check that thread where the dude wanted everything you want but for $4000 or whatever it was. LOTS of good towing and vehicle advice in there.

Just in case you are too lazy to look it up, my summation of the best advice in that thread is:

DO NOT buy something that can barely handle towing a car and car trailer. A uhaul steel car trailer weighs 2000 lbs. Your average race car weighs 2500 lbs or more. Extra tires, tools, fuel, that you throw in the trunk of your car, in the bed of your truck, or strap down to your trailer all add up. You will easily find yourself towing a 5,000 lbs load quickly. Trailer brakes are a must. Hydraulic surge brakes are easy to use and don't require a controller but are a little more squirrely than electric brakes, especially in slick conditions.

You want a vehicle that has enough weight to handle the sway and the braking of a 2.5 ton trailer, not just the grunt to get it up hills. I would strongly consider any fullsize option. Overkill is good when it comes to towing. Trying to tow a car trailer with a Chevy Colorado or a Ford Ranger is doable, but ask anyone who has tried it (and has also towed with a larger rig) and they will tell you. Its completely different.

I hate dolly towing and dollies aren't really any easier to load, unload, hitch, and store than a fullsize trailer. A decent on will probably cost you nearly what an entry level car trailer would cost. And the above people are correct- you can't back up with one. It doesn't take too much towing before that really starts to suck.

My advice: something largerish: Nissan Pathfinder, Ford F150, Dodge Dakota, Chevy Avalance. Something with the power to tow up hills, the brakes to slow a large trailer package down, the cooling capacity to handle the additional strain, and the weight to help manage sway. Factory tow packages make life WAY easier. Ask me about the time my mazda B2300's uhaul installed 4 flat adaptor caught on fire... lost all taillights at night in a heavy fog, got pulled over, and nearly caught the truck on fire. Great night.

My pathfinder gets 18 mpg mixed city/highway, has like 240 hp and tows a loaded car trailer up hills at 70 mph, can fit a mountain bike in the cargo area with the rear seat up, can fit a washing machine with the seat folded down, is quiet, comfortable, and reliable, and has a bose 6 disc in dash CD with steering wheel controls and subwoofers. It'll comfortable fit 5 people and its got 4wd for inclement weather.

It was the right choice for me... I test drove a LOT of other vehicles that made it through my rigorous list of things my car had to have, and the pathy was head and shoulders the nicest (and the best value). I snagged my 02 sport edition (including the bose stereo, 4wd, power everything, the big roof rack, the tow package, the running boards) with 56k (still had original tires and brake pads) for $7300 from a private owner.

I think if my plans included towing a dual axle car trailer, I would have went for a durango or an expedition. I have found amazing deals on both and both have great towing capacities.

Not quite what you said you wanted, but old Suburbans are dirt cheap right now.

One more for the tow dolly, it's not ideal but with the HOA in so cal you got to keep it all inside. Along with the Malibu wagon (13 mpg when towing) which really does tow really well as long as you get the tongue weight correct..

http://www.brakefade.com/files/FS/bmw_2002_vintage_tow.JPG

No HOA at my place. Slightly older neighborhood. Neighbors across the street keep a pontoon boat on the trailer in their driveway. A race car on a trailer would probably not cause any frustrations in this neighborhood.

I'm going to follow up on using the Econoline Van as a tow vehicle. It's rated to tow 5000# on the bumper. I'm guessing if I go to the Ford dealer and get a tow package installed, it would be good for 8k#.

I can't put a full-sized trailer in the side/back yard. There's a fence that it won't fit through, and my roommate would probably get pissed about wrecking the vegetable garden.

Not saying I will go for a tow dolly, but for those of you using them, no problem with towing a RWD car?

I'm towing a 2500lb pop-up camper with a 97 v8 explorer with 180k on the clock. With the OD turned off, it still gets 16mpg while towing at 75mph on the interstate. It's rated for up to 6800 lbs towing since it has the factory tow pkg, but I wouldn't approach that without a brake controller with good trailer brakes. Trans temps are key, and watch out for any older Exploder with a whine or howl in the rear end.

I will say that with towing specific shocks on the rear, the dang thing way outperforms a buddies latemodel f150 with my trailer behind it. Parts are cheap, and who doesn't love a cast iron 302.