Need a truck for towing

Shaun @ Tru6 · 08-17-2013, 09:18 AM

I need a basic tow truck that I'll to pull about 4000 pounds, basically a 911 on a Featherlight trailer. Needs to be super simple, little if anything electronic, very little that can break. Won't use it all that much except in tow situations. Was thinking late 60s or early 70s Chevy or Ford given the above and a little coolness factor added.

Suggestions?

speeder · speeder's Garage

Any PU truck will do that. Look at pictures on the interweb and take your pick of make/model/year/etc.

rfuerst911sc · 08-17-2013, 09:36 AM

While I agree any truck will do that some will do better/safer than others. I prefer a long bed for the wheelbase, it pulls a little safer. I prefer a truck that is heavier duty than what you are pulling, it is nice to have a 15 - 20 % safety margin when it comes to brakes/tires/suspension. Does your car trailer have its own brakes ? If you get a truck with an automatic transmission make sure it either has an extra transmission cooler or add one yourself.....cheap insurance. Good mirrors are a must also so you can see the dumb ****s on their cellphones approaching you oblivious to the world !

I take towing as very serious business, if you don't the rig can bite you and others real hard in a hurry. Good luck in your search be safe out there.

VINMAN · 11:26 AM

Have to strongly agree with the above post. Almost any vehicle can tow any trailer, but it takes the right combo to do it safely. I constantly see undersize vehicles pulling trailers that are way too big and heavy for that particular load.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Get a V8.

I have a Ford Explorer Sport Trac with the V8. The gas difference between the V6 and the V8 is 1mpg, which tells me the truck is too heavy for a six.

I've had zero problems pulling my 944 with a metal/wood trailer (est. 5000 lbs). My towing capacity is rated at 7000 lbs. Gone to all the tracks on the east coast including Watkins Glen, which has quite a few hills enroute.

Some say my truck is too small for the job -- but I have had no issues with it while towing. That said, a good brake controller, and common sense will keep you out of a lot of dangerous situations...

-Z-man.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 08-17-2013, 09:57 AM

Good stuff, thanks, I like the idea of safety too. I've been towing for 25 years, used to tow a 45 foot trailer for crew (rowing shells), doing a lot of 911s these days, never an issue and want to keep it that way.

here's what I'm using tomorrow, a very kind friend let me use it but drives home I've got to get my own.

As well as last trip, this little Nissan was did a great job from Ohio back home, but definitely a one-time deal.

Seahawk · 08-17-2013, 10:39 AM

I just finished towing three loads of 3/4 inch river rock for my driveway and then a load of pea gravel for a new project. Three tons plus a bit for each load plus the dump trailer weight, which is 1500lbs. Around 7500lb in tow.

My F150 tows that well, but as Vin and rfuerst911sc have outlined, it is as much about how the load is distributed on the trailer, the trailer design, trailer brakes and how you drive that makes all the difference.

The first load of 3/4 inch rock was poorly loaded, very light on the ball...anything over 50mph was a swaying adventure so 45mph was all I would do. I talked to the loader in the quarry and the next three loads were a breeze.

With your trailer and less than 5k in tow you should be looking at a 1/2 ton pick-up from the 90's. Trucks from the 60's and 70's (I've owned them or my Dad has) are nice to think about but aren't practical at all.

daepp · 08-17-2013, 11:17 AM

Long bed F150 or F250. 'nuff said.

stomachmonkey · 08-17-2013, 11:29 AM

I've got a nice 01 tahoe with 5.3 and tow package for sale.

Even has 4 wd for those nice NE winters.

Come visit for business and drive it back.

Red Baron · 08-17-2013, 01:19 PM

Have towed my cars all over the country using a Nissan Armada and it pulls so well. Also tons of packing area for track gear or whatever.. Also should mention going on 250k with the only issue I have ever had was the fuel pump crapped out at about 160K.. The early LE models have load leveling suspenion that really help with vehicle handling when loaded down. Some excellent buys on the used market out there too.

daepp · 08-17-2013, 01:28 PM

I come to this discussion with some baggage. The church that sponsors our Biu Scout troop lost 4 kids from their youth group on the 395 due to a couple losing control if their swb Tahoe. It crossed over into oncoming traffic when the tail (trailer) wagged the dog. If u think about the right and left forces that can act on the trailer, and what that can do to the very absolute end if the tow vehicle, it's very easy to get into trouble if the front axle is too close to the rear.
Just my opinion but after what happened I warn anyone who will listen.

speeder · speeder's Garage

I agree that it's always wise to have a little excess capacity when towing, (more truck than you really need), but for a 911 on a light trailer, that would be any reasonably modern PU truck.

Sorry to hear about that tragedy, daepp.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Good stuff, thanks, I like the idea of safety too. I've been towing for 25 years, used to tow a 45 foot trailer for crew (rowing shells), doing a lot of 911s these days, never an issue and want to keep it that way.

here's what I'm using tomorrow, a very kind friend let me use it but drives home I've got to get my own.

As well as last trip, this little Nissan was did a great job from Ohio back home, but definitely a one-time deal.

That Ford is a nice rig but it would be WAY overkill for towing 4k lbs. It would probably tow 3x that much, depending on drivetrain.

Are you involved with rowing? I don't know much about it, (other than it's big on the east coast). My nephew is on the crew at Yale, he was a walk-on freshman who had never rowed and made first string. 60 Minutes did a piece on his team, not sure when it's going to air.

Zeke · 08-17-2013, 02:34 PM

I towed a lot with my '89 1/2 T Chevy. Mostly w/o trailer brakes too. My race kart trailer had surge brakes which worked well except going down steep grades. Don't recommend those so much for hill country.

Anyway, 350 700 r4 tranny with cooler. Worked great. I sold my great running truck for less than a grand. If this was 2006 and you gave me choice between the '06 Chevy 1500 I have now and the old one, I'd take the old one for many reasons. But there were a couple of issues that trumped and I'm driving the newer model. I think the old one did more work easier.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 08-17-2013, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder

That Ford is a nice rig but it would be WAY overkill for towing 4k lbs. It would probably tow 3x that much, depending on drivetrain.

Are you involved with rowing? I don't know much about it, (other than it's big on the east coast). My nephew is on the crew at Yale, he was a walk-on freshman who had never rowed and made first string. 60 Minutes did a piece on his team, not sure when it's going to air.

it's not only overkill, you can watch the gas gauge go down on the smaller second tank.

I rowed in college and coached for 5 years after, some of the best years of my life. My planned for dream retirement will be to coach rowing while restoring one longhood every 6 months.

As your nephew will find/has already found out, there is nothing like rowing. it changes you.

John Rogers · 08-17-2013, 03:55 PM

Back when I was racing, the rule of thumb was if there are no hills then something like an F150 4 door with a small V8 will be okay. If there are any hills, get a diesel, meaning a 3/4 or 1 ton 4 door. A big extra is the dually idea and I was glad I had one, twice when a rear tire went bad and you can either stop a lot safer or just drive slower to a truck stop. My F350 would average 15 MPG pulling the toy hauler fully loaded.

Laneco · 04:09 PM

Didn't you get another Mercedes wagon after the last one lost the battle with the tree?

Have you thought about towing with your wagon? In the US we always go straight to pickup trucks to tow, but in Europe, everybody tows with sedans. You would need to check the wagon's tow capacity, but it could well be within the range of that wagon. The wagon has better brakes, handling and safety features than any pickup truck. Just make sure the tow capacity is in the range.

angela

rfuerst911sc · 08-17-2013, 04:12 PM

Just remember at some point in time you Will have to make a panic stop at 65-70 mph in traffic and possibly in less than ideal conditions.......keep that in mind. Be safe.

VINMAN · 08-17-2013, 04:20 PM

This biggest issue I see is so many people pulling big trailers with short wheelbase vehicles. Like I said any vehicle can "move" a trailer. I don't care what its towing capacity is, you still have to be able to control it. That's what some don't think about.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 08-17-2013, 04:24 PM

Hey Angela, yes, I got the exact same car. Curb weight is 3700 pounds. I've seen forum specs of 3500 to 4400 pounds max tow capacity, which is within a 911 and the Featherlight, but pushing it. Front brakes are 4 piston with big rotors, so those will work; rear are also peculiar to wagons and quite large as well. BUT. You can only get class 1 hitches here in the States. I could get a European equivalent of Class 2 on German/UK eBay though. Or I could make my own/have it made based on an existing class 2 hitch; I've seen some use a Jeep Wrangler hitch as the base.

Problem for me is the car has a rebuilt transmission and a limited slip differential, so I want to protect both.

Love this car, it does almost everything well. Just needs a limo front sway bar and E500 rear bar to be perfect.