Tow truck & trailer recommendations

Awlrightly, because it looks like I'm gonna take a big swan dive into the shallow end of the pool and go Spec Miata racing, what do you guys recommend for a tow truck and trailer?

Thx, Dale

 

If you want to keep it simple and cheap, look in the paper for open double axle trailers. Any old 3/4 ton pickup will do.
I justified an Armada SUV to tow my enclosed double axle trailer as we use it as our Soccer assult vehicle on weekends. Fuel guzzlin' pig.
If I had to do it over , I'd get a Turbo Diesel Excursion.
I see people spend more on their rigs than the racer itself.

 

Hi Dale,

I can't speak for hauling a race car but I can provide info on what works best for towing in my situation. I haul a 30' Sooner gooseneck aluminum horse trailer with living quarters with a Chevy Silverado extended cab 2500 HD 4x4 DuraMax diesel with the Allison transmission. Just set the cruise control on 70 and go. Gas mileage is great and it's so much easier to get into the truck pumps for fuel when hauling the trailer. The filler neck on the truck accomodates the large nozzle hoses (I have a friend with a Ford 4x4 that only accepts the skinny nozzle). The extended cab has quite a bit of space in the back with the seat up. Good luck on your quest!

Carol

Just thought of another suggestion. Try to avoid a wood floor trailer as you'll find that the boards eventually have to be replaced (have done that on one of the stock trailers and we have a couple boards to replace on our flat-bed trailer). Aluminum is the only way to go in my opinion.

 

Thanks, this is what I'm looking for. I figured that 5,000 pounds outta cover it. 2,500 for the car, 1,500 for the trailer, and 1,000 for the other BS.

Hmm... I bet those Excursions are going cheap. Better head to Ebay!

Dale

 

Thanks Carol. I have heard that the goose neck trailers ride and track better than the bumper types. I'm guessing that you thought that the aluminum was worth the bucks, eh?

Dale

 

Yes, yes and yes!!! (OT - aren't you going to the festivities this weekend south of you??)

Another suggestion - this comes from traveling great distances by yourself going to horse shows!! - Buy a "Jiffy Jack" in lieu of worrying about a regular car type jack. If you have a flat or whatever, you drive the good wheel onto it and it raises the flat one to where you can change it. It also doubles as a chock for the trailer. Mine is aluminum and there's composite ones too. Investment is under $50.

Carol

 

Dale, my extremely limited experience on the issue was with a Spec Racer Ford driver I did some crewing for. He used an open trailer and it was a huge pain in the rear centering the car. So, I would definitely suggest a closed trailer, FWIW.

 

If you're going to tow buy a diesel, it will make live SOOOO much easier down the road. An excursion is nice if you can find one, but I'm kinda partial to the cummins diesel ram

Oh and with the trailer, if you do any races a good distance away go enclosed. And add 2k lbs to your est weight. You will be AMAZED how much crap you pile in that trailer with the fuel, tools, spare parts, and so on.

 

a 20 ft enclosed trailer with a high 6' ceiling will give you enough room for car, spares and room for a workbench in front. be sure to get side door access with a drive in ramp in the back. any late model full size pickup set up for towing will do the puller function. get the biggest boy you can afford. attach a rollup awning to the side pull the car out and turn the trailer into a camper with a couple blow up beds small fridge and a camp stove.

 

Damn, I'll have more into a truck and trailer than the car in a heartbeat!

I'd like to start relatively small. There is no way that I'll have the time to hit any kind of circuit. Thus, I'll be limited to tracks within a day's drive of Houston. I just will not be able to drive the car to the track anymore.

It would be nice to get the new Honda truck because it wouldn't be so bad to drive the rest of the time. But it sounds like I'll be better off getting a used big Mofo truck that stays parked until needed.

Dale

PS Carol, as I sure that you discovered, I let Warren and Rose take the tickets. I've been traveling too much. Hopefully, I'll see you guys at the race in May.

 

Dale,


Putting space and cost aside (closed vs. open trailer and how much to spend). The number one rule when towing is make sure you get more tow vehicle that you need.

My number one requirement when buying a tow vehicle were the following:

1) largest engine available
2) longest wheelbase
3) best tow package

I bought a 2002 2500 HD Crew Cab with an 8.1 liter motor. I got the long bed as well to steady the truck and trailer when towing. I also got the Allison transmission which is over built for towing.

I didn't care one bit about what power amneties or options the truck had.

I see so many people worried about the look of the truck or the leather seats, Onstar options, what cup holders and cubby holes are present and then they tow a 24 ft trailer with a V6 engine.

Just my 02 worth.

Kind Regards,

Jon

PS: Good Luck this year in SM ... kick some butt!!!