track guys with enclosed trailers

Glad I didn't ask what trailer to get to tow with my old 2005 Honda Odyssey! I towed an open car trailer with a car on it for about five years, and used an enclosed 16' trailer for one year. The van was rated at 3500# towing capacity, and I was right near it with the open trailer and car.

I think the 1500 Ram with an enclosed 22-24 aluminum trailer would be fine. A bankof cabinets with tools / parts and a tire rack with spares should work for the weekend track duty.


BT

 

LOL!!! You should have seen the back panel of the Apollo that landed the men on the moon. Wire wrap and potentiometers! If was a freaking miracle they made it into orbit. Risk is risk. I guess if we took no risk we would not race cars. You and MichealB must be front runners!

 

I was considering a 2012 Ram 1500 with a Hemi etc, but found it too near the limit for towing a 24' trailer I plan to purchase. I ended up purchasing a 2005' 3/4 ton Suburban with the tow package that also added a tranny oil cooler gauge to the dash. Along with the 6.0L motor, trailer sway bar, and weight distribution bars I'm hoping for no real surprises. I guess in the end, "if in doubt, get a bigger vehicle".....Good luck with the 1500 Ram because they sure are nice looking pickups!

 

Every time we discuss pulling a trailer, the conversation moves to "why don't you trade your brand new 150/1500 and get the dualie diesel we all think you really need".

Get at 21" trailex or ATC. After a while you won't even notice the lightweight trailer behind you. If you decide it isn't large enough or you just have to have a pit atv (not with a 1/2 ton truck) you can sell it for darn near what you paid and move on. On the rare occasion you really need 12 wheels and a spare diff, fill the truck bed.

 

Oh hell yes! That's my blue one with red roof. Front or go home.
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You guys should see what they tow with in Europe... I'm sure they must be thinking that you are planning to tow the Titanic when you show up with a 3500 or 2500...

I have towed my 20' Featherlite with tool box, tire rack, winch, race car, etc. for years and thousands and thousands of miles (over mountains etc.) with an Infiniti QX56. Vehicle now has 114000 miles and never missed a beat or had any issues from all the towing. Having said that, I would love a diesel truck for towing, but it does not work as well for double duty as a QX56...

 

LOL! I will agree that using a Honda minivan to tow a car on (or in) a trailer is not ideal, but it is definitely doable in my experience. You consider risk the primary factor in a decision, I consider cost. I guess people look at problems through different lenses based on their position in life. I will say that I was glad when I finally ditched all the trailering and just drove my car to the destination. It adds some miles, but it is so much more relaxing to just drive a nice sports car instead of using a trailer.

Track days are a bit different, but I'm not much of a track person. If I went to a track day I would just drive to it and run at the back of the field with my all season street treads. Less chance of dealing with an overzealous front runner that way too. Win / win.


BT

 

i wouldn't be surprised if a new 1500 was => than a 2500 series from several years ago in capability .....

i have a v10 excursion. does everything great except fit in the garage. saved in the purchase cost over a diesel model and i think the hwy mileage is respectable.

 

Yes, vents are important. Not the least when you load a hot car at the end of the day and let it cook inside instead of opening vents on the drive home...

Get fire extinguishers. Cheap insurance...

 

My old 24' Haulmark has no vents and I just let the car cool off. I also wash the car at the track after every event so that the ugly stuff is done while you're still pumped.

I've never had a problem with that or fuel fume issues. I don't store fuel either in my trailer or storage locker long term.

I have an older trailer and have had to reseal the roof twice no so I'd imagine vents could be an issue eventually.

If you can swing an all aluminum trailer it will be a god send. Mine is 7,000 lbs fully loaded which is it's limit and my 454 Surburban pulls that OK but it's not a an easy task either. Only 2,800 lbs of that is race car. Get the aluminum ...

 

the boating industry has reasonably priced solar powered vents that can move some air, mounted in the roof they will circulate enough air to keep it fresh while it is not in use... they eliminate the need to open the trailer, especially after a wet event... stale air, humidity can lead to other issues

an opening in the front of the trailer will go a long way to keep heat build up down on hot days...

 

the '14 GMs are rated for 12,000 lbs

 

Will someone please explain the axle ratings I've encountered such as 3500# or 5000# per axle options? Does this mean that in addition to the weight of the trailer, you can also load the trailer up to 3500 or 5000 pounds?

 

that is the rated capacity of the axle, which would include the weight of the trailer and the max it can be loaded to, it's the max capacity that the axle was rated for...

a couple of things that make a trailer / towing nicer... torsion bar suspension is nicer than springs...also radial tires are preferred over bias ply tires...

look for extra axle mounting holes, the trailer mfg does not have a clue how the weight will be distributed, they are guessing at axle placement... find a place for everything where you want it, then move the axles to adjust for balance... holes make it easier to move the axles ... it's not a big deal, a trailer shop can move them in an hour

 

It includes the weight of the trailer. So some quick math will show you that you will be close to if not overcapacity if you have 3500# axles once you add the car, extra fuel, tools, etc.....
Some manufacturers sell these as base models to keep prices down. You need the 5k axles

 

Maximum for a GM 1500 is 11,100 pounds and only if equipped with their largest V8 motor and the stiff 3.73 rear axle. The MPG with that setup and towing 10,000 pounds would make you want to cry.

Good rule of thumb from a truck buddy of mine:
1/2 ton for 5000 pounds
3/4 ton for 7500 pounds
1 ton for 10,000 pounds.

 

had just watched the government motors commercial before posting.. stated the 2014 GM rated to tow 12,000 lbs with the 6.2L equip'd trucks....

likely another obama lie....

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gmc/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2013/Sep/0910-powertrain.html

 

I have a 24ft enclosed Wells Cargo trailer.

It weighs 3,500# empty and has a 6,500# payload.

I am towing it with a Ram 2500 Heavy Duty with the Hemi engine and tow package.

Kai

 

Gotcha!
That truck engine tow combo isn't available til late this year.


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Amazing how you always wish you had more space.
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