Tom,
We tow about 4-5000# with a 2 wheel drive, 4 liter Explorer w/ towing package.
Trailer is a 16 ft. enclosed, Haul-Lite Car Vault, which unfortunately is no
longer made. Trailer height is not enough to stand fully erect, but when
towing, it doesn't act like a parachute either. The Lotus Eleven is a tight
squeeze, width wise, but the Formula cars are very easy to get around once
inside. One other aspect of trailer design that no one thinks about is axle
placement. The axles on the Haul Lite are noticeably behind center. This helps
insure enough tongue weight and also makes the center of pressure of the side
area in front of the axles, which I think contributes a lot to stability when
being passed by a semi. I also use stabilizer bars. Here in the east, there
are some long climbs where we'll be down to 50MPH, but on the flat we'll be
very stable at 70-75. We've also towed out west with our 1st Explorer, even up
the eastern entrance to Yosemite, on the way to Monterey Historics. It didn't
set any speed records up that climb to 10,000 ft, but the 17-18 MPG helped a
lot on the long tow. Oh, we also traded out the Firestones for Goodyears to be
safe.
This decision of tow vehicles was also heavily influenced by my wife, since
she drives it for daily transport. Parking spaces are pretty small at Ohio
State and that ruled out the Expedition or larger.
BTW, if you're looking for a used vehicle, there is a build sticker inside the
door jam of Ford vehicles, which gives axle codes. This is the clue for
"trailer tow package". The owners manual then explains the codes. Look in the
book near the section on "towing".
Roger
>>> "Tom and Sharon Shirley" <tshirley@vol.com> 07/04/01 04:05PM >>>
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Evans" <brian@uunet.ca>
To: "Michael Frank" <mfrank@westnet.com>; <vintage-race@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2001 9:18 AM
Subject: Re: Tow Vehicle
> I'm using a 2000 Chev Express with 350 engine to pull a 20"
> box trailer
Just 20"!!!! Sorry Brian, but I couldn't help it. 8^)
I'm in the same predicament with this tow vehicle thing. I've got to buy
something. I have a 60 bugeye and will be building an enclosed trailer to
carry the car and then convert to living quarters when I get to the track.
I'm just guessing, but I figure around 5500 (maybe 6000) pounds with car and
a few spares.
The wife loves the Grand Cherokees, but I don't think they're enough. I lean
towards the Durango or Explorer, with towing package, of course. And then
there's the Expedition. These vehicles are all in the 30K range. I'd like to
buy a crew cab 150 with towing package, but the wife say she doesn't want to
drive a truck. It will be her vehicle except when towing to the races. I
wonder if anyone makes a really nice cover for the bed that makes the crew
cab look like an Expedition (almost). Advice anyone?
Tom and Sharon Shirley
http://www.geocities.com/baddogracing/
**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
www.mimesweeper.com
**********************************************************************
|