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What, I'm thinking about is, what it would take to tow 2 cars with a weight of about 3000lbs each. This just a thought experiment at this point and I'm trying to a)piece together what it would cost to do this and b) determine which is the best type of trailer to use.

Does anyone have experience with 2 car tag-a-long trailers vs. fifth wheel trailers? What are the pros and cons of each type?

As far as a tow vehicle, I'm thinking at least a big block but it would probably be a Diesel of some kind. Probably any of the big 3's diesels would do the job and I'm not really pondering which one of those to buy yet.

Shawn

Shawn,

Somebody named Bob McGrew posted this on the DSR forum:

"We have used a 1996 3/4 ton Chevy Van to tow a 28 foot enclosed trailer with a Ferrari and a Radical (both cars fit inside) plus tools and supplies. This rig has been across the country and up and down the east coast to many times to count. The weight of the trailer loaded with both cars is 8850 pounds, well below the gross weight of 9800 pounds. The van is rated at10,000 pounds, so it is legal. I got 9 miles to the gallon and "averaged" 64.5 miles per hour overall for the last trip to California from North Carolina. Cruised through Texas,Arizona, New Mexico at an easy 80mph. That is with a "chipped" small block chevy with extra coolers. The Van seems to break the wind, so the trailer drag is not as bad, plus it carries the crew ( to dinner. And, you can carry extra stuff inside the van. Or, do what many Nascar busch teams do, buy a $400,000 trailer and tractor, then file for bankrupcy one year later."

I don't don't know Bob but he may have a North Carolina connection . . .

Edit to add link: http://pub6.ezboard.com/fdsrforumgenera ... =868.topic

Dick

_________________
Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

mmm.. I and to think I am still conerned about towing one 2500# car.. silly me..

I guess that the Land Rover Discovery is right out?

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

Shawn,

If you're towing two door slammers of ~2500lb each, consider that a trailer that will tow that mess will weight AT LEAST 5000lbs, which puts you over 10,000lbs GCVW for the trailer and race cars alone.

Saying that ANY of the Big 3's diesels will pull that may be a bit of an understatement. I think you're staring a 1 ton dually diesel right in the face, and even that may be marginal. The guys at bimmer world, for example, towed two 3 series BMW world challenge cars with a Ford F550 (1/2 ton = F150, 3/4ton = F250, 1ton = F350, you get the picture). Actually, I think their truck and 48' trailer is for sale right now. Maybe worth a look see. Last I talked to them they were upgrading to a full on hauler (semi, tractor-trailer, whatever you call it).

-Matt

The new vehicles have now gone way up in TWC.

The Ram 350 Desiel is 15,950 lbs

The 3500 HD WT is 12,500

And the 350 SD is 14,200.

Any of those whould do it.

Marty,

I don't dispute the facts, however, my RAM 1500 with the 5.2L V8 is RATED at some ridiculous number like 9000lbs. When I towed to Canada this summer, through the mountains in West Virginia, the truck dipped to 2nd A LOT. And that was towing the M3 (~3000lbs) on an open trailer. Total probably around 4500lbs, that's right 1/2 the rated capacity.

Towing to Roebling Road is relatively easy, because it's flat the whole way.

Now if you eneded up with a two car open trailer (a la Phil & Coco Strayer) and a Diesel Dually (like the ones Marty suggests) you'll probably have it made in the shade. That being said, I know Ugo has complained, at least a little bit, about towing two spec miatas in that 34' stacker (the monsterous blue trailer of his) with his Ford F350. Not that it can't be done, just that it's not the best.

-Matt

First, a gas truck will do it, but as mentioned you won't like it much as you'll definitely do a lot of gear dipping in the mountains and mileage will suck, especially with an enclosed trailer.

A diesel truck is the way to go and you can do it with pretty much any one ton truck sanely. You do *not* need a dually, though I like the safety factor of the extra rear wheels.

You *do* need a gooseneck trailer, I think. You *could* do a bumper pull, but it would suck massively. Gooseneck is *not* a "fifth wheel", but it does affix at the same place. I'd highly recommend a "pop up ball" hitch as they mount flush with the bed of the truck when not in use (thus not being in the way when you want to use it to haul a washer and dryer or something). Email me if you want details on the model to use as there are several, but not all are created equal. You want it *flush* though, not "close". Trust me.

I'd go gooseneck in either open deck or enclosed model, personally. Not sure which you want, but I can give recommendations on either one if you post which you're after. I pulled a 24 foot enclosed trailer all last year to national events. I also have an 18 foot open deck trailer (which is all I've ever used at tarheel events). Just recently traded the 24 footer in for a three car Renegade stacker that I'll pull with my Renegade toter (which is what I used for national events this past season). I've done a lot of towing with a 5.4L F-150 gas truck as well as with F-250 and F-350 dually diesels.

Anyway, I'd go with any detroit one ton diesel truck. Dually is up to you, though it is safer. I'm partial to that new Ford 6L powerstroke right now. It's great. The previous model 7.3L is a great engine, though the Dodge Cummins might be a *little* better. I'm not really a Duramax fan, though they aren't bad, either.

I'd go gooseneck as the ride will be TONS better by putting the load directly over the axle instead of at the bumper. Enclosed trailers are nice, but they do add weight and drag.


--Donnie

Thanks for all the advice everyone. But for now at least I think the whole dual car trailer and tow vehicle is on hold. I was only looking at this since someone had proposed to me a deal where I would tow two cars to national events and they would let me drive the 2nd car in return for towing their first car.

That doesn't look like it's going to happen so I'll probably just stick with the single car car trailer for now. But I am seriously thinking about upgrading the tow vechicle.

Shawn