joeldc13

iTrader: (2)

Well Well, in France we are limited to 7,700lbs combo truck/trailer with a normal licence, with a small licence upgrade called Licence B96 that I have done I can go up to 10,000 lbs combo truck/trailer....

FatKao

That's nothing. Here is what a local guy uses to drag his car around. Doesn't need anything other than a Class A license, which has basically the same requirements are a regular license.



Legally an RV.

And, I never want to hear about overkill tow vehicles again.


Without the semi-tractor style fifth wheel it only needs a class A. I think he also had a two car stacker he towed with that setup.

This is my, and Seefo's setup. I have the F150, he has the E150. Both on ~16ft open trailers.

NiklasFalk

iTrader: (1)

That's not far from my current setup, a 90 hp Berlingo and a two wheeled braked trailer (no picture, sorry).
About 500 lbs over the weight for the hitch, but that's just a ticket, if stopped and weighed.

Getting a bigger van (with space for sleeping) is the plan but that would require an upgraded license since the total weight goes past 7700lbs.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

My truck alone is just under 7k. With trailer tongue weight and track gear, 8500lbs. The Ford F250/F350s are heavier, they'd blow that limit sitting on the showroom floor with nobody inside. It's actually a really easy rig to tow, totally immune to crosswinds which are the biggest issue when towing big stuff and still has decent power for climbing grades. Maneuvering it in tight spaces is a PITA due to the length, but that's really the only complication. For its weight (~15,000lbs combined) it's a breeze.

The laws in CA are extremely screwy due to the RV industry lobby. Big trailer RVs are covered under non-commercial class A, but to tow a flatbed of the same weight and length, you need a full-blown commercial class A license (same as what 80,000lb semi rig drivers have) which precludes you from doing traffic school. Hence the very specific 9,999lb GVWR on the trailer (10,000.0 is legal too but I don't feel like arguing that with an LEO/judge someday).

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart.htm

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Saw you driving that thing to MRLS, we passed you, tried to wave but you were "in the zone" lol.

Redlined600

iTrader: (3)

I run almost the exact same setup, 2009 Xterra.

OK is a relative term. I've been towing with a single axle trailer for the last few years. I'd prefer a double axle but I don't have the space for my own trailer and the person that rents his to me is fairly reasonable in price and availability. Initially I used a 3.4l 4runner, it does ok as long as you aren't trying to win any races.

A double axle is more stable as well. I currently use a stabilizer bar which helps quite a bit though. The lack of tire redundancy is also a concern.

krissetsfire

iTrader: (1)

I have a Dodge b2500 w/ 1 ton axles and helper springs. I have airbags but haven't put them on yet. Anyway I can tow 7k lbs easily with my 5.9L. I drive around with 3 roll away took boxes full of tools in it and it gets around. I wouldn't hesitate to get a 1500 or 2500 and tow with it. If you get a cargo you can outfit it yourself which is always fun. Just be ready for the Candy van jokes.

I've only owned dodge vans and they've been great. I've always had to rebuild the transmission after about ~140k. These vans haven't changed much since the 70's so the parts are easy to come by in salvage form.

joeldc13

iTrader: (2)

That's why the Ford F150/250/350 are not sold in the EU, you can't drive them with a car licence

tpwalsh

Well did.... I'm pretty sure Donny's sold that truck/RV. He's not racing much anymore.


Edit: From what I've read, the reason we usually have heavier tow vehicles is that our speeds towing are generally higher, and for longer. A 500 mile trip @ 75mph at night to get to the track is almost commonplace here.

NiklasFalk

iTrader: (1)

Btw, my Berlingo setup gets 30+ mpg towing... at 55mph (47mpg with no trailer)

900 miles is the longest one-way trip a friend of mine have, but living close to the arctic circle is his problem. He runs some other small scale setup, no freight train.
Most of the tracks here are within a 2 hour radius from me (priorities...).

Different references of what's "normal" of course.

If I had the licence I would not turn down a Silverado Duramax (or similar) and an enclosed trailer. Effortless towing regardless of incline have merits.
But I don't know what I'd use it for the other 47 weeks of the year.

z31maniac

I can't quite tell, it looks like you have rear straps maybe going to the roll cage?

Dunning Kruger Affect

I really want a Ford Transit conversion, but I don't have like $80k to blow on something that lavish.

Probably going to be a part of the F-150 crew when I finally get a truck.

mcfandango

iTrader: (1)

I've slept on the flat floor in the backseat of my Super Crew F150 more times that I would like to admit at races. Even being 6ft tall, it isn't really uncomfortable. Not sure I'd call it comfortable but it beats freezing rain in a tent on the trailer o a collapsed tent during the second coming of Noah.

XeNoMoRpH

It looks like the extra length of strap is thrown into the trunk to secure it. That is what I did when I used my open trailer.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

Looks like the rear straps go through the wheels, and the excess is neatly tucked into the trunk.

Is your truck rated for 7500 weight carrying? If so, rock on. If not, a weight distributing hitch is (IMO) necessary from a liability standpoint, even if the truck is perfectly happy and capable. Nice trailer. I am jelly.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

Yep. I used to have straps that were cut down to length so there was no excess, but I haven't added D-rings in the correct places on this trailer yet, so when it's just one car, I need ~11ft long straps to reach the car from the front/back.

Hitch is rated to 10k, receiver is stock so only rated for 7500lb w/o WD, 12k with. Marginal, so I do have eventual plans to do an aftermarket class V receiver just to get a little cushion there. Truck's official towing capacity is 12k and GCWR is 22k so I'm well under those limits. I've towed stuff with my truck that I wouldn't let just anyone get behind the wheel of, but I let my dad jump behind the wheel of this and my only instructions were "it's long, careful around corners." It's that easy to drive

Thank you sir

z31maniac

Ahh, thanks. I couldn't see they were from the wheel straps.

Jeffbucc

I will be using this, my Jetta Sportwagen TDI. It has a stage 2 with no Emissions **** and around 330tq and a stage 2 clutch, which should help handle the load better. I'll be buying tow springs for the rear(if needed).



Going to get a custom 2" hitch welded into the rear bumper/subframe support.

Sorta like this



And this tow dolly to tow it. Assist brakes and a slew of other features for ~$1k. I'd love to use a flatbed but I'd exceed my towing limit(3600) by a bit unless I paid a shitload for a 14' aluminum flatbed.

Car gets 48mpg normally so it should probably do about 38-40 avg as long as I keep it under 75.

Ben

iTrader: (33)

Nice. I like those Silverado HDs. My F250 is rated to only 6,000 weight carrying (15,000 distributed). We got an Andersen distribution hitch for the box trailer. I like it, and it doesn't require additional sway control.

rascal

This is what I now use. 345hp, 510Nm petrol turbo 4.0L six (Oz Falcon XR6 Turbo running gear) ZF 6sp auto. 2300kg tow rating. Drives like a car, and hardly notices the trailer behind.
Trailer was self built and weighs 780kg empty and a smidge under 2000kg limit when fully loaded.