"Budget" 2-car hauling?

ss wannabee · 06-19-2009, 11:31 AM

Need your thoughts. Not talking Stacker or Living Quarters here. What's the most practicle way to get 2 cars to the track safely with an eye on economy if possible? Talking about medium-weight cars here..1 about 3200, the other 3500lbs. I was thinking 1-ton ramp truck with an open car trailer vs. a Suburban towing a 2 car open trailer. Also thinking about the maintenance on the support vehicles, truck/trailer tire life, etc. Not a big diesel fan...would think a big-block gas engine would be the choice in the tow vehicle? Anybody have good luck hauling 2 cars with a smaller 350 ci. or so type engine? I would guess if going 2-car open trailer it should be tri-axle, and Suburban should be 3/4-ton, right? The ramp truck way I think is a bit more versatle especially if need to bring only 1-car on certain days, and probably easier for storage of tools, etc. Don't need room for golf-cart, bike, etc. How about expected fuel economy using either method? Terrain is a mix of hills and flats...not real flat like midwest or south! What are your experiences? Thanks!

div 5 · 06-19-2009, 11:39 AM

I wouldn't even consider the suburban. A ton flatbed with a gooseneck trailer would work. All of the big blocks would work. I'd want an overdrive manual transmission. Hard to beat a diesel.
Pete

bobby · 06-19-2009, 01:10 PM

Ramp trailer with a 1 ton dually. Diesel, get a Duramax and Allison. You will be way better off this way. AND if you decide to upgrade to an enclosed, you won't need to buy another truck.

Michael Pliska · 06-19-2009, 01:27 PM

2nd on reconsidering a diesel. Each brand of diesel has its own positives and negatives, but they all work better than gasoline engines when pulling that kind of load.

I have a 32' tag enclosed trailer. I have towed it short distances using a half-ton Blazer (with add-a-leafs and double shocked), but I would never do it if not in a pinch. So far I have only used that trailer when moving cross-country (twice), and so far prefer to use an open trailer when racing locally (only running one car). The prior owner towed it with a Class C motorhome with a big block Chrysler, it worked okay except for the horrendous mileage. I towed it once with a 1982 GMC crew cab dually with a "turned-up" 6.2L diesel, would never try that again (horrible on hills). Replaced that with a 1995 Ford F350 (CC DRW) with a 7.3L Powerstroke diesel, even stock it pulled it well. With a few mods it pulls even better.

Years ago I knew a lot of people using gas-powered ramp trucks pulling open trailers, they seemed to work okay except for the mileage.

My eventual plan is to build a F450 pickup with a Cummins 5.9L engine, then use it to haul my slide-in camper while pulling the 32' trailer with both cars in it.

Regards,

Philip Saran · 06-19-2009, 01:47 PM

You might want to try contacting Mike or Chad Loge (you can find Chad on
this message board). They have towed with the ramp truck/open trailer,
enclosed two car trailer and open goose neck 3 car trailer. They should
be able to tell you the good the bad and the ugly. You can also try
1-800-969-5004

treessavoy · 06-19-2009, 03:11 PM

Years ago I towed about the same load with a Ford 6.9 diesel and it was gutless. I had a friend that had a 32 ft enclosed trailer with a 454 suburban and it couldn't handle the load, he was all over the road.

Any of the big dually's will do the job, I wouldn't dream of towing with anything else, diesel's will get the job done. You can pick up low mileage diesels fairly cheap, don't buy older chevy's that don't have the duramax.

Jim R

06-19-2009, 11:31 AM	#1
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	"Budget" 2-car hauling? Need your thoughts. Not talking Stacker or Living Quarters here. What's the most practicle way to get 2 cars to the track safely with an eye on economy if possible? Talking about medium-weight cars here..1 about 3200, the other 3500lbs. I was thinking 1-ton ramp truck with an open car trailer vs. a Suburban towing a 2 car open trailer. Also thinking about the maintenance on the support vehicles, truck/trailer tire life, etc. Not a big diesel fan...would think a big-block gas engine would be the choice in the tow vehicle? Anybody have good luck hauling 2 cars with a smaller 350 ci. or so type engine? I would guess if going 2-car open trailer it should be tri-axle, and Suburban should be 3/4-ton, right? The ramp truck way I think is a bit more versatle especially if need to bring only 1-car on certain days, and probably easier for storage of tools, etc. Don't need room for golf-cart, bike, etc. How about expected fuel economy using either method? Terrain is a mix of hills and flats...not real flat like midwest or south! What are your experiences? Thanks!

06-19-2009, 11:39 AM	#2
div 5 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 13 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: "Budget" 2-car hauling? I wouldn't even consider the suburban. A ton flatbed with a gooseneck trailer would work. All of the big blocks would work. I'd want an overdrive manual transmission. Hard to beat a diesel. Pete

06-19-2009, 01:10 PM	#3
bobby Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 243 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: "Budget" 2-car hauling? Ramp trailer with a 1 ton dually. Diesel, get a Duramax and Allison. You will be way better off this way. AND if you decide to upgrade to an enclosed, you won't need to buy another truck. __________________ Next time wave all of your fingers at me.

06-19-2009, 01:27 PM	#4
Michael Pliska Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Happy Valley, OR Posts: 260 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: "Budget" 2-car hauling? 2nd on reconsidering a diesel. Each brand of diesel has its own positives and negatives, but they all work better than gasoline engines when pulling that kind of load. I have a 32' tag enclosed trailer. I have towed it short distances using a half-ton Blazer (with add-a-leafs and double shocked), but I would never do it if not in a pinch. So far I have only used that trailer when moving cross-country (twice), and so far prefer to use an open trailer when racing locally (only running one car). The prior owner towed it with a Class C motorhome with a big block Chrysler, it worked okay except for the horrendous mileage. I towed it once with a 1982 GMC crew cab dually with a "turned-up" 6.2L diesel, would never try that again (horrible on hills). Replaced that with a 1995 Ford F350 (CC DRW) with a 7.3L Powerstroke diesel, even stock it pulled it well. With a few mods it pulls even better. Years ago I knew a lot of people using gas-powered ramp trucks pulling open trailers, they seemed to work okay except for the mileage. My eventual plan is to build a F450 pickup with a Cummins 5.9L engine, then use it to haul my slide-in camper while pulling the 32' trailer with both cars in it. Regards, __________________ Michael Pliska 643 S/G

06-19-2009, 01:47 PM	#5
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 721 Likes: 158 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: "Budget" 2-car hauling? You might want to try contacting Mike or Chad Loge (you can find Chad on this message board). They have towed with the ramp truck/open trailer, enclosed two car trailer and open goose neck 3 car trailer. They should be able to tell you the good the bad and the ugly. You can also try 1-800-969-5004 __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

06-19-2009, 03:11 PM	#6
treessavoy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dunnellon,FL Posts: 1,103 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: "Budget" 2-car hauling? Years ago I towed about the same load with a Ford 6.9 diesel and it was gutless. I had a friend that had a 32 ft enclosed trailer with a 454 suburban and it couldn't handle the load, he was all over the road. Any of the big dually's will do the job, I wouldn't dream of towing with anything else, diesel's will get the job done. You can pick up low mileage diesels fairly cheap, don't buy older chevy's that don't have the duramax. Jim R Last edited by treessavoy; 06-19-2009 at 03:14 PM.