Anyone towing their 350Rs' occasionally?

[tlisotta]

I am looking to get an SUV - compact - and wanted to see what you guys were using. I will primarily be driving the 350R to my local track in Dallas. However, I am going to do COTA in May and want to get an SUV and a very light open trailer to take the car. I may do one or 2 other events a year where it would require the trailer. I would like to get a Ford Explorer but it says max towing is 5K. That is cutting it close - anyone using an Explorer? Other suggestions? 4 Runner or? Not interested in a pick up truck, etc. Budget considerations as well. $35K ish for the car.

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[wildcatgoal]

I tow my GT with a Hemi Durango. Just manage tongue weight as the suspension isn't like a pick-up truck, but other than that she's good to go even with a heavy U-Haul trailer. Other than abysmal gas mileage in a mostly stop-and-go commute, this is really a great car. I have the Citadel so it's got fancy pants cruise control that'll follow a car in front of me (never use it except every day the first week I had it, then it got old) and it'll avoid a collision for me (turned it off as it's too sensitive for my aggressive lane changing since nobody lets you in in Atlanta... ever). Terrible color I have, but... meh.

Used pricing on these isn't ridiculous for 2015s like mine. 2016s seem to jump up a lot (the also have engine start stop which saves a lot of gas, the 2015s and earlier don't). Mine had 26K on it when I got it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd5bLEPntZF/?taken-by=sirboom_photography

Oh, and the V6 will pull one of these cars. Seen the V6 pulling a car about same weight as mine on a car trailer (not a heavy U-Haul trailer). Did fine.

 

[tlisotta]

I tow my GT with a Hemi Durango. Just manage tongue weight as the suspension isn't like a pick-up truck, but other than that she's good to go even with a heavy U-Haul trailer. Other than abysmal gas mileage in a mostly stop-and-go commute, this is really a great car. I have the Citadel so it's got fancy pants cruise control that'll follow a car in front of me (never use it except every day the first week I had it, then it got old) and it'll avoid a collision for me (turned it off as it's too sensitive for my aggressive lane changing since nobody lets you in in Atlanta... ever). Terrible color I have, but... meh.

Used pricing on these isn't ridiculous for 2015s like mine. 2016s seem to jump up a lot (the also have engine start stop which saves a lot of gas, the 2015s and earlier don't). Mine had 26K on it when I got it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd5bLEPntZF/?taken-by=sirboom_photography

Oh, and the V6 will pull one of these cars. Seen the V6 pulling a car about same weight as mine on a car trailer (not a heavy U-Haul trailer). Did fine.

Thanks! I also did some research and see the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited can pull 7,000 lbs as well. I will check out the Hemi Durango!

 

[wildcatgoal]

Thanks! I also did some research and see the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited can pull 7,000 lbs as well. I will check out the Hemi Durango as well!

The Jeep I don't think is as long of a vehicle, is it? I'd rather have the longer Durango towing close to the limit. That said, I spoke with someone who towed with a Hemi GC (he was pulling an S197 with a aluminum trailer) and he said it did fine. Aluminum trailers are much lighter, though. Also, the Durango's turning radius is insanely good. When I first realized, I was baffled. If you saw where I have to park at home (loft building underground), you'd know why I appreciate that so much. The Mustang's turning radius isn't even close.

They also make very simple rear spring air helper things that you put into the rear springs and pump with a basic bicycle pump and it keeps the back end from sagging, which it doesn't do much of, but the Durango Citadel's suspension is a little on the cushy luxury side of life.

 

[Muligan]

I have a 4Runner and use it just to tow my Factory Five Cobra replica (around 2,100 lbs) using a Serpent Express trailer (about 1,800 lbs) that has a soft cover to keep it out of the elements. The trailer is too narrow for a GT350, and with the weight of the car it would exceed the 4Runner's towing capacity.

As mentioned above, watch out for tongue weight. A weight distributing hitch will help, so invest in a good one.

For trailers, if you're thinking lightweight and open, then I'd recommend the Featherlite 3110 - the 17 foot version should fit a GT350 just fine. I had the shorter version (14 foot) and used it for towing a 2001 Mustang - no problem behind an older Grand Cherokee, a Tahoe, and my 4Runner as that trailer weighed around 1,100 lbs and the car weighted in at 3,400 lbs.

If the tow vehicle is going to be a daily driver and you're only going to tow occasionally, make sure you don't over-buy.... i.e., a dually crew cab diesel pickup. For my towing needs, I went with something just big enough to be comfortable and capable when the trailer it connected, but still small enough and fuel efficient enough to be enjoyable as a daily driver.

 

[tlisotta]

The Jeep I don't think is as long of a vehicle, is it? I'd rather have the longer Durango towing close to the limit. That said, I spoke with someone who towed with a Hemi GC (he was pulling an S197 with a aluminum trailer) and he said it did fine. Aluminum trailers are much lighter, though. Also, the Durango's turning radius is insanely good. When I first realized, I was baffled. If you saw where I have to park at home (loft building underground), you'd know why I appreciate that so much. The Mustang's turning radius isn't even close.

They also make very simple rear spring air helper things that you put into the rear springs and pump with a basic bicycle pump and it keeps the back end from sagging, which it doesn't do much of, but the Durango Citadel's suspension is a little on the cushy luxury side of life.

I will have to go check some out in person. My challenge is it may be a bit big as we have one of those garages that is a 3 car garage but in a 2 car garage build - you have one car in front of the other if that makes sense. Another option is buy a trailer and then just rent a U Haul Truck to pull it occasionally.

 

[Tank]

Not specific to the R but does that really matter?
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98245

 

[tlisotta]

I have a 4Runner and use it just to tow my Factory Five Cobra replica (around 2,100 lbs) using a Serpent Express trailer (about 1,800 lbs) that has a soft cover to keep it out of the elements. The trailer is too narrow for a GT350, and with the weight of the car it would exceed the 4Runner's towing capacity.

As mentioned above, watch out for tongue weight. A weight distributing hitch will help, so invest in a good one.

For trailers, if you're thinking lightweight and open, then I'd recommend the Featherlite 3110 - the 17 foot version should fit a GT350 just fine. I had the shorter version (14 foot) and used it for towing a 2001 Mustang - no problem behind an older Grand Cherokee, a Tahoe, and my 4Runner as that trailer weighed around 1,100 lbs and the car weighted in at 3,400 lbs.

If the tow vehicle is going to be a daily driver and you're only going to tow occasionally, make sure you don't over-buy.... i.e., a dually crew cab diesel pickup. For my towing needs, I went with something just big enough to be comfortable and capable when the trailer it connected, but still small enough and fuel efficient enough to be enjoyable as a daily driver.

Thanks! On the same page. I would prefer to get the Ford Explorer with a Featherlite. I see it is 1450 to 1650 in weight? The GT350R with AC and Radio dry is about 3,700 lbs? So - wondering if the 5K limit on the Ford Explorer would not work out so well. I will only be using the trailer 3 times a year max.

 

[tlisotta]

Not specific to the R but does that really matter?
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98245

I saw that and can post over there. Just wanted to see about the smaller SUVs vs the big set ups. Will post there as well.

 

[czaustin]

I bought a Loadking tilt trailer for dual use of pulling my skid steer and GT350R. I have not loaded a car yet but will in a week as I will be driving at Cresson 24/25th. (you driving there that weekend?)

I will probably need to build some simple loading ramps for the front splitter clearance but I think my tilt trailer will work great. I tow with a '15 GMC 2500 so weight is no problem. My experience with towing is that the manufactured rated tow rate is usually higher than practically and possibly safely stated, ie. don't max or near max the tow rating on a vehicle.

 

[tlisotta]

I bought a Loadking tilt trailer for dual use of pulling my skid steer and GT350R. I have not loaded a car yet but will in a week as I will be driving at Cresson 24/25th. (you driving there that weekend?)

I will probably need to build some simple loading ramps for the front splitter clearance but I think my tilt trailer will work great. I tow with a '15 GMC 2500 so weight is no problem. My experience with towing is that the manufactured rated tow rate is usually higher than practically and possibly safely stated, ie. don't max or near max the tow rating on a vehicle.

Thanks! Not sure if I will be there that weekend or not. I am installing camber plates, need to finish break in, etc.

 

[czaustin]

Thanks! Not sure if I will be there that weekend or not. I am installing camber plates, need to finish break in, etc.

Nice. I got all that done months ago and this is my first track day in the 350. Pumped!

 

[tlisotta]

Nice. I got all that done months ago and this is my first track day in the 350. Pumped!

Let me know how it goes!!! I transitioned from a 997.1 track car to this. Super excited to chase my buddy in his Grand Sport!

 

[TaraFirma]

I pull mine with my ecoboost King Ranch F-150

 

[Trj3]

2016 F250 6.7L.

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