Tow vehicle suggestions

[CobaltFilly]

As my affinity for HPDE has quickly turned from hobby to obsession, I have been researching a vehicle to tow my car(s) to the track. This wasn't much of an issue the last few years when I was using Conti ECS02 tires, but now that I am addicted to Potenza RE71RS's, I'd like to minimize the mileage of them on the street. I do have a rather bad ass 2023 Explorer ST that I have used to tow my GTI to the "local" track (approx 90 miles one way). That car is a good 500 lbs lighter than my Mach 1 and I felt my ST was adequate towing it. However, I am looking at going to some tracks that are further away, e.g. Ozarks, Eagles Canyon, COTA and I am not comfortable with my ST towing a car that far.

I am looking for suggestions for a good towing vehicle. I really do not want to sell/trade my ST for an Expedition Limited Stealth because I hate soccer mom-school bus-SUV's and those things are massive. I have been looking at trucks but it seems like car manufacturers recently started sucking at making engines.

Chevrolet: The 3.0 Duramax and the 6.2 are grenading. The 5.3 still has issues w/AFM. I am not sold on a 2.7 turbo in a full size truck to be used for towing.
Ram: Beautiful truck, but it depreciates quickly and Stellantis reliability............Also, I don't like how the Hurricane I-6 doesn't have an oil dipstick.
Toyota: Apparently pure shit. The older V8's seem to be appreciating.
Ford: Raptor is out of the question for various reasons that have nothing to do with towing. The 10 speed auto in the Mustang and Explorer is sketchy, as we all know. How are they in the F150?
Nissan: Titan can be found for a good price, has a reliable 5.6 V8/9 speed auto from what I have read. I found a nice Pro-4x in Tulsa. Towing capacity isn't up to par w/GM, Ford, or Ram.

What about mid sized trucks? The Gladiator Rubicon has a tow rating of 7k lbs, but the payload is only 1,200-1,300. The Colorado's interior is too cramped for what I will be using the truck for. The Rangers are decent, but again.....payload?

Also, this vehicle will be a section 179 deduction for my business, so finances aren't all that much of a concern. However, I'd rather have a more "basic" vehicle. Can't roll up in a Ram Rho next week and not have my employees ask for a bigger raise than what I just gave them.

Right now, I am leaning towards the F-150 Lariat, Ram Rebel, or Titan Pro-4x. Thoughts?

Gladiators wont pull much of anything for the record. Maybe on baby tires…

Go a little older. Think:
2nd Gen 2014+ Toyota Tundra
1992-1997 Ford F250 (7.5l 460 V8 Gas is unkillable if you can stand 10-12mpgs, or get a 7.3 diesel; either will pass anything but a gas station)
2020+ Ram 2500/3500 with a Cummins Diesel (I love ours with the 50 gal tank and airbag suspension…truly a family daily)

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[mustanghammer]

I have a 2014 F150 SuperCrew Lariat with a 6.2L V8. It is the same engine that came in the Raptor from that generation F150 - 411HP/434TQ. Rare as hen's teeth but very old school reliable. Worst thing is the spark plug change (there are 16 of them) and it has hydraulic power steering. Also fuel economy is not great - average around town is 14-15mpg and 9-11mpg towing.

I bought it to tow a 24ft enclosed trailer for my road race car. I have also used it to go to Nationals with my Mustang a couple of times. It works fine but honestly a 3/4 ton would be a better choice for this trailer. A truck like ours or one with a 5.0 would easily handle an open trailer.

Don't sleep on the last steel body F150's. The 5.0s from that generation didn't have a wet belt for the oil pump and the 6spd trans they were using back then is rock solid. Of course there is also the 6.2L if you can find one.

 

[ZX3ST]

Ford: Raptor is out of the question for various reasons that have nothing to do with towing. The 10 speed auto in the Mustang and Explorer is sketchy, as we all know. How are they in the F150?

Right now, I am leaning towards the F-150 Lariat, Ram Rebel, or Titan Pro-4x. Thoughts?

Much depends on the trailer you intend to tow. Even a 1/2 ton pickup could be dicey if you're hauling a large heavy enclosed trailer and the truck hasn't had the correct build. F-150 can be configured in ways that towing capacity could be anywhere between 5,000-13,000lb depending on the build sheet. The other makes will be a similar situation. Bottom line, need some feedback on your proposed trailer before we can recommend a tow vehicle.

Having said that, I tow a 8.5x24 aluminum enclosed trailer (around 8500lb fully loaded) with my 2019 F-150 (XLT, 3.5L, standard wheelbase, Max-tow package, 3.55 rear end). Roughly 100k total miles, 30k pulling the trailer. Ford replaced the cam phasers around 50k under warranty. Other than that it's been 100% reliable.

 

[16Kobra]

2001 f250 7.3 Diesel behind my 24 ft enclosed trailer. or the 2002 Excursion with the 7.3 Diesel also works

 

[gone_n_60]

Saw this and had to say to anyone DON"T EVER consider a Nissan Titan! I have one and Nissan totally sucks at standing behind their products. Also I understand Nissan will end the Titan line as their sales are abysmal now. For years I had a good friend who worked at a Nissan dealer and worked on my truck so I had the best of the best for service. Even with that my diff went out under warranty then 5k miles after warranty and Nissan wouldn't do anything for me. Various other things happened and even with an insider mechanic trying to help me Nissan was crappy about fixing anything that clearly was due to faulty production.

 

[Bossdog]

I was looking for a mid-size SUV that can tow more then 5000 lbs. I highly prefer regurlar gas rather than 91/premium. That leaves the Jeep Grand Cherokee with towing package, Nissan Pathfinder and apparently, in 2025, the Toyota 4Runner. I went with the Pathfinder. I got a great deal year-end 2025. They shed the CVT in the Pathfinder in 2022 in exchange for the 9 speed ZF transmission.
I found a used 2022 R & R 720CHA aluminum car hauler, 1300 lbs, to match with the max towing of the Pathfinder of 6000 lbs. I installed the Air Lift 1000 air bags in the springs to reduce ass droup.
I did my first test run this weekend. Ass droup was minimal. I purchased a Tongue weight scale so I could dial in the position of my fat lady on the trailer to hit as close to 500 lbs tongue weight as possible. Once positioned properly, I strapped her down and took her for a spin and was pleasently suprised!
My first outting is Mid-May at NCM in Bowling Green KY, 7.5 hr drive. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[luc]

I was looking for a mid-size SUV that can tow more then 5000 lbs. I highly prefer regurlar gas rather than 91/premium. That leaves the Jeep Grand Cherokee with towing package, Nissan Pathfinder and apparently, in 2025, the Toyota 4Runner. I went with the Pathfinder. I got a great deal year-end 2025. They shed the CVT in the Pathfinder in 2022 in exchange for the 9 speed ZF transmission.
I found a used 2022 R & R 720CHA aluminum car hauler, 1300 lbs, to match with the max towing of the Pathfinder of 6000 lbs. I installed the Air Lift 1000 air bags in the springs to reduce ass droup.
I did my first test run this weekend. Ass droup was minimal. I purchased a Tongue weight scale so I could dial in the position of my fat lady on the trailer to hit as close to 500 lbs tongue weight as possible. Once positioned properly, I strapped her down and took her for a spin and was pleasently suprised!
My first outting is Mid-May at NCM in Bowling Green KY, 7.5 hr drive. I'll let you know how it goes.

A weight distributing hitch is the way to deal with sagging rear end, not airbags
The wdh will transfer weight from the rear to the front, airbag do not

 

[kz]

A weight distributing hitch is the way to deal with sagging rear end, not airbags
The wdh will transfer weight from the rear to the front, airbag do not

Exactly - they only prevent unloading the front more than it could be by providing additional rear spring rate.
Also thing to watch out for is payload - this is almost always the limiting factor for everything including full size 1500 / 150 trucks until you move to the heavy duty ones. Airbags or WDH does not do anything for the payload.

 

[luc]

Exactly - they only prevent unloading the front more than it could be by providing additional rear spring rate.
Also thing to watch out for is payload - this is almost always the limiting factor for everything including full size 1500 / 150 trucks until you move to the heavy duty ones. Airbags or WDH does not do anything for the payload.

Right but Wdh help with the maximum rear axle weight rating whereas the airbag do squat for it

 

[Bossdog]

I appreciate everyones input, I'm not experienced regarding setting up a towing package.
I purchased a Tongue weight scale and positioned the car to exert 500 lbs tongue weight.
(recommended tongue weight is 10 to 15% of total weight being towed).
Vehicle Max tongue weight is 600 lbs
Max hauling capacity is 1400 lbs.
Correct me if I have this wrong but my understanding is to subtract, tongue weight, Passenger weight, and any other cargo in the vehicle from the 1400 lbs max. With just me driving, tools, Jack and luggage, subtract 400 to 500 lbs from the Max hauling capacity. I should be well under the vehicles max payload/ Hauling capacity.

summary:
Towing capacity: 6000lbs
Trailer (1300 lbs)+ Car weight (3,700 lbs) = 5000lbs
Max tongue weight: 600lbs
Actual tongue weight: 500lbs
Payload capacity: 1422 lbs
Actual weight: Tongue (500lbs) + Passenger (200)+ tools/Jack/ luggage (200)=900lbs
I'm at the limits but I think I'm within the specs of the vehicle.

Given its an aluminum trailer, I'm not sure a weight distribution hitch is applicable. I'd need to check with the manufcturer.

I'll make my first hauling run May 15/16/17. Hopefully it goes well!

 

[kz]

You'll be fine payload wise (hitch weight counts too but it won't be an issue anyway).

What's the empty trailer tongue weight btw ? If it's close to that 500 lb, you may want to move the car fwd to put some more tongue weigth on the hitch (since you have margin payload-wise) to avoid sway.

 

[luc]

I appreciate everyones input, I'm not experienced regarding setting up a towing package.
I purchased a Tongue weight scale and positioned the car to exert 500 lbs tongue weight.
(recommended tongue weight is 10 to 15% of total weight being towed).
Vehicle Max tongue weight is 600 lbs
Max hauling capacity is 1400 lbs.
Correct me if I have this wrong but my understanding is to subtract, tongue weight, Passenger weight, and any other cargo in the vehicle from the 1400 lbs max. With just me driving, tools, Jack and luggage, subtract 400 to 500 lbs from the Max hauling capacity. I should be well under the vehicles max payload/ Hauling capacity.

summary:
Towing capacity: 6000lbs
Trailer (1300 lbs)+ Car weight (3,700 lbs) = 5000lbs
Max tongue weight: 600lbs
Actual tongue weight: 500lbs
Payload capacity: 1422 lbs
Actual weight: Tongue (500lbs) + Passenger (200)+ tools/Jack/ luggage (200)=900lbs
I'm at the limits but I think I'm within the specs of the vehicle.

Given its an aluminum trailer, I'm not sure a weight distribution hitch is applicable. I'd need to check with the manufcturer.

I'll make my first hauling run May 15/16/17. Hopefully it goes well!

You need to check with the trailer manufacturer to see if they approve the wdh on your specific trailer
Little tip on trailer sway :
If that was to happen, it’s pretty rare, you want to use the

I appreciate everyones input, I'm not experienced regarding setting up a towing package.
I purchased a Tongue weight scale and positioned the car to exert 500 lbs tongue weight.
(recommended tongue weight is 10 to 15% of total weight being towed).
Vehicle Max tongue weight is 600 lbs
Max hauling capacity is 1400 lbs.
Correct me if I have this wrong but my understanding is to subtract, tongue weight, Passenger weight, and any other cargo in the vehicle from the 1400 lbs max. With just me driving, tools, Jack and luggage, subtract 400 to 500 lbs from the Max hauling capacity. I should be well under the vehicles max payload/ Hauling capacity.

summary:
Towing capacity: 6000lbs
Trailer (1300 lbs)+ Car weight (3,700 lbs) = 5000lbs
Max tongue weight: 600lbs
Actual tongue weight: 500lbs
Payload capacity: 1422 lbs
Actual weight: Tongue (500lbs) + Passenger (200)+ tools/Jack/ luggage (200)=900lbs
I'm at the limits but I think I'm within the specs of the vehicle.

Given its an aluminum trailer, I'm not sure a weight distribution hitch is applicable. I'd need to check with the manufcturer.

I'll make my first hauling run May 15/16/17. Hopefully it goes well!

you need to check with the trailer manufacturer to find out if they approve a wdh in your specific trailer
Little tip regarding trailer sway:
If that was to happen, it’s pretty rare, the way to stop it is to only use the manual brake lever on the brake controller, never the vehicle brake
You want the trailer to slow down the vehicle, not the vehicle slowing the trailer

 

[Bossdog]

You need to check with the trailer manufacturer to see if they approve the wdh on your specific trailer
Little tip on trailer sway :
If that was to happen, it’s pretty rare, you want to use the

you need to check with the trailer manufacturer to find out if they approve a wdh in your specific trailer
Little tip regarding trailer sway:
If that was to happen, it’s pretty rare, the way to stop it is to only use the manual brake lever on the brake controller, never the vehicle brake
You want the trailer to slow down the vehicle, not the vehicle slowing the trailer

thanks for the heads up!

 

[Bossdog]

You'll be fine payload wise (hitch weight counts too but it won't be an issue anyway).

What's the empty trailer tongue weight btw ? If it's close to that 500 lb, you may want to move the car fwd to put some more tongue weigth on the hitch (since you have margin payload-wise) to avoid sway.

I did not check empty tongue weight, I can do that next time. Thanks.

 

[Bossdog]

You'll be fine payload wise (hitch weight counts too but it won't be an issue anyway).

What's the empty trailer tongue weight btw ? If it's close to that 500 lb, you may want to move the car fwd to put some more tongue weigth on the hitch (since you have margin payload-wise) to avoid sway.

The manufacturer says empty tongue weight is 200 lbs. which makes sense on a tandem axel trailer that has a total weight of 1300lbs.

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