Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » towing an enclosed car trailer (...with a really light car inside)
| towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122167] |
Sun, 17 April 2011 22:18  |
John Hunt
Messages: 70
Registered: January 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
Karma: 0
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I have a question for anyone with trailer-hauling experience with the GMC . I am hoping to haul an 1100lb race car to the track and back with my new-to-me GMC over So Cal mountain passes like the Grapevine/Tejon Pass and other nether-places where high winds are routine.
An enclosed 16 foot car trailer is nice for protecting the race car, but I'm guessing that will bring the total weight to about 3000 -3500 lbs, and probably a 300+ lb tongue weight. Does anyone have experience with this kind of load? The trailer would have brakes, of course, and I'd use a weight distribution hitch.
I'm also planning to install to the improved trans pan and the lower final drive.
Worse case I'll switch to an aluminum open trailer, but I'd rather not if I don't have to..my goals are to avoid white knuckle handling and killing the trans. Nothing's worse after an exhausting race weekend than a difficult drive home!
thanks -
John
1976 Eleganza II,
1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2,
1978 Merlyn Formula Ford,
1981 Lola Sports 2000
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| Re: towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122172 is a reply to message #122167] |
Sun, 17 April 2011 23:06  |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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I seem to remember that several members of this list have used the GMC to tow racecars, and your rig should be fine as long as you don't go overboard on all the spares (it's amazing how much tools, tires, etc. can add to the weight of the trailer).
There are different ratios available for the final drive if you have trouble with hills. Contact JimK @ Applied GMC and he can give you great advice on what would be best for your intended application.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122181 is a reply to message #122167] |
Mon, 18 April 2011 03:41 |
John Hunt
Messages: 70
Registered: January 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
Karma: 0
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Hi Gord - now that is some rig. Way more than I'd ever drag around...I'll have to ask him about his setup.
George - thanks - I learned long ago to go light on the spares - if I can't fix it in a half hour, I'd rather relax and enjoy the rest of the weekend spectating at the track...I think the contents of my ice chest is greater than my trackside parts inventory.
John
1976 Eleganza II,
1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2,
1978 Merlyn Formula Ford,
1981 Lola Sports 2000
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| Re: towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122200 is a reply to message #122167] |
Mon, 18 April 2011 10:00 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
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Actually, for a dedicated racer, using a Transmode to make a race car hauler would be a great idea. It could still provide a small living area for use at the track, and provide storage and security for a small racecar and the needed spares.
I spent quite a few years running around the country with a friend that was racing a sportscar professionally, and I think we would have loved to have something like that. We eventually ended pulling a large, enclosed trailer behind a Bluebird motorhome, but the early days were a Chevy van with an open trailer. Camping out in a tent or inside the van, along with all the other racing stuff was not all that much fun by the end of a long race weekend! But, we were a lot younger and resilient back then.................
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122224 is a reply to message #122167] |
Mon, 18 April 2011 11:54 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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John,
I have towed a Jeep (approx weight 2,300 - 2,500 lbs) on an open car trailer (approx. wt. 1,500 - 1,700 lbs) from Tucson to The Imperial Sand dunes, three times since owning my GMC. It is a relatively flat drive on I-10 and I-8, with the exception of a mountain pass just east of Yuma. I shoot for about 300 - 350 lbs of tongue weight with a through-the-bumper receiver hitch on the back of the coach, and usually keep my speed down to about 60 - 65 mph.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=34785&title=towing&cat=5523
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37013&title=towing-the-jeep&cat=5523
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37015&title=jeep7e-2300-23-2c-trailer7e-1500-23&cat=5523
I have just recently installed a 3.70, limited slip final drive, but haven't towed the jeep with it yet. I have also installed a Hayden 30,000 lb transmission cooler and a Tekonsha, electric brake controller for the trailer brakes. The other thing I have recently added to the coach is an MSD spark control, so I can retard the timing from the dash if the engine starts to detonate while pulling the grades.
Except for pulling out from a dead stop, the motorhome tows this set-up like it isn't even back there. Obviously, an enclosed trailer is going to increase the wind load during cross winds, but it should not affect the aerodynamics of the coach too much without cross winds.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122229 is a reply to message #122167] |
Mon, 18 April 2011 12:18 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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| Mr. Magoo wrote on Sun, 17 April 2011 20:18 |
I have a question for anyone with trailer-hauling experience with the GMC . I am hoping to haul an 1100lb race car to the track and back with my new-to-me GMC over So Cal mountain passes like the Grapevine/Tejon Pass and other nether-places where high winds are routine.
An enclosed 16 foot car trailer is nice for protecting the race car, but I'm guessing that will bring the total weight to about 3000 -3500 lbs, and probably a 300+ lb tongue weight. Does anyone have experience with this kind of load? The trailer would have brakes, of course, and I'd use a weight distribution hitch.
thanks -
John
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John,
At the Pueblo GMCMI rally, I was parked next to a fellow who had a beautiful blue coach, trailer with one of the sweetest '57 Chevy's inside. Not sure where he was from, but Pueblo was up the hill a little bit. I cannot remember his name, but perhaps someone here will remember.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: [GMCnet] towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122233 is a reply to message #122167] |
Mon, 18 April 2011 12:37 |
Gary Worobec
Messages: 867
Registered: May 2005
Karma: -1
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John, I would opt for:
1. Lower final drive 3.77 or lower
2. Aux Trans cooler and temp gauge
3. New aluminum radiator.
4. New fiberglass fan shroud
5. Heavy duty fan clutch.
Just as a footnote. The first GMC I ever saw was in 1973 at the Westwood
Circuit in B.C. . It was owned by a fellow named Allan Lader, a very good
Formula B driver from Portland OR. The coach was bright orange. Allan was
towing an enclosed race car trailer. I'd always wanted a GMC since that day.
I was racing a Lotus 18. I was towing it with my beat up 1963 Chevy Impala
SS convertible. I should have kept both.
Thanks
Gary and Joanne Worobec
1973 GMC Glacier
Anza, CA
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Hunt" <johnhuntltd@gmail.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2011 8:18 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] towing an enclosed car trailer
>
>
> I have a question for anyone with trailer-hauling experience with the GMC
> . I am hoping to haul an 1100lb race car to the track and back with my
> new-to-me GMC over So Cal mountain passes like the Grapevine/Tejon Pass
> and other nether-places where high winds are routine.
>
> An enclosed 16 foot car trailer is nice for protecting the race car, but
> I'm guessing that will bring the total weight to about 3000 -3500 lbs, and
> probably a 300+ lb tongue weight. Does anyone have experience with this
> kind of load? The trailer would have brakes, of course, and I'd use a
> weight distribution hitch.
>
> I'm also planning to install to the improved trans pan and the lower final
> drive.
>
> Worse case I'll switch to an aluminum open trailer, but I'd rather not if
> I don't have to..my goals are to avoid white knuckle handling and killing
> the trans. Nothing's worse after an exhausting race weekend than a
> difficult drive home!
>
> thanks -
>
> John
>
> --
> 1976 Eleganza II
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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| Re: [GMCnet] towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122238 is a reply to message #122233] |
Mon, 18 April 2011 13:19 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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| Gary Worobec wrote on Mon, 18 April 2011 10:37 |
John, I would opt for:
1. Lower final drive 3.77 or lower
2. Aux Trans cooler and temp gauge
3. New aluminum radiator.
4. New fiberglass fan shroud
5. Heavy duty fan clutch.
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John,
In addition to the things I mentioned earlier, I also have installed the above items on my coach, except for the trans temp gauge. I have a Delco 15-4644 fan clutch, the aluminum radiator, and the two piece, full coverage fan shroud. The coach never runs hot, and the transmission fluid stays nice and red. I may add a temp gauge someday, but it would be for information only.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122240 is a reply to message #122167] |
Mon, 18 April 2011 13:55 |
John Hunt
Messages: 70
Registered: January 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Gord - I like the idea of the GMC as a toyhauler - my cars are an open wheel Formula Ford and a Sports 2000, so the load would be about equivalent to hauling a half dozen (stout) friends back there...but it also needs to be a full-function motorhome for family vacations, so I'll stick with the trailer...
Carl - your setup and mods are a great example - that gives me a good idea that my plan will work ok. Didn't think about an MSD controller...I'll have to give that some thought.
John
1976 Eleganza II,
1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2,
1978 Merlyn Formula Ford,
1981 Lola Sports 2000
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| Re: [GMCnet] towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122241 is a reply to message #122233] |
Mon, 18 April 2011 14:00 |
John Hunt
Messages: 70
Registered: January 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
Karma: 0
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Member |
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thanks Gary - that looks like a good setup, like Carl's.
Ah, a Lotus 18! What a great car! And the Impala's cool, but man, that Lotus is terrific.
Mine is a Merlyn Mk 31 and a Lola 592S...nothing fancy, but plenty of fun.
John
1976 Eleganza II,
1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2,
1978 Merlyn Formula Ford,
1981 Lola Sports 2000
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| Re: towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122295 is a reply to message #122167] |
Mon, 18 April 2011 22:02 |
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I remember back when the GMC's were new that there were some owners and restorers who used a GMC towing an enclosed trailer to bring their classic 55-57 Thunderbirds to the concour shows. My guess is that they were towing, with car & trailer, at least 5000#.
Bill Brown - '77 Buckeye Cruiser
Coshocton OH
carguybill@sbcglobal.net
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| Re: towing an enclosed car trailer [message #122320 is a reply to message #122318] |
Tue, 19 April 2011 09:31 |
Don A
Messages: 895
Registered: October 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Yea Neil
I would really like to see the inside and the outside, when you can
Thanks
<<<I have a friend who turned a transmode into a racecar hauler, he moved the rear wheels/suspension out so the inside of the coach is full width. I will try and grab a picture if anyone is interested. >>>
Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba
[IMG]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG]
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