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Might have to cancel order... Opinions please!

6K views 55 replies 21 participants last post by  Rokhund 
#1 ·
A interesting change of events has transpired within the last week or so...

(back story first)
I made up my mind in February to prepare to purchase a new SRT. I have sold my convertible (4th car), got the wife into a cheaper monthly payment new car (with warranty- and she loves it- double win) and bought a cheap beater to drive while I get my current tow rig/ DD SUV ready to be sold (08 TBSS)

The events that have happened is that I owned a 18' open trailer and in anticipation to go to a big drag racing event in Bowling Green beginning of October put it up for sale (first time in 4 years I will be taking a vacation at this job). My fun car 13 GT500 has never and will never see rain... so to go to this event and stay 3-4 days I needed an enclosed trailer.

I end up blowing my stock clutch in my car drag racing on a Saturday night and order new parts plus cancel my trip to Bowling Green. Car has to be transported (via trailer) to the guy everyone recommends for the clutch install which is a 2 hour drive.. Only day I am off is Sundays.... So I schedule to drop the GT500 off Tuesday for the coming Sunday. Get a call Thursday morning on my trailer (which is still up for sale and I MUST use the coming up Sunday). Tell the guy what's up and he still wants to come look at it.
Comes and looks at it and says he has to have it now and offers me $200 more than what I had it listed for ($500 more than what I paid for it a year prior)... I accept and promptly start searching for new trailer.
Buy a brand new enclosed trailer in the size I think I need the next morning before work and have it delivered.


It is a 24' V nose Freedom trailer with dual 5200lb axles with brakes on both (10k GTW) and plenty of not important extras. Love it....

I work for a dealership and since my TBSS is still being cleaned in prep for being put up for sale I decide to take a dealerships vehicle to tow my new trailer with my car in it on Sunday.
The ONLY vehicle we have that can really tow something large at the time is a 2013 Cadillac Escalade ESV (6.2 liter rated to tow 7,800lbs).
Everything seems fine except the Caddy really seems to be downshifting allot and running 3k- 4k rpms during the drive (yes it was in tow mode, and I had cruise set at 70MPH- Caddy only has 4k miles on it and it is unlikely it has ever been used to tow- has full factory tow package)

So when I get to my destination I am talking with the owner and voice my concern about the high rpm and 6.8 MPG :( average during the trip... He then asks the questions of what is it rated at etc.. And then he asks me a question I had given thought but never actually checked since I just bought the new trailer... " What do you think that trailer alone weighs?"
To which I replied: 1,500-2,000 lbs... instant laughter from him :rolleyes: makes me nervous and we read on the trailer and conclude the trailer alone weighs 3,999 lbs!
No wonder fuel mileage sucked and it was downshifting... it was towing nearly 8,000 lbs.... (plus the tow vehicle itself is a tank with a much longer wheel base than the SRT) I discuss with him my intent to purchase a new SRT and he says no way.. need a 3/4 ton truck... not my style and really not an option for what needs I have for a DD/ Tow rig..

So mighty wise members... what are your thoughts?
I am going to take the trailer with GT500 to the weigh station, unhook the trailer and get the actual weight of the load... Which should come in at ~ 7,900lbs if we are right about the trailer..

The SRT has the power (70 HP more than the Caddy, 60 ftlbs more torque- plus I plan to add a blower within the first 6 months of ownership of the SRT)
But it has a shorter wheel base than the Caddy and weighs nearly 800 lbs less... It will have enough brakes though

I have already started looking into the Reese weight distributing hitch with integrated sway control and have been searching though all the forums since I got home Sunday night....

Can it handle it? The Caddy did not really sway much even though it was quite windy....

I have also searched and I do not see where virtually anyone has done a air suspension on a WK2. Is there a reason why not? I am thinking this will not only help with looks and ride (so I can still be lowered) but that it will allow me to tow while being lowered + help with my above the factory's max towing limit....

Thoughts?

There is literally nothing on the market (new) that fits all my needs like the SRT and has a higher tow capacity (that I know of) and is still in the same realm price wise as the SRT...








Sorry for the long read.. summary = need to tow 800lbs more than factory limit
 
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#5 · (Edited)
Also, regardless of how much the SRT can tow, your bigger issue is going to be the size of the trailer vs. the small size of the SRT. A 24' enclosed trailer is a pretty big brick back there and I can see the SRT getting blown all around. I probably wouldn't even tow that trailer w/ a half ton...3/4 ton or stay at home.

Personally I'd keep the SRT, buy a lighter and smaller open trailer and buy a car cover or pop-up awning if you're that concerned about a little rain. I mean we're just talking about some Mustang here, not a one of a kind vintage vehicle...

Here is some good reading about trying to tow a loaded 24' enclosed car hauler with a half ton...
http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442814
 
#6 ·
No SRT for you. It might be able to physically pull it, but the stress/strain over repeated use will not be a good idea.

Try to enjoy your new 3/4 ton pickup....
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the input.
I should add that I will only be traveling about 2 hours each way.. (no across the country stuff) and maybe 4-6 times a year...

And Prestone: the 14+ is rated at 7,200 lb capacity. ..

I would think these big boats I see people towing with their SRT would cause more drag than a v nose trailer...
 
#9 ·
Thanks for the input.
I would think these big boats I see people towing with their SRT would cause more drag than a v nose trailer...
It depends on the boat. Also, just b/c you see it doesn't mean the driver is enjoying it or the vehicle can handle the load over time.

If it is just 2 hours, I would seriously look into a "beater" 3/4 diesel. There should be something out there with high miles just begging to be purchased to use as a tow vehicle a handful of times a year.
 
#12 ·
MSRP to MSRP yes the Jeep is more... but it's a Jeep... With no limited availability. .. not numbered and almost 200 hp less stock for stock....

I can understand from most of your point of views that is just another mustang... but that is not the case.
I ordered my car, was able to find it for MSRP (at the time and 6 month +/- of my order dealers everywhere were charging $10k-$20k over MSRP for this car)
I drove to the plant to watch final production, then picked it up at the dealer with them doing a pdi only... so no one other than myself has ever washed it, drove it (except on/ off carrier truck/ assembly line)
I even rode with the tech during the pdi...
it's a special cat not just to me.

regardless, it has and will hold its value much more than the Jeep
 
#14 ·
If the Ford is as valuable as you indicate, that is more reason to have a proper tow vehicle.

The length or frequency of the trip has nothing to do with it. If you want to justify a bad decision, you didn't need the internet. ;)


---
 
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#18 ·
$44kon a 13 Iis a wrecked car for sure.

And 13/14 are the real value holders due to the new tech, engine etc etc..
much like the 14 srt compared to 12 and 13....
I never would have even considered the SRT if they stayed the same from 12/13.. Didn't like the interior and can't tow
 
#21 ·
True, but with a 24' enclosed trailer, the added size/weight of the 3/4 ton helps out. A 1/2 ton properly equipped can also get the job done, but if I were going to buying a truck strictly for towing, I'd go with the 3/4 ton.
 
#25 ·
Dang...

Wish i could afford all those cars at once! Well, maybe not the GT500. Personally i'd prefer a ZL1 or Z28(out soon).

Definitely go with the SRT to tow FTW and put that blower!

P.S. Curious to know what color u choose for the srt. i wish i could get a blacked out one or bloodied!!!
 
#27 ·
Thanks.
No kids, a wife that works (albeit doesn't make much but enough to cover her car payment and insurance) and I don't take vacations (hence first one Iin 4 years)

The color is Redline (will be my first red vehicle. . Finally ready for one, favorite color is blue and have owned: white, black, gray, blue, orange, silver, and beige cars)
 
#29 ·
No way can the SRT tow that trailer even unloaded. It's bigger than the tow vehicle. I recommend a 3/4 ton truck diesel possibly. Your probably going to push 9000 lbs loaded. With a tongue weight of 10% you need a class 4 hitch easy with proper brakes.


Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
#31 · (Edited)
wag the dog indeed.... and the talk of adding a blower has me laughing out loud... seriously, that's the last thing I'd do to that SRT if I wanted to tow 8k. You cant fit a heat exchanger large enough to handle the AIT that constant load would create... hemi go *BOOM*
 
#32 ·
Have you thought about the legal implications in the event of something going wrong ?
If you knowingly drove a 8000+ trailer with a car that is not allowed to tow such a behemoth, and you crashed, I am sure you would be in for a whole world of problems.

Also, I am sure you could easily find out what the trailer weighs as it is new and would surely be on some of the paperwork. Ignorance is not a defense when it all goes to shit.
 
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#33 ·
Towing is more than HP, Torque, and braking.....it's the structure of the towing vehicle also, like frame, uni body, axles, suspension etc......all taken into account when max tow rates are determined....... Sounds like your at the max limit for an SRT, with no margins for error...........I think you will have to decide on your priorities......SRT with a smaller trailer, or another larger tow vehicle, like a big 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton pick-up or SUV....I would shop for something that has a rated towing capacity quite a bit greater than what your towing, that way you can be sure your not straining or damaging your tow vehicle
 
#34 ·
Thanks for all the input and good constructive criticism.
I tried seeing if the only local guy I know that would be interest in the trailer would take it... But he is going all out and for his Shelby ordering a custom built 30' aluminum trailer with all the toys... (he has same color combo as my car and knew he would love the custom paint job just finished to match the car-inside).

So then I went out and did the true to the pound math based on the trailers plate. It says total weight (GTW) not to exceed 9,999lbs. It also says not to loan more than 6,199lbs of cargo in the trailer.
So by that deduction of 9999-6199= $3,800lbs.

Ford/ media says my car weighs 3,852lbs stock. I have done ~325lbs of weight reduction on the vehicle (front suspension, brakes, wheels, rear suspension). I plan to get it all on the scales for good measure but by my calculations with nothing in the trailer besides the car I am looking a GTW of 7,327lbs
Which is only 127lbs over Jeeps claimed 7,200lb tow limit...
Add in doing distribution Hitch and sway bars and I do not see myself doing damage to the Jeep. (especially since I will not have but maybe 1 passenger and I am sure Jeep rated the CGVW to include some form of passenger/ cargo in the Jeep itself)

I have no reason to take my show wheels with me to the track (300lbs) or any other equipment other than helmet and tire inflator (which might not even have to take it).
I do plan on adding a winch to the inside of the trailer since the "dukes of hazard" style of getting in and out of the car was not fun.

So with the winch and little amount of gear mentioned I am 200lbs over the 7,200 limit.... Not a huge deal.

-Sway/ wag the dog: distribution hitch, swaybars, and the GT500 loaded properly should minimize that.

-"emergency situation" a few people have mentioned... I am of the mindset that if it is meant to happen it will.... If you cut me off and I cant stop and have to hit you then so be it.... Yes I will be pissed if due to your inability to drive you have damaged my SRT (which can easily be replaced) but as long as my car in the trailer if fine... then you wont have to die. That's what insurance is for...
 
#38 ·
Thanks for all the input and good constructive criticism.
<snip/>

So with the winch and little amount of gear mentioned I am 200lbs over the 7,200 limit.... Not a huge deal.

-Sway/ wag the dog: distribution hitch, swaybars, and the GT500 loaded properly should minimize that.

-"emergency situation" a few people have mentioned... I am of the mindset that if it is meant to happen it will.... If you cut me off and I cant stop and have to hit you then so be it.... Yes I will be pissed if due to your inability to drive you have damaged my SRT (which can easily be replaced) but as long as my car in the trailer if fine... then you wont have to die. That's what insurance is for...
Ah, but if you don't kill me, consider that my lawyer is bigger than your lawyer, and any lawyer worth their fee might point out to both my and your insurance company that you knew that you were pushing the limits and even exceeding them and <lawermode-on> with blatant and callous disregard for the safety and well being of other drivers and the victims of your blatant and callous disregard decided to imperil the driving public blah blah blah blah blah </lawyermode-off> and me or my extremely vicious widow might sue the pants off you.

Plus, seriously dude you do risk affecting the chassis of a really nice SRT as opposed to a more suitable body on frame tow vehicle that could handle the loads of needing to control a heavy trailer with the wingnuts you'll encounter out there on the roadways--plus the occasional moose.

Trade 'em both in for one of those special built Mercedes truck vehicles...
 
#35 · (Edited)
You're grasping at straws to try and make your tow combo work. If you thought using the Escalade ESV to tow was bad, the SRT will be even worse due to the vehicle's small size. When you have to start nickel and diming each and every item on you trailer, you're tow vehicle is not up to the job. What if you ever want to take a compressor, tools, etc?
 
#36 ·
Insurance investigates and determines you were overweight and unsafe... No soup for you!

Get a matching f-150 or f-250.
If you don't want 18mpg towing get the 6.2 v8 in either truck and enjoy 8mpg!



Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
#39 ·
I will say i am a bit ignorant at times, but these last posts have really opened my train of thought and can see all those possibilities.

I suggest OP if you really want the SRT go for it but do not use it to tow that load as others have said. I can see the chasis getting ruined eventually. Hell get the SRT, get a 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck as well and still keep the GT500.

As i used to say: "YOLO!!!"
 
#40 ·
Just drive the damn mustang. I could pick a LaFerrari up in Maranello and fly it via Unicorn back to the states and I'd still drive it in the rain. Any way you slice it's a mustang and odds are you will be dead before there is any chance of you making money on it or breaking even. Now if you were cream puffing it that would be one thing, but to drag it but be worried about rain? Come on now. Around me the only people driving gt500s are spoiled kids (18 or under) and guys with mullets who wear windbreakers year round. Let's not forget the 14k gold chains. Buy the SRT, supercharge it: and drive the mustang to the track. Win win
 
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