Shootout Tow Vehicles
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 49
From: Hampstead, NC
2000 GMC Sierra 1500 Ex. Cab Z71, 5.3, built 4L60E, big tranny cooler, Flowmaster 1 chamber through stock tailpipe, homemade CAI, Blackbear street tune, Air Lift bags. 18' PJ trailer 4' dovetail, gonna add a weight distribution hitch this year. Gets 11-12 mpg as pictured with atv, generator, pit tent, coolers, tools and luggage for 3 for 4 days (11500lbs total)! Has 203K miles, repaired some rust on bedsides, rockers and cab corners and still pulls like it did new!
Found the pics of my old TBI 350 powered Z71 that would have been my tow vehicle last year, but I sold it recently. Looking to get another with the Vortec 350 possibly in August.
BTW my Cummins pulling the my 16+2 trailer probably 2500+#s and a 3500# load still gets 25 mpg 
empty on long trips I can touch 30 mpg (if I can keep my foot out of it) and she has 300k on the odometer
empty on long trips I can touch 30 mpg (if I can keep my foot out of it) and she has 300k on the odometer LS1 Tech Stories
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10 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 28
It takes 100% of the worry away when you go to race it. Nothing better than sitting at the track all day long in the sun, making a bunch of passes, loading it onto the trailer, and then getting into the dead-quiet cab for a QUIET cruise home. I live 65 miles from my local 1/4 mile track. I recall several times where local guys would break at 8 or 9pm on a Friday night. They would call AAA and then around 1am the flatbed would arrive. 2:30am they'd be home finally. **** that.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Apopka FL
when we got started we got a 18ft open trailer for 1800. put a truck box on the front and your set. you should be able to find a nice used one for a decent price. hell a buddy picked up a ratty looking one for 400 and spent a few hundred more to rewire and redeck it.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, IN
or for $50 I can rent a UHaul for the 1 or 2 trips I make to the track a year, which is why I havent made the jump to owning my own trailer yet, plus the space it takes up when not in use etc. etc.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Apopka FL
if you only go 1 or 2 time a year i can see why you don't have one. but for those that do make a bunch of trips its much nicer to have all your stuff setup and ready to go with out the hassle of going and renting one.
10 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 28
My trailer was $1500 and it's a 2010. I bought it used (barely). I don't use it a lot but once people know you have one your phone will start ringing. I rent it out here and there to recoup some of the cost.
