What is the heaviest trailer you have towed? Any problems? I will be hauling a 2200 lb race car on a 1200 lb open trailer, with a couple hundred pounds of pit and paddock equipment in the bed. The 25 mile tow to Gateway is no problem, but I am also looking at towing to Memphis, Topeka and Oklahoma City.

 

My dad and I have towed almost 10,000 lbs with our 2000 Lightning. It was with distibution bars and a 20' enclosed race car trailer. It handeled pretty well for what the truck is. We had to put a brake controler in the truck for the trailer.

 

No problem. Just keep the tonge weight down to a few hundred lbs. I do it all the time. Turn off OD if you get to long hills. If you do, the L will even stay out of boost. You will get about 10MGP at 65MPH at 5000 LBS.

PS What kind of car. I run SCCA autocross in St Louis all the time.

 

I race a 1988 Nissan Sentra in Improved Touring. I was the MiDiv Champion in 1998 in both the MidAm and IT Tour for ITC. Definitely something to be said for reliability over a nickle rocket.

 

I towed my Pantera (2900#)on a open trailer three hours to Pocono last month w/my '01 L.I couldn't believe how well it towed.Another guy towed his from Texas w/ an '01 and he was also astonished at how well it towed.

 

I've towed a 2300lb racecar,1100lb trailer with about 1200lbs of equipment to Sebring, FL from Queens,NY...close to 3000 miles when all was said and done.....on the way back the right rear seal started leaking under steady 85mph runs after 45min or so...dealer took care after I got back to NYC

 

Does 7500 lbs. with a Gen1 count ? Me and my Fiance' towed her 5500lb. RockCrawling Explorer on my 2000lb. trailer, with her '94 L , 520 miles over all kinds of hills, and averaged over 11mpg.

I was backing out of it on the climbs and had plenty of throttle left. I found that I could make her kick down and accelerate up the hills.

Did I mention that 1st. Gen. L's didn't have a blower ?

This was done using a weight distributing hitch and electric trailer brakes and controller.

 

I might be towing my Saleen, about 350 miles. Most of the trip is flat, but there are a couple of steep hills/ mountains on the way. Does the L have any problems with long grades? I'm referring mostly to the grapevine just outside of Los Angeles in case anyone has towed over that grade before.
I'm just wondering if the truck will stay in boost, engine heat up, etc..

 

what year pantera do you have my dad has 72 pantera red with black int. 351 to this day he still wont let me drive it

 

fordtec2001:sorry to hear about your dads lack of faith . My car is a '71.You can see it at: http://pantera1889.tripod.com/1889/
Thanks
p.s.
where are you from?

 

Dennis G,
I have driven over the grapevine several times and that is one nasty hill. ever notice how many cars overheat coming up it?I had to go up it in 3rd gear (with my poor v-6) to hold it at the speed limit.I really don't think your truck will have any problems with it while towing,as long as the cooling system is working right.
good luck

 

Thanks Lightningcrashz for the response. That's kind of what I thought, but you are right, it is a long grade.

My parents towed their 99 C5 vette with a 2000 V8 Cherokee Jeep to the Silver State Classic. They said it was heating up quite a bit going over the mountain ranges to Las Vegas. They even had to turn on the heater because of the engine temp.

Is there a point where you should pull over? Obvisouly if the temp needle is close or near the red you should, but I'm wondering if the temp will hit a point and plateau. My truck only has 2000 miles on it, so I'm probably worrying about nothing.

 

Hey Pantera,

My dad an I both have Pantera's too...both white '73 L's (isn't that qute)

I bought my Lightning after my last tow vehicle ('90 Bronco) died on the way to the 'Vegas ralley in April.

Anyway, I wonder how many Pantera owners use Lightning's as tow rigs...or more appropriate for this forum...I wonder how many Lightning owners tow Panteras.