Towing a ZR-1, how much towing capacity?

[Aurora40]

We are looking to get just a plain old truck. My wife mainly wants to be able to haul stuff around like mulch, furniture, etc. I figure if we are going to get one, why not one that is capable of hauling the 'vette if need be. But I want as little truck as possible (to save on up front cost as well as on gas).

How much towing capacity would be needed to tow the car and an open trailer? Would 5,000 lbs cut it? I know very little about towing or about trucks.

[Jeffvette]

Bob, I've got a 2002 2wd Chevy Silverado 1500 with the 4.8 V8. It tows just fine with the race car or the ZR-1 behind it on a flat bed trailer. If you are wanting enclosed you will have to step it up to a 2500 series.

The truck gets good gas mileage as well. I'll get 400-450 miles per tank on the highway, and the tank is 25 gallons.

[Aurora40]

One truck we're going to look at is an '07 F-150 with the 4.2L V6. The trailer rating is like 5,100, which I think is the same as the 4.3 and 4.8L Silverado. Though that may be more a factor of the hitch than anything else. Certainly the 4.8L packs way more hp and a bit more torque.

I'd like to get something newish with lowish miles (under 50k would be nice) for under $10 grand. V8's seem to run a little more than this in general, at least what I've seen so far. We are in no hurry though, so maybe I should watch the market a bit more to get a better feel for it.

Thanks Jeff!

[Jeffvette]

Bob, if you stay within the GM family and get a LS motor, you are also just a tune away from some better gas mileage. Also a cam swap will help with some power, and the gas mileage will also have a slight increase.

GL in your search.

[Jagdpanzer]

You should have no problem trailering your Z with any 1/2 ton pickup truck equipped with a proper trailer hitch. Engine size is dependent on how much you like to pass slower traffic. I have a Ford Expedition and it works fine to.

[tccrab]

If you are in no rush there will be a huge glut of high end pickups and SUV's on the market by the end of summer.
With gas/diesel prices being what they are, people will be unloading them by the truckload (pun intended).
My brother up in Seattle just recently picked up a 2002 Silverado 2500 4WD with ~85k miles on it for <$6k.


TomC

[cuisinartvette]

Youll like the Silverados, Aurora. 02 was the last yr for the rounded front end.
Have an 02 with the 5.3, love it. Mileage is liveable, very comfortable, plenty of power, cant kill that LS motor. Hit passing gear and it barks the tires. You can get em cheap, people are giving them away right now.

[Nick]

02 was the last yr for the rounded front end.
Have an 02 with the 5.3, love it. Mileage is liveable, very comfortable, plenty of power, cant kill that LS motor. Hit passing gear and it barks the tires.
I tow a 5,000 lb. boat with my 02 Silverado, don't even know its back there. 4:10 gears definitely make a difference; glad I got those. Fuel economy? What's that? :mrgreen:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/skedadl/TraileredZR-1.jpg

[bldavis11]

Bob, I've got a 2002 2wd Chevy Silverado 1500 with the 4.8 V8. It tows just fine with the race car or the ZR-1 behind it on a flat bed trailer. If you are wanting enclosed you will have to step it up to a 2500 series.

The truck gets good gas mileage as well. I'll get 400-450 miles per tank on the highway, and the tank is 25 gallons.
Check the "maybe" box on the enclosed trailer deal. My old man just towed an enclosed trailed filled with furniture from Arkansas to Florida in a Nissan Titan (5.7L V8) without a problem.

[USAFPILOT]

My NIssan Titan didn't even know the vette was back there. Any stock Titan can tow 9500 pounds, maybe more now but mine was a first year truck in 2004. Its more truck than you'll need but you just cant beat the interior and ability of the truck dollar for dollar, and the have a DOHC 32 Valve V8 like the ZR-1. Cool Huh. Pick one up for aroun 10G's probably unless you want one that is loaded. Fuel Economy is an issue at 16 MPG.

/http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/6/web/2046000-2046999/2046624_11_full.jpg

[Aurora40]

and the have a DOHC 32 Valve V8 like the ZR-1. Cool Huh. Pick one up for aroun 10G's probably unless you want one that is
loaded

Lol, I could transfer "DOHC 32V" license plates around then. ;) Or stage stoplight conversations like those "hemi" commercials when they came out for the Ram.

I can't say I'm a huge Nissan fan. We had a 200SX that was generally reliable, though when it did need parts, they were quite expensive. And Nissan interiors are horrific. Though, then again, it's a truck...

I hadn't thought about the Titan though, so I'll keep an eye out when looking. :)

[Aurora40]

Wow, 14/18mpg under the old standard...

[gbrtng]

Youll like the Silverados, Aurora. 02 was the last yr for the rounded front end.
Have an 02 with the 5.3, love it. Mileage is liveable, very comfortable, plenty of power, cant kill that LS motor. Hit passing gear and it barks the tires. You can get em cheap, people are giving them away right now.
I have an 03 x-cab with the towing package, 5.3, and 3.73 rear gears. It handles a 20' enclosed trailer at 8,000 lbs quite nicely. The real plus for the Chev and GMC is the dual mode transmission which is standard, I think.

[Norsky4360]

I have an '01 F-150 SuperCab 4X4 w/4.6 V8 and a 5 speed manual transmission. Haven't had "The Beast" on the 18' open trailer yet but have hauled "The Toy" ('70 drop-top) to Tenessee and Arkansas. Have also hauled "BIGBRRD" ('78 TransAm) on a couple of short trips.

The 4.6 is a bit short on power when climbing long or steep grades but overall it does ok. When hauling holding it under 70 MPH helps to keep the MPG in the low to mid-teens. Around town driving it gets in the upper teens for MPG and on the road (sans trailer) in gets in the low 20s for MPG.

Happy hunting!

[Aurora40]

Just to provide some closure to this... We got an '04 Titan with 70k. It's an "king cab" (Nissan for extended cab) short-bed 4wd that is loaded to the gills. Memory heated seats, tons of airbags, tow package, everything except navigation. My wife is quite happy about it.

Should be able to tow the Z no problem, if the need ever arises.

[Paul Workman]

One truck we're going to look at is an '07 F-150 with the 4.2L V6. The trailer rating is like 5,100, which I think is the same as the 4.3 and 4.8L Silverado. Though that may be more a factor of the hitch than anything else. Certainly the 4.8L packs way more hp and a bit more torque.

I'd like to get something newish with lowish miles (under 50k would be nice) for under $10 grand. V8's seem to run a little more than this in general, at least what I've seen so far. We are in no hurry though, so maybe I should watch the market a bit more to get a better feel for it.

Thanks Jeff!

Speaking from experience, stay the "F" away from the Ford 5.4L in the 2004 and 2005 MY. They have a chronic problem with the heads; special ($25ea) spark plugs (that break off in those MY heads) and valve issues. The motor will not come out w/o removing bunches of body panels, and the other option is pulling it out the bottom to get to the heads. Most of the head problems were finally addressed after 2008, apparently, but as luck would have it, mine is one of the problem children. (Looking at a $2600 valve job at the moment!). Other than that...its a nice truck, I guess.

P.

[Scrrem]

Just to provide some closure to this... We got an '04 Titan with 70k. It's an "king cab" (Nissan for extended cab) short-bed 4wd that is loaded to the gills. Memory heated seats, tons of airbags, tow package, everything except navigation. My wife is quite happy about it.

Should be able to tow the Z no problem, if the need ever arises.

Great truck Bob! I have an 03 Tundra with a DOHC 4.7L V8 that Toyota says can pull 7000 lbs. I have pulled several car trailers with no problems.
Rich

[95 LT5]

Just bought a 11 silverado 5.3 with towing pkg
Nice truck 9600 towing. Now looking for a enclosed trailer to rent/borrow/buy.

[gbrtng]

Just bought a 11 silverado 5.3 with towing pkg
Nice truck 9600 towing. Now looking for a enclosed trailer to rent/borrow/buy.

How about a 20' Pace Shadow for $3500?
PM me.

[93RubyZ]

Just to provide some closure to this... We got an '04 Titan with 70k. It's an "king cab" (Nissan for extended cab) short-bed 4wd that is loaded to the gills. Memory heated seats, tons of airbags, tow package, everything except navigation. My wife is quite happy about it.

Should be able to tow the Z no problem, if the need ever arises.

So now that you've had it for a little while, how do you like it? I'm going to need to get a truck in the near future (used) and am contemplating which one to get.


Speaking from experience, stay the "F" away from the Ford 5.4L in the 2004 and 2005 MY. They have a chronic problem with the heads; special ($25ea) spark plugs (that break off in those MY heads) and valve issues. The motor will not come out w/o removing bunches of body panels, and the other option is pulling it out the bottom to get to the heads. Most of the head problems were finally addressed after 2008, apparently, but as luck would have it, mine is one of the problem children. (Looking at a $2600 valve job at the moment!). Other than that...its a nice truck, I guess.

P.

That's good to know. I was actually considering that model in that range. Do you know if the 2006 - 2007 models were better?

[bdw18_123]

I've got a '97 F-150 single-cab, flareside with the 4.6L Triton V8 and a 5-speed manual tranny. It's also got a 6" lift on 35" tires. I've towed many cars with it (including my ZR-1 from Laguna Beach, CA to Fresno, CA) and even a loaded 22ft toyhauler all the way to Pismo one time.

Never had any major problems, it's the most reliable vehicle I've ever had considering what I've put it through. The biggest job (other than normal maintenance) I've ever had to do on it engine-wise is replace the power steering pump. And it's got 138K on it.

[lbszr]

I've been happy with the 02, 4wd, ext cab, 5.3, 3.73, 1500. It has 88000 miles (knock on wood) and has only needed the tailgate cables and rear brake pads, and a battery.

It's towed about 4000 miles with Z on an open trailer, about 6200 lbs, and about 15000 miles with a 3200 lb boat on the back. The roads in ohio, indiana and michigan, it can cruise about 70 in overdrive for about 80% of the time, turning about 2100 rpm on the interstates and feels effortless, more in the power band if you go faster though, but the ticket wouldn't be fun.

The bigger hills it needs to be in 3rd but still really isn't working, (like tennessee Jeleco mountain with the 3200 lbs), but the rpms still don't go above 3000, unless your in a hurry. Also with air on and 95 degrees, engine temp stays the same whether it's 95 or -10.

16.5 Mpg normally.

If the main purpose was towing, think I would get the 2500, or 3500. Then it would be effortless all the time.

[Kevin]

i know it's a bit of a drive but jim price chevy here in charlottesville is doing 0% apr on 1500 4wd crew cabs