Towing a ZR-1, how much towing capacity? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Aurora40 · 07-01-2008

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.

07-01-2008

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.

bldavis11 · 07-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 07-03-2008

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.

/

Aurora40 · 07-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAFPILOT

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 · 07-01-2008

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!

07-01-2008

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 · 07-01-2008

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 · 07-01-2008

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 · 07-01-2008

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.

07-01-2008	#1
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,704	Towing a ZR-1, how much towing capacity? 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.

07-01-2008	#2
Jeffvette Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Towing a ZR-1, how much towing capacity? 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.

07-03-2008	#4
USAFPILOT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Spring TX Posts: 1,341	Re: Towing a ZR-1, how much towing capacity? 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. /

07-01-2008	#6
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,704	Re: Towing a ZR-1, how much towing capacity? 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!

07-01-2008	#7
Jeffvette Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Towing a ZR-1, how much towing capacity? 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.

07-01-2008	#8
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,646	Re: Towing a ZR-1, how much towing capacity? 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.

07-01-2008	#9
tccrab Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,657	Re: Towing a ZR-1, how much towing capacity? 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

07-01-2008	#10
cuisinartvette Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA. Posts: 896	Re: Towing a ZR-1, how much towing capacity? 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.