GEN 2 Towing Track Car with 2019 Raptor - Need some help

[carbondan]

I'm an absolute beginner at towing so please forgive my ignorance.

I have a stock 2019 Raptor
Will be towing from Seattle to Bay Area CA and back several times a year, and plenty of local 2 hour trips almost every weekend during the summer.

Looking at buying this trailer: https://dealers.alumaklm.com/aluma-utility-trailer-2021-8220xl-i2712040

Will be towing a 2018 Porsche GT3 and 2017 Viper ACR-E (Both are about 3300 pounds).


I'm driving myself nuts trying to figure out an optimal configuration that just gets the job done.

What hitch should I buy to make all this work safely without going overboard and with as few (or no) modifications to my truck?

The trailer weighs around 1950 pounds, the car 3300 pounds roughly, plus I'll toss a spare set of wheels/tires in the cab (call it 200 pounds), and say 150 pounds of other junk.
Total trailer weight may be around 5600 pounds.

- Does the setup linked above make sense for this task? 8220XL + 3300 pound car on a 19 Raptor?
- What extra accessories should I buy to do this properly?
- The trickiest road is i5 from seattle to CA with a long winding mountainous section.

Any help is appreciated, I know this horse has been beaten to death on these forums.

 

[MDJAK]

Sounds like no problem. You said you want to do minimal mods. Deaver leaf springs would be recommended but not mandatory.

 

[MDJAK]

Nice trailer.

 

[DarthKickA55]

Just my $.02/not an expert - but you would be slightly over the recommended towing capacity without a Weight Distribution Hitch. Manual says 5000# max w/o a WDH.
I would say just get a WDH setup (can go to 8000# with a WDH) - but that trailer doesn't appear to be capable of using a WDH setup (too short neck + the winch is in the way) - Probably not too big a deal being so close to the weight limits but can't say for sure w/o knowing the hitch weight loaded up.

Just for reference - I tow about 3800# for my Travel Trailer - about 400# hitch weight - it pulls fine without issues but the rear squats a good bit (not on the bump stops but not far from them either) - I would not like to pull too much more weight without a WDH setup. Too much over 70MPH and I get some sway. I will probably get a WDH for this trailer just for peace of mind and additional sway control.

I have been researching towing my track car to meets for next spring - mine weighs about what each of your toys weigh - but looking into an enclosed trailer with a long enough neck to accommodate a WDH.

As @MDJAK said, a lot will recommend Deavers for towing as well.

 

[2slo4u]

Truck situation aside, if I was going to be racing every weekend, I’d be looking at an enclosed trailer. Son and I race motorcycles and having all that stuff out in the open is just a magnet for thieves.


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[carbondan]

Truck situation aside, if I was going to be racing every weekend, I’d be looking at an enclosed trailer. Son and I race motorcycles and having all that stuff out in the open is just a magnet for thieves.


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Enclosed is coming for sure in a year or two. Want to get something quick and simple for now to just gets the job done with little hassle. Then as I get more experience and settle on a full time track car (likely a 991.2 GT3 Cup Car) I'll get a purpose-built custom enclosed trailer (hopefully with a V8 2022 Raptor!)

 

[Fastback89]

I tow a older mustang track car 2800lbs on an open trailer with gear and stuff with no problem and no mods to the truck at all.

 

[Winchester30]

I just got back from a 1500 mile round trip pulling a 4600# trailer.
Did not use WD hitch on way out, did use WD on way back.
Huge difference in handling and seemed to improve mpg to around 10-11.
Definitely recommend WD hitch. If you pull long distance, realize the Raptor was not built for this.

 

[Johnkn]

Go to Etrailer and purchase a quality WD hitch, even at that low-ish weight, it will make for a safer, more pleasurable and level towing experience. Plenty of good vids in setting it up for the first time. Good luck...

 

[84 Sheepdog]

You will definitely want a weight distribution hitch and brakes on both axles of the trailer. I use the Andersen setup and tow a 2,200 lb trailer with either a viper or jeep on it. The jeep is heavier and weighs about 4k lbs so total trailer weight is around 6,200 lbs. This is the kit I use with the 4" drop: https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/4-droprise-wd-kits.aspx
The truck tows great and has plenty of power even up steep grades. I just towed the Jeep from Dallas to Moab, Utah and hit several sections that were a 7 percent grade. The only drawback is fuel mileage, I averaged 8 mpg and even with the 36 gallon tank that goes quick. I think I'll have my buddy add an auxiliary tank before I make any long trips with the trailer.