Tow rigs

[jennam]

Hey all,

I’m curious about everyone’s tow rigs. What kind of vehicle do you use to tow your goblin? Do you use a trailer or flat tow? If you use a trailer, what kind/size? What kind of fuel mileage do you get? What do you like/ or like about your towing setup?

My primary rig is a 2011 Silverado 1500LTZ. Our secondary is a 2011 Tahoe LT. They both get around 8-10 mpg towing our 7x16 enclosed trailer.

 

[Ross]

2016 Dodge grand caravan. 3600lb tow capacity. 18mpg when flat towing a goblin.

 

[OptimizePrime]

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L (7K towing capacity)

The 5.7L Jeep with QDII trans is a hell of a value buy. Takes 87 gas, cheap insurance, 18mpg not towing, parts are cheap and readily available, easy to work on, huge community with great documentation, no major mechanical concerns. I paid $6K for her with ~140k miles and she is minty for that year. She gets around ~10-13mpg loaded and mixed driving. Downside --- all the WK sunroofs leak and there's not a lot you can do about it without a complete teardown.

18' Sure-Trac car hauler
The deck is a little slippery which can lead to a hairy situation but that can be overcome. No complaints on the trailer it's been a dream. Only downside is it's an open trailer but can be an advantage depending on what you're hauling.

 

[CaptFrank2001]

Had this trailer but had to widen it 2-1/2" on each side to make it work. Took off the rear gate & made it into two ramps.

 

[jennam]

@OptimizePrime How do you like that electric trailer jack? Does it work well?

 

[OptimizePrime]

@OptimizePrime How do you like that electric trailer jack? Does it work well?

Harbor Freight - it's worked flawlessly so far! Have the jack and winch wired up to the same battery. Highly recommend it.

I also went with the Tekonsha RF brake controller and love that piece too. Kinda spendy but allows flexibility and install was brainless.

 

[jennam]

Nice. I'll have to pick up one of the electric jacks the next time I'm at HF.

I have Tekonsha Prodigy P2 brake controllers. Both our vehicles have the tow package so all the wiring is already there. They are pretty easy to install. Connect the 4 wires under the dash to the controller and connect the 1 wire under the hood to the stud on the fuse block.

 

[baustin]

I flat tow mine behind a 2017 Tacoma (double cab, V6, manual transmission, tow package rated for 6400 lb). When not towing I get about 16-17 mpg, possibly 18 on long highway trips. When flat towing I think I get 12-15 mpg; I'll have to check again when I tow it next time. Typically when I tow my utility trailer (not a wimpy 4x8, it's a overbuilt one good for mulch with a wood floor) I get about 12-13 mpg.

I like the flat tow setup since it's just easy to do and when I get somewhere I don't have a trailer to deal with. Major drawback is that you should only go forward, you don't back up when flat towing if you can help it. I did have to add a wiring connector into the car harness so I have running/brake lights (easy to do but a couple extra steps) from my truck plug. I know my Goblin front tires don't track exactly true on low speed tight turns like in intersections, they scrub some and then figure out what direction to turn eventually but it's not been a problem so far. I'm using the DF tow bar setup, very strong and nice to use.

picture of my setup:

 

[Devonrex]

Just using this around town, no plan for long-haul towing.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

View attachment 23825

Just using this around town, no plan for long-haul towing.

Isn't that against the law -at least in Germany - to tow anything with a BMW?

 

[jirwin]

I flat tow mine behind a 2017 Tacoma (double cab, V6, manual transmission, tow package rated for 6400 lb). When not towing I get about 16-17 mpg, possibly 18 on long highway trips. When flat towing I think I get 12-15 mpg; I'll have to check again when I tow it next time. Typically when I tow my utility trailer (not a wimpy 4x8, it's a overbuilt one good for mulch with a wood floor) I get about 12-13 mpg.

I like the flat tow setup since it's just easy to do and when I get somewhere I don't have a trailer to deal with. Major drawback is that you should only go forward, you don't back up when flat towing if you can help it. I did have to add a wiring connector into the car harness so I have running/brake lights (easy to do but a couple extra steps) from my truck plug. I know my Goblin front tires don't track exactly true on low speed tight turns like in intersections, they scrub some and then figure out what direction to turn eventually but it's not been a problem so far. I'm using the DF tow bar setup, very strong and nice to use.

picture of my setup:
View attachment 23822

Well thanks for doing all my homework for me haha. I also have a V6 stick Tacoma same body style and everything. Between this and talking to @Ross I'm sold on flat towing lol

 

[Northshoresaint]

I flat tow with a Jeep. Tow bar and lights from Harbor Freight.Magnetic lights stick to rear shock mounts on frame. No Goblin wires needed.

 

[MX184]

I'm awaiting my goblin to arrive but my 2019 Ranger with Ford's Australian Raptor tune loaded in it brought home my donor 265 miles with no sweat. Averaged 14.3 mpg on the way back with a 1980's trailer. I was pleasently supprised how well it did.