Need your thoughts

[Jimsbowies]

Sorry guys that I'm not more "active" on this forum since joining, but I do cruise it on occasion. I have a bone-stock '04 DTR (exception being a JLT coldair). I'm wondering if anyone has any advice or insight into this vehicle as a tow vehicle? Okay, I know some of you will cringe at the very thought, but the '04 is merely a daily driver and not a garage queen. I've had 4 Panther platforms with the HPP package...two CV's and two GM's before getting the current Panther. I've easily pulled boats, utility trailers and the like with the HPP platform. What I'm wondering is if the '04 MM will tow a lightweight (1400 lb) car trailer with a 3460lb '03 SVT Cobra atop? And if so, do you feel a tranny cooler is necessary and do you think a gear swap is also necessary? Thanks!

[fastblackmerc]

Sorry guys that I'm not more "active" on this forum since joining, but I do cruise it on occasion. I have a bone-stock '04 DTR (exception being a JLT coldair). I'm wondering if anyone has any advice or insight into this vehicle as a tow vehicle? Okay, I know some of you will cringe at the very thought, but the '04 is merely a daily driver and not a garage queen. I've had 4 Panther platforms with the HPP package...two CV's and two GM's before getting the current Panther. I've easily pulled boats, utility trailers and the like with the HPP platform. What I'm wondering is if the '04 MM will tow a lightweight (1400 lb) car trailer with a 3460lb '03 SVT Cobra atop? And if so, do you feel a tranny cooler is necessary and do you think a gear swap is also necessary? Thanks!
First, Check the owners manual for towing capabilities.

Second, I'd add a tranny cooler.

Third, I don;t think you want taller gears for towing.

[RF Overlord]

Jimsbowies, I know mikeenh from Cow Hampshire used to tow a small trailer and antique car with no trouble, but that combo was probably lighter than what you are proposing.

I would definitely add an aux trans cooler. If you are going to do a lot of towing, then a set of 4.10s would probably be a good idea too, but that would also depend on the terrain.

[Jimsbowies]

Thanks to the two of you. Perhaps if I elaborated a smidge more, then you could help me even more. I participate in 5-6 NASA events annually....in addition, I do a couple of AutoX's each year. I have a Steeda Stage IV G-Trac suspension on my 2003 SVT Mustang Cobra and while it is "streetable", its so danged stiff that any trip over a hundred miles or so takes its toll on my aging butt and back. Further, I have to make arrangements for one of my buddies to haul my track tires and rims. When I AutoX, I use my '99 GT convertible that's okay on track, but is a better vehicle for AutoX given it doesn't have the whopping 468rwhp that the Cobra has and it has most of Maximum Motorsports suspension goodies including an AutoPower roll bar. I've had both cars on the scales and the Cobra is about 150 lbs lighter than the convertible. Most of my excursions to the tracks are here in the southeast, e.g. Roebling Road, Road Atlanta, Barber Motorsports Park, Carolina Motorsports Park, VIR, etc. So the furthest drive is Barber in Birmingham. I'd looked at a truck for a tow vehicle but I really have no use for a truck and I don't want to buy something that gets used a handful of times per year. So then! If the MM will tow these vehicles for short jaunts, it just makes sense to install the appropriate towing pieces, a tranny cooler, etc.

[magindat]

I'd do a tranny cooler, gears, perhaps a taller torque converter and most of all, brake upgrade and/or trailer brakes. At the VERY least, I'd do SS brake lines.

[djbruce26]

Do some internet searching about SS brake line quality and make your own decision... if you change them every year or two I think they are great... but I wouldn't trust them much after that.

Gears (going numerically higher) will have your trans running at higher speeds and therefore making more friction and heat... sure it's easier to get moving... but I wouldn't recommend it if it were me. You should be fine as billions and billions of vics tow using 2.73s and 3.27s... you have the equivalent of 3.09s/3.27s in a vic so you should already be fine.

Torque converter is arguable as the aftermarket ones usually run a 2.5x torque multiplication which at stock power levels puts you at 750 lb torque input to the trans... which is only rated at 750 lbs... I'd be weary of it but it should be fine if you have done the J-Mod or a tune to make it run more reliably.

Tranny cooler is a must. It's the only thing I'd say is "needed" to tow with an MM.

[Bradley G]

The Marauder has a tow rating of 2000#. I would make the Marauder the auto cross vehicle, and carry the tires in the trunk.

[Aren Jay]

Trailer Towing and Marauders do not mix.

You might want to do what the others above had said and race the Marauder, no weight penalty worries and you have the biggest baddest car on the track. Or if you must race the Mustang, then look at a Late model Lightning. Better towing ability and it is fast too.

[FordNut]

I've done some towing, no problem. Get a good class 3 hitch. Add a tranny cooler. Gears and torque converter should be fine, leave them stock. I would recommend the electric trailer brake too.

[fastblackmerc]

Do some internet searching about SS brake line quality and make your own decision... if you change them every year or two I think they are great... but I wouldn't trust them much after that.



Would you care to explain that?

[jgc61sr2002]

Trailer Towing and Marauders do not mix.

You might want to do what the others above had said and race the Marauder, no weight penalty worries and you have the biggest baddest car on the track. Or if you must race the Mustang, then look at a Late model Lightning. Better towing ability and it is fast too.


I concur. ^^^^^^^^^