GT Car or 996 with trailer?

I posted on here a while ago about members road tripping their cars and got a lot of responses. I am currently just outside of Denver (Arvada) on a road trip but in my truck, not the Porsche. Went from northern NV across highway 50 to I-70 to Grand Junction then south to Ouray / Telluride. From there east to Pike's Peak and then up to Denver. Some of 50 is pretty long and boring but the rest of the trip is over some fantastic roads and has had me really wanting to be in the Porsche. The amazing views has me dying to be top down driving as well. I am in my truck because my dog travels with me and also this time of year can have really hot weather of very cold and stormy weather so I have a lot of clothes just in case. I don't think I can pack the Porsche with all my stuff so thinking about a solution. Option 1: sell the Porsche and buy a larger touring car. I would like to have a convertible but would consider a coupe or sedan with large greenhouse for site seeing (sunroof would be nice too). I would like something with handling on par with the 996 and really would want a 6 speed manual trans. Budget would be $15 to $20K. Suggestions? Option 2: Keep the Porsche but install a receiver hitch and pull a small trailer like this motorcycle trailer photo below. My uncle has a 996TT and a RUF and both have small receivers that he uses for a bike rack so I know it can be done. I think the small m/c trailer would give me enough extra room and other than when backing up, would not really feel it back there. Option 3: Tow the car behind my truck and then go for days drives in various areas. This is the least desirable because inevitably I will end up towing on roads that I want to drive the car on. Plus towing can be a pain. Any other suggestions (besides bring less crap with me! )?

You could carry your extra junk in a Thule or similar roof top box on the Porsche. Not sure how to delete this, but clearly that won't work with a cab.

I use a Rhino rack to carry track tires on my 996...do a search there are photos of the setup could carry cargo easily but would be exposed to the elements.

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Did a search and didn't find anything for a cabrio unless I did something like this below!

Hello Spork my friend. This is an age old problem. Lots of my friends have gone back and forth between trucks and muscle cars, because frankly, you can't really blend the two into one. Some companies try to make you think you can have both in one vehicle, but you really can't. You'll miss one over the other every time. The Porsche 911 is a great car for short day trips or track days, but anything beyond that will be impractical especially if you're riding with a passenger or dog in your situation. The back seat is only good for children under the age of 3. Beyond that, it's just an extra area for storage. Hate to say it, but I wouldn't put a hitch on the Porsche. Something about that seem really wrong. hahaha! I know some people install roof racks, but that's not my thing either and I wouldn't advise it on the cabriolet! hehehe If you want a more practical convertible, then maybe a Camaro or Mustang is in order? I've owned those cars, and I must say that traveling with people is much easier and you have plenty of luggage space for weekend trips. But they're not going to give you the Porsche rear engined driving experience. You might find that a Boxster would fit the bill, but again, just a two seater with limit luggage space. I think you need to manage your trip expectations. No judging, but just a suggestion. If you're going solo and want the Porsche drive. Then, instead of doing the camping thing, go find a cheap hotel and make it a driving experience. When you have the urge for camping, then use your Chevy truck and keep you mind away from wanting the Porsche. Or, if you have to have both on a trip, why not ask a friend to drive the truck with all the camping gear and you follow along with the Porsche. Boom... problem solved! But don't go out and make a rushed decision. I miss my 996 every day, but I didn't have a choice, I needed to get my wife and girls in a newer SUV and frankly, I didn't have the spare cash on hand nor did I want to put my family in debt. I've tried many times to get my wife and girls to go on trips in my sports cars, but the reality is that they prefer the comfort of their mom's Tahoe where they can stretch out and watch a movie or play games, etc. etc. Not gonna happen in the 996 nor any sports cars. I grew up with two sisters. I'm married and have two daughters and if I've learned anything about females is that they prefer comfort, security, clear direction, and driving amenities (i.e. USB for iPhone, heated leather seats, Navigation, etc.). The idea of sitting in a car that's 5 inches off the ground, listening to a loud sports exhaust system, and having to feel extreme G forces from someone rev matching a car around the mountains is right up there with walking bare foot across hot coals or having a colonoscopy.

Carry less stuff, its easy to get carried away with more is more, but less is more. On my recently trip across Europe recently the 3 of us just had 3 carry on cases and some hand luggage. Its also the cheapest option!

I would think that a trailer, while good for hauling stuff to the track, etc., would really dampen the driving experience.

Would the removable hardtop give you the option to add roof racks?

Spork, I'm writing this under the assumption that it's just you, the dog, and King Louis XIV's wardrobe traveling with you. If you have an SO with you, this may not work. Think of the frunk as your armoire, though in this case, the armoire is more of a dumpster. Throw the clothes in the dumpster, shut the lid. Get a nice car seat cover for the passenger seat and Rover sits next to you. Snacks & dog stuff in the footwell. Cooler #1 for drinks in the passenger rear seat, (small cooler, obviously.) Cooler #2 in the driver rear seat with your food, snacks, more clothes, whatever. Fill in the gaps between the cooler with your extra fur coats, high boots, cowboy hats, etc. Your wingtip shoes for fancy nights, loafers, sneakers, sporting shoes, flip flops, and smoking shoes you can put in the passenger footwells. Et voila, no?

Another solution: Get some of the "Golla on The Go" line of luggage, built specifically for the rear trunk of 996s.

sell Porsche 996. buy BMW E39 M5.

Just you and your dog, did I misunderstand? Your 996 should have plenty of room, what on earth are you packing? If there are more of you then the M5 or some sort of sport sedan would be the answer.

This> You Tube At the 3 minute mark.

Here's what a friend of mine did with his Porsche back in the mid 70s when we both rode dirt bikes.

I'd go with option #1

There was an OE Tequipment roof transport system made for the 996 Cabriolet. I don't know if it's possible to find one, but it might work if you do.

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My idea for the trailer came from seeing track day guys pulling little trailers with tires and tools on them. The trailers that are towed behind a motorcycle like the one in my photo are very small and light, maybe 3' x 3'. I don't think it would affect the handling of the car at all as it would probably weight less than 200 pounds. I am traveling solo with just my dog. This time of year can have a wide variety of weather traveling through the Rockies. Snow is possible at higher elevations while it will be mid 80's at lower elevations. Because of this I brought jackets and jeans as well as shorts and t-shirts. I think the best plan for now would be to see how much I can cram in the car and lighten my load as required. Heck, I used to do cross country road trips on a motorcycle so I know I can pack lighter if needed. I have a lot of stuff on this trip because I'm driving my big *** truck! I like the idea mentioned about using the fronk as a armoire putting stuff in there loose as opposed to trying to stuff bags in. Maybe I'll line it with a large trash bag first. I usually carry a large cooler with sandwiches and lots of water (important when traveling across remote western desert areas) which takes up a fair amount of room. I have a soft sided cooler so should try using that instead. If I put the dog in the passenger seat that will free p room in the back seat. I can also put stuff on the floor on the passenger side. I'm on a two week trip now but want to come back at the end of the month for maybe just one week and will try to take the Porsche. I'll be able to pack a bit lighter then. Thanks for all the suggestions. (that racing VW bus was pretty cool though)

A trailer will affect handling or at least how much you can push that handling.

holy crap, that VW bus is amazing!

The trailer is a no-go for these reasons: 1. Pulling a small trailer, at least in California (I don't know about other states' laws), limits you to a 55mph maximum speed limit. 2. Fun in the twisties won't happen. 3. More tires and an additional axle invites more problems on the road. The roof rack system for the cabriolet looks like a reasonable option. I've seen them before for sale on Craigslist. Then you can bring all of your gear and a mountain bike too, if you wish to. Or... pack lighter and use space saving tricks like you would for a motorcycle trip, like rolling jeans and shirts up real tight instead of folding them. Carry extra water in bladder systems instead of gallon containers, etc. But if you do put a receiver hitch on it, something like this https://t.harborfreight.com/automoti...ier-92655.html might do the trick. Have fun on the road trip!

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Okay, this thing is really cool! I wonder if you can put the top down with it on there?

I built Hitch from 304 Stainless that went where license plate is. Mounted to aluminum bumper through bumper cover, and it held rear license plate at an angle. Easy to remove if needed or wanted, but could use with stand small receiver accessories like bike rack, Cooler rack/shelf, or smaller load capacity. Still have it and plan on using it on 996. You can't back up with it though, it will jack knife in an instant. Trailer is Harbor Freight model with larger tires and spare. Receiver was based on small standard size and 1 7/8" ball, Had to buy special wiring harness/adapter for tail lights ($24.00). Hauled Track tires, Diamond plate aluminum Tool box w Jack/Tools/Air Tank/Etc. Car Handling was never an issue, but then again, didn't track it attached My GT3 996 friend built same for his car. still uses it for track days. Still have both Hitch and trailer in garage, Can send PIC of hitch if you want, Trailer leans up against Garage wall. harder to get out. Good luck Mike

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Here is one on Ebay and it does look like you can put the top down. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-911-....c100011.m1850

I had the same dilemma for the labor day weekend. Wanted to drive the 911 up north, but also had to take my dog. I could have left him with my fiance, but he loves to swim and I can't deprive him of that. I came up with a pretty good solution. This only works for one person and one dog. My dog is 65 pounds. First I slid the front passenger seat all the way forward. Then, using a piece of cardboard, I cut a template of the general shape of the back seat, going straight forward to the back of the front seat. Once the shape was right, I used a sawsall to cut a piece of OSB in the same shape, and two 4x4s as legs for the platform. So the back of the platform rests on the rear seat, and the front has legs going down into the rear footwell. My dog can sit up, lay down, and put his head out the window. I also still have room for things in the front seat, and in the rear seat behind the driver. I like that it keeps him on one side of the back seat too.

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That is a neat set up. I may do the same and use a dog bed on the platform.

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Based on what I've seen on some other posts, you can either install it with the roof up or the roof down...but the roof will stay that way with the rack on (you can't open or close it with the rack on). Not enough room under there for the roof to actuate.

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Bummer. Would be a great solution if the top could go down with it on

Also thinking about selling and getting a more touring oriented car. Maybe some sort of sport wagon like an Audi Quatro. Not sure what else would work well. Thought about WRX but hard to find a wagon version and most are thrashed. Anyone have a Cayenne? They might be too big and heavy for me though. Any others?

We had a Cayenne S. It was awesome. It was replaced with an Audi SQ5, which is also awesome.

Have less ****. I travel to Europe and Carribean for 1 to 2 weeks with a carry on. As a man I need a daily: socks, shirt, boxers, deodorant, cologne, and one pair of shoes. Everything else is for soft *** pussies.

You wear cologne regularly? Interesting....

For $20k, if a 996 isn't big enough, get a C6 Corvette with a glass (clear plastic) roof. TONS of storage space, great mpg, fun to drive and doesn't have most of the stupid faults of the C5.

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I had a C6 coupe and it was a great car. I hate the glass roofs though...too much sun beating on my head. I prefer the painted top and just take it off when I want sunshine. I wouldn't mind another Vette but I don't think overall they have much more room than the Porsche. My dog would have to ride in the passenger seat so he couldn't stretch out and sleep which he does most of the time when riding. At least in the Porsche he can ride in the back seat area. Tomorrow morning I'm looking at an Audi A4 Quatro Savant S-Line. The car is pretty cheap so may just get that for trips and keep the Porsche for local fun.

Just picked up this A4 turbo Avant for a traveling car. Now the 996 can go back to being a play only car.