I just drove from Fort Worth, TX with my 24' Pace Daytona toy hauler empty to Concord (Charlotte) N.C. to the Lowes Speedway, picked up and showed a 1932 Buick Sedan I had in restoration for 3.5 years and then drove back to Fort Worth with Buick in the trailer. All in I had approximately a 9000# load including trailer and Buick plus the bed of the truck was loaded pretty good with tools, jack, and all kinds of emergency equipment if needed.

Made the trip without a hitch and this was my first experience towing with the 2006 SD which I bought in February that has 42K on it. Put new Goodyears on it before I left, had it checked over for brakes, belts etc.

Truck never failed to give me the speed and torque I needed whether going up a hill or passing an 18 wheeler. Did have some scary moments returning to Texas this past Monday when the winds were blowing so hard but made it safe and sound. Got 10.1 MPG with empty trailer for the 1100 miles to Concord and 9.5 MPG for the loaded trip back again strong head winds and averaged 63-65 MPH.

Really pleased with the decision to buy the 06 SD even though I am a GM guy through and through

 

Glad to see it work out for you. It seems to be a trend for GM guys to like Fords... However, I have a question. How could you make the trip without a hitch?

 

Not sure what you mean but I had a load leveling
2 5/16" ball hitch rated at 10,000 lbs. Lots of wear on the top of the ball by the time I got home. Next time I will use a little grease on the ball.

 

OK, re-read my post and see what you mean LOL, nice catch.

 

Concord? That's in my back yard! Did you check out Concord Mills Mall? Did you go to "Bike Night" at Quaker State Oil & Lube? What did you think about the Charlotte area?

BTW, that is one more beautiful Buick!

 

Sorry, that was my sad attempt at a joke.

 

Ate dinner at the Macaronni Grill across from the mall and drove around it several times. We stayed at Hampton Inn at exit 60, about 11 miles from exit 49 and the mall. Saw Quaker State but never had time to stop. I arrived Tues afternoon the 31st and Buick arrived from Connecticut on Tues night about 8:30 PM. We unloaded and loaded it in my trailer then went to Speedway on Wed AM and put Buick in a display tent inside the track until Sat AM when we drove it to the show field for judging. It got 399 points out of 400 and lost 1 point for some reflector screws we used to put the license plates on with. Car is Pebble Beach Concours quality but I never intended that when we started the restoration 3.5 years ago and a deep dark hole where all the money went.

 

Woweee! That is one beautiful Buick. Congrats on the successful trip!

 

That's a real beauty of of a vehicle, glad the trip went so well.

 

Pebble Beach Concours quality... 399 out of 400 possible points... Outstanding!

 

Wow that is a great looking Buick. Sounds like you had a great trip.

 

Thanks for the kinds words about the Buick. We are looking forward to showing it at AACA events and Buick Club of America events as well as other high quality Antique and Classic Car events. It has a OHV straight eight with lots of power so we are looking forward to some road time after we get a few more awards to establish its credibility.

 

The exterior / interior color combination is very comtemporary... something that you would see at a dealership. Is that the original colors? Also, any pics of that OHV straight eight engine?

 

That is an outstanding car and fantastic restoration. Glad your trip went well. I bet those new mirrors helped!

 

Great place! I'm down there about five or six times a year.