Economical Tow Vehicles?

[brian_bp]

...well, that's too bad about the U Haul site. It was spot on for my two current vehcles and the truck I used to own. I've had very good experiences with them installing hitches and wiring. The lifetime nationwide warranty was a big plus for me as well.

I suspect that many Sienna owners think the U-Haul site is correct as well, since - like most drivers - they don't actually know what their vehicle limits are.

U-Haul trailers are generally intended to be towed by U-Haul trucks, and their system still works pretty well for full-sized pickup trucks. Throw a smaller tug in the mix - the subject of this thread - and the assumptions behind their trailer specifications become invalid. The tow vehicle specifications are obviously wrong in general, but may well be right in some specific instances, and if that's what you own it works out.

We've had discussions before about U-Haul stores and dealers; I won't rehash that here (it would be redundant, and this thread is about small tugs), but the summary is that not all U-Haul locations are created equal.


For a 2008 Honda Civic base model 4-door (an arbitrarily chosen Civic)...

- the U-Haul hitch site finds the Sportframe hitch (24763) and lists a 2000 lb weight-carrying trailer capacity
- Draw-Tite lists the same hitch (same part number), with a 2000 lb trailer weight / 200 lb tongue weight capacity (it is also Reese 77139 and Hidden Hitch 60822)
- the Draw-Tite instructions correctly note "Do Not Exceed Lower of Towing Vehicle Manufacturer’s Rating or..." those ratings
- SUVOA lists zero towing capacity for all Civics (likely, Honda does not recommend towing)
- the U-Haul trailer rental system says that the Civic is "recommended" to tow the following trailers:

4' x 6' open (710 lb empty, 1500 lb max, no brakes, certainly unsuitable when loaded)
4' x 8' Cargo Trailer (850 lb empty, 2500 lb loaded, no brakes, even less suitable)
Sport Trailer (at 535 lb empty and 965 lb max the only U-Haul that might actually be suitable... but still no brakes)

Since U-Haul trailers are built for rental, they are rugged... and heavy. A reasonably sized teardrop might be okay for Civic, even if the same length of U-Haul cargo trailer is too heavy.

[McBrew]

Dave I'm a Honda fan, but the Civics just don't have much torque.

Yup... except the 2.2 diesel we get here. 250 ft-lb. Nice.

Andrew

Don't rub it in! Honda is talking about bringing the diesels over here, but I'm not holding my breath. I would put money down today if I could get a Honda Element with the 2.2 turbodiesel.

[Sam Stone]

Mike, thanks for all the helpful info from this topic. everyones input is very interesting and I have learned alot! There is one thing that should be said that I got from reading everyones responces to your post. If we ALL slow down when we drive and pay attention to how we drive we could collectively increse our MPG far beyond listed averages! I have noticed that when I slow down I tend to see more of the interesting sites as I travel! as well as saving gas and money.
Thanks again for interesting topic and drive safe out there everyone!

Sam

[tddriver]

Thank you, Folks, for all the feedback on my Honda Civic question. I believe I will have a hitch installed on it, anyway. It may not make any long trips, but it may be useful as a "yard mule". I expect to have the Civic for a long time so there could be a light weight teardrop in our future.

[Elumia]

you can always use the hitch for a bike rack

Mark

[asianflava]

If you're gonna get a hitch anyway, you may as well hook it up and see how it does.

[catinmoon]

I'm having Draw Tite custom make a hitch for my 2000 Suzuki Esteem
A 4 tank average of 46.7 It almost outdoes the 86 Goldwing at 47 MPG.
I am confident with the 5 speed manual it will handle a 1000 lb tear. I guess we will see. Maybe it will be here in time for our 150 mile Madison In gathering.

This is a very delayed reaction to this post, but can you say more about a custom hitch? My subaru legacy wagon is very low to the ground (well, compared to a subaru outback) and I'd love to find a hitch that wouldn't add another 2" in back, or more I guess. Do they still make custom hitches?

Thanks
Stephanie (catinmoon)

[rowerwet]

I'm having Draw Tite custom make a hitch for my 2000 Suzuki Esteem
A 4 tank average of 46.7 It almost outdoes the 86 Goldwing at 47 MPG.
I am confident with the 5 speed manual it will handle a 1000 lb tear. I guess we will see. Maybe it will be here in time for our 150 mile Madison In gathering.

This is a very delayed reaction to this post, but can you say more about a custom hitch? My subaru legacy wagon is very low to the ground (well, compared to a subaru outback) and I'd love to find a hitch that wouldn't add another 2" in back, or more I guess. Do they still make custom hitches?

Thanks
Stephanie (catinmoon)

Check sites like ebay motors, amazon and etrailer.com, almost any car has a tow rating overseas and hitches custom made for it

[BigGoofyGuy]

you can always use the hitch for a bike rack

Mark

That is why I want to get a hitch for my Smart Fortwo. Regular car bike racks just don't work on my small car.


I might tow a very light weight trailer / camper with it. There is one from Runaway trailers and one from Little Giant. There is also a small Go Little Guy trailer. There are also some that are designed to be towed by a motorcycle.

[JaggedEdges]

I'd figure where you'd get into trouble with a Smart is not weight so much, until you're riding on the rear spring bump stops, pulling wheelies or blowing the transmission, but length and distance from the smart of the axle of the trailer. Due to the short wheelbase of the smart even the 8 footers might tend toward too long, and cause a tail wag the dog scenario. Generally though a short rear overhang tends to indicate excellent towing qualities, because hitch so close to rear axle.

Though since you brought those little boogers up, anyone made a rear bumper rack for a Smart on the back of their TD yet?