Marginal Tow Vehicles

[RICHARD FURROW]

Has anyone ever used a tow vehicle that did not perform satisfactory for your use, and why?

Ricky

[IndyCubby]

Yes. I got the new-car "itch" when the new '06 Honda Civic came out and bought one with an automatic 5 spd transmission. It could not handle pulling my 4x8' cubby at highway speeds. The transmission would constantly switch between 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears. Didn't have that car long....mostly because I was having chronic back issues because of the drivers seat!

I don't know why I traded in my VW Golf TDI for that car.....a bad mistake. I'm in a MINI Cooper now and loving it, though....and it tows quite well!

Generally speaking, small cars with 4 cyl engines will tow better if they are equipped with a manual transmission. Just my opinion.

[Creamcracker]

Yes. I got the new-car "itch" when the new '06 Honda Civic came out and bought one with an automatic 5 spd transmission. It could not handle pulling my 4x8' cubby at highway speeds. The transmission would constantly switch between 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears. Didn't have that car long....mostly because I was having chronic back issues because of the drivers seat!

I don't know why I traded in my VW Golf TDI for that car.....a bad mistake. I'm in a MINI Cooper now and loving it, though....and it tows quite well!

Generally speaking, small cars with 4 cyl engines will tow better if they are equipped with a manual transmission. Just my opinion.

Is you Mini Cooper auto or manual?
Philip

[IndyCubby]

Yes. I got the new-car "itch" when the new '06 Honda Civic came out and bought one with an automatic 5 spd transmission. It could not handle pulling my 4x8' cubby at highway speeds. The transmission would constantly switch between 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears. Didn't have that car long....mostly because I was having chronic back issues because of the drivers seat!

I don't know why I traded in my VW Golf TDI for that car.....a bad mistake. I'm in a MINI Cooper now and loving it, though....and it tows quite well!

Generally speaking, small cars with 4 cyl engines will tow better if they are equipped with a manual transmission. Just my opinion.

Is you Mini Cooper auto or manual?
Philip

My MINI is a manual 5 spd. It tows well. I've towed a motorcycle on a flatbed, a piano on a trailer, and most recently, a pop up camper. All pull pretty much effortlessly even at 70-75 mph.

I think the main problem with the Honda (besides the fact that it was an automatic...) was that fifth gear was very tall for fuel econ. As I recall, cruising at 70 mph was in the 1500 rpm range. That coupled with a very low-torque engine....it just couldn't handle towing at all.

[Roly Nelson]

I find my 4 banger Toyota Camry, works fine for towing my little woody teardrop. However, when I had to pull my 10 ft Kenskill Standy about 5 miles to get-er-home, it was a different story. The tongue weight was more than I expected, and the hitch/nut was a-dragging when I pulled out of the seller's driveway.

On the way home, I was damned near doing a wheelie, and the front wheel drive tires spun a bit as I turned corners. Once home, I added 4x4 spacers in the rear to defeat the weak suspension and backed her into the side yard. Never again will the Camry hitchball ever see the Kenskill hitch. My Chevy Blazer will do the chore from now on.
Roly

[RICHARD FURROW]

Roly,
That brings up another question. In flat land, it may not make a lot of difference, but does front wheel drive present a problem that often? By that, I mean maneauvering around in camp grounds, starting up hill on gravel, etc. I'm sure if you have to much tounge weight it would. Anyone have anything to add to this?
Ricky