Greetings

[hdeluna]

I saw several teardrop trailers at a campground near Austin, Tx. I decided I had to build one. I'm a teacher. So I research everything. I found out second that my little Ford Focus handbook says no recreational towing.
Has anyone any math about why I can't tow with my Ford, or will I pull off the rear end, bumper, or cut the car in half. U-haul had no problem putting on a hitch rated for 1500lbs/200lbs for the tongue. My car capacity is 870lbs for passengers.
Has anyone used excurted aluminum to build frames? Any help or direction would be appreciated. I know I have to keep it ultralight.

Best wishes,

Hector de Luna
Producer/Director

PS My first job is doing documentary work...formerly PBS, now independent.

[bg]

The general opinion is add a transmission cooler and stay out of overdrive if your transmission starts to wander.

There are at least a dozen teardrops in the DFW area. A handful of us will be down at Purtis Creek State Park on the weekend of the 17th.

[Roly Nelson]

Welcome to the forum, Hector. There should be no problem towing a light weight teardrop trailer with your car. I am sure you can purchase a do-it-your-self bolt-on trailer hitch on your Ford Focus. Tears are being towed by tiny Volkswagons, Nash Metropolitans, all sorts of Mini's and I have no problem at all pulling my 500 lb woody with my 4 banger Camry. Just tow with no overdrive in the hills and perhaps you might think about a trany cooler, just to be safe. Good luck.
Roly

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Hector.

I won't tow with my Nissan Sentra because it is too small to stop or pass with a lot of weight. It has a 1.6 liter motor. If you can put your air condition on, fill the car with weight and the gas tank and still pass or stop without a noticeable difference you might get away with towing a light TD.

You can always add brakes .......... With Sentra the tow weight is 1000 pounds but you can't really get away with it.

[greg755]

Welcome,

i have an 08 Ford Focus and tow the tear just fine, as long as they are under 1000 pounds.

When I pull the other trailers (1200 pounds and up) I can feel them.

My suggestion: Take off the overdrive and install electric breaks if possible.

I don't have a tranny cooler, but it wouldn't hurt, they are cheap and fairly easy to install...