So, do you have a small tow vehicle?

[Danno]

I've seen a couple of posts from people who will be (or are) using a small tow vehicle.

There's a Fiero getting ready to tow a Tear, and someone even mentioned their microcar (was that a Fiat 500?) as a TV. Then there's myself who is looking at either my Fiat Spider or my Fiat 128. Both very small in stature and definitely small by today's standards in engine power.

Is there a TV thread dedicated somewhere to these crazy teardrop tow-ers? Surely there is a Geo owner or two, maybe a Cavalier or a Neon or something of that nature towing around a small TV.

If you have a teensy vehicle for towing, then post here. Let's get a good feel for tow vehicle weights, engine power, and teardrop weights and what people have been doing successfully (or maybe even some regrets).

[emiller]

There are a few Volkswagen bug tow vehicles out there.

[gone_fishin]

I mostly used my Cavalier with a 2.2 as a tow vehicle last summer. My mileage averaged about 22-24 mpg while towing. The TD towed easy at highway speeds (55-60) but I noticed an increased wind resistance at interstate speeds (75).

[OuttaHand]

Dodge Caliber here. Easy cruise at 75 MPH on the interstate and full control.

That's the beauty of a teardrop!

[Catherine+twins]

Hyundai Elantra here. Since I'm making a standy with a bunk bed for my kids, I've decided on a foamie to keep it light.

Catherine

[Danno]

so do any of you guys know what your TV weight is and what the actual HP of your TV is?

I'm guessing we are talking about mid 100s HP-wise, and vehicle weight is 3,000ish lbs?

I just wonder what I'm getting into with <100hp and weights of 1500 or so on the 128 and just over 2000 for the spider...

[PhotoGuy]

check on the door post on the drivers side. There will ( should be ) a info plate on it that will tell you everything you need to know. And if not. look up your TV online and get the info.

Hope that helps

[Conestoga]

so do any of you guys know what your TV weight is and what the actual HP of your TV is?

I'm guessing we are talking about mid 100s HP-wise, and vehicle weight is 3,000ish lbs?

Ford Focus hatchback, 136hp (2.0 liter 4 cylinder) curb weight ~2600 lbs.
pulling 4x8' trailer/camper of unknown weight, estimated 550-700lbs loaded.
Gas mileage drops from 35mpg highway to 28-30 mpg when towing with trailer
and full load of gear at 60-65mph. In strong winds and at high altitude
(or when driving 70+mph) we saw a further drop to about 25mpg.

[Wimperdink]

There's a young man over on the TJ site towing with a Smart Car. Trailer looks the same size as the car. Its a neat looking setup.

[Deryk the Pirate]

I have a 2002 PT Cruiser with a max towing of a 1000lbs. I just brought my lil vardo home from my friends house where I built it about 62 miles away. Im guessin the weight around say 700lbs. It was weighed with the windows unpainted at 620lbs. I cant see the EPDM roofing being more then 50lbs with the adhesive and a gallon of paint. When I get the futon from my parents house I will get it weighed again but Im sure it should be under 800lbs with a battery...will find out in the next few weeks but I had no problem towin it back home.

[High Desert]

Whimperdink, what type of car is a smart car? is it a electic car or who makes it?

just curous as I have never heard of them.

slow.

the Smart Car. 3 gas powered models and an all electric model. Quite popular in Europe. Also quite small lol



Built by Mercedes Benz

[Randy G]

I use a 03 Hyundai Tiburon. No problem.

[legojenn]

I have a little orange Aveo. I think that it has 116 hp. The trailer is 350 lb empty. I've had it going up to 125km/h.

[zipz71]

I have an 01 PT Cruiser and my trailer weighs close to 1000 lbs when loaded. My gas mileage drops to about 25 from 30 to 32. The weight is very noticeable when climbing hills or accelerating from a standing start but once up to speed it doesn't feel much different. Braking distances are greater but not alot. When towing I shift at higher rpm and don't use overdrive until I get to the prairies. My owners manual states a max trailer weight of 1000 lbs and max frontal area of 20 sq ft. so I am pushing the limits on both. Probably my only regret is I used 3/4 instead of 1/2 for the walls I think the extra weight and cost was unnessasary

[Py0tr]

I tow our teardrop with a 2000 Mercedes A160, which has around 100HP and a 5 speed automatic. Before I had the Mercedes I towed with an 1100cc Kia Picanto with an immense 64BHP! It towed fine, a bit slower up hills but just fine.

It is really great to hear there are still a few 128's alive and well. My second car was a 1974 1100 with about a million K's under it's belt it was an amazing little vehicle! I've had five more Fiats since and lust after a 124 Coupe.
Where I grew up in South Africa most cars have a tow bar, whether they are big or small. No-one gets panicked about trailer brakes, in fact I've only ever seen them on massive 32 foot double axle caravans.
My trailer weighs 280kg empty and makes no discernable difference to the braking ability of the car. Fuel consumption drops from the usual 14-15km/litre to around 12km/litre which is still pretty good I think.
My opinion which will most likely be ignored again is that if you are towing at legal speeds in a sane and sensible way there is no need for millions of horsepower or brakes large enough to stop the Titanic. Be sensible, and patient, and you can tow with just about anything.