A picture is worth......

[shep13]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Most mini vans have a manufacturer's tow rating of 3,500 lbs. Most fancy expensive leaky A/S trailers weigh 7,000 to 9,000 lbs.

Just saying

and most full size sedans these days have a tow rating of zero. But they still hook them up to 9000lbs A/S tt and they seem to work

[PushedAround]

You guys are missing it. It's all about the aero. That wedge shape puts more aero pressure on the tongue, so the faster you go, the more stable it is.
















sounds good doesn't it?

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by shep13

They dont rebuild anything. All they do is reinforce the hitch, add a trans/oil cooler, change tires if needed and setup the wdh and sway control. There secret is matching the right tv and trailer together. They pair alot of minivans and full sized sedans with expensive airstreams and very ayrodynamic tt. I drive by them everyday.
If the above was one of theres, it would of had tow mirrors on it.

Here in the US that still doesn't make it legal to be on the road UNLESS the modifications are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and a new weight certificate sticker added to the vehicle.
Lots of people don't understand that though.

[stink]

Just wrong! A few years ago my DW and I were towing our 5r we use to own and came up on another 5r. We were going eastbound on I80 from sac to Reno and when just east of Auburn past the other 5r. The trailor was being towed by an older Cadillac sedan, yup a cad. The owner had removed the trunk lid, rear window and rear doors roof to the B pillars. He had added plywood to seal behind front seats and mounted a 5th hitch to the floor. Scary!! All over the road!! Yup we have rednecks in Cal! Wish I had my camera.

[bt76]

Originally Posted by stink

Just wrong! A few years ago my DW and I were towing our 5r we use to own and came up on another 5r. We were going eastbound on I80 from sac to Reno and when just east of Auburn past the other 5r. The trailor was being towed by an older Cadillac sedan, yup a cad. The owner had removed the trunk lid, rear window and rear doors roof to the B pillars. He had added plywood to seal behind front seats and mounted a 5th hitch to the floor. Scary!! All over the road!! Yup we have rednecks in Cal! Wish I had my camera.

I wish you had your camera too!
Nothing rides like a caddy.

[shep13]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Here in the US that still doesn't make it legal to be on the road UNLESS the modifications are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and a new weight certificate sticker added to the vehicle.
Lots of people don't understand that though.

So are you saying it is illegal to exceed a vehicle's "tow rating" in the US? interesting.

Here in Canada, as long as you dont exceed the GVWR and front/rear GVAW as posted on the sticker inside the drivers door AND have all the safety gear (mirrors, brake controller etc) AND don't look dangerous (swaying, bumper dragging on the floor etc) you are good to go.
I have driven alot of different vehicles with all kinds of trailers i can say every type of vehicle is different as some are under rated and some over rated.
The average bad driver alone scares me more than a good driver towing something over its tow rating.
I have never driven an outback so i dont know how that would handle as a tv. The driving characteristics of a vehicle are just amplified once you hook a trailer on the back.

[hbillsmith]

I pulled the original size photo and zoomed in. He does have a WDH but it's not hooked up (note the dangling chain a couple of feet behind the safety chains) and you can see the tension bar on the other side just laying on it's side. Earthbound was a super ultra-light that I looked at a few years ago. Their materials were so light that screws just stripped from the thin plastic when you open cabinets etc. It does have a slide though. I think that trailer weighed 3200# dry. Clearly he is weight concious, note the Thule luggage carrier on top. ;-)

[TDI-Minnie]

You all would lose your minds if you ever went to Europe and saw hundreds and thousands of cars and small SUVs towing TTs happily down the Autobahn at the beginning of the summer holiday season.

[Superslif]

Is that VW a Touareg? V-8? Would you tow the 7700lbs listed as it's tow limit?

[RGene7001]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Here in the US that still doesn't make it legal to be on the road UNLESS the modifications are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and a new weight certificate sticker added to the vehicle.
Lots of people don't understand that though.

This is an ultimate absurd. All the law requires is that the GWVR of any vehicle should not be exceeded plus brakes got certain weights, tow mirrors and safety chains. And some states don't require even that. People put aftermarket wheels, tires, brakes, do engine modifications, tow jetskis behind Corollas not rated for towing etc. Are they all criminals,????? Why they are not in jail???? What stickers????????
Yes, they do it on their own risk and can lose warranty but it's not illegal.
The Legacy on the picture is probably V6 powered, it's payload capacity may be close to 1000 lb, many half ton pickups have the same. A co uple with a kid or two and very lite on the hitch trailer can be well within GVWR and compliant with all laws, except mirrors, and they are likely enjoying their vehicle while towing and between trips.

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by Superslif

Is that VW a Touareg? V-8? Would you tow the 7700lbs listed as it's tow limit?

Mine is a V10 TDI (diesel). And yes, I would and have towed that much. ;-)

[caissiel]

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

Mine is a V10 TDI (diesel). And yes, I would and have towed that much. ;-)

Diesel power magazine has a great review on the VW as a great TV. I to would not have any problem towing that weight. Its s well built vehicle.
My previous Jetta with 1 6L Turbo diesel could tow a heavy hardtop trailer well. Had great power in the hills with 59hp engine.

[Tha_Rooster]

Years ago I saw a corvette trying to pull a boat it didn't make it far before they switched places.

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by caissiel

Diesel power magazine has a great review on the VW as a great TV. I to would not have any problem towing that weight. Its s well built vehicle.

It is really quite amazing. No load leveling with air suspension.