| Author | Message | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 144 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 204.62.64.30  Rating: N/A |
I am looking for the smallest, lightest vehicle to tow behind my bus. being that my bus only has 210hp, 600ft/lb torque on a good day, I want it to be lightest, yet I would like some space. I had provisioned my 1997 Nissan PU, manual transmission with a camper, but I was also looking at a westfalia VW type van. if I decide to go for the smallest/lightest, which car would be the best? my budget dictates something about 5-10 years old. | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 454 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 70.60.107.113  Rating: N/A |
The little Suzuki SUV's????? Dunno how toad-able they are. | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 396 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 69.77.144.102 Rating: N/A |
We tow an 04 VW Jetta TDI Stick shift. No mods necessary to the car. Turn the key to the first click to unlock the wheel & off you go. Does not rack up miles if the ignition is off. I ran a dedicated wiring system through the car with extra bulbs in the tail lights like trailer lights. No connection to the VW electrics. | ||
| Bruce (Bgs4104)
Registered Member Username: Bgs4104 Post Number: 22 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.122.73.85 Rating: N/A |
Two door Suzuki sidekick or Geo tracker if they are 4x4 are,& VW bugs &/ Baha bugs with 4 speed man. trans Too. No mod. need to. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1636 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157  Rating: N/A |
Smart car; your coach will actually have more power and torque while pulling this car. | ||
| David Lower (Dave_l)
Registered Member Username: Dave_l Post Number: 219 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 67.58.201.132  Rating: N/A |
Just curious Peter did you under estamate the cost of owning and driveing a coach? As far as a vehicle how about an old Austin Mini or early 70's Honda civic. Dave L (Message edited by Dave_L on September 18, 2009) | ||
| Jim and Myrna Lawrence (Daffycanuck)
Registered Member Username: Daffycanuck Post Number: 55 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.19.14.42  Rating: N/A |
For years we towed a 1990 Nissan PU with a cap. Didn't know it was there. Our bus has 210 hp as well. We now tow a 2007 Malibu. Malibu needs no special equipment. Unlock ignition, put in neutral and tow away. Option to remove fuse (GM tells you what fuse in manual) so battery stays alive. | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 997 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 208.54.200.41  Rating: N/A |
You can tow that Nissan PU and never know it is there with 600lb-ft of torque. HP doesn't matter except for going fast, torque is what counts. (Message edited by gusc on September 18, 2009) | ||
| Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member Username: Larry_d Post Number: 227 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 71.111.185.149  Rating: N/A |
We tow a 1988 Ford Festiva with manual tranny. Weighs around 1700 lbs. I am 6'5, push seat back and roll back one notch, lots of room and power to push it. Has 160 K miles and no burn oil, ugly but inexpensive. They were made for about six or seven yeears ending in 94 or 95. | ||
| Mark Renner (Boomer)
Registered Member Username: Boomer Post Number: 178 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 75.193.135.14  Rating: N/A |
I'm currently towing a '93 Tracker 4X4 which is advertised to weigh 2,350# (I have not weighed it). Slip the transfer case and tranny in neutral and your good to go. Goes great in the snow too. And does not require a supplimental brake system in any state by the way. I like it. Plenty of parts around if you need them. Made in Canada, not Japan! | ||
| Mark Morgan (Stormcloud)
Registered Member Username: Stormcloud Post Number: 10 Registered: 9-2008 Posted From: 216.36.185.40 Rating: N/A |
I have a 1997 Tracker 4x4 5 speed 4 door as a toad...weighs around 2900lbs. Much nicer to drive than the 2 door Tracker it replaced. I built a supplemental brake system for it, just in case some over-zealous officer decided I needed to have one. It tows very well,and its a great all around vehicle. Leave the manual transmission in second(or the automatic in Park), set the manual hubs to free-wheel, and the transfer case in neutral. Stop every 200 miles and run the engine with the clutch released to circulate oil in the transfer case. The owners manual for the 1994 Tracker says "If your vehicle has automatic free-wheeling hubs or two wheel drive, do not tow it on all four wheels." The book also says maximum towing speed of 50mph. Ooops. Ive never had trouble with either of the Trackers and have towed them regularly at 75mph. YMMV Mark | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 145 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 12.176.199.98 Rating: N/A |
hi daffycanuck, what kind of modification did you make to the Nissan PU? | ||
| Jim and Myrna Lawrence (Daffycanuck)
Registered Member Username: Daffycanuck Post Number: 56 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.19.14.42 Rating: N/A |
Did nothing, just the tow bar. Added A homemade air brake. | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 146 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 12.176.199.98 Rating: N/A |
great, good to have confirmation. | ||
| Bob Shafer (Michigander_bob)
Registered Member Username: Michigander_bob Post Number: 72 Registered: 2-2005 Posted From: 76.221.70.171  Rating: N/A |
If you prefer an automatic transmission almost everything General Motors makes is towable 4 down. Most of the other makes you need a stick shift, a tow dolly or stop frequently, start the car and run it through the gears. I didn't see a Saturn mentioned. They are very popular tow cars, especially the SL2 wagon with lots of storage in the back. The older ones from the (90's) weigh around 2400 lbs. I just bought a 1994 Saturn 4 door coupe from Texas with Blue Ox base plates on it for $900. Great car | ||
| don goldsmith (Bottomacher)
Registered Member Username: Bottomacher Post Number: 263 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.152.140.94 Rating: N/A |
I built an 85 Nissan 720 pickup to tow. Then I found an owner's manual on ebay which says not to tow it more than 50 miles and more than 50 mph (manual trans.) I'm pissed, but I may just try it and look for a spare tranny in my travels. | ||
| Ralph Peters (Ralph7)
Registered Member Username: Ralph7 Post Number: 52 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 206.251.5.175 Rating: N/A |
Most 5 speed transmissions 5th is out side the main case and the bottom shaft does not turn in nuetral while beeing towed, so no lube to the top bearings. That rear bearing needs lube, and if you want a shock check the price of the bearings. | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 256 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 24.183.22.6  Rating: N/A |
Someone told me we can tow the wife's "07 Focus "4 down" without any modification. I was just figuring out a way to weld a base plate up for a tow bar. Hope my info was correct. I think someone had a link to a site that covered what can be towed? | ||
| Phil Smith (Phil_smith)
Registered Member Username: Phil_smith Post Number: 40 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 24.116.71.31 Rating: N/A |
I needed a base plate for my Jeep Wrangler. I found a few pics and drawings of a base plate that I liked online. Visited my local steel shop and went to town.. It's just fine and I saved some money for other things. Worked for me ! Here's a link to the 'towing guide'. http://motorhome.tl.com/dinghytowingguide/ (Message edited by phil_smith on September 20, 2009) | ||
| Ralph Peters (Ralph7)
Registered Member Username: Ralph7 Post Number: 53 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 206.251.5.175 Rating: N/A |
Yes base plates cost about $250.00/ $300.00 , I called KC Trailers an got the right adapters for a Jeep grandcherokee, I build many of my own items, but not these. My hitch on the bus is through the bumper and it lines up with the crank and you need not remove the hitch or bumper to turn the engine. | ||
| Glen Rice (Rgrauto)
Registered Member Username: Rgrauto Post Number: 7 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 71.31.232.76 Rating: N/A |
Hello Stormcloud, We also tow a Suzuki Sidekick that is the same a Geo Tracker. I don't think it is necessary to stop and run eng because when you put the t-case it neutral it turns the front driveshaft, which is located on the bottom of the t-case which will cause the oil to travel up the gears to lube all the gears. Also I place my transmission in 4th gear when towing because 4th locks the main shaft to the output shaft,loading no other gears.And if you forget to place t-case in neutral,or if it drops into gear no eng damage.Just my way,as always do it your way. Glen Rice | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 107 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 70.51.35.176  Rating: N/A |
"Just curious Peter did you under estamate the cost of owning and driveing a coach? As far as a vehicle how about an old Austin Mini or early 70's Honda civic. Dave L " LOL didn't everybody do that!. | ||
| David Lower (Dave_l)
Registered Member Username: Dave_l Post Number: 222 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 67.58.201.132 Rating: |
Yes Patrick I forgot it is a big part of this bug we all get :-) And there is no cure for it except to travel more:-) Dave L | ||
| david anderson (Davidanderson)
Registered Member Username: Davidanderson Post Number: 246 Registered: 2-2004 Posted From: 69.153.74.2 Rating: N/A |
Mark (Boomer) You might want to rethink the braking requirement. Some state do http://www.brakebuddy.com/Towing-Laws | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 952 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.202.165.190  Rating: N/A |
1980 Diesel Rabbit , dont even know its there. Lights are trailer magnetics so we can tow anything and everything with Zero hassles. Although a fibergalas runabout is a bit of a challenge for the magnets , shock cord mounts instead.. FF | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 925 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.210.151.180 Rating: N/A |
Thanx for the link, David...good information for those that are pretty mobile... wide area travel. Sure is a big variance in requirement. FF, did you say once long ago that your toad is offset to the driver side a bit? Curious how that affects turns, if at all. RCB | ||
| Peter E (Sdibaja)
Registered Member Username: Sdibaja Post Number: 314 Registered: 5-2002 Posted From: 201.171.247.150  Rating: |
http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/12262/16041.html?1165778106 I set one up for my 4905 pulling a VW bug. It worked great, no worries hopping a curb on the right side, and on the left there is seldom anything in the way. I believe my offset was 14", enough to see the sideview mirror so I knew it was still there. | ||
| Moe Hollow (Moehollow)
Registered Member Username: Moehollow Post Number: 99 Registered: 12-2007 Posted From: 71.102.27.164 Rating: N/A |
Always compromises. The lightest would be some subcompact. FF's rabbit must be about as light as you can get. Jeep Cherokee (not Grand Cherokee) we use is definitely heavier but still only about 2900. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1646 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157 Rating: N/A |
Looked it up; weight of 1978 VW rabbit about 2000 pounds. Smart car is 1600 pounds. Since it is so small, you could probably store it in one of the closets. | ||
| Mark Morgan (Stormcloud)
Registered Member Username: Stormcloud Post Number: 11 Registered: 9-2008 Posted From: 216.36.185.40 Rating: N/A |
Hi Glen: I usually forget ;) to run the engine every couple of hours in the Tracker, just like I 'forget' to limit towing speed to 55mph..lol My first Tracker never complained about either of my misgivings; ditto with the 2nd toad which I've towed far more than the first one. I think the caution in the book is maybe a tad bit over-cautious. I never thought about selecting 4th gear (straight-through) when towing...I think Im gonna make a small change now to my pre-trip. Thanks! Best regards. Mark | ||
| Mark Renner (Boomer)
Registered Member Username: Boomer Post Number: 179 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 75.193.197.34 Rating: N/A |
David, the chart on your link is for towing trailers. The laws for towing vehicles are different in most states. That said, the chart I was looking at does actually require it in about 4 states. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 959 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.202.165.190 Rating: N/A |
did you say once long ago that your toad is offset to the driver side a bit? Curious how that affects turns, if at all. NO I didn't think of that when the mount was built. Its a good idea and seems to be done at times with no bad results, but IF you will ever be towing a large 2 axle trailer it might have concerns. Simplest would simply be a C/L hitch and an offset hitch , so the towd can be seen. Even with the stock rear window , and an inside rear view mirror the towd can not be seen , although the taller trailer can. FF | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1655 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157 Rating: N/A |
With the low cost of rear view cameras nowadays, one should have one, especially when towing. That way, you can see the flames coming out of the toad's fender wells because you forgot to take it out of 1st gear when you started out or you forgot to release the emergency brake. | ||
| Don Evans (Doninwa)
Registered Member Username: Doninwa Post Number: 232 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 208.81.157.234  Rating: N/A |
Saw the toad of my choice behind a S&S on I90 near Moses Lake WA today. A Vette. Had the rear end on a tow dolly. I can dream can't I? | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 289 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 24.164.20.23  Rating: N/A |
At one time we towed a Suzuki Samurai. Very easy to tow but a most uncivilized little car. Great in the woods or city but a killer on the highway. | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 126 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
Smart car is the lightest, period. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| Ralph Peters (Ralph7)
Registered Member Username: Ralph7 Post Number: 56 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 206.251.5.175 Rating: N/A |
Find an old Dune buggy with a full top an add some side curtins. |
