What do you tow with

Here's my trusty 12yr old Toyota Hiace. The Cats behind are worth thousands more. The A on top of the F16 belongs to my friend who is in the picture below (left unfortunately) but I thought you might like the link between the photo's.

What about a Miata? <img src=

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Just for the information of those who are comparing, American Gallons are smaller than Imperial (British/Canadian). Here is the conversion.
1 imperial gal = 1.2009 U S gals = 4.5446 Litres
1 USG = .8327 Imp. Gal = 3.7843 L.
10 Litres = 2.6425 USG = 2.2004 Imp. Gal.

From http://www.roadogz.com/productionoffice/calculate.htm

Auto trannys have become a very good at power transfer so there is very little difference. I still prefer a manual as I’m an old guy who learned with one.

It’s a combination of the two. Inertia will be overcome by drag and wheel friction.

There’s a number of things to consider when looking at wheels. The larger the wheel diameter, the more energy to get it spinning. There’s also bearing and road friction. One thing that would reduce drag would be to make the tire and rim narrower but the trade off would be weight capacity.

I'll try again. It helps if you attach the right file!!

The vehicle in the bottom left picture is missing its backup lights.

Wow, I never thought about that before, but I guess that's why the tires on horse-racing sulkies are very skinny -- and on racing bicycles.
* * * * *
As far as wind drag, has anybody ever come up with a way to make the rig more aerodynamic for trailering?

Some road bikes use tires that are only 18 cm across. Really skinny but they still have to carry the same weight of the rider and bike so they may bulge out more where the tire contacts the road.

Removing the tramp might reduce drag.

Same, but 4x4, only 132,000 mi and no kids. Also, AirRaid instead of K&N.

Hey, Chris, that sure is a sharp-looking runabout! Oh, and the scooter is cute too.

What scooter?

My skipper should win for worst MPG's. He tows with a GMC motor home. It gets about 7MPG but sure makes the

camping

better. <img src=

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Ok...after towing double stacked N20's today for the first time, I'll chime in...because I think I should get a couple of awards....
I drive a Black 2003 GMC Sierra Denali with a 6.0 litre V8, AWD, and Quadrasteer (yes all four wheels turn). I love my truck for a lot of reasons...it just

goes

anywhere I want in any conditions, and does so with comfort and class....only one (major) flaw....you'll read in a moment. Sooo....IMHO...we're WAY up there on the

Cool

factor!! Picture (sorry I don't have one to share at the moment!) 2 gorgeous Nacra 20's stacked and flyin' down the hiway behind a beautiful shiny black truck that stands out against most other trucks all on it's own to begin with!!!

Now...for the bad part.....and all my Euro friends can get their rocks ready to throw!!! I definitely get the gas guzzler award. Normal (non-towing) MPG is 12.7 city/hiway combined 50/50, doing 85 on the hiway. Towing a single boat at 75 on the hiway...11.7. Now for the really bad news.....(Do the Euro's and Aussies have rocks ready with arms ****??)...Double stacked and only 65MPH down the hiway....a whopping 9.3MPG!!! And I'm starting a 1000 mile trip to Florida Monday!

I think I either need to buy an oil well...or start looking for a

less cool

tow vehicle!!

JL
(dodging the stones from across the pond!!)

Yeah double stacked 20's is rough. We got 7mpg or thereabouts with Trey's truck with double stacked 20's on the way to tradewinds.

Joe,
I even get better than that with a 35' RV weighing 19,500 lbs and pulling a double stack. I got around 9.5 mph on the trip up to the F18 Na's driving around 70mph. On the flat lands I can get 10 to 12 mph and better if going slower. My F250 gets around 15 to 17 towing at 70 mph.

Depends on the car. If it is underpowered for the load and constantly changing between the top two gears, a manual in 2nd top gear is probably the go. Holding an auto in 2nd top and making sure it has a cooler attached should be fine but don't run it at top speed for hours on end.

Whilst you are accelerating most you are fighting the weight at lower speeds and a combination as it increases. When you are cruising, it's mostly windage that is the problem. You are in effect driving with a big parachute out the back of your car.

Not with regard to MPG. I do like the idea of larger trailer wheels though. A 15

wheel will do far less RPM than a 11

wheel and thus your wheel bearings and tyres etc etc will give far less trouble.

Tiger Mike

There’s a number of things to consider when looking at wheels. The larger the wheel diameter, the more energy to get it spinning. There’s also bearing and road friction. One thing that would reduce drag would be to make the tire and rim narrower but the trade off would be weight capacity.

IMHO the friction from larger dia wheel/tyre combo on a boat trailer would be virtually nil compared to that of overall wind-drag at 40+ mph. I think it would be a no-brainer in most cases.

Tiger Mike

Has anybody heard of, or tried, air tabs? www.airtab.com

My old tow vehicle..... Vintage Sports Car I guess

1977 Ford XC Fairmont GXL Coupe

Engine
351 ci Cleveland
2V Close chamber heads
4V Exhaust Valves
2V inlet Valves

Fuel
Methanol
Custom Nitro Methane Injection

Drive Line
Gear Box - Top Loader
Diff - 9 inch with 3.5 gears
4 wheel disc breaks
13 inch x 15 inch rear wheels (12 slot rims)
11 inch x 14 inch Front wheels (12 slot rims not pictured here)

Factory wind back sun roof.

Towing is easier on a manual tansmission. Most or some (well especially older vehicles) automatics will have a tendancy to shift in and out of overdrive more often than normal during towing, due to the additional drag and weight of the boat and trailer. Except in the case of larger vehicles with huge towing capacities, this heats up the transmission fluid more than normal operation. Check your owners manual for recommended towing practices. Some will suggest turning the overdride off (if function is available) or keeping the transmission selector in the next to highest gear (3 or 4). In either case this is preventing the transmission from making more frequent shifts.

A transmission cooler may be added by any competent mechanic and are available at all chain auto parts stores. The transmission fluid lines are routed to the front of the vehicle for cooling anyway making it a fairly easy modification that should cost less than $200. If you feel your vehicled is overworked, it's a fairly inexpensive insurance policy to have. Or, have your transmission serviced at the

Heavy use

interavals. Personaly we change the fluid more often.

Since the old days and

sport

vehivles were brought up...

Had great fun towing the spanking new '81 H16 with our '67 Camaro, 327ci/275hp. Wish we still had that little rascal. <img src=

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1991 Shasta (McNasty)

Also use a scooter for local transport - '85 Honda 150 Elite - gets 72mpg and can sustain 60mph.

For local stuff where I've got somewhere to put my head...a 2000 Nissan 4WD crew cab Frontier that's gets a dismal 16mpg towing on the highway.

Quote

Quote

Happily tows the F18 on a trailer at highway speeds.

and gets 38mpg around town.

Scarecrow, what kind of car is that?

Mary is a Peuguet 206 (already mentioned elsewhere.

With regards to the sports car question. I used to tow my A Cat with a Nissan NX (Targa top). People, your boats weight less than 3 adult passengers sitting in the back sit would. You don't need a big car to pull a beach cat.

Yeah, we don't need huge cars to pull our boats but....what about all the gear and stuff, plus gas is replaceable, right??
I am pretty happy with what I tow with, I can manage over 20mpg while still having an SUV with a V-8. I think I have the best of both worlds with my ford explorer.

I have a Ford F250 with the 6.0 liter diesel. I get about 15 m.p.g. on the highway with just the boat if I keep the speed at or below 75. I usually tow a 27-foot 5th wheel (maybe 8,000 pounds) with the boat behind that. It's reasonably comfortable and is a four-door so I can carry the family or crew and still have lots of room for gear. I drove it to Texoma and got 9.5 to 12.5 m.p.g. at 70 m.p.h. It has trailer brakes so control is really good, even with the train, and power is never an issue. I can go way faster than I'd ever want to with all that stuff hanging off the back and I can still pass pretty easily. Without anything on it, I get 21+ on the highway and 16 around town.

I must agree with Scarecrow. You dont need a V-8 or even a V-6 to pull a beachcat. Not even over mountains.. My Ford Focus 1.6liters is sufficient even with a Tornado+tools/spares on the trailer and camping gear in the back. Milage is good even then. But I would not choose a french car for it, Scarecrow <img src=

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Mary: Check http://www.peugeot.com/en/default.htm for more Peugeots.

Automatic transmissions use about 5% more fuel.

My first car a Mercedes 200 (very used... <img src=

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/>) had a fantastic manual. It gave fuel mileages throughout it's speed range. Best mileage was around 30 mph or 50 km/h.

If there is a headwind, try driving at night as there is normally less wind. This will save fuel and make for a lot less road weave. Also less traffic. Also air is denser, so you have more power.

I have a question. I have never towed my Tiger on the highway but may be doing so next summer. How is it in the wind? Will be using a Toyota Rav4

Mary, the air tabs? www.airtab.com sounds like a great idea. At USD $ 2.50 each, you need 3 per foot, so for a van or truck the investment would be low. Just a matter of having to answer all the people who say...

whas dat?

So wait, my Mountain Dew bottle is 3 litres and your engine is only 1.6?

Yet again, people telling us that we don't need our big cars.

WE KNOW WE DON'T NEED THEM. WE LIKE THEM AND THATS WHY WE HAVE THEM.

I mean jesus, I drive a 2 door, AWD gas-guzzling SUV thats about as practical as a football bat and I love it to death. I baby it. I sing lullaby's to it at night to make sure it gets to bed ok. It takes $50 to fill it up, but guess what, every penny of it is worth it because my vehicle is part of who I am.

So yeah, I don't need a 3.5 litre forced induction V6 on 32

x12

tires, but I LOVE IT AND YOU'LL HAVE TO PRY IT OUT OF MY COLD, DEAD HANDS YOU COMMIE BASTIDS!

(last line embellished for effect)

Yes yes, I hope you enjoy it just as much when your government buckle in to the pressure and triple the cost of gas, and put extra taxes on all fun cars. I would like to drive the same kind of car as you have, it would be great fun. But I can not afford it, and after some consideration, its not really neccesary either.

Please grow up.

One word...... Methanol
It is now cheaper than fuel. Just don't get caught with it <img src=

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Hey Steve,

that technology is coming trough here in scandinavia as well (or better Ethanol?). Think about it, destilling your own fuel <img src=

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/> Should make for some really great parties if ethanol is used, but take care to lock your fuel tank.

Your tone rings of jealousy.

HAHA HAHA HA HAHAHA. Man I feel sorry for you.

Wait till they unveil the

Ford Excuse

. 37mpg, soda can sheet metal, and the briggs and stratton v2 engine!

I'm in the market actually right now for a H2 SUT. I'll have big gas guzzler and small gas guzzler!

(fwiw, my fiancee drives a 2004 honda accord. Well, she DID until she hit a pothole and bent the frame on the stupid thing)