What TT for a car enthusiast?
Hi, I've been lurking for a week. My fiancée and I are looking to get our first TT. I want something light that I can tow with my BMW 135. It's rated to 2000 lbs and I understand that anything I ...
Forum Discussion
Issue #1: the hitch attachment must be strong enough to not tear out the steel underside where it bolts onto the car. Otherwise you risk detachment, possibly at highway speed, with potentially deadly results.
Issue #2: the engine may have plenty of power, but will the transmission stay cool enough under towing load or will it overheat and become ruined?
If you deal with those issues (possibly a custom fabricated hitch receiver and extra tranny cooler), towing a small trailer of 1000 or 2000 lbs should be ok. Trailer brakes are advisable for anything over 1000 lbs. Folding trailers or molded fiberglass 'egg' trailers will have the lowest wind resistance, which translates to lower strain on the drive train, hitch, and everything.
There are motorcycle trailers which are lightweight, open easily into a spacious tented area, and often have self-deploying tent supports for quick, convenient setup. Storage exists beneath a tiltable bed platform.
Aliner and Chalet have built some small, lightweight hard-sided folders. The Scout is about 1000 lbs dry weight, and the Alite (used market only) is even lighter.
The Scamp 13 is a possibility if you cover the issues noted above. Back in the '80s I towed a similar 'egg' trailer from Michigan to Colorado Springs and back, with a '84 Dodge Omni 2.2L 4-cyl, 5-speed manual. It didn't hurt the car, but it certainly was slow going... 50 mph was about top speed unless there was a good downhill run. Not sayin' I would do it again today, though!
Issue #2: the engine may have plenty of power, but will the transmission stay cool enough under towing load or will it overheat and become ruined?
If you deal with those issues (possibly a custom fabricated hitch receiver and extra tranny cooler), towing a small trailer of 1000 or 2000 lbs should be ok. Trailer brakes are advisable for anything over 1000 lbs. Folding trailers or molded fiberglass 'egg' trailers will have the lowest wind resistance, which translates to lower strain on the drive train, hitch, and everything.
There are motorcycle trailers which are lightweight, open easily into a spacious tented area, and often have self-deploying tent supports for quick, convenient setup. Storage exists beneath a tiltable bed platform.
Aliner and Chalet have built some small, lightweight hard-sided folders. The Scout is about 1000 lbs dry weight, and the Alite (used market only) is even lighter.
The Scamp 13 is a possibility if you cover the issues noted above. Back in the '80s I towed a similar 'egg' trailer from Michigan to Colorado Springs and back, with a '84 Dodge Omni 2.2L 4-cyl, 5-speed manual. It didn't hurt the car, but it certainly was slow going... 50 mph was about top speed unless there was a good downhill run. Not sayin' I would do it again today, though!
