by "XJDano" (xjdano)
Published 11/18/2017 at 22:08
by "XJDano" (xjdano)
Published 11/18/2017 at 22:08
Tags: Towing
; FAQ
STARS: 0
84 VW Gti weighs in around 1800-2,000 pounds, caravan tow rating is 3,600. Photo with car isn’t my trailer it’s below
My trailer doesn’t have brakes, and not sure of weight, but I want to store them for a bit at my dad’s, which is about 70 minutes - no trailer.
I kind of feel like I could do it and wouldn’t have an issue, other part of me wants to just wait a couple more weeks and use a larger truck.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
11/18/2017 at 22:10, STARS: 0
3600 with brakes or without?
"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
11/18/2017 at 22:16, STARS: 2
In Australia we don’t have big ass dually trucks with 6 litre diesel V8s. We tow with what we’ve got. It’s NTB.
Man you’ve got a car trailer and a vehicle that’s more than capable of towing the weight. What’s the problem!?
"XJDano" (xjdano)
11/18/2017 at 22:20, STARS: 0
Doesn’t say
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
11/18/2017 at 22:21, STARS: 0
The number varies, but many states put the limit at 3,000 lbs before the trailer must be equipped with its own brakes.
"Little Black Coupe Turned Silver" (littleblackcoupe)
11/18/2017 at 22:21, STARS: 0
I have a friend who towed his C5Z racecar with a van of some sort in an enclosed trailer, no issue.
If it’s just an open trailer and a car, you don’t really need trailer brakes. Just be aware of the extra weight and stopping distance needed.
"Tekamul" (tekamulburner)
11/18/2017 at 22:23, STARS: 0
I’ve towed a civic with a forester, no issues.
Drive within Your limits. I kept it to 45, and planned as far ahead as possible for stops.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
11/18/2017 at 22:27, STARS: 0
I personally would wait. If it helps, the chrysler minivan forums say that you need towing package which wasn’t on the SE or SXT. I don’t know what trim you have.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
11/18/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 1
Without trailer brakes, I’d say you’re asking for trouble. You really want the trailer to help slow itself down so you’re not overtaxing your tow vehicles brakes.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
11/18/2017 at 23:19, STARS: 0
Also you need to take into account the weight of the trailer. They aren’t light.
"gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee" (gogmorgo)
11/18/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 1
What’s the empty weight of the trailer? You can probably push the towing limits a bit a be okay. Keywords being “a bit”. There are always factors of safety added in.
How you load the trailer is very important. This comes from a bit of experience pulling too heavy of a trailer with too small of a truck. If you’ve got too much tongue weight you’ll overload the back end of the tow vehicle, and things will get squirrelly. Too little tongue weight and you’ll struggle to control the trailer. And also there’s that stopping thing.
It’s not so much about whether the vehicle can do it or not, it’s the repeatability. You’ll go through components (tires, suspension, brakes, CV shafts, transmissions...) at a much faster rate, and the components you’ll be stressing are the ones that get dangerous if they break, because they only break when you need them. If you’ve got the option to move the load with a vehicle properly rated for it, it’s always a better option to do so. Better safe than sorry and all that.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
11/19/2017 at 07:53, STARS: 1
The GTI is FWD, so why not just rent a car dolly? You’ll be well under your tow rating then. Personally, I wouldn’t go abusing the transmission of my family hauler.
"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97)
11/19/2017 at 08:40, STARS: 2
This. A utility trailer of that size with a full deck usually weighs in around 1800-2000lbs itself, and FWD cars end up being plenty of weight on the hitch. $30 to uhaul for a tow dolly for the day is the way to go here.
"greasemonkey235097" (greasemonkey235097)
11/19/2017 at 09:20, STARS: 0
Can you do it. Sure. But with no breaks on the trailer. Now its just safety you are playing with. Rent an u haul pick up. Just to save your Caravan transaxle
"Spoon II" (Spoon_II)
11/19/2017 at 12:05, STARS: 0
I would think you’d be fine
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
11/19/2017 at 12:06, STARS: 0
Neither the Caravan nor the VW is the limiting factor here. It’s the trailer, or its lack of brakes to be more exact. With a decent trailer it should be no problem at all.
In Europe the 3.6L FWD version of that van has a tow rating of 1600 kg (3500+ lbs) with brakes, 450 kg (<1000 lbs) without.
"boxrocket" (boxrocket)
11/19/2017 at 12:16, STARS: 0
It’s not just pulling strength, it’s going, stopping, turning, and how you affect other drivers like on hills and such.
"XJDano" (xjdano)
11/19/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 0
If you’ve ever driven down Hwy 30 past 270, you know how hilly it is.
It’s one of those things you know you shouldn’t do, could probably get away with where the risk is not greater than the reward. If you go through with it and make it, you’re glad nothing happened, if something happens you blame yourself and how you shouldn’t have.
Just needed like minded friends to confirm what I already know.
"boxrocket" (boxrocket)
11/19/2017 at 21:39, STARS: 0
Gotcha. Hwy 30 specifically? If so, at least there’s less traffic that way.
"XJDano" (xjdano)
11/19/2017 at 22:00, STARS: 0
70-270-30 then 30 until after it goes down to two lanes, but not as far as St. Clair. So there are hills. I’m going to wait.
"boxrocket" (boxrocket)
11/20/2017 at 06:31, STARS: 0
Ah, just south of my old stomping grounds. I grew up in West County (I knew Manchester and Big Bend/New Ballwin as well as the back of my hand at one time, since I bicycled everywhere), but thanks to my wife and her family I’m a South County transplant.
If it’s a one-way trip, I have access to trucks ranging from F-150s to F-350s from friends & family, and I’d be happy to help a fellow Opponaut. I’m also contemplating buying an Expedition or Navigator within the next few weeks for a winter project that would also be tow-capable.
"XJDano" (xjdano)
11/20/2017 at 07:45, STARS: 0
I actually have 2 cars that need to get moved, and I’ll have my brother help out by borrowing one of the box trucks in the second photo. We’ll also be packing the truck with stuff to move to my parents anyway.
I really do appreciate the offer and if I didn’t have an option I would likely take you up on the offer.