Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Towing
| [GMCnet] Towing [message #195694] |
Wed, 16 January 2013 12:22  |
BobDunahugh
Messages: 2465
Registered: October 2010
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
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I have a 78 Royle with a 403 and 3.70 diff. from Jim. I pull a 24 ft enclosed trailer with the car and shop in it when Linda doesn't go to track events with me. Gross comes to around 19,000 lbs. The GMC handles it well. It's been to rally's before.When Linda is along. I how bring her Chevy Uplander lift van on a tow dolly that has it's own brakes. Simple to hookup, and it's vary light.Bob Dunahugh
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195698 is a reply to message #195694] |
Wed, 16 January 2013 12:47  |
An87ttype
Messages: 157
Registered: September 2012
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I'd be interested in hearing from more of you that are/have towed with a tow dolly. I have a few different cars that I can use and i don't want to commit to any of them. I like the idea of a dolly with surge brakes so I don't have to modify anything. I've seen dollies for the same price as a good brake and tow bar system. I'm just a little concerned about the weight. I have an unmodified 455 and final drive.
Thanks all!
1975 Eleganza II
Hudson Valley NY
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195699 is a reply to message #195698] |
Wed, 16 January 2013 12:55 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
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i had 2 tow dolly's and hated them both
one was for a harley, and it was always too hot, too wet, too cold
and took a long time to load
the other was for a car, an
- had to uload for 2 dead ends
- too long to unhook
- too long
went to a tracker with tow bar on front, 5 min to disconnect
no tow brakes
jwid
gene
On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 10:47 AM, Dag mer <An87ttype@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I'd be interested in hearing from more of you that are/have towed with a
> tow dolly. I have a few different cars that I can use and i don't want to
> commit to any of them. I like the idea of a dolly with surge brakes so I
> don't have to modify anything. I've seen dollies for the same price as a
> good brake and tow bar system. I'm just a little concerned about the
> weight. I have an unmodified 455 and final drive.
> Thanks all!
>
> --
> 1975 Eleganza II
> Hudson Valley NY
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195703 is a reply to message #195699] |
Wed, 16 January 2013 13:25 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
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I've used a dolly, but not behind a GMC.
> took a long time to load
> too long to unhook
Ditto what Gene said. Long hauls, they're fine. But you're going to dread connecting/disconnecting.
There's also the problem of what to do with it once you've off-loaded.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195708 is a reply to message #195698] |
Wed, 16 January 2013 15:12 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Dag,
I have towed ever since we bought our first GMC in 1997. Always have been reasonably light and always 4 down. The heavier that you tow the more your fuel mileage decreases and the more your wear and tear on the coach. First was a GEO rag top ( 1850# ) with mechanical locking hubs. The next was a 4Dr, 4WD Tracker at about 2900#. That 1000# difference was very noticeable between the two. Lost 1 MPG with the change. We now tow a Honda FIT at 2450#. I use the Tow-V-Aire braking system. I got it a number of year back to use on the Tracker and use in on the Honda also. Towed brakes really take the load of the coach brakes and stopping distance is reduced.
Towing the 4WD Jeep wheels down with the manual trans is much simpler, but you still need to disconnect the front drive train from the transmission or it will be a handful to pull and with the oversize tires it may not track well behind the coach. The tow bar height location is extremely important on the towed vehicle. You may want to consider a braking system.
You will see almost all types of vehicles towed behind the GMC MH from very small, I know of several smart cars being towed and you can go bigger and heavier if you want.
Sometimes its what you've got is what you tow.
Avoid the tow dolly at all cost. Some people use them but you got to unhitch and store it somewhere.
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
Michigan
On Jan 16, 2013, at 1:47 PM, Dag mer <An87ttype@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I'd be interested in hearing from more of you that are/have towed with a tow dolly. I have a few different cars that I can use and i don't want to commit to any of them. I like the idea of a dolly with surge brakes so I don't have to modify anything. I've seen dollies for the same price as a good brake and tow bar system. I'm just a little concerned about the weight. I have an unmodified 455 and final drive.
> Thanks all!
>
> --
> 1975 Eleganza II
> Hudson Valley NY
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GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195712 is a reply to message #195694] |
Wed, 16 January 2013 15:59 |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
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Since we are discussing toads and trailers, has anyone toad a vehicle like a 4wd suburban about 5000lbs very much. I do have an addon brake system and it can be towed with all 4 down with the transfer in neutral. I know it would kill mileage and hard on the tranny but still beats my wife following in it.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195715 is a reply to message #195694] |
Wed, 16 January 2013 16:37 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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used to use dollys alot. not behind the gmc, but just to move cars around.
I like the idea of being able to tow different cars. but I also warn you, to watch how wide the vehicle is. Just because it will fit between the wheels of the tow dolly, does not mean it will fit. tow dollys have to turn, so you have to have a little bit more room.
a dolly would not be my choice, if I had a dedicated tow vehicle. but I have thought of getting one, so I could borrow any of my friends front wheel drive gas misers if I want to have a car to use on a weekend.
I went and put a tow bar on my friends wrangler. got to borrow it for one weekend. and he went and took it apart is swapping out the engine for a v-8 ls1, now. Not helping my weight concern at all! plus the project left me without a toad all summer.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195720 is a reply to message #195698] |
Wed, 16 January 2013 19:23 |
bryant374
Messages: 563
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Karma: 1
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An87ttype
I'd be interested in hearing from more of you that are/have towed with a tow dolly. I have a few different cars that I can use and i don't want to commit to any of them. I like the idea of a dolly with surge brakes so I don't have to modify anything. I've seen dollies for the same price as a good brake and tow bar system. I'm just a little concerned about the weight. I have an unmodified 455 and final drive.
Thanks all!
An87ttype
While I have towed, I have chosen to NOT use a dolly (often difficult to find a spot to park it, extra weight to tow, extra things to fail/fix, surge brakes usually marginal)
If it were me, here is what I would do: add a large heat exchanger for the transmission as well as temp gauge, get rid of the 3.07 diff and get at least a 3.50 or a 3.70. Improve the brakes (your choice of which improvements).
I chose to tow a Saturn wagon, <4k lbs and flat towed with pretty much no changes.
NOTE;
An87ttype, noticed your address is Hudson Valley, NY, I am near Poughkeepsie, just how close are we to being neighbors?
Bill Bryant
PO 1976~PB (owned 34 years)
1914 Ford (owned 70 years)
1965 Corvette (owned 39 years)
GMC Motorhome History
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195725 is a reply to message #195694] |
Wed, 16 January 2013 20:28 |
An87ttype
Messages: 157
Registered: September 2012
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Hi All,
Thanks for all of the responses. It seems like everyone feels about the same about using a dolly. I think my next question would be whether or not my 06 Sebring convertible could be safely flat towed. I always thought the trans would overheat if towed long distance. That's why I asked about the dolly. If anybody knows that would be great....Thanks
Bill...I'm down in Monroe, about 40 or 50 miles, so I'd say we are pretty close neighbors. Maybe we can get together sometime. It would be great to meet some local owners.
1975 Eleganza II
Hudson Valley NY
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195730 is a reply to message #195725] |
Wed, 16 January 2013 21:13 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
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Your Dodge Sebring convertible is NOT flat towable! It does require a tow dolly to get it down the road. I checked the 2006 FMCA towable guide. My friend who we travel with a lot has one that his wife loves and the first year 2011 we went to Tucson they brought the Sebring to use out west. It was great to run around with the top down. Sorry!
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
Michigan
>
>
> Hi All,
>
> Thanks for all of the responses. It seems like everyone feels about the same about using a dolly. I think my next question would be whether or not my 06 Sebring convertible could be safely flat towed. I always thought the trans would overheat if towed long distance. That's why I asked about the dolly. If anybody knows that would be great....Thanks
>
> Bill...I'm down in Monroe, about 40 or 50 miles, so I'd say we are pretty close neighbors. Maybe we can get together sometime. It would be great to meet some local owners.
> --
> 1975 Eleganza II
> Hudson Valley NY
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78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195743 is a reply to message #195694] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 07:22 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
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The best towable we've ever owned was a Geo Metro. The first time we towed
it, I had Nancy walk back to the bedroom to see if it was really there.
Couldn't tell via the GMCs performance. Lighter is better and at 1,600
lbs, the Metro was great. We tow a Miata now and at 1,900 lbs, it is also
hard to feel back there from the cockpit. We recently have started towing
a Wells Cargo enclosed trailer with the GL1800 in it but sometimes it is a
real pain to have to disconnect the trailer and store it at parks. Not fun
to hook up either since it's too heavy to manually position.
On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 11:22 AM, Bob Dunahugh <yenko108@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I have a 78 Royle with a 403 and 3.70 diff. from Jim. I pull a 24 ft
> enclosed trailer with the car and shop in it when Linda doesn't go to track
> events with me. Gross comes to around 19,000 lbs. The GMC handles it well.
> It's been to rally's before.When Linda is along. I how bring her Chevy
> Uplander lift van on a tow dolly that has it's own brakes. Simple to
> hookup, and it's vary light.Bob Dunahugh
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Take care,
Steve
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195744 is a reply to message #195694] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 07:48 |
An87ttype
Messages: 157
Registered: September 2012
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Would you say that, generally, auto trans vehicles are not flat towable? My wife doesn't want to drive a manual. Tell you the truth, i don't want her to anyway. Too much work pulling the clutch!
I had a Metro years ago with a 3 cylinder. 48 hp I think. I beat the hell out of it and it never failed. Sold it with over 200k on the clock. It was a manual trans so the wife never drove it.
1975 Eleganza II
Hudson Valley NY
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195750 is a reply to message #195708] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 09:13 |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
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John,
My wife drievs a Honda Fit and we were considering setting it up as a
towable. What all has to be done to make this work? You mention a
braking system (towe-v-aire). What else is part of your setup to tow a
Fit?
Robin
On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 3:12 PM, John Wright <powerjon@chartermi.net> wrote:
> Dag,
> I have towed ever since we bought our first GMC in 1997. Always have been reasonably light and always 4 down. The heavier that you tow the more your fuel mileage decreases and the more your wear and tear on the coach. First was a GEO rag top ( 1850# ) with mechanical locking hubs. The next was a 4Dr, 4WD Tracker at about 2900#. That 1000# difference was very noticeable between the two. Lost 1 MPG with the change. We now tow a Honda FIT at 2450#. I use the Tow-V-Aire braking system. I got it a number of year back to use on the Tracker and use in on the Honda also. Towed brakes really take the load of the coach brakes and stopping distance is reduced.
>
> Towing the 4WD Jeep wheels down with the manual trans is much simpler, but you still need to disconnect the front drive train from the transmission or it will be a handful to pull and with the oversize tires it may not track well behind the coach. The tow bar height location is extremely important on the towed vehicle. You may want to consider a braking system.
>
> You will see almost all types of vehicles towed behind the GMC MH from very small, I know of several smart cars being towed and you can go bigger and heavier if you want.
>
> Sometimes its what you've got is what you tow.
>
> Avoid the tow dolly at all cost. Some people use them but you got to unhitch and store it somewhere.
>
> JR Wright
> 78 Buskirk Stretch
> Michigan
>
> On Jan 16, 2013, at 1:47 PM, Dag mer <An87ttype@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> I'd be interested in hearing from more of you that are/have towed with a tow dolly. I have a few different cars that I can use and i don't want to commit to any of them. I like the idea of a dolly with surge brakes so I don't have to modify anything. I've seen dollies for the same price as a good brake and tow bar system. I'm just a little concerned about the weight. I have an unmodified 455 and final drive.
>> Thanks all!
>>
>> --
>> 1975 Eleganza II
>> Hudson Valley NY
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
--
Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2003 Buick Lesabre
1968 Pontiac Catalina
1978 GMC Royale motorhome
1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195759 is a reply to message #195750] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 10:18 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Robin,
What year is your FIT? Both the Auto and Manual transmission are flat towable. Ours is a 2009 5 speed paddle shift auto and the 2008 and later FIT's are listed as towable by the FMCA towable guides. You will have to buy either a Road-master hitch and adapters (Which I have) or a Blue Ox setup for the FIT. In my case I had to buy only the adapters for the car as I already owned the Stowmaster 5000 towbar. Both manufacturers come with a replacement frame cross member that replaces the safety crush cross member in the front of the FIT behind the grill and ties everything to the unibody. Making your own setup is not an option. This makes the installation a bolt on and you will need to remove the front bumper assy, but that is easy to remove and reinstall. The instruction were quite good and I installed the hitch in about 5 hours. I took me about 10 hours to install the braking system. I installed it because I had it. Everything was set up the same for both the Tracker
and the FIT as I had both vehicles at the time. The car is light enough that you may decide not to use a braking system, but you may need to drive it on a trip to decide. The lights were about 4 hours and most of that was getting the wiring from front to back. I used the magnetic lights shown in the pictures as there is no room in the tail light housings to put a bulb in and get the wiring to it.
The FIT tows great and is hard to tell it is back there. Your Honda FIT manual on pages 238 thru 241 in my 2009 manual gives towing setup instructions. If you install a braking system you will need to add a charging cable to help the very small Honda battery on long tows such as all day.
I will post the picture today shortly in another email.
If you want to talk by phone or do you SKYPE let me know and I can answer any questions that you have contact me off net.
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
Michigan
On Jan 17, 2013, at 10:13 AM, Robin Hood <loxley@gmail.com> wrote:
> John,
>
> My wife drives a Honda Fit and we were considering setting it up as a
> towable. What all has to be done to make this work? You mention a
> braking system (towe-v-aire). What else is part of your setup to tow a
> Fit?
>
> Robin
>
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GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195760 is a reply to message #195759] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 10:33 |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
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It's a 2012 I think. I bought it new at the end of 2011. Automatic
transmission. The other details in your email should get me started.
We plan on coming to GMCMHI rally in Dothan in March. Probably won't
tow the Fit, and just let her drive the Fit as a chase vehicle.
On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 10:18 AM, John Wright <powerjon@chartermi.net> wrote:
> Robin,
> What year is your FIT? Both the Auto and Manual transmission are flat towable. Ours is a 2009 5 speed paddle shift auto and the 2008 and later FIT's are listed as towable by the FMCA towable guides. You will have to buy either a Road-master hitch and adapters (Which I have) or a Blue Ox setup for the FIT. In my case I had to buy only the adapters for the car as I already owned the Stowmaster 5000 towbar. Both manufacturers come with a replacement frame cross member that replaces the safety crush cross member in the front of the FIT behind the grill and ties everything to the unibody. Making your own setup is not an option. This makes the installation a bolt on and you will need to remove the front bumper assy, but that is easy to remove and reinstall. The instruction were quite good and I installed the hitch in about 5 hours. I took me about 10 hours to install the braking system. I installed it because I had it. Everything was set up the same for both the Track
er
> and the FIT as I had both vehicles at the time. The car is light enough that you may decide not to use a braking system, but you may need to drive it on a trip to decide. The lights were about 4 hours and most of that was getting the wiring from front to back. I used the magnetic lights shown in the pictures as there is no room in the tail light housings to put a bulb in and get the wiring to it.
>
> The FIT tows great and is hard to tell it is back there. Your Honda FIT manual on pages 238 thru 241 in my 2009 manual gives towing setup instructions. If you install a braking system you will need to add a charging cable to help the very small Honda battery on long tows such as all day.
>
> I will post the picture today shortly in another email.
>
> If you want to talk by phone or do you SKYPE let me know and I can answer any questions that you have contact me off net.
>
> JR Wright
> 78 Buskirk Stretch
> Michigan
>
> On Jan 17, 2013, at 10:13 AM, Robin Hood <loxley@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> John,
>>
>> My wife drives a Honda Fit and we were considering setting it up as a
>> towable. What all has to be done to make this work? You mention a
>> braking system (towe-v-aire). What else is part of your setup to tow a
>> Fit?
>>
>> Robin
>>
>
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Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2003 Buick Lesabre
1968 Pontiac Catalina
1978 GMC Royale motorhome
1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195761 is a reply to message #195744] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 10:38 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Many automatics can be flat towed.
The jeep grand Cherokee is towed by putting the transfer case in neutral and the main shifter in park.
The Geo Tracker (and Suziki sidekick) ( they are both made by Suziki) automatics are towable only if they are also 4-wheel drive.
For years the Saturn automatics were
towable but I think the last couple of years they were made the automatics were not towable.
Some of the automatic cars are not towable because some bearings in the transmission don't get lubricated when towing. Remco makes a kit with a pump that circulates oil that allows you to tow many of these vehicles. This also make a kit that allows you to disconnect the driveshaft on some models.
Once a year FMCA publishes a list of new model autos and indicates if you can tow them. I believe you can access the information for older models on the FMCA web site.
Any car can be towed on a dolly and for some automatics that is the only way. Others can be towed without any modification but others need drive shaft disconnects or the Remco oil pump kit.
Personally I prefer the four wheel on the ground and as light a toad as possible. I use a four door Geo tracker because I like the extra room for passengers and the storage room in the rear and the hardtop. However I have a 1996. Newer ones are heavier. They seem to have gone up about 100 pounds every year. And, of course, they are no longer being made. The Chevrolet Tracker that is made now is quite a bit bigger and heavier.
If you want a small car, I understand that the Smart Car can be towed. The Mini Cooper only if is a manual. I don't know about the new Fiat but issuer looks like it would be a good towd.
Emery
On Jan 17, 2013, at 8:48 AM, Dag mer <An87ttype@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Would you say that, generally, auto trans vehicles are not flat towable? My wife doesn't want to drive a manual. Tell you the truth, i don't want her to anyway. Too much work pulling the clutch!
> I had a Metro years ago with a 3 cylinder. 48 hp I think. I beat the hell out of it and it never failed. Sold it with over 200k on the clock. It was a manual trans so the wife never drove it.
> --
> 1975 Eleganza II
> Hudson Valley NY
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195763 is a reply to message #195761] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 10:57 |
Russell Mehlenbacher
Messages: 128
Registered: June 2010
Karma: 1
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On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 11:38 AM, Emery Stora wrote:
"Any car can be towed on a dolly and for some automatics that is the only
way."
As a FYI, my 2002 Subaru Forester AWD (manual) can be towed 4 down.
But putting it on a dolly is certain destruction for something. Either
tires, u-joints, drive shafts, center diff., the weak link will show up in
short order. (No personal experience!!!)
Russ
Russ & Linda Mehlenbacher
Rochester Hills, MI
'74 X-Sequoia
'76 Eleganza
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'74 Sequoia
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195769 is a reply to message #195762] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 11:45 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Not really. I see a lot of rear wheel drive cars with the back wheels on the dolly. They tow fine that way.
Take a good look next time you take a trip. Close to half are towed backwards.
Emery Stora
On Jan 17, 2013, at 11:56 AM, D C _Mac_ Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I suspect, but don't know for sure, that the "Any car can be towed
> on a dolly" statement may apply ONLY to front wheel drive cars.
>
> I think rear wheel drive cars need to have driveshaft disconnected
> for dolly towing.
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
> ~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
> ~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ______________
> *[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
> *--OO--[]---O-*
>
>
>
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>
>> From: emerystora@mac.com
>> Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:38:32 -0500
>> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Towing
>>
>> Many automatics can be flat towed.
>> The jeep grand Cherokee is towed by putting the transfer case in neutral and the main shifter in park.
>>
>> The Geo Tracker (and Suziki sidekick) ( they are both made by Suziki) automatics are towable only if they are also 4-wheel drive.
>>
>> For years the Saturn automatics were
>> towable but I think the last couple of years they were made the automatics were not towable.
>>
>> Some of the automatic cars are not towable because some bearings in the transmission don't get lubricated when towing. Remco makes a kit with a pump that circulates oil that allows you to tow many of these vehicles. This also make a kit that allows you to disconnect the driveshaft on some models.
>>
>> Once a year FMCA publishes a list of new model autos and indicates if you can tow them. I believe you can access the information for older models on the FMCA web site.
>>
>> Any car can be towed on a dolly and for some automatics that is the only way. Others can be towed without any modification but others need drive shaft disconnects or the Remco oil pump kit.
>>
>> Personally I prefer the four wheel on the ground and as light a toad as possible. I use a four door Geo tracker because I like the extra room for passengers and the storage room in the rear and the hardtop. However I have a 1996. Newer ones are heavier. They seem to have gone up about 100 pounds every year. And, of course, they are no longer being made. The Chevrolet Tracker that is made now is quite a bit bigger and heavier.
>>
>> If you want a small car, I understand that the Smart Car can be towed. The Mini Cooper only if is a manual. I don't know about the new Fiat but issuer looks like it would be a good towd.
>>
>> Emery
>
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing [message #195778 is a reply to message #195760] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 13:46 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Robin,
We will be at Dothan also. You can come and look at the installation if you wish.
JR
On Jan 17, 2013, at 11:33 AM, Robin Hood <loxley@gmail.com> wrote:
> It's a 2012 I think. I bought it new at the end of 2011. Automatic
> transmission. The other details in your email should get me started.
>
> We plan on coming to GMCMHI rally in Dothan in March. Probably won't
> tow the Fit, and just let her drive the Fit as a chase vehicle.
>
> On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 10:18 AM, John Wright <powerjon@chartermi.net> wrote:
>> Robin,
>> What year is your FIT? Both the Auto and Manual transmission are flat towable. Ours is a 2009 5 speed paddle shift auto and the 2008 and later FIT's are listed as towable by the FMCA towable guides. You will have to buy either a Road-master hitch and adapters (Which I have) or a Blue Ox setup for the FIT. In my case I had to buy only the adapters for the car as I already owned the Stowmaster 5000 towbar. Both manufacturers come with a replacement frame cross member that replaces the safety crush cross member in the front of the FIT behind the grill and ties everything to the unibody. Making your own setup is not an option. This makes the installation a bolt on and you will need to remove the front bumper assy, but that is easy to remove and reinstall. The instruction were quite good and I installed the hitch in about 5 hours. I took me about 10 hours to install the braking system. I installed it because I had it. Everything was set up the same for both the Trac
k
> er
>> and the FIT as I had both vehicles at the time. The car is light enough that you may decide not to use a braking system, but you may need to drive it on a trip to decide. The lights were about 4 hours and most of that was getting the wiring from front to back. I used the magnetic lights shown in the pictures as there is no room in the tail light housings to put a bulb in and get the wiring to it.
>>
>> The FIT tows great and is hard to tell it is back there. Your Honda FIT manual on pages 238 thru 241 in my 2009 manual gives towing setup instructions. If you install a braking system you will need to add a charging cable to help the very small Honda battery on long tows such as all day.
>>
>> I will post the picture today shortly in another email.
>>
>> If you want to talk by phone or do you SKYPE let me know and I can answer any questions that you have contact me off net.
>>
>> JR Wright
>> 78 Buskirk Stretch
>> Michigan
>>
>> On Jan 17, 2013, at 10:13 AM, Robin Hood <loxley@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> John,
>>>
>>> My wife drives a Honda Fit and we were considering setting it up as a
>>> towable. What all has to be done to make this work? You mention a
>>> braking system (towe-v-aire). What else is part of your setup to tow a
>>> Fit?
>>>
>>> Robin
>>>
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> Robin Hood
> Jackson, MS
> 2003 Buick Lesabre
> 1968 Pontiac Catalina
> 1978 GMC Royale motorhome
> 1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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