[Guest]

ok, the scoop is parents bought a new car. the old one (89 volvo 740 turbo) is up for grabs, it's got about 450000 km (youch) but it still runs.
the thought is to add a hitch/trailer, and its now the bike hauler to track or wherever.
question: is a teeny tiny 4 cylinder engine good enough to haul one bike with trailer? obviously the tongue weight, and overall weight should be in conformance with manufacturers recommendations but does anyone use a small car to haul a bike and if so, does it work out well?

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (gtoast)

I've rented those big a** U-Haul motorcycle trailers several times and drove down south (Los Angeles-6-7 hr drive) w/my bike in the back of a Dodge Stratus(4cyl). No problems whatsoever. Good luck!

 

[Guest]

This is my tow car:

Hitch (not yet shown in pic) is rated at 2000 max weight and 200 tonge. When I get my bike ready for tracks days again this year I'll take sokme pics of the full setup.

 

[Guest]

A buddy of mine hauls a 12' vee-nose with 3 bikes in it behind a Saab 9000 Aero. He added electric brakes (for obvious reasons) and I hear he really hauls a** with it. Myself, I use the Tahoe and wish I had a 2500HD diesel...

 

[Guest]

Re: (Rooster)

Just got muhsef one of these. (extra cab)

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (gtoast)

These will be interesting when they come out next month. Click on the "Gallery" to see pics and specs.http://automobiles.honda.com/n...g.asp

Doesn't look like enough room to fit a street bike in the back, but yet they do show some small dirtbikes back there. Towing capacity of 5k lbs. I like the "under-bed" storage idea. Pretty smart designing imho.

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (gtoast)

My buddy has a Volvo XC70 and tows his two bikes w/ his Kendon trailer all over the place. The car works fine but the stock trailer left alot to be desired. The chocks that came with the trailer were useless. So, he got his plasma cutter out and removed them. He bought two Baxeley Sport chocks,bolted them on and they work great. As long as your not towing two dresser Harleys the car should be fine.

 

[Guest]

I tow a heavy and tall 14-foot enclosed trailer with AC and a fridge 'n stuff. I have a 1 ton Ford with the Powerstroke Diesel

I really recommend the Aluminum trailers with lower height if you are towing with smaller stuff. IMO electric breaks and a good controller is not an option but a must.

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (gtoast)

I actually used my old '94 Mustang 5.0 to haul my 996 from Palm Beach, Florida to Louisiana. It had a hidden hitch,,,not ball or anything hanging out,,,most people thought it was a third brake light. Pulled one of those boxed u-haul trailers the whole way,,,,it was hard on the car though,,You could feel the heat just coming from the transmission through the gear shifter. When I pulled the trailer back to the u-haul place, I had my engine oil changed at one of those 5 min. quick change shops. The guy who pulled the plug out came running up and went to the restroom to run cold water on his arms. He told me I must have been running the sh!t out of it. He has never felt oil that hot before come from an engine. I didn't tell him no different. Sold it not to long after that anyways. This my latest toy hauler:

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (blkhalo996)

I use a 2001 Jeep Cherokee. I hauled a 748 from atlanta to louisville at 80+ mph and couldn't even tell it was there

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (gtoast)

I use my trusty 94 4 runner with a beat up v-6 , 120,00 plus miles and never misses a beat !! it just complains alot !!!

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (04749s)

i just bought this dodge 1500, with a v8. i am selling a 95 dodge dakota with a v6, anyone intrested?

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (04749s)

I towed 4 bikes, 47 hogs (not bikes mind you) and 4 pallets of t.p. in a trailer to Daytona with a Mack truck......

Your Volvo should be just fine.

Ever notice that you ask a question, and get a few replies that actually purtain to it.

By the way, my ZR2 will take 1 in the bed, and 2 on a trailer....just looks like I am trying to outpull the Orange Blossum Special (nod in agreement if anyone remembers that bad ass truck).

Go for it Graham, if it doesn't work ask Kev if Rastro can tow you home.

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (Saginaw748)

Oh, all right, no I don't use a small car to tow stuff with so I don't know if it works. I emagine that you could tow a small trailer with a bike on it with that there Volvo. Just run it till it quits. My mom has taken quite a few Volvo's past the 250 thou mi. mark.

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (Capt. Home Slice)

here's my tow car:

who needs a trailer? Hauls 6 bikes comfortably

I've always found trailers to be cumbersome and hard to deal with, not to mention unsafe if improperly hooked up. Get a the best hitch/receiver you can, do not weld it to the frame (bolt it), use quality balls and hitches, etc. Don't skimp when it comes to hauling your baby, not to mention the safety of others on the road

 

[Guest]

Re: what do yous all use to tow (Monster Man)

all's i got to say is: if a miata works it, the volv should be fine.
i was at whiteface last year and some dude shoved a set of 183's in the passenger seat of a miata. it took him a while, but he got 'em in. don't know where he put his boots, though. that car can do anything!

thanks guys!!!!!!

 

[Guest]

My brother used a minivan. Did you know that you can fit 2 bikes and a tool box in a minivan?

 

[Guest]

Re: (Ian900)

I was set to go the trailer route, then went the other way - a dedicated rack VAN.... She's a 2004 Ford E350 Extended (and it can tow too).

There are many pros & cons to consider - keep talking with people and good luck!

 

[Guest]

i think i got u all beat...

 

[Guest]

Re: (spawn_x)

Damn, watch for low clearances!

I bet the 749 didn't just drive up there either....