Show us your small Tow Vehicle set-up

[ALANSD]

I missed this question...I have a 1978 911sc, a 2012 Mazda 3, 2000 Excursion v10, and a 2005 Infiniti G coupe. The Mazda is my wife's, the Infiniti my sons. We are getting a Scion Fr-s for my younger son.
I am loving the idea of a VW Tdi still, which is where this thread started. A 2006 is likely in my range ..might sell the Exc first and see what I get.

[rluhr]

Here's one I found among my photos from Europe last summer. Of course, smaller tow vehicles are not unusual there.

[Andrew T]

Regarding the 06-08 Charger: The 2.7 Liter engine had some oil sludging problems, they seem to be fine with frequent oil changes but I would get one with the 3.5. Transmission is the same with the 3.5 or Hemi so I don't see the 3.5 ever hurting it. We have an 2007 with the 3.5 that has 100,000 miles on it that we have worked very hard, it often tows big square trailers that it has to pull in 3rd gear at 3300 RPM and it just sits there and takes it. Airstreams it pulls in 4th gear at 2300 RPM. We do change the rear springs to a taller heavier spring on these.

The other car you might pick up for about the same price is a 2010 Ford Taurus. I really like this car, the 6 speed transmission has pretty much perfect ratios for towing. This car seems to have fallen under the radar in the market so they sell pretty inexpensively.

Andew T

[ALANSD]

Andrew - I can't thank you enough for al the information. I know what i need to do its just a natter of finding the right vehicle for my needs and budget.

[SteveSueMac]

PLEASE let this (with TDI and 6 speed) be an option for towing a sub-6K# Airstream!!!!

http://www.latescar.com/volkswagen-m...-release-date/

[mstephens]

I hope to have some pictures of a "small car towing a large Airstream" in a week or so. Yesterday I dropped my Chrysler 300 off at the hot rod shop in Upland to have the Curt receiver installed with Andrew's recommended reinforcements. And the shop is going to customize an air system for the rear suspension. I have my fingers crossed! I am hoping to pick it up Tuesday. I have a new EazLift hitch sitting in the garage waiting.

I've had the car about a month, and I am really like the car in all aspects. Performance, comfort, features and gas mileage. Combined so far is running at 26MPG. Well ahead of my wife's Escape, and double that of my Suburban. If it tows well also I'm going to claim nirvana!

[SteveSueMac]

Good luck - anxious to hear your progress.

We had a belated holiday party with the New England Unit yesterday and sat next to a couple who had their gas Toureg set up at CanAm to tow their 25FB. They couldn't be happier.

Can't wait to hear about the 300!

I'm telling you - if that new VW microbus with TDI and 6-speed can handle my 5880# 27FB, my Duramax (which i LOVE for towing and can't stand for everything else) will be in the want ads :-)

[rluhr]

Sorry Steve, but that microbus was just a concept (Google "VW Bulli"). It's not actually scheduled to be built, despite that report. Looks like VW has shelved it for now.

Too bad, it was pretty cool looking.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

We had a belated holiday party with the New England Unit yesterday and sat next to a couple who had their gas Toureg set up at CanAm to tow their 25FB. They couldn't be happier.

I think I was sitting at the same table, but I missed that convo. Was that the new folks from CT?

[SteveSueMac]

Chuck - where were you?? Can't believe we didn't connect!!

Yes, Canton, CT.

Sorry I missed you!!!!!

[Chuck]

At the other end of the table! Across from Rick...

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, that 2014 Volkswagen Micro-bus should really tow great with the "2000 Horse power 2.0 L turbo charged four cylinder gas engine."

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, that 2014 Volkswagen Micro-bus should really tow great with the "2000 Horse power 2.0 L turbo charged four cylinder gas engine."

In Europe, towing a smaller trailer with a four cylinder engine is considered perfectly normal.

The new Golf diesel, for example, develops 280lbs of torque and just under 200hp, ample for many setups. Payload is 1220 lbs. I would not suggest towing a 10,000 lbs Classic with it, but a 22ft or perhaps even a 25ft should not present the owner with many issues. Oh, and it is reported to deliver up to 70mpg.

I have measured hp output at the wheel for my own vehicle. The highest I could get it was 148hp accelerating from a standing start up a sizable hill and you know how large my trailer is. You don't need crazy power to move your Airstream, especially if most of it isn't wasted lugging a heavy tow vehicle around.

[ALANSD]

70 MPG is incredible. If you got 30 towing that would be awesome.
The 300 mentioned above should be great. Not sure what I will end up with but I will list my Excursion for sale before the gas prices go back up and see what I get.

[ALANSD]

in general what consderations are ther when adding a hitch and power plug to a car like the Jetta?

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

70 MPG is incredible. If you got 30 towing that would be awesome.
The 300 mentioned above should be great. Not sure what I will end up with but I will list my Excursion for sale before the gas prices go back up and see what I get.

I'm guessing that 70 mpg is miles per Imperial gallon, but it's still impressive.

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

in general what consderations are ther when adding a hitch and power plug to a car like the Jetta?

Talk to Andrew. He's got first hand experience.

[ALANSD]

will do. I hope I am not wearing out my welcome on this question but ..

what about an AUDI A6? Surprisingly affordable and gets some good reviews as a tow car elsewhere. My wife likes it and doesn't think of it as a grandma car.


""a downey reviewed a Audi A6 - 2.7 TDI Quattro aut. (132 Kw/177 bhp). Modelyear: june 2006 - january 2011) and a LMC Ambassador 560 RBD of 1689 kg.

The towing capability for this outfit is:
= 96%* = 101 km/u = 37%
very good tow car with this size caravan and more have been all over /netherlands/spain/switzerland/belgium/france/italy and so on and it has been 100% 5 star

[andreasduess]

A friend of mine tows a medium sized speedboat with an A6 station wagon. He loves his - I'll ask how heavy his trailer is.

[ALANSD]

great thanks.