Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

General chat that fellow COM'ers may be interested in.
miatapeter
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Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by miatapeter » Fri Oct 21, 2016 2:26 pm

There is a 2010 Honda Ridgeline (published towing capacity is 4500#) available close by. Anyone have an opinion/suggestion ? Also, interested in an aluminum open trailer. Any opinions/suggestions ?
I would be towing 1990 Miata that weighs in at 2250 lbs. Without me in it. :lol:

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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by jvangelder » Fri Oct 21, 2016 6:35 pm

I have no actual experience with a Honda, but I imagine if it's rated to tow 4500, it's not really great to tow with at all.

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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by paultg » Fri Oct 21, 2016 7:04 pm

Agreed on the Ridgeline. Do yourself a favor and buy a 1/2 ton truck. It will be more than you need but you'll never need to worry.

That is my plan eventually. - Paul G.
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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by jeffw » Fri Oct 21, 2016 10:16 pm

I have a friend that towed a miata on an aluminum trailer with a Ridgeline quite successfully.

I can put you in touch via email if you like.
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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by Grippy » Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:07 am

I pulled my Miata with a Tacoma and aluminum trailer for years without issue. Tow rating for a Taco is 6500 IIRC. Personally I wouldn't want to drive anything bigger than that, it is my DD and can do real "truck work". I usually get 15MPG when towing, which is pretty good, granted my Trail-ex trailer only weighs 780lbs.

I don't consider a ridgeline to be a real truck, I wouldn't want to fill the bed with firewood with that storage box lid as the bed floor. But the guys at GRM seemed to like theirs.

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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by brucesallen » Sat Oct 22, 2016 11:38 am

There are so many half ton pickups sold every year that you can get a great deal on a reliable low mileage base model. Forget the leather and extended cab and 4WD unless you have other uses than towing. Likewise look for used aluminum trailers. Or you can go the usual route and get a $500 pickup and spend more time on the road fixing the truck than the car-- like some COM members I know.
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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by TXBDan » Tue Oct 25, 2016 10:01 am

Bigger is always better, but fwiw, the Grassroots Motorsports guys used a Ridgeline as their tow vehicle for many years. They had an article about it last year I think. They bought it new and put 140k+ miles on it. I think they switched to a new Chevy Colorado.
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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by paultg » Tue Oct 25, 2016 7:59 pm

GRM actually purchased a new Ridgeleine.
They "tow" with it but not sure what, I suspect an open wheel autox car (light weight). Plus it's really flat down there.

You could always ask them on their message. Board or via email, but I don't think you'll be happy towing a heavy car/trailer with it.
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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by SEISAN » Thu Oct 27, 2016 9:59 am

As a former GM Salesman,

The best way to purchase a truck is to calculate the specs for your future loads.
Vehicle Weight ( Curb weight) + Trailer Weight ( empty) + ( vehicle load weight of the car ) = combined gross towing weight.

Also, add tools, extra tires, miscellaneous item to the list to make sure you are not over.

GM has the Tow/Haul option which changes the shift pattern on the transmission to extend the length of each shift for a smoother and easier tow.

Now the bad. If you are like me and I drive a GM Chev 1500 ( 1/2 ton ) I am with 3.73 rear gears ( 4.11 are better ) I am limited to the amount I can tow. I am usually at my limit with all I carry. I normally have the weight of everything I carry.

That makes it especially tough going up hills unless you are carrying some speed. The correction: Go to a 2500 or 3/4 ton truck.

Buying a truck is like buying a computer. If you buy it with today's specs in mind then it could be obsolete in a couple of years and you will be looking for another. If you purchase it with more towing capacity ( this is where bigger is better ) then you still have room to add more tools, a heavier vehicle, more tires without sacrificing power.

Before purchasing, check out all the towing specs from the truck company's brochure and then make your decision based on your needs.

Hope this helps.

Best of luck,

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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by TroyV » Fri Oct 28, 2016 9:53 am

I'm pulling a 1200 lb aluminum trailer with a 2016 Colorado. It tows beautifully. I love the tech package and connectivity, and it gets reasonable mileage such that it is also my DD. The towing cap is 7000 lbs, but I would never consider towing that heavy a load. I have pulled heavier cars on that trailer, and have pulled heavier steel trailers and would say that anything over 5000 lbs is too much for the Colorado.

It would be perfect for your set up assuming you get an aluminum trailer. I would not recommend towing with a vehicle that doesn't have a full frame under it......such as a Ridgeline.
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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by MiataSteve » Fri Oct 28, 2016 11:56 am

T30 #32 Miata: The Red and Yellow Machine!

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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by lou m » Fri Oct 28, 2016 8:49 pm

I just saw this on the forum and ordered one. Probably could save a few bucks with used, but this is a great deal.

http://www.factoryfive.com/factory-five-18-car-trailer/

As mentioned, all we have around here are really big hills. No fun with a marginal tow vehicle. The Honda could probably do it. If you ever run a heavier car you'd have to change the setup.

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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by miatapeter » Tue Nov 08, 2016 3:29 pm

Thanks for all the input guys.
I've decided to buy Mark Swienhart's Tacoma truck and trailer. It's been tried and tested.
I had my mechanic check the truck out and they gave their full approval.
Now I'm really looking forward to the 2017 season and all those far away tracks! :lol:

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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by jeffw » Tue Nov 08, 2016 11:01 pm

Welcome to the trailer crew!
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Re: Thinking of Tow Vehicle & Trailer

Post by brucesallen » Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:20 pm

Now you can mod the hell out of your Miata!
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