In cases like the adventure below, it's more the brakes that are a concern (or would be to me!). If you haven't got enough power to go, you just don't go. Or go very slowly, especially up hills. But if you haven't got enough power to stop...! That's an IMO scarier issue. cheers, John S. On 05/15/2015 04:06 PM, Conbert Benneck wrote:
On 5/15/2015 4:21 PM, Karen & Smiley wrote:
Hi Karen & Smiley,
When we bought our M15 we first towed it with a VW-GTI; and a later with a VW JETTA station wagon.
Don't recall their exact HP and torque, but it was more than enough to happily tow the M15 at about 70 MPH + on Interstates from Connecticut to Florida or to Lake Champlain.
My first adventure in towing was when we bought a Bolger MICRO - with trailer in Michigan - sight-unseen - and then towed it from there to Florida using a stick shift VW-RABBIT 4 cylinder engine.... The trailer was humungous. It was my very first experience at towing a trailer.
After reaching Florida, I did some engineering calculations on the sizes of the structural members of the trailer, and found to my astonishment that the trailer alone weighed about 2500 lbs. Later I concluded that it was a trailer for a mobile home..... after researching "regular" boat trailers at the launch ramp. I found that they weighed about 250 - 300 lbs
The VW-RABBIT valiantly towed it to from Michigan to Florida, but going through the mountains in Tennessee I was in 2nd gear ..... going uphill. Everything passed me...
On the way back to Connecticut on I-95, I had no problems at all....
So, while I certainly wouldn't ever do that again, a 4 cyclinder Rabbit was able to pull a total rig weight of about 3500 lbs. ( drove very carefully.... as a newbie)
Connie
Just about decided to buy a Outback 2015 2.5i (small 4 cyc.) engine optionor to two my Monty 15. Anybody here tow with a comparable 185 hp and about 175 lb-ft of torque 4 cyc engine or better yet this same vehicle. Your observations are most appreciated. Smiley M15 #616. THANKS
Karen & Smiley
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