Which Car-Like Vehicles Can Tow a Model A?

[abachman3]

I chose a Porsche Cayenne Diesel to use as my car trailer tow vehicle several years ago. Tows right at 9000 pounds. I get 26 mpg pulling my car/trailer cross country... open top/flat trailer.

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by shew01

My wife is petite; so, she doesn’t care to drive a full size pickup truck like a Ford F-150 (because it is difficult for her to see how to drive it).

Which car-like vehicles can tow a Model A using an open carrier like the ones available for rent at U-Haul?

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Auto-...ort-Rental/AT/

What would be the combined weight of such a trailer and a Model A? My Honda Odyssey is rated for towing 3500 pounds, but I’m guessing a trailer loaded with a Model A will weigh more than that.


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The advantage of a pickup tow vehicle is you can haul tools, parts, whatever in the bed. Anyway, the U-Haul site you linked gives specs for both trailer and tow vehicle. They say the trailer weighs 2210 pounds. Model A weight varies with body style but 3000 pounds should cover any passenger car (AA trucks generally are heavier). So you're looking at around 2-1/2 tons. Websites for specific makes give towing capacities for their models. Here is a link that gives specs for midsize crossover/SUV:

https://www.tflcar.com/2019/10/i-wan...9-2020-update/

Course too much towing capacity is better than not enough.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by CHuDWah

The advantage of a pickup tow vehicle is you can haul tools, parts, whatever in the bed. Anyway, the U-Haul site you linked gives specs for both trailer and tow vehicle. They say the trailer weighs 2210 pounds. Model A weight varies with body style but 3000 pounds should cover any passenger car (AA trucks generally are heavier). So you're looking at around 2-1/2 tons. Websites for specific makes give towing capacities for their models. Here is a link that gives specs for midsize crossover/SUV:

https://www.tflcar.com/2019/10/i-wan...9-2020-update/

Course too much towing capacity is better than not enough.

I’m in agreement on the advantages of a pickup. I owned an F-150 several years ago, but my wife didn’t like to drive it. At this point, it will be her Odyssey (which she loves) that will be leaving the “stable.” She also has a 2016 Mustang convertible, but “losing” that car is not an option. (We both love driving it.)

Thanks for the link. I have searched on google a number of times before posting on this site, and this one of the best links I’ve seen so far.

I need to find something that will keep my wife happy. ;-)

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[Dodge]

Happy Wife=Happy Life

[ronn]

Happy Wife=Happy Life



I moved mine outta state. Nice and peaceful here now............

[77Birdman]

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Agree with getting the biggest you can to tow. Also, if youre planning a rent from Uhaul, I would check with your local dealer first. I had to pick up a chevy cavalier one time and their computer would not let me rent. Said my truck was not strong enough. At the time I had a heavy duty F150, trailer/towing package. Fortunately I knew the girl at the rental yard very well (it was a local lumber yard I frequented) and told her that I regularily towed my 6000lb skid loader with said truck. She did rent and I had no problem.
Having said all of that, the Uhaul trailers are def. beefy, and very heavy. You may be better off finding a nice alum. trailer from someone that you can rent for the weekend. If you think you may want a truck the new Ford Rangers look pretty decent, a bit smaller than the F150, no idea on their towing though.

[CA Victoria]

Suggestion: find someone in your area with a similar combination. If your wife isn’t comfortable with the F-150 towing with a light tow vehicle may not be either. Getting her behind the wheel to feel the weight difference may help. Even with a light weight trailer you are nearing 3500#. Controllability is the concern.
For a once a year trip it may be more cost effective to have a hauler take it out and back?

[Jordan]

I have a Toyota 4Runner and a tow dolly. I can tow at 70MPH no problem and only know it's back there when I start up a hill. If I want to use a trailer, I use my dads truck and trailer. But the tow dolly has been great for my 4Runner. I got it for $500 and didn't have to buy a new car for towing.

*the 4Runner has a towing rating of 5,000 lbs. But it does not have electric brakes for a trailer. So this is why I feel more comfortable using the dolly- less weight to stop.

[alexiskai]

Is there any risk in using a tow dolly due to the A rear end being engaged for the entire trip? Wear on the differential or anything?

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by alexiskai

Is there any risk in using a tow dolly due to the A rear end being engaged for the entire trip? Wear on the differential or anything?

Never had any problems. People will say that it will hurt the Model A transmission, but people have towed on a tow dolly or tow bar for years and I've never heard of anything actually going wrong. I have 16" wheels and modern radials so I feel safer with those wheels on the ground going 65-70 than one of the original tires. Just my preference.

[dumb person]

Weird how 'mericans need super heavy trucks to tow a car. We get by with a tandem (or single axle, but i don't like them as much) trailer and a little old hilux.

A decent odyssey should tow one.

[trulyvintage]

Originally Posted by dumb person

Weird how 'mericans need super heavy trucks to tow a car. We get by with a tandem (or single axle, but i don't like them as much) trailer and a little old hilux.

A decent odyssey should tow one.

Perhaps because Americans can do an internet search - comprehend tow ratings.

Perhaps because Intelligent Americans would not pull a loaded car trailer
on a public road
with a tow vehicle rated at 3500 pounds.





Perhaps because Americans exercise “ common sense “.


Jim

[77Birdman]

Originally Posted by dumb person

Weird how 'mericans need super heavy trucks to tow a car. We get by with a tandem (or single axle, but i don't like them as much) trailer and a little old hilux.

A decent odyssey should tow one.

Better yet, so many think a $80k plus F250 with high rise suspension is needed to get groceries,
BTW, I am pleading Temporary insanity from your avatar.

[updraught]

Here you go. You need to be very good at maths

https://youtu.be/swUDFWQ5QhI

[updraught]

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊Maximum Total Trailer Weight
Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering fluid cooler

Number of Occupants
1... 3,500 lbs (1,580 kg)
2... 3,350 lbs (1,520 kg)
3... 3,200 lbs (1,450 kg)
4... 3,050 lbs (1,380 kg)

See page 338
http://cdn.dealereprocess.com/cdn/se...07-odyssey.pdf

Odyssey tow weight disappears fairly quick with a few passengers.

[Chris in WNC]

as I mentioned above, the Honda employee who wrote those optimistic specs will not be around when you are in the ditch in the rain.

err on the side of caution for the safety of all.

[ryanheacox]

Another option that hasn't been discussed. Ditch the trailer and have a Model A road trip?


One of our club members drove his slant window out to the national meet last August, almost 2000 miles in 10 days in a mostly stock car. I think he might have an overdrive but he did say he never went over 50.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by ryanheacox

Another option that hasn't been discussed. Ditch the trailer and have a Model A road trip?


One of our club members drove his slant window out to the national meet last August, almost 2000 miles in 10 days in a mostly stock car. I think he might have an overdrive but he did say he never went over 50.

I’m not opposed to that once I hit retirement age, but I don’t have that kind of vacation time to take off currently. ;-)


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[larrys40]

Truly vintage gave good advice . Tow with a Pickuo and get fix ( get the wife to flex) no pun intended. The weight ratio and not just power is he issue. Much safer with a pickup. Buy a good used one for 4500 or so and you will be glad you did. I have 3 if the 99-2003 Ford f150’s and they are easy driving trucks that will do the job . The 4 wheel drive 4x4 have heavier springs.
The 2 wheel drive is fine and drives easy for a gal.
Larry

[Jim Brierley]

Trailer swaying is most always caused by too little tongue weight, 10% of total weight minimum, 15% is better. I've flat-towed for many miles with no damage to trans or rear end on the A.