| Author | Message | ||
     Bomber |
I've presently got a 99 Mustang GT -- the book sez it's towing capacity is 1000 pounds, which means a couple of buells and no trailer, of course . .. . my question is, what kind of margin ia built into these specs . . . . whould it be possible to tow, say, 15-1600 pounds without the wheels falling off? | ||
| Uwgriz |
How far? | ||
| Bomber |
Chicago to Bonnie | ||
| Joey |
Towing capacity is based on the structural strength of the chassis where the hitch will be connected, the ability of the engine and transmission to haul heavy loads, and the weight of the towing vehicle. I towed well over that 1000 pound limit with a Plymouth Horizon. It was only a short tow, so I risked destruction of the engine and transmission, and survived. If you are pulling more weight than your ratings allow, a strong gust of wind could find you upside down with the trailer. Another thing--some high performance engines are not designed to pull a heavy load, but more to get a light load moving quickly. If it is a long run, i.e., more than 20 miles or so, your transmission could overheat as well. I'd limit all dangerous towing to no more than 45 MPH | ||
| Mikej |
Towing is a combination of tow-vehicle weight, suspension, brakes, handling, and how strong the towing chassis is, and also where the hitch is mated/bolted to. I towed a small U-Haul enclosed trailer behind a little Triumph TR3A with no problems many years ago. Check on the Draw-Tite or Reese web sites and see what rating of hitches they list for your car. You might be able to allow for a little extra trailer weight by installing trailer brakes on the trailer axle. Tekonsa (sp?) makes a nice brake controller. Biggest problem is if some local LEO sees you and wants to check your limits. Ponch and John did this once on CHiPs, but I think they were more interested in the young ladies in the MGB than they were in the fact that they were towing a HobieCat on a trailer. Reese Draw-Tite (Crap, ignore the message when you click the links and just click to the vehicle/hitch finder page and burrow your way back in, your car does have a hitch listed, the search just doesn't transfer well I guess.) Gosh those pages and hitches look a lot alike. You can also go down to a U-Haul place and see what they'll rent to you. They have cross-reference books to verify you're not exceeding your vehicle limits beyond their tolerance for liability.  The last thing you want to happen is to be heading down the hill on I-80 east of SaltLakeCity and have your trailer load decide it was time for it to steer from the rear and have your rear tires break loose. This is where the trailer brakes with a driver-controlled override comes in real real handy.  ===== PS, a brand new full/mid-size Chevy Impala has a towing capacity limit of 1,000Lbs as well, mainly due to chassis construction (according to a shop mech. at that dealership). | ||
| Dynarider |
I would say 1500 lbs is doable with no issues. I answered this question on the borg as well. Worst case scenario add a trans oil cooler to keep the temps down a little bit. But with the proper class hitch I wouldnt worry about towing with a gt stang at all. | ||
| Uwgriz |
Personally, I wouldn't wouldn't do it. 1600lbs behind a (guessing) 3500lb car makes me think you and that trailer would be fighting for who's going to drive. Trailer brakes would be a must IMO if you're going to do it. | ||
| Bomber |
ya know, if I was going to Blackhawk or sumpin (100 miles), I'd consider it, but, given I'm crossing half the country, with what I'm reading, both here and on the sites Mike has shared, I'm thinkin I may trade the stang in on a F150 . . . . . .hmmm . . .. . thanks, all, I appreciate the backup | ||
| Mikej |
Well, I've done a 8-10,000Lb trailer load behind a 6,000Lb pickup with a load equalizer before with no real problems. Heated the engine going up the hills and heated the brakes some going down the hills, but apart from that it was fine. Did manage to have about 6 miles of traffic backed up behind me once coming across western Wyoming due to one-lane-only road construction and no turnouts. Didn't know truck drivers knew so many creative words, and I think the guy right behind me in the hotshot short run truck actually got into a rhythm with his high-beam flipping.  | ||
| Mikej |
Bomber, You have two Buells now????? With the pickup you won't need the trailer unless you add a camper to the pickup. | ||
| Bomber |
nossir, but I DO have company on the trip west . . . won't be as entertaining as talking to myself, but he's alright, I guess . . . | ||
| Mikej |
 | ||
| Aaron |
Get an equalizer hitch for that setup. Keeps the tail from wagging the dog. | ||
| Mikej |
Amazing how much of a difference those make. If it were me I'd run the Mustang, but I'd get a few miles on the configuration locally to be doubly sure. Don't know if anyone offers an equalizer for class-1 receiver hitches though. | ||
| Bomber |
actually, I'm almost sold on swappin the stang on a truck . . .almost . . .. the stang sits most all summer, i'm either riding or drivin the '31, and it's really not a very good winter rat . . . every once in while, though . . . . I DO get it out on a double-letter road and let it rip, and I remember why I was so gassed when my wife bought it for me (50th B'day present . . . . .. any questions why I love the girl?) | ||
| Cjmblast |
Bomber, get the truck !! Every "REAL" man needs a truck !! Keep a picture of the Car in the Scrapbook for memories !! CJM  | ||
| Bomber |
good thing you're not in arm's reach, bless your heart | ||
| Cjmblast |
What ????  What would you do if I was in arm's reach, huh ??? You ain't scaring me none !! LOL CJM | ||
| Bomber |
that's cuz you're outa arms reach! as my expert on things cracker, once I get the truck, do I have to learn how to spit? | ||
| Cjmblast |
Yep !!! CJM | ||
| Mikej |
Just keep it off your chin.  | ||
| Joebuell |
Reese and Drawtight will put a hitch on your buell if you ask them to. They do good work IMO, but those companies are masters at making hitches fit, not keeping transmissions intact. I'd rent a truck and keep the stang healthy. | ||
| Snowdave |
Bomber, If said mustang was a 2003 cobra or had a supercharger, I would gladly trade you my 1999 F150 for the car for a few weeks. I bought the truck for a bike trip to Daytona and CA, but with our recent arrival of our first baby, I will not be taking any long distance motorcycle trips. Dave | ||
| Bomber |
Snow it's a 99 GT, stone stock cept fer the 8-ball shift lever ;-} oh, yeah, it has a 2000-spec motor | ||
| Buellish |
I guess ignorance really is bliss.I towed a '65 Chevy Pickup behind a '75 Datsun Pickup,in the snow! | ||
| Joey |
That reminds me--I towed a Sundance with my Horizon in the snow once. I think the Sundance had at least 500 pounds on the Horizon, which was rated to pull 1000 pounds. | ||
| Dueller |
Bomber... Before learning to spit learn to roll down the window. Actually, most good ol' boys down here use a solo cup with a paper towel shoved in it for their travelin' spittoons. jim | ||
| Cjmblast |
Or an empty soda bottle !! CJM | ||
| Dueller |
BLASPHEMY CJM!!!!!! Beer can yes....what's a "soda"? Oh you mean a co'cola jim | ||
| Cjmblast |
Okay, maybe it was a Beer bottle, better huh !!?? CJM | ||
| Bomber |
gotta love this board (bless it's heart) . . you can learn all sorts of stuff. . . . .think I'll take up the banjo, and go sit in the woods ;-} | ||
| Black_Lightning |
Come on down! http://www.niceville.org/mullet.html | ||
| Boese |
what u are all forgetting or just didnt mention is the fact that by exceeding this given limit, you automatically loose insurance protection. This means not only if you cause an accident but also if someone ELSE causes an accident and you are involved not only will the insurance company not cover you, charges for driving without insurance apply AND you could be given fault or partial fault for it.... correct me if I am wrong, I know there is different laws in different states and or counties .... BOESE, OH | ||
| Mikej |
Depends on how the policy is written. According to what you say you can also be charged for carrying too many groceries in the trunk or if your passengers are too heavy. I don't think many people read the fine print all that closely. | ||
| Boese |
well the fine print is there too mess you up when something happens and believe me insurance companies will look for ANY way to get out of paying. If they can prove you carried 150 lbs of groceries too much or you have a 350lbs kid in the back seat and exceed any weight ratings - THEY WILL. been there. done that. drove the autobahn. BOESE, OH | ||
| Mikej |
That must have been fun, driving the autobahn with 150Lbs of groceries in the trunk, a 350Lb kid in the back seat, and towing a trailer. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I wouldn't recommend it, but I once towed a U-Haul Auto transporter (~1,200 lbs) with a 4-door Ford Expedition (~5,000 lbs) on it over 150 miles on the bumber hitch of my GMC 1500. The bumper was only rated to for a static load of 400 lbs and a pulling load of 4,000 lbs. I was very careful and didn't have any problems. I would have been screwed if I had to slam the brakes on though. | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
Insurance Regulations vary from State to State, Country to Country, etc, etc. However, I can not see how a company could get out of paying a third Party Liability claim by having a vehicle overloaded. Most places have aboslute liability laws. |
