Towing a trailer

Have you done so much to the car today that it just doesn't fit into one section, or are you too damn lazy to split it all up? Either way, this is the section for you.

Moderators: kamzcab86, CalAltaDubber

Post Reply
CR500Rider
Posts: 54
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:09 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1990
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes

Towing a trailer

Post by CR500Rider »

Not sure which section this goes in so I apologize in advance. I would like to pull a small Harbor Freight 4x8 trailer loaded with one dirt bike. The trailer weighs around 300lbs with the decking. The bike weighs 235 (good thing I don't ride 4 strokes!). I'll have no more than 600 pounds behind the car. We pulled bike trailers more heavy duty than this one and with more bikes in the 70's with a 73' Dodge Colt 4 banger. Anyone see any issues?
1990 VW Cabriolet, 1.8L automatic.
CalAltaDubber
Frozen Guy in the Northern Country
Posts: 2012
Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2004 11:10 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1987
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Contact:

Re: Towing a trailer

Post by CalAltaDubber »

That's a really good question. It's also one I can't really answer except to say that I have seen a cabriolet used to pull a huge camper. That looked awkward. But the owner said it worked.

The only other trailer thing I've seen was when I bought Posh Bunny, someone had welded a couple of plates to the rear frame for a hitch. There were no mounting holes drilled into the plates, and no evidence that the "hitch" was ever mounted. I am confident because there was no hacked wiring in the rear of the car.

My guess is when you find a hitch for the car, there should be some kind of spec. for towing applications. What you have mentioned seems to be fairly small, and is probably OK.

But then, that's only my two cents worth.
Phil

'87 Cabriolet, "Topless Bunny"
'88 Cabriolet, "Posh Bunny"
'04 Golf
'12 Golf Wagon TDI
'69 Manx type Dune Buggy (New Toy)

Image Image
CR500Rider
Posts: 54
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:09 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1990
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes

Re: Towing a trailer

Post by CR500Rider »

It had a hitch bolted on and a wiring harness in the trunk when I bought it so someone was brave enough to drag something behind it :D

Image
1990 VW Cabriolet, 1.8L automatic.
User avatar
kamzcab86
Queen and Popette of Cabbydom
Posts: 1277
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2002 3:54 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1986
Location: Arizona
Contact:

Re: Towing a trailer

Post by kamzcab86 »

http://www.cabby-info.com/specs.htm#Towing

Be sure the car's brakes are in excellent condition.

Bumper-mounted hitches aren't the best (safest) things in the world to use for towing. Be careful. :beer:
CalAltaDubber
Frozen Guy in the Northern Country
Posts: 2012
Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2004 11:10 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1987
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Contact:

Re: Towing a trailer

Post by CalAltaDubber »

kamzcab86 wrote:http://www.cabby-info.com/specs.htm#Towing

Be sure the car's brakes are in excellent condition.

Bumper-mounted hitches aren't the best (safest) things in the world to use for towing. Be careful. :beer:
Sure enough, Kamz to the rescue!

I didn't even think to mention that.
Phil

'87 Cabriolet, "Topless Bunny"
'88 Cabriolet, "Posh Bunny"
'04 Golf
'12 Golf Wagon TDI
'69 Manx type Dune Buggy (New Toy)

Image Image
CR500Rider
Posts: 54
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:09 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1990
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes

Re: Towing a trailer

Post by CR500Rider »

I had seen that on Kamz site. Great site btw. I guess I'll be the one that says "hold my beer and watch this".

Image
1990 VW Cabriolet, 1.8L automatic.
CalAltaDubber
Frozen Guy in the Northern Country
Posts: 2012
Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2004 11:10 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1987
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Contact:

Re: Towing a trailer

Post by CalAltaDubber »

Looks like it all worked out for you. Your set up looks good.
Phil

'87 Cabriolet, "Topless Bunny"
'88 Cabriolet, "Posh Bunny"
'04 Golf
'12 Golf Wagon TDI
'69 Manx type Dune Buggy (New Toy)

Image Image
E30blitz
Posts: 34
Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:19 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1992
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes

Re: Towing a trailer

Post by E30blitz »

I would be like ermmmm

How much strain on my clutch and gears and engine and so on

Plus the age


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post Reply