I am looking at buying a Taurus and pulling a sled trailer with my bike on it. I read the max tow amount was 1000 pounds I will be well under that amount. I guess Im out to see what if any of you riders have pulled a light trailer with a mid size car. I have had pick ups and a full size van to do the pulling duties. What your thoughts on this?
Towing with a car?
- Thread starter MRRMX
- Start date
not really a reply
I am not really replying to this message, but I would like to know if it is possible to tow a trailer with a '96 Trans Am. I bought it before I got a bike and don't want to get rid of it. I am only towing 1 bike, so weight wouldn't be a problem, but if anyone knows of a company that makes trailer hitches that would accomodate that, let me know.
I am not really replying to this message, but I would like to know if it is possible to tow a trailer with a '96 Trans Am. I bought it before I got a bike and don't want to get rid of it. I am only towing 1 bike, so weight wouldn't be a problem, but if anyone knows of a company that makes trailer hitches that would accomodate that, let me know.
Treestomper
Member
- Sep 16, 2001
- 81
- 0
You should not have a problem with one bike if it is just a small 3 rail trailer. Is the car a v6 or four banger.
We drove a friend of mines daughter Taurus to a race with two bikes, gear, fuel etc on a small trailer behind. Several hour drive both ways. The car had no problems. My wife had a Taurus that we would pull two Jet Skis on a heavy trailer. Never a problem
Draw tite
If your looking for a hitch for a car check out draw tite. I got a hitch from them for a 95 Baretta and it works great! I use a small flatbed trailer (landscape, atv, etc.) and pull a yz250 on it. I have travelled as far as 4 hours each way on numerous occasions and have had no problems whatsoever.
If your looking for a hitch for a car check out draw tite. I got a hitch from them for a 95 Baretta and it works great! I use a small flatbed trailer (landscape, atv, etc.) and pull a yz250 on it. I have travelled as far as 4 hours each way on numerous occasions and have had no problems whatsoever.
Peer Lovell
Member
- Nov 25, 1999
- 600
- 0
Dear MrRMX. More important than the actual weight of the trailer,in your case, would be your own weight.
I would make sure you purchase the hitch in person, so the hitch place can be sure to allow for your girth which can be attirbuted to not riding with real men.
A hitch designed for a Mack Truck would likely be best for you.
I would make sure you purchase the hitch in person, so the hitch place can be sure to allow for your girth which can be attirbuted to not riding with real men.
A hitch designed for a Mack Truck would likely be best for you.
MikeT
~SPONSOR~
- Jan 17, 2001
- 4,095
- 11
Guys, I tow a 4x8 trailer with all my gear and a YZ125 behind a 4 cyl. Honda Accord with 152,000 miles on it. The only thing I did was change the tranny fluid with synthetic Mobil1 just to be safe. Yes I can feel the weight, but currently it's the only choice I've got. It's been doing fine. If that Taurus has a 6cyl in it I'm gonna slap you! :p
Best tow vehicle i ever had was a car!
A 1980 Thunderbird -w- a slightly modified transplanted 5.0 H.O. V-8.
Stiffened up suspention and 15" BFG ta's.
Yea, she hauled alright......:p
Loaded -w- gas, tools, gear,and 3 bikes, she smoked any pickup on the way up the hill to the trails.
So, yea, a car can make a good hauler.
It just depends what kind of car it is! :)
A 1980 Thunderbird -w- a slightly modified transplanted 5.0 H.O. V-8.
Stiffened up suspention and 15" BFG ta's.
Yea, she hauled alright......:p
Loaded -w- gas, tools, gear,and 3 bikes, she smoked any pickup on the way up the hill to the trails.
So, yea, a car can make a good hauler.
It just depends what kind of car it is! :)
Been pulling a camping trailer with bike(s) in it since I was 18... how long ago was that you ask??? almost 30 years now. Have towed it successfully with Camaro, Beretta, Intrepid, Crown Victoria etc. etc. Anything will tow it really. Not inclined to take my cars too far offroad so clearance is not problem. Power to tow has never been a problem with any of these vehicles... Taurus should tow fine.
If you're worried about rear end sag (on the car, I can't help you if it's a physical problem. :debil: ) , there's a company called EAZ-Lift that makes a load leveling hitch. It uses two torsion bars attatched between the hitch and trailer to equalize the load between all three axles. It works so well that in their old ads they used to show an Olds Toronado FWD towing a trailer with the rear wheels on the car removed!
Canadian-KDX
Member
- Nov 11, 2001
- 19
- 0
Your fine, it will pull that load easy you just gotta start slowing down erlier than normal
S
Saratoga
I have made many trips towing with a 98 Taurus. The problem is the suspension is way too soft. I tried to find a way to put stiffer struts on but was told it is unavailable. One bike is ok. Two bikes with gear is ok but rides really, really low. Three bikes with three people and gear is scary. Probably dangerous too. By the way, I did fry the tranny after 60K miles probably because of towing abuse. I am now towing with a 01 Windstar. It is soooo much better than the old Mighty Taurus. I will UPS you my hitch for a good deal. Let me know if you are interested.
I used to tow with a Formula (basically a Trans Am), it had the tuned port 350 and stiff springs and shocks. Plenty of power and didn't sag too much. Made a great tow vehicle. Actually, this one worked well in overdrive...it had so much torque, it wouldn't downshift even on hills. Maybe this was bad for the trany, not sure.
