looking to tow a 6x12 trailer with my crv... Is this a little bit too big? Tow rating on the crv is 3500, so its rated, but I have no idea how big of a pain a trailer that size can be.

I'm looking to drive from Raleigh to Colorado.

3/3/2014 7:07:26 AM

what kind of trailer?

3/3/2014 8:39:23 AM

Although 6x12 isn't a big trailer to me (I have a crew cab long bed 2500 diesel truck) I do think it's a big trailer to a CRV (I'm assuming the trailer will be empty?). If you were staying local I think you'd be find. But the fact that you are going to Colorado with it I think it'll be tough on the tow vehicle. Crossing the mountains will be hard on the transmission. Crossing Kansas will be tough with the cross winds.

Does the trailer have a lift gate? If so, removing it and strapping it flat to the trailer will make a huge difference in towing.

For safety's sake I wouldn't recommend it. I think the mountains will be tough.

[Edited on March 3, 2014 at 10:13 AM. Reason : -]

3/3/2014 10:10:02 AM

open trailer? trailer brakes? tandem axle? the weight of the trailer isn't as important as the tongue weight. i see lots of people towing 6x12 open trailers at the track with cars like subaru imprezas with no issue. a friend tows his 4x8 trailer with 2 bikes with his miata without issue

3/3/2014 10:31:35 AM

what are you going to have on / in the trailer? (weight-wise)

probably not a good idea, CR-V doesnt' weigh that much and can burn your brakes up on downhills

3/3/2014 11:23:49 AM

Weight will depend on if it's single axle, double axle, enclosed, open, etc. I'd think a basic open trailer would be 900 to 1500 lbs depending on the number of axles, ramp gate, etc. Maybe more if you get into a home built deal with mobile home axles and extra material to make up for minimal engineering. Trailer brakes will be a big factor in what you can safely tow as well.

It's going to feel huge behind a CRV because it'll be two feet wider than the vehicle. It'll be wide enough that you'll have to pay constant attention to keep both tires between the lines on most roads.

I'd personally cap the weight at somewhere around 2k for a drive like that and even then I'd want an open trailer with brakes. It might be worth looking into adding a transmission cooler to the vehicle too. That might sound overly conservative, but I've found that approaching the manufacturer's recommendations can be tricky when you start having to deal with on-ramps, mountains, and emergency braking situations.

[Edited on March 3, 2014 at 12:10 PM. Reason : l]

3/3/2014 12:05:53 PM

too much for the CRV

3/3/2014 7:44:41 PM

troll thread

3/3/2014 7:47:24 PM

It's the uhaul 6 12th closed trailer. Planning on 2 motorcycles. 600rr and the dl 1000

only other option is the 5x9 open . But I'm worried about security.

Crv is rated for 3500, the 6 12th is 2k pounds vs 1k. Bikes weigh 1k co.bined.

it's a manual, so hoping that will be easier.

right now my thought is the open trailer should be easier.

[Edited on March 3, 2014 at 10:25 PM. Reason : dddd]

3/3/2014 10:24:02 PM

be sure and post the results

3/3/2014 10:46:00 PM

I'm sure it will work just fine.

3/3/2014 10:59:19 PM

"i thought the rocky mountains would be a little rockier than this."

3/3/2014 11:22:54 PM

3/4/2014 9:33:22 AM

I think you're good bro.

I don't think it would be that crazy to tow over a short distance, but it's just not a vehicle I'd choose for a long drive like that. The short wheel base and lack of power isn't going to help the situation. Also, don't be surprised if your gas mileage drops to 10 MPG or less trying something this. I've seen ~9MPG towing a 4,000 lb boat across central NC with my 4Runner.

Do you have a truck owning parent/sibling/friend you can trade vehicles with for a week or two? Maybe toss them $200 and a really great wash/wax job or offer to change all the fluids on your dime before the trip so they are getting something out of it too?

[Edited on March 4, 2014 at 9:44 AM. Reason : s]

3/4/2014 9:35:45 AM

the closed trailer has a lot of wind resistance, so its putting a lot of load on your engine and transmission while travelling at highway speeds. if you do decide to do this, keep your speeds slow and watch engine and transmission temps.

3/4/2014 9:56:25 AM

Wobbling would be my main concern.

Dont get too high of a speed and you should be fine. I'd stay under 50 for SURE.

If you feel it wobbling then you need to stop and go slower. Seen a many truck/car flip due to wobbles.

3/4/2014 2:50:59 PM

I'm moving to CO so cant really switch vehicles on that kinda basis.

Can you monitor transmission temps on a manual?

Right now i'm hoping to just use the utility trailer.

3/5/2014 7:06:27 AM

My .02

Rent a damned truck tow the crv. The potential damage and wear on your vehicle isn't worth the $100 you are saving

3/5/2014 8:37:50 AM

put the motorcycles in the back of a uhaul and tow your crv behind the uhaul

3/5/2014 9:04:57 AM

Why do you need 12 feet of trailer to tow two motorcycles?

3/5/2014 12:54:41 PM

^^that's a pretty good suggestion

3/5/2014 8:46:11 PM

Lol isn't that what I said ?

3/5/2014 8:48:50 PM

you forgot the motorcycles

3/5/2014 8:53:36 PM

fool, i like you, but i have a hard time comprehending your posts sometimes due to your total disregard for proper grammar

3/5/2014 9:18:31 PM

:-)

10-4

That's why I said that, my head was jumbled with work shit.

3/5/2014 9:38:42 PM

a trailer costs between 230-310 to rent

a truck is 1400 dollars.

3/6/2014 7:33:51 AM

and a new transmission is $2,000

3/6/2014 8:34:22 AM

An enclosed trailer? Holy fuck. Good luck going through Asheville and the plain states. Hope it's not windy.

A lot of risk = A lot of reward. I feel ya

3/6/2014 9:51:19 AM

he's not going enclosed anymore.

sounds like the 2,000lb total weight is the more likely scenario.

is that safe (for his person and tranny) going up and down those hills?

3/6/2014 10:19:57 AM

you can get a harbor freight open trailer and OWN it for <$300 and it would be a much better tool for towing your bikes, besides the security of your bikes.

3/6/2014 10:24:49 AM

Link?

3/6/2014 12:25:52 PM

what truck are you lookin at that is 1400

that sounds WAY overpriced.

3/6/2014 12:32:01 PM

its the per mile cost that adds up, the daily rental is probably only like $25

3/6/2014 12:52:18 PM

That CRV is definitely only rated for 1500 lbs, not 3500 like the OP stated. There *might* be a trailer-brake-assisted tow rating, but I didn't see it in the owners manual.

So at this point he's looking at 1700-1800 pounds through the mountains. Even with a manual tranny, I don't know how I feel about that. Potential plan he mentioned was to take one bike off before the mountains and ride have his passenger ride that over the steep stuff. Might work?

What are the odds he hurts his vehicle somehow towing over capacity?

3/6/2014 1:19:54 PM

^^they have unlimited miles on some of the rentals.

3/6/2014 1:51:20 PM

for in town

3/6/2014 2:31:28 PM

http://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-inch-x-96-inch-heavy-duty-foldable-utility-trailer-with-12-inch-wheels-90154.html

3/6/2014 2:45:39 PM

Will that hold 2 bikes? How do you attach them to the trailer? Wheel Chocks? Lay down some plywood?

How about wheel size and speed? that thing okay for a cross country trip?

3/6/2014 2:59:13 PM

yeah, you add decking (not plywood) then attach whatever you want to hold the bikes

[Edited on March 6, 2014 at 3:41 PM. Reason : also need lights]

3/6/2014 3:40:07 PM

Looks like to seetype use pkywood.

How much for somebodyto put one ttogether for me by Saturday

3/6/2014 10:31:04 PM

the harbor freight trailer: it would be hard to tie down 2 bikes with only a 4ft width. you want 6ft IMO

3/7/2014 2:56:50 AM