Trailer Towing

[jayemright]

I have a base 5 spd. and am considering towing a trailer. I am just wondering what other people's experiences have been with trailer towing. Thanks in Advance

[joatmon]

There was a thread a little while ago that had some towing info at http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=4131 but didn't hit on any specifics on towing with a Vibe. There are otherthreads, if you search on towing or trailer, but I don't know if they willhave the info you're looking for. There's also some towing/trailering info in the User's Manual. What kind of trailer are you going to be pulling?

[cohocarl]

I have a small 4x8 trailer I've used behind the Vibe a few times now. Basically for lumber & stuff from Home Depot or Lowe's. I haven't came close to the 1500lb suggested max towing weight, but it towed fine. The only thing that I have a problem with is backing up the small flatbed trailer....I can't see it. Hitch install:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=784D.I.Y. wiring:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1139

[cohocarl]

quote:IM me and I will give you a number of a place you can get them and they will be able to UPS them out to you for.. For about $25.00 for everything I think. Thanks for the offer. I had thought about putting some sort of guide pole on the rear sides, but I don't use it that often, and they would be in the way of loading/unloading.Thanks again,Carl

[MadBill]

quote:...The only thing that I have a problem with is backing up the small flatbed trailer....I can't see it. You could always pop the hatch before you do any precise reversing, Coho...

[cohocarl]

quote:You could always pop the hatch before you do any precise reversing, Coho...Duh...I never thought of that! Good idea.

[good vibes]

hey that's what I was going to sugest. When you get good you can hitch yourself up without having to move the trailer or popo up the hatch. I get such a good feeling when I hitch up our pop-up with our Yukon without getting out. go me!Good luck with your towing!

[Altus]

My 2 bits here -- I have a base auto Vibe and just got back from a long camping trip towing a 5ft wide trailer. Absolutely no problems, other than the expected heavy feeling and acceleration/braking effects.I try to keep the tongue weight to around 80 or 100 pounds no more.... though I had it at 120 for the last part of the trip by accident and it still towed just fine.And here's a suggestion my father-in-law gave me for added visibility when backing the trailer (instead of opening the tailgate):The marker sticks you can get are good, but can also be in the way when you don't need them. What he's done is mounted a pair of old retractable car antenna's on the back corners, and put orange flags on the top of them. That way when he needs to see them for backing, he just raises them up - then drops them out of the way when not needed.

[Stang2Vibe]

Or you all could save yourselves a lot of time and money and just learn the proper way to back up--by using your side mirrors that came on the car. Cost and time to do this mod--- $0 and 0 minutes. God forbid that anyone should ever have to drive a van or truck where you can't see out the back window because there isn't one or it is blocked by the body. You would be forced to back up (the correct way) by using your mirrors instead of having to crane your head around like a moron to try and look all around out the back (the incorrect way). I don't understand why they don't go over this for driver's examinations.