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2500 Mile Trip Towing My Motorcycle.

 
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Old Sep 14, 2004
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2500 Mile Trip Towing My Motorcycle.

So I will be driving back to Nova Scotia, Canada from Texas this thursday. 5 Days for the trip, and I will be towing my bike on a trailer with my car.

UHAUL said my car can pull up to 2000 lbs. Trailer weighs about 400 lbs, bike about 400 lbs (VFR 800).

Any comments or suggestions?
Old Sep 14, 2004
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I highly doubt a civic can pull 2,000 pounds. In the manual it says you cant have over 800 pounds in the car
Old Sep 14, 2004
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I think 800 lbs in the car is different then pulling 2000 lbs on wheels.
Old Sep 14, 2004
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Well I still wouldnt pull 2,000 pounds with my civic. Its gonna kill your tranny. And our cars are FWD thats even worse for towing.
Old Sep 14, 2004
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Should I get some sort of manual tranny cooler?
Old Sep 14, 2004
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Maybe you should ask Honda?
Old Sep 14, 2004
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The car can tow 800 lbs. It says that in the manual. Even then, I wouldn't tow anything with it. Its gonna weigh the back down and make the steering very light, beat on your transmission and generally make the car unhappy.
I'd just ship the bike and get it on the other end.
Old Sep 14, 2004
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Originally Posted by Boilermaker1
The car can tow 800 lbs. It says that in the manual. Even then, I wouldn't tow anything with it. Its gonna weigh the back down and make the steering very light, beat on your transmission and generally make the car unhappy.
I'd just ship the bike and get it on the other end.
^ ^ ^ ^ Ship it!
Old Sep 14, 2004
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Can't Ship it to Canada, too much $$$. My Ex should be able to tow 2000 lbs, but I willl only be towing about 800 I think.
Old Sep 14, 2004
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Ther is NO WAY a civic can tow ONE TON! 800 pounds is a lot. I've towed cars,bikes,ect and would never tow anything longdistance with my civic. Thats a long way to go slow and be careful! Its you car and your bike, good luck.
Old Sep 14, 2004
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Originally Posted by pon55
Ther is NO WAY a civic can tow ONE TON! 800 pounds is a lot. I've towed cars,bikes,ect and would never tow anything longdistance with my civic. Thats a long way to go slow and be careful! Its you car and your bike, good luck.
Thanks for the luck wish man, I will take a pic if I get the chance, hope I make it.
Old Sep 15, 2004
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Well, take it easy, and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Make sure ALL the tires are poperly inflated to minimize rollng resistance. The civic will pull it, but hills are going to be a challenge. Make sure you let your car rest from time to time, and check your fluids.

Good luck.
Old Sep 15, 2004
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Thanks man, will do.
Old Sep 15, 2004
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hope you don't ecounter any hills

I'd seriously keep an ear out for your trans, no front drive cars do very good towing stuff.
Old Sep 15, 2004
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best of luck to you.....and just give the car a break often......and take it easy
Old Sep 15, 2004
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Originally Posted by Hawk
hope you don't ecounter any hills

I'd seriously keep an ear out for your trans, no front drive cars do very good towing stuff.
I agree with you, but you'd be AMAZED at what I towed with my old 77 accord HB. That little car was incredible. It CAN be done!!!
Old Sep 15, 2004
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The hitch did not arrive today, so I will be starting my trip late, just in time to drive through some awesome wicked storm. I planned on going through Loiusana, might change the trip route me thinks now.
Old Sep 15, 2004
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i wouldnt do it. it is too much of a risk and you are gonna be paying more to fix the car after you have problems towing it than it would cost to ship the bike.
Old Sep 15, 2004
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Too late now, I have to go ahead with the tow job. Just wish me luck & hope I can aviod the storm.
Old Sep 15, 2004
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keep us updated
Old Sep 16, 2004
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Old Sep 16, 2004
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I have a feeling the tranny wont be working after this trip lol
Old Sep 16, 2004
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Originally Posted by VTECTypeR
I have a feeling the tranny wont be working after this trip lol
What can I do to Prevent Dammage to my manual tranny? Will a tranny cooler help?
Old Sep 16, 2004
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Originally Posted by canadian2k1si
What can I do to Prevent Dammage to my manual tranny? Will a tranny cooler help?
chill out, 800 lbs is really not that much to tow ( that's only 80 lbs on the trailer tongue)

tranny fluid in a manual is there for lubrification purposes, unlike in an auto where it does some of the work.

I'd flush the tranny fluid at your destination if it makes you feel good.

have a safe trip !
Old Sep 16, 2004
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UPDATE: Uhaul is a bunch of incompotent ****ing idiots. I ordered the hitch on Monday, they said it would be in on wed morn at the latest. Wed afternoon I show up, they look in the computer & say it is on backorder! Losers, ordered it again and it still not here, now they say tomorrow.

I iam already late, I was supposed to start my trip this morning, and now I will have to drive at night too, **** I hate that.

I just ordered it from an internet place too, they say it will be here tomorrow before noon. And cheaper too!

I am pissed by the way, and again..."UHUAL IS ****ING INCOMPOTENT"
Old Sep 16, 2004
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^ maybe you should take that as a hint to not tow your bike
Old Sep 16, 2004
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in a kinda same question..

i would like to tow 2000 pounds with my civic, just for 10 miles every saturday or so..

no uphills or downhills on the road.. can that be done without adding premature damage to the trnny?
Old Sep 16, 2004
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I think everyone is missing the idea here! Were not talking about damage to your engine or tranny, but damage to you car! Picture going down the road at 55 mph(he he) around a slight curve. A kid or someone jumps out in front of you and you jam the brakes. Behind you is a trailer (or whatever) connected to a single point on the back of you car.The possibilities of what happens are endless and none are good! My civic weighs 2350, and guess where most of that weight is?
Honda says NO towing,I belive em!
Old Sep 16, 2004
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I wonder if you could have rented a U-haul truck large enough to carry BOTH your car and bike.

pon55, you are right, bt sometimes we have little choice. I have done my share of towing and hauling REALLY heavy stuff in my last honda. It's not real safe, so the rule is to take it SLOW and careful.

Jaykuai, I seriously doubt it. That's like towing another Civic behind you. BAD idea. Too much weight for sure. I wouldn't.
Old Sep 16, 2004
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Originally Posted by Tinman
Jaykuai, I seriously doubt it. That's like towing another Civic behind you. BAD idea. Too much weight for sure. I wouldn't.
that sucks.. i got a muscle car that needs to be towed to the track that is 10 miles away and we dont have any RWD in the family..



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