EelKat
Maine
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Joined: 07/27/2010
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I have a Volvo. I love my Volvo. It's a 1992 240GL (4 cylinder). I've had it for years. It's maximum towing weight is 3,300 pounds.
However, it's an old Volvo, it has problems...lots of them. I'm constainly having it worked on. It has fits of temperament whenever the temps hit 30F and every time we get a heavy rain. Every one is always telling me I should get a better car, or at least a better Volvo. But you know what? I like this car. I'm used to this car. I've also be told by mechanics that there is no way in hell that this car will tow it's recommended 3,300 pound towing capacity. They say 2,500 pound tops, and the more I can stay under 2,000 pounds the better.
Well, that means I need a VERY lightweight trailer BEFORE I put anything in it, because it has to weigh under 2,500 pounds AFTER I load me and my stuff into it! So that drastically limits the trailer options out there for me.
Thankfully I'm some one prone to small spaces. I lived in a car for 9 years, followed by 27 years living with 5 other people in a 16x9 foot beach house, followed by living on the streets under a 8x6 tarp for 3 years, for a short summer in between I lived in a handmade teepi about 4 feet across at the base, I lived in an 8x8 foot treehouse about 20 feet off the ground one summer, I once attempted to built a yurt, but the town zoning officer made me take it down before I ever had a chance to live in it. So, a tiny trailer? No problem. I can do that. Even a tiny trailer is bigger than most places I've lived during my life. I admit, my life has been far from normal. I seem to thrive on having an as far from normal lifestyle as possible. Can't explain it. It just is.
Now if having a big trailer with a lot of space was a high priority for me, I would have to sell the Volvo and get a car or truck with better towing capacity. But for me, keeping this car is more important to me than having a lot of space in the trailer.
I'm still looking at trailers at this point and right now Thor's T@B and T@-DAH are looking like my best options, because they are small, lightweight, designed to be towed by compact cars, fit my personal needs, and are both under the 3,000 pound maximum. The T@B looks like a better option than the T@-DAH considering it is 1,000 pounds lighter. I mean, the last thing I want to do is overload my car and have to buy a new transmission!
But any ways I was wondering if any one had any advice they could offer, such as, what brand/model trailer would you recommend (the price on the T@B seems pretty steep, what are some cheaper options?) Or is there anything I could do to the Volvo that would take off some of the stress from towing a trailer.
Also, is there anyone here who has ever used a little Volvo sedan as a tow vehicle before? If so, what advice could you offer? and What type of trailer did/do you use?
Thanks!
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HighCover
Fort Worth
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Joined: 11/26/2006
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Wow! That's all pretty messed up.
Just sayin'.
2010 F-150, 5.4L, 3.73
2011 Edge M17
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Sounds like about the only thing you'll have any CHANCE of towing is a very small pop up trailer. SOME of them will stay under 2,000 lb. when loaded but not very many. If you're serious about traveling you really need to get a real tow vehicle. Keep in mind that if your car is RATED for 3,000 lb. (doubtful) that means when completely empty with no optional equipment, no passengers and no cargo. It would be extremely rare for anyone to actually travel that way.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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Cybergrunt
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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Joined: 09/05/2003
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I would recommend this trailer from Chalet. Base weight of 990# (obviously before options).
2001 Coachmen 248TB
5880 GVWR 3768 UVW 4980 GVW 650 Tongue weight
2003 GMC
5.3/3.73
13000 GCVWR 4932 curb 1468 cargo 6400 GVWR 7800 towing 6010 GVW 10340 GCVW
USMC (Ret.)
SEMPER FI!
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B.O. Plenty
Minnesota
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Joined: 02/04/2010
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Whoa! Go to many Dead concerts in the 80's man??
B.O.
2011 Big Country 3250TS...2010 Ram CC Laramie 4wd Cummins
15k Super Glide, Firestone Ride Rite, TrailAir Tri-Glide
Just say no to Chinese tires.
Cylinder count: 27, down from 51
Twin Cities Mn.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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B.O. Plenty wrote:Whoa! Go to many Dead concerts in the 80's man??B.O.
perhaps.
https://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fu........%7Cpd%7B365%7D%7Cma%7BEelKat%7D/sr/1.cfm
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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leghorn204
center of the continent
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Joined: 04/30/2010
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Wow, I get the feeling my leg is being pulled. Put a tent in your trunk.
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ib516
Up here!
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Joined: 04/18/2003
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Cars wear out. Your Volvo is obviously at this stage. Get a newer car.
2010 Cougar 322QBS 5er
2007 Dodge 3500 SRW Megacab, 4x4, 5.9L Cummins, 3.73, 48RE auto
HYPERTECH MAX ENERGY
Scangauge2 for Boost, Coolant temp, rail press & Trans Temp
PICS
Collision Reconstructionist, CDR (automotive "black box") download technician/analyst
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JJBrown
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 02/14/2008
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Did you get rid of the tarp you lived under........?
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rgbutten
Renton, Wa
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Joined: 01/09/2004
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Well, my friend, I would recommend a motor home to pull your car with.
Travel Trailer: 2010 Dutchmen Sport 27B
Tow Vehicles: 2005 Ford Expedition 5.4L V8 4x2
2005 Ford F250 Crew Cab Super Duty 6.8L V10 4x2 4.10 open diff
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