[Roostre]

I know, I know... gonna get some flak for this, but I'm willing to be the guinea pig here.

Trailer is 57" wide by 8 feet long. Weighs 290 lbs (132kg) and is made in Minnesota by a company named Floe.

Capacity is 1800 lbs (815kg). On the tongue it it shows that it can carry up to 33 sheets of 4'x8'x1/2" plywood.

Trip home from the dealer was about 50 miles. pulled at 70 mph like nothing was there.

 

[Roostre]

Torklift 2" hitch

My recently purchased Red '13 had a secret that I didn't figure out until the new license plates came; the PO had intsalled a Torklift Eco- Invisi hitch.

Here is a shot of the setup. 8" drop hitch for this particular trailer to ride level. Plate is still visible when hitched.

Probably not going to carry a bobcat:

 

[Breezy]

OMG! You're breaking the law, your warranty is void, if you're in accident it's automatically your fault, and insurance won't cover you!! Stop that right now and get yourself a diesel dually, which is the only safe tow vehicle for a 2000-lb trailer.

Just kidding. Thought I'd get all the internet myths out of the way early. Looks like a good setup. (minus the Bobcat )

 

[GreenMonster]

This is fantastic!!

 

[Roostre]

This is fantastic!!

Well, sh#t.

Endorsed by GreenMonster means it must be a bad idea.

 

[DMC5180]

You should see what I've towed behind my Prius. (Commercial Zero turn mower, snowmobiles etc). 1200-1500 lbs includes trailer weight. I've gotten some funny comments at the gas pump. "Now there's something you don't see everyday".

The result is the same, you barely know it's back there.

At some point I'll be adding a hitch to the Volt too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TSquare]

Well, sh#t.

Endorsed by GreenMonster means it must be a bad idea.

NO, no, no. That trailer looks like it has enough room to install a wind turbine, solar panels, and a generator connected to the wheels. With that setup, you would NEVER need to plug in.

 

[Roostre]

Bwaahhaha! ROFL.

 

[Steverino]

NO, no, no. That trailer looks like it has enough room to install a wind turbine, solar panels, and a generator connected to the wheels. With that setup, you would NEVER need to plug in.

Isn't that what Mat Damon did in The Martian?

 

[FranandPat]

Was the surprise hitch pre-wired or did you get that done? Also, been doing a lot of research into my towing requirements and found that the tires on the trailer may not be rated over 65mph. May want to check that. Heat is the enemy of trailer tires.

 

[Norton]

You should see what I've towed behind my Prius. (Commercial Zero turn mower, snowmobiles etc). 1200-1500 lbs includes trailer weight. ...

Exactly !

Sometimes just the wife and the in-laws weigh more than that ! No Problem Found ....

 

[Breezy]

Also, been doing a lot of research into my towing requirements and found that the tires on the trailer may not be rated over 65mph.

That's right, ST (Special Trailer) tires are rated for 65 MPH.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=219

 

[FranandPat]

I guess to be clear on the speed, some of the newer radial trailer tires do have speed ratings beyond just the ST qualification. Most (if not all) bias ply tires in this segment are 65mph. I just looked up some on etrailer that were radial and they have 70 to 80 mph ratings. So, I guess like everything else it just depends!

 

[Roostre]

Was the surprise hitch pre-wired or did you get that done? Also, been doing a lot of research into my towing requirements and found that the tires on the trailer may not be rated over 65mph. May want to check that. Heat is the enemy of trailer tires.

I've long been a big fan of not running trailer tires. The tires on this trailer are 65mph max.

The local tire shop has 155/80R12 passenger car tires for $36 each that are rated to 118mph and 908 [email protected] each. I'd like to switch to these because 90% of the time my load will be 2 dirt bikes; 250 +250 + 290= 790 lbs. The passenger tires should ride better.

Hitch wiring is not done. I purchased a Curt isolator/converter for $4.99 and the 4-flat x 48" extension for $4.99 and will be installing it one night after work this week.

Big test for this setup on Saturday; we are helping my niece move to a town about 200 miles north of here. One room full of furniture and a young ladies clothes, etc. Probably 750-800lbs. ?

I plan to carry a grease gun and a temperature gun to shoot the bearings. Plan is to go 65mph while loaded, grease the bearings at the 200 mile mark and drive home at 70mph.

 

[Roostre]

BTW-FranandPat; I hope you don't mind, but I copied your signature idea and added my solar system also.

Thanks

 

[Roostre]

Isn't that what Mat Damon did in The Martian?

I could farm potatoes back there!

 

[Roostre]

400 mile round trip hauling trailer results.

TL, DR version; Volt tows like a boss. Not even a hint of bad manners with this setup.

Long version:

Starting screen shot. The 18.5 miles showing was from me running to get a spare tire for the trailer. I charged while we loaded.

 

[Roostre]

200 miles later; halftime stats

Here is the results as we arrived at the new pad my niece is renting:

Still looking good:

I used Mountain Mode for the trip up.
The biggest pass we went over was Malad pass at 5575ft asl.
Not huge, but it was telling. We set the cruise control at 65MPH for the trip up and it never had any problems maintaining that speed. The highest the kw meter hit was 54kw on the steepest pull at 65. Love the torque.

No place to charge as we unloaded and helped get the niece settled into her new digs a little.

Trip home was uneventful. We averaged 70-72 mph with the trailer empty, but had a good stiff headwind the whole way.

We made it home just as the sun was setting:

 

[FranandPat]

Approximate weight? Did you get the lights wired up?

 

[KenC]

Awesome, much appreciate the report. I'm sorry your daughter has to live in a storage facility. Okay, just kidding, really! But why do they build garages in front of perfectly nice townhouses?