Oh boy, I am actually very interested in this one! That would tow behind my little truck perfect! There has been several times I've needed a trailer for things and this looks like it fits the bill.
Yeah, I kinda want to swap cars with the daughter, get my 99 back. The Corolla is nice, but I have no enjoyment of it (outside of near 40mpg). But buying a (nearly) new car for a 16 yr old goes against my religion… but the lack of side airbags does weigh on me.To me these are for short runs to Home Depot, even the '99 should be able to handle that.
Love my 6x14, odd size but I can walk in without smashing my head on the ceiling. Low floor. Moving a few sheets of plywood is easier with a truck, moving piles of boxes was easier with a trailer.if I ever move away from driving a truck, a trailer will likely be a requirement here, and most likely a 5x8 enclosed, as some items need weather protection.
You can still legally tow with any vehicle that has a proper hitch system mounted regardless of the car manufactures specs, and you aren't going to damage anything towing light and easy with almost any vehicle in the flatlands. If you are going up and down some long mountain grades then monitoring transmission temps would be smart.so - if you can’t tow with these vehicles, and I’ve been there, then it’s all about the roof rack. Can I properly support a few sheets of plywood and tie it down well enough for the ride home, and how many bags of cement can it carry?
if I ever move away from driving a truck, a trailer will likely be a requirement here, and most likely a 5x8 enclosed, as some items need weather protection.
How can you legally tow if the vehicle doesn't have towing specs? Who decides how much is safe? If you were to get into a trailer sway wreck with your Focus towing 1400 lbs and the police were checking things out you think they'd let it slide?You can still illegally tow with any vehicle that has a proper hitch system mounted regardless of the car manufactures specs,
I’ll poke around a bit, but I don’t think any state has a specific law that prohibits a vehicle from towing if the manual precludes it, nor that the state can hand out tickets for being over said owners manual limits. Unsafe driving aside (as witnessed), I don’t think for personal use the state cares until that 26k limit.How can you legally tow if the vehicle doesn't have towing specs? Who decides how much is safe? If you were to get into a trailer sway wreck with your Focus towing 1400 lbs and the police were checking things out you think they'd let it slide?
Read your highway traffic laws, mine and most don't mention anything about vehicle manufactures tow ratings, they are for the drivetrain warranty only as far as I know?How can you legally tow if the vehicle doesn't have towing specs? Who decides how much is safe? If you were to get into a trailer sway wreck with your Focus towing 1400 lbs and the police were checking things out you think they'd let it slide?
If you have a trailer, they will certainly check and even weigh you in Washington.I’ll poke around a bit, but I don’t think any state has a specific law that prohibits a vehicle from towing if the manual precludes it, nor that the state can hand out tickets for being over said owners manual limits. Unsafe driving aside (as witnessed), I don’t think for personal use the state cares until that 26k limit.
YMMV if an accident happens and lawyers get involved. Which isn’t the same as moving violations that would have the police involved.
Can you link a relevant information source?If you have a trailer, they will certainly check and even weigh you in Washington.
How can you legally tow if the vehicle doesn't have towing specs? Who decides how much is safe? If you were to get into a trailer sway wreck with your Focus towing 1400 lbs and the police were checking things out you think they'd let it slide?
There isn't they will call commercial vehicle inspection if a trailer is involved. Happened to guy I camped with, he was over his max ratings for his F-150 and was cited. He was responsible for all damages. It is at the discretion of the officer at the scene.Can you link a relevant information source?
The only applicable parts I see from searching are:
brakes required over 3000#
and trailer must not exceed 40% GW of the tow vehicle.
That sounds like requirements for a homemade trailer here in Washington. At least that is what I have seen in the past.Can you link a relevant information source?
The only applicable parts I see from searching are:
brakes required over 3000#
and trailer must not exceed 40% GW of the tow vehicle.
Which ratings was he over? The GVWR, Axle ratings, and all the hitch components ratings do seem to used in enforcement, but the actual manufacturer tow ratings dependent on axle gear ratios, engine hp etc, don't seem to influence safety directly? If each component of your vehicle, hitch system, and trailer isn't being used over the load capacity(not towing capacity) then you are good to go as far as I can tell.There isn't they will call commercial vehicle inspection if a trailer is involved. Happened to guy I camped with, he was over his max ratings for his F-150 and was cited. He was responsible for all damages. It is at the discretion of the officer at the scene.
Payload and trucks rear axle.Which ratings was he over? The GVWR, Axle ratings, and all the hitch components ratings do seem to used in enforcement, but the actual manufacturer tow ratings dependent on axle gear ratios, engine hp etc, don't seem to influence safety directly? If each component of your vehicle, hitch system, and trailer isn't being used over the load capacity(not towing capacity) then you are good to go as far as I can tell.
I'm not advocating people should tow super heavy with their car, but the perception that you can't tow anything legally because it says you can't in the owners manual or warranty book is false.
In any case, the laws vary by state/province, so its worth a call to your local trailer and hitch inspection company, or the department of transportation and talk to an enforcement officer if you have questions about what you can and can't do.