Which Car-Like Vehicles Can Tow a Model A?

[shew01]

My wife is petite; so, she doesn’t care to drive a full size pickup truck like a Ford F-150 (because it is difficult for her to see how to drive it).

Which car-like vehicles can tow a Model A using an open carrier like the ones available for rent at U-Haul?

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Auto-...ort-Rental/AT/

What would be the combined weight of such a trailer and a Model A? My Honda Odyssey is rated for towing 3500 pounds, but I’m guessing a trailer loaded with a Model A will weigh more than that.


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[shew01]

Originally Posted by shew01

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Auto-...ort-Rental/AT/

It looks like the empty weight of the U-Haul trailer above is 2210 pounds, and I’m guessing the Model A is 2500 pounds or more; so, I’ll need something other than my Honda Odyssey to tow the Model A.


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[40 Deluxe]

Best check with U-Haul. They have a list of approved vehicles, and if yours is not on it they will refuse to rent a trailer to you!

[Curtis in MA]

I rented a 2 wheel dolly from u-haul and towed with a Ford Explorer.

[ronn]

the odyssey would be fine with a regular car hauler. they generally weigh around 1500 ibs. The ones at uhaul are pretty beefed up. the avg A is just over 2000 IBS, so yes, possible to use the odyssey, Jeep, Ranger with v6 etc.

[Pete]

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I towed all over the country with these two combinations.
The 30 2 door has 4W disc brakes.
The other tow car was a Mustang Cobra.
The trailer had electric brakes.

[Ray64]

Ford Flex with towing package Plenty of power

[fuzes45]

Son had Ford Explorer with independent rear axle, towing boat approx 3000# above
40 mph swayed all over road, if you have class 1 hitch on vehicle limited as what you can tow. Some rental agencies will not rent trailer if you have indenpendent suspension
in rear as some vehicles flipped over.
bob f

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Pete

I towed all over the country with these two combinations.
The 30 2 door has 4W disc brakes.
The other tow car was a Mustang Cobra.
The trailer had electric brakes.

Both of those tow combinations are quite unique. :-)


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[kenparker]

A lot depends on the weight of the trailer. U Hauls, for exampleare about 2000 lbs. My flat bed wood deck 16 ft weighs only 1200 with dual axels and electric brakes. The other factor is weight of the vehicle to be trailered. Roadsters are in the neighvorhood of 2200 lbs and fordors are 2600 plus. ( dont now off hand exact numbers.)


My 31 coupe and trailer combined weigh n a 3460. My just finished Woody weighs in at 2865. Coupled with the 1200 fo the trailer, thats 4065 lbs. I will be towing woody to Texas Tour this Thursday with a Ford F150 short bed single cab with a little V-6 engine. Pulling over 4000 lbs at highway speeds ,60 plus mph, the engine does juz fine. BUT transmission wants to overheat. Solution is to not drive over 50 mph. Tranny stays cool, it just take an extra 15 minutes to get there. ken



Other solution is to install auxillary transmission cooler. I can install for about $200 but voids the factory warranty. Ford dealer can install and keep the warranty,but cost is over $700.

[denis4x4]

Too often, people under estimate the weight of a car/trailer combo and get into trouble or have mechanical issues. I suspect that the Honda will have a maximum tongue weight of 350 pounds and that will not work with a U-Haul. A tow dolly is about the only option I can see. For piece of mind, I would look into the cost of a U-Haul pick up and trailer.

[Chris in WNC]

friend of mine who trailers Buicks and Caddys cross-country a lot, wisely told me "use the biggest vehicle possible to tow".
I'd never consider anything smaller than a 1/2 ton truck. We had a 3/4 ton longbed Dodge diesel that was a killer tow vehicle.
As mentioned above, the U-haul approved vehicle list is a safe bet for this decision- it is a very conservative, lawyer-driven list.
Another friend was shopping for a tow vehicle and had a similar wife situation- she did not want a truck. He was considering a new Accura MDX and started quoting me the stats that the salesman gave him for reassurance. I reminded him that the salesman would be nowhere around if he found himself in a ditch in the rain someday......
Get you wife a car she likes (happy wife) and get yourself a good used 3/4 ton diesel truck for towing (happy life).
As also mentioned here, if your towing needs are infrequent, just rent a truck......j.m.h.o.

[chap52]

1952 Buick or Hudson... Don't use a two wheel dolly to tow an "A". Why put the rear end spinning for many miles when there are trailers available. Just my opinion! Chap

[Big hammer]

How offen and how far would you be towing ! If only once or twice a year, rent a u-haul truck or van with their trailer. If you consider the price of tags insurance etc, it doesn't make scents to own a tow vehicle only to tow once or twice a year.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by denis4x4

Too often, people under estimate the weight of a car/trailer combo and get into trouble or have mechanical issues. I suspect that the Honda will have a maximum tongue weight of 350 pounds and that will not work with a U-Haul. A tow dolly is about the only option I can see. For piece of mind, I would look into the cost of a U-Haul pick up and trailer.

I hadn’t thought of renting a truck and trailer from U-Haul. Thanks for the idea.


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[shew01]

Originally Posted by Big hammer

How offen and how far would you be towing ! If only once or twice a year, rent a u-haul truck or van with their trailer. If you consider the price of tags insurance etc, it doesn't make scents to own a tow vehicle only to tow once or twice a year.

I’d probably be towing once or twice a year. Dearborn, MI, is about a 1000 mile round trip for us.

I’ll be replacing the Odyssey at some point, which is why I’m researching vehicles at the moment.


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[abachman3]

I chose a Porsche Cayenne Diesel to use as my car trailer tow vehicle several years ago. Tows right at 9000 pounds. I get 26 mpg pulling my car/trailer cross country... open top/flat trailer.

[trulyvintage]

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

Best check with U-Haul. They have a list of approved vehicles, and if yours is not on it they will refuse to rent a trailer to you!

Exactly

The Uhaul insurance and your personal automobile policy can and will
deny coverage if you falsify either/or the tow vehicle used to pull
the rental trailer an/or the vehicle placed on the trailer.


Jim

[trulyvintage]

Originally Posted by Ray64

Ford Flex with towing package Plenty of power

" How much will a Ford Flex tow?

Flex Towing Capacity

The Flex can tow up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped "


No way in hell would I pull a tandem axle car trailer with a car
on it with a Ford Flex or any similar vehicle.

Towing is not the issue - controlling what you are towing
under emergency conditions safely - is what matters.


Jim

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by shew01

My wife is petite; so, she doesn’t care to drive a full size pickup truck like a Ford F-150 (because it is difficult for her to see how to drive it).

Which car-like vehicles can tow a Model A using an open carrier like the ones available for rent at U-Haul?

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Auto-...ort-Rental/AT/

What would be the combined weight of such a trailer and a Model A? My Honda Odyssey is rated for towing 3500 pounds, but I’m guessing a trailer loaded with a Model A will weigh more than that.


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The advantage of a pickup tow vehicle is you can haul tools, parts, whatever in the bed. Anyway, the U-Haul site you linked gives specs for both trailer and tow vehicle. They say the trailer weighs 2210 pounds. Model A weight varies with body style but 3000 pounds should cover any passenger car (AA trucks generally are heavier). So you're looking at around 2-1/2 tons. Websites for specific makes give towing capacities for their models. Here is a link that gives specs for midsize crossover/SUV:

https://www.tflcar.com/2019/10/i-wan...9-2020-update/

Course too much towing capacity is better than not enough.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by CHuDWah

The advantage of a pickup tow vehicle is you can haul tools, parts, whatever in the bed. Anyway, the U-Haul site you linked gives specs for both trailer and tow vehicle. They say the trailer weighs 2210 pounds. Model A weight varies with body style but 3000 pounds should cover any passenger car (AA trucks generally are heavier). So you're looking at around 2-1/2 tons. Websites for specific makes give towing capacities for their models. Here is a link that gives specs for midsize crossover/SUV:

https://www.tflcar.com/2019/10/i-wan...9-2020-update/

Course too much towing capacity is better than not enough.

I’m in agreement on the advantages of a pickup. I owned an F-150 several years ago, but my wife didn’t like to drive it. At this point, it will be her Odyssey (which she loves) that will be leaving the “stable.” She also has a 2016 Mustang convertible, but “losing” that car is not an option. (We both love driving it.)

Thanks for the link. I have searched on google a number of times before posting on this site, and this one of the best links I’ve seen so far.

I need to find something that will keep my wife happy. ;-)

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[Dodge]

Happy Wife=Happy Life

[ronn]

Happy Wife=Happy Life



I moved mine outta state. Nice and peaceful here now............

[77Birdman]

Agree with getting the biggest you can to tow. Also, if youre planning a rent from Uhaul, I would check with your local dealer first. I had to pick up a chevy cavalier one time and their computer would not let me rent. Said my truck was not strong enough. At the time I had a heavy duty F150, trailer/towing package. Fortunately I knew the girl at the rental yard very well (it was a local lumber yard I frequented) and told her that I regularily towed my 6000lb skid loader with said truck. She did rent and I had no problem.
Having said all of that, the Uhaul trailers are def. beefy, and very heavy. You may be better off finding a nice alum. trailer from someone that you can rent for the weekend. If you think you may want a truck the new Ford Rangers look pretty decent, a bit smaller than the F150, no idea on their towing though.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by fuzes45

Son had Ford Explorer with independent rear axle, towing boat approx 3000# above
40 mph swayed all over road, if you have class 1 hitch on vehicle limited as what you can tow. Some rental agencies will not rent trailer if you have indenpendent suspension
in rear as some vehicles flipped over.
bob f

Bob, I have a Lincoln Aviator with the V8 (-which is the sister vehicle to the Explorer) and mine has a 7100 pound towing capacity with IRS. I have hauled Model-As inside an enclosed trailer traveling 75 mph without any handling issues whatsoever.

I also have had several Edges and an Explorer that we have towed an enclosed trailer with. The towing platform is the same between the two with the exception of the towing capacity of the Edge is less because of the rear spring capacity of the Edge due to no 3rd row seating. The tongue weight with the springs on an Edge is 350# whereas the Explorer tongue weight is 560#. With a load equalizing hitch and a sway bar, no issue towing whatsoever.

.

[CA Victoria]

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Suggestion: find someone in your area with a similar combination. If your wife isn’t comfortable with the F-150 towing with a light tow vehicle may not be either. Getting her behind the wheel to feel the weight difference may help. Even with a light weight trailer you are nearing 3500#. Controllability is the concern.
For a once a year trip it may be more cost effective to have a hauler take it out and back?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by shew01

It looks like the empty weight of the U-Haul trailer above is 2210 pounds, and I’m guessing the Model A is 2500 pounds or more; so, I’ll need something other than my Honda Odyssey to tow the Model A.

I know this is not part of the original question, but how often are we thinking about the need to tow the Model-A. Are we thinking once, -or possibly twice a year?

Another option to buying a specific vehicle is to rent a small moving truck when you rent a trailer, and just tow with that. If that is too utilitarian, another option is Enterprise rents ½ and ¾ ton pick-ups and vans that could be used to tow the U-haul trailer if you are only trailering once or twice a year.

[Jordan]

I have a Toyota 4Runner and a tow dolly. I can tow at 70MPH no problem and only know it's back there when I start up a hill. If I want to use a trailer, I use my dads truck and trailer. But the tow dolly has been great for my 4Runner. I got it for $500 and didn't have to buy a new car for towing.

*the 4Runner has a towing rating of 5,000 lbs. But it does not have electric brakes for a trailer. So this is why I feel more comfortable using the dolly- less weight to stop.

[alexiskai]

Is there any risk in using a tow dolly due to the A rear end being engaged for the entire trip? Wear on the differential or anything?

[dumb person]

Weird how 'mericans need super heavy trucks to tow a car. We get by with a tandem (or single axle, but i don't like them as much) trailer and a little old hilux.

A decent odyssey should tow one.

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by alexiskai

Is there any risk in using a tow dolly due to the A rear end being engaged for the entire trip? Wear on the differential or anything?

Never had any problems. People will say that it will hurt the Model A transmission, but people have towed on a tow dolly or tow bar for years and I've never heard of anything actually going wrong. I have 16" wheels and modern radials so I feel safer with those wheels on the ground going 65-70 than one of the original tires. Just my preference.

[updraught]

Here you go. You need to be very good at maths

https://youtu.be/swUDFWQ5QhI

[trulyvintage]

Originally Posted by dumb person

Weird how 'mericans need super heavy trucks to tow a car. We get by with a tandem (or single axle, but i don't like them as much) trailer and a little old hilux.

A decent odyssey should tow one.

Perhaps because Americans can do an internet search - comprehend tow ratings.

Perhaps because Intelligent Americans would not pull a loaded car trailer
on a public road
with a tow vehicle rated at 3500 pounds.





Perhaps because Americans exercise “ common sense “.


Jim

[updraught]

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊Maximum Total Trailer Weight
Equipped with transmission cooler and power steering fluid cooler

Number of Occupants
1... 3,500 lbs (1,580 kg)
2... 3,350 lbs (1,520 kg)
3... 3,200 lbs (1,450 kg)
4... 3,050 lbs (1,380 kg)

See page 338
http://cdn.dealereprocess.com/cdn/se...07-odyssey.pdf

Odyssey tow weight disappears fairly quick with a few passengers.

[Chris in WNC]

as I mentioned above, the Honda employee who wrote those optimistic specs will not be around when you are in the ditch in the rain.

err on the side of caution for the safety of all.

[ryanheacox]

Another option that hasn't been discussed. Ditch the trailer and have a Model A road trip?


One of our club members drove his slant window out to the national meet last August, almost 2000 miles in 10 days in a mostly stock car. I think he might have an overdrive but he did say he never went over 50.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by ryanheacox

Another option that hasn't been discussed. Ditch the trailer and have a Model A road trip?


One of our club members drove his slant window out to the national meet last August, almost 2000 miles in 10 days in a mostly stock car. I think he might have an overdrive but he did say he never went over 50.

I’m not opposed to that once I hit retirement age, but I don’t have that kind of vacation time to take off currently. ;-)


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[77Birdman]

Originally Posted by dumb person

Weird how 'mericans need super heavy trucks to tow a car. We get by with a tandem (or single axle, but i don't like them as much) trailer and a little old hilux.

A decent odyssey should tow one.

Better yet, so many think a $80k plus F250 with high rise suspension is needed to get groceries,
BTW, I am pleading Temporary insanity from your avatar.

[larrys40]

Truly vintage gave good advice . Tow with a Pickuo and get fix ( get the wife to flex) no pun intended. The weight ratio and not just power is he issue. Much safer with a pickup. Buy a good used one for 4500 or so and you will be glad you did. I have 3 if the 99-2003 Ford f150’s and they are easy driving trucks that will do the job . The 4 wheel drive 4x4 have heavier springs.
The 2 wheel drive is fine and drives easy for a gal.
Larry

[Jim Brierley]

Trailer swaying is most always caused by too little tongue weight, 10% of total weight minimum, 15% is better. I've flat-towed for many miles with no damage to trans or rear end on the A.