Towing trailer and glider with a honda civic

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 6:09:43 PM UTC-5, wrote:
I have a 2016 honda civic. It’s my only car. Has any one towed their glider and trailer using a small sedan like a civic?

It's a two year old car. You'll take an absolute (and instant) thrashing on the value of the vehicle of you put a hitch on it. Moreover, if it's a CVT automatic and you have problem$$$$ with it, you'll be SOL because it isn't rated to tow.

T8

Check a copy of a Euro manual for the identical version of your car. Cars sold in America that have 'tow and die' verbiage often have reasonable towing limits per manufacturer when sold in Europe.

On Friday, March 2, 2018 at 5:51:03 AM UTC+3, wrote:
Check a copy of a Euro manual for the identical version of your car. Cars sold in America that have 'tow and die' verbiage often have reasonable towing limits per manufacturer when sold in Europe.

I posted the UK ratings for 2017 Civic here days ago:

- 800 kg for 1.0 automatic
- 1000 kg for 1.5 automatic
- 1200 kg for 1.0 manual
- 1400 kg for 1.5 manual

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I will go ahead and put a hitch on the car, and see how it behaves. As of now I only need it for the ocasional land out.

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 3:09:43 PM UTC-8, wrote:
I have a 2016 honda civic. It’s my only car. Has any one towed their glider and trailer using a small sedan like a civic?

Key to towing safely with a small car is having excellent trailer brakes. Not counting how slow you will go climbing hills. And the strain on the transmission or clutch.

BG

On Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 10:12:56 PM UTC-5, Bruce Hoult wrote:
On Friday, March 2, 2018 at 5:51:03 AM UTC+3, wrote:
Check a copy of a Euro manual for the identical version of your car. Cars sold in America that have 'tow and die' verbiage often have reasonable towing limits per manufacturer when sold in Europe.

I posted the UK ratings for 2017 Civic here days ago:

- 800 kg for 1.0 automatic
- 1000 kg for 1.5 automatic
- 1200 kg for 1.0 manual
- 1400 kg for 1.5 manual

100 km / hr speed limit too.

Towed for the last 6 years with a VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI. LS8/18 in an Anschau trailer then ASG-29 in a Cobra. Great tow vehicle. I did put spring helpers (coil inserts) in the rear end which helped keep the sag to a minimum. Over the years I've towed with a bunch of VWs starting with a Rabbit Diesel (no good) up through Jetta sedans (fair) Passat V6 wagon with 4 motion (great) and the Sportwagon TDI (great). Pay a lot of attention to the hitch height and tongue weight as well as all the other good advice about tire pressures etc.

Now that OP has made his decision, I'll drift the thread with this towing tidbit...

I looked into towing with a hybrid. There is an issue with overheating of the electric motors on long grades. The 'recommended tow weights' are much lower for the hybrid version of the same model vehicle. I'd guess that part of the issue is that the same motors are used for 'regenerative braking' on the downgrades, so they don't get a chance to cool off.

On Friday, March 2, 2018 at 7:54:13 AM UTC-8, son_of_flubber wrote:
Now that OP has made his decision, I'll drift the thread with this towing tidbit...

I looked into towing with a hybrid. There is an issue with overheating of the electric motors on long grades. The 'recommended tow weights' are much lower for the hybrid version of the same model vehicle. I'd guess that part of the issue is that the same motors are used for 'regenerative braking' on the downgrades, so they don't get a chance to cool off.

Remember that manufacturer recommended towing limits are assuming a shorter wheelbase utility type trailer, not a long wheelbase glider trailer. Weight is not the only issue to consider. And they probably also assume short, local trips, not long-distance trips.

Tom

I'm towing my Schreder trailer with a 2004 Prius with 277k miles on it. MPG drops to 28-29, but it tows fine. The Schreder is much lighter than the wood/fiberglass box I was pulling.

The plan is to add electric or surge brakes soon. Plus, it probably will feel a little different when I actually put my glider in it. ;-) (Soon...very soon...still working on fittings.)

Paul A.