Buy a trailer (instead of a pickup truck)

[freebeard]

You don't get many opportunities to fly the red flag off the back of your vehicle. That would be one.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Mini trailers could make a come back for people with ultra tiny cars with no cargo room.

That's probably the reason many folks are using those Thule roof boxes.

[richierocket]

Hi Miller88, looks like you are a good example of what this thread is talking about. For "light hauling" like those couches, that could easily be done with a utility trailer pulled by your Focus. Then you could get rid of the gas-pig Cherokee and save $$$ on the tax, reg, and maintenance of the old SUV.
Of course, a trailer also has reg and maintenance, but obviously much less.

Back on post #109 of this thread, I posted a picture of my '98 Civic towing a motorcycle on a small trailer. I also towed couches, washer/dryer, etc.

People are amazed at what you can do with only a small bit of inconvenience by towing with your car rather than having a gas-hog pick-up or SUV.

Rich

Originally Posted by Miller88

I have hauled a few couches in my Cherokee! Works well, actually. Even going up and down hills. Just don't do it until the cat converter heats up ... pulls in some interesting fumes.

[Miller88]

Originally Posted by freebeard

You don't get many opportunities to fly the red flag off the back of your vehicle. That would be one.

Or shirt :P Couldn't find a flag but used a shirt.

Originally Posted by richierocket

Hi Miller88, looks like you are a good example of what this thread is talking about. For "light hauling" like those couches, that could easily be done with a utility trailer pulled by your Focus. Then you could get rid of the gas-pig Cherokee and save $$$ on the tax, reg, and maintenance of the old SUV.
Of course, a trailer also has reg and maintenance, but obviously much less.

Back on post #109 of this thread, I posted a picture of my '98 Civic towing a motorcycle on a small trailer. I also towed couches, washer/dryer, etc.

People are amazed at what you can do with only a small bit of inconvenience by towing with your car rather than having a gas-hog pick-up or SUV.

Rich

The Cherokee doesn't get driven much and is pretty much for one or two purposes at this point. I have put maybe 5000 miles on it in the last two years.

I do plan on putting a hitch on the Focus once it's out of warranty.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Miller88

I do plan on putting a hitch on the Focus once it's out of warranty.

Is there any official tow rating for the U.S.-spec Focus?

[Xist]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Xist -- Why not both?

Anything is better than a truck, right?

Rumble seats, people did away with those when they stopped having children?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

A trailer attached to a compact car may make it actually not so easy to maneuver as an average truck (a Corolla when bolted to a 7-ft trailer can actually get longer than a double-cab truck with a 7-ft bed), but to use it once in a while still makes more sense than commuting every day in an empty full-size truck.

[freebeard]

Anything is better than a truck, right?

Unless it's a truck with a half-tonneau lockable trunk with a trailer hitch rack that unfolds like a Harbor Freight trailer that has a retractable castering wheel. Am I leaving anything out?

A trailer attached to a compact car may make it actually not so easy to maneuver as an average truck

Especially when you have to back up.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Am I leaving anything out?

Vertical exhaust pipes.

[Miller88]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Is there any official tow rating for the U.S.-spec Focus?

Nope. Which would void my warranty. Even once it's out of warranty, I would have insurance / liability issues.