A truck is not always needed

[The Atomic Ass]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

A half ton truck can haul 1,000lbs. A full ton truck can haul 2,000lbs. Most car hitches are rated between 2,000-3,000lbs. Of course the weight of the trailer takes up some of that. But still, my little 1,200lb GVWR flat bed trailer can haul as much as a Ford F-150 but with a nice 4x8 surface that's much closer to the ground and so much easier to access.

Pickups make sense when you need to tow a trailer that's in excess of 2,000-3,000lbs.

This is where slimp technology has really fallen flat in recent years. Priinocchio can easily handle several times it's own weight, but I'm limited by the Class I hitch.

When finances allow, I'm going to speak with a welder about designing a slimp and hitch to match.

[freebeard]

Snax: Here's mine.




That nerf bar on the front becomes a tipping point when you lift the handles. The Dasher is needs to be up for sale.

[Snax]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

A half ton truck can haul 1,000lbs. A full ton truck can haul 2,000lbs. Most car hitches are rated between 2,000-3,000lbs. Of course the weight of the trailer takes up some of that. But still, my little 1,200lb GVWR flat bed trailer can haul as much as a Ford F-150 but with a nice 4x8 surface that's much closer to the ground and so much easier to access.

Pickups make sense when you need to tow a trailer that's in excess of 2,000-3,000lbs.

Yep. I went with a 10x5 1-ton trailer and can't imagine giving it up for truck at this point. There's no substitute for being able to roll something into it that would take a minimum of 2 or more people to load into a truck.

[Snax]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Snax: Here's mine.




That nerf bar on the front becomes a tipping point when you lift the handles. The Dasher is needs to be up for sale.

I definitely would have bought that over the plastic one I got. Might have to mod mine with those bars!

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

In the 1-seat Metro, I have hauled a large tank and reel air compressor, and regularly pack a display that requires 2' X 9' X 6", leaving the hatch open a bit, with air deflectors, etc.
I have also filled it with scrap metal roofing, rough lumber, and a full camper for one. On top, I've had a 19' kayak.

I've got a single person camper interior in the Superbeetle. ....and a Metro.

Have you posted pictures?

[iamgeo]

Originally Posted by The Atomic Ass

Trucks ARE optional.



Trucks are Optional (gallery)

I have a tow dolly that I have used several times, but I have always used a truck to do the towing. I have not used my Prius to tow a vehicle though. I'm not to sure if the CVT transmission would be able to handle it and really concerned about the brakes being able to work sufficiently.
Have you towed vehicles with yours a lot?

[ncsteve]

Did you know that a Honda Super Cub or Passport fits in the back of a Saturn SW? I have carried two that way, one from Ohio to western NC. If you take the front wheel off the bike and remove the rear seat cushion, the forks will sit on the tunnel, and you can just close the hatch. Sure beats taking the trailer!

[Bicycle Bob]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I've got a single person camper interior in the Superbeetle. ....and a Metro.

Have you posted pictures?

I'm working on a video about it, and it will be featured in the sequel to "Tiny Homes on the Move" by Shelter publications. I'm particularly pleased with the chest of drawers, which are made without fancy joinry, the minimum of wood, and no wasted volume at all.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by iamgeo

I have a tow dolly that I have used several times, but I have always used a truck to do the towing. I have not used my Prius to tow a vehicle though. I'm not to sure if the CVT transmission would be able to handle it and really concerned about the brakes being able to work sufficiently.
Have you towed vehicles with yours a lot?

Towing is affected a lot by speed. It's not if the CVT transmission and brakes can handle it, but at what speed can they handle it.

For a once in a while situation you can tow rather slowly an oversized load without putting that much more stress on your vehicle. Just don't expect to keep up with traffic.

The exception is on a long steep incline. Then you fry your transmission and burn up your brakes regardless of speed. Although the CVT in a Prius seems a whole lot more robust than a typical belt driven CVT.

[dreamsinger]

Count me in!