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Old 03-16-2003, 03:02 PM   #1
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Towing with a 96 Corolla

I am going to use our 96 Toyota Corolla that has a 1.6L 4 cly, added trans cooler and added oil cooler, plus electric brakes and controller and also replaced the trans fluid and diferential fluid with Amsoil universal synthetic fluids. Our Corolla has the 3 speed auto trans and A/C. I installed ceramic front disc brake pads to upgrade the stopping power and low fade, and lastly installed a new set of Perelli 400s tires. We have currently 24,000 original miles on it. My question is: We will be towing our 2003 13' Scamp with the Corolla. Does any one out there have any input on the above set up ? Pro or Con? Thanks,Dan M.



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Old 03-16-2003, 06:24 PM   #2
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Hi
I think if you don't overload and really control your driving habits and don't expect top performance you should do ok.I found from experiance that I always overloaded.I seem to bring every thing including the kitchen sink and find that 90 percent of the stuff I never used.:wave



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Old 03-17-2003, 05:19 AM   #3
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Dan M
Does any one out there have any input on the above set up ? Pro or Con? Thanks,Dan M.
Here the advice is: the actuel laden weight of the tt should not exceed 85% of the kerbside weight of the car.
The engine with automatic transmission is okay for comfortable towing imho.
My Volvo (1100 kg) got an 1.7 ltr engine with automatic transmission.
The max laden weight of my BIOD is 1000 kg.
I think the performance of my rig is quite sufficient. :) :) :)



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Old 03-17-2003, 08:22 AM   #4
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corolla/scamp

Dan M.:

Pack light, drive cautiously, avoid crowded interstates.

Good luck.



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Old 03-17-2003, 10:39 AM   #5
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>> Pack light,
>> drive cautiously,
>> Good luck.

These yield for any rig.

>> avoid crowded interstates.

Why???
The main reason I can think of: no fun :o



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Old 03-17-2003, 04:51 PM   #6
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>> avoid crowded interstates
my guess is you have to drive fast.
Or other people drive crazy and whiz around you so more likely to have an accident.



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Old 03-17-2003, 11:29 PM   #7
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Orginally posted by Thomas and Janifer
my guess is you have to drive fast.
Jana, I was told that the maximum speed in the US is 60 mls/hour. Is that a fairy tale?



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Old 03-17-2003, 11:38 PM   #8
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>>Is that a fairy tale?<<
yes and no. :yep
it's 55 or 65 most highways not in town, but it goes up to 70 and 75 on some interstates. the main problem is people drive faster then posted speed a lot of times. there is one place in Tulsa where it's posted 45 because of construction. if I slow down that slow, I get run over, almost. or more like I feel like I will get run over. they drive crazy in Tulsa. So I pick my times for those kind of places. No rush hour traffic for me.



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Old 03-18-2003, 09:24 AM   #9
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Why I don't like interstate highways

I've driven many miles up, down, and around interstates over the years (pre trailer days) and I can almost guarantee that there will be some type of construction roadwork on some stretch or another. That, in and of itself, is not necessarily the problem. The problem is that they put up concrete barriers or they take it down to one lane. Although they lower the speed limits, no one wants to obey and they really get frustrated with the one in front holding up the pact.

Even if they have two lanes open, they are very narrow. With you going slower in the right lane, the 18 wheelers (huge semi trucks) will squeeze between you and the concrete wall going about 70 miles per hour.

Over here in the states we have HUGE trucks and the truck traffic in parts of the US is getting worse all the time. Having fought this for years without a trailer, it is just something I would rather not do with a trailer.



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Old 03-18-2003, 09:26 AM   #10
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Please note

>> avoid crowded interstates

The keyword here is crowded.



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Old 03-18-2003, 10:19 AM   #11
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Disciplined Americans

The only stories I hear about American driving, is that you all are so disciplined, keeping the speed limit, keeping your lane, because of the big fines.
Well I understand now that you overthere make an even big mess of driving as the Europeans do. :weep
Our speed limits on highways are 100 or 120 km (65 or 75 ml). Mostly it looks like that the Mercedes and BMW cars are created to break the limits. :r :splat :censor



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Old 03-18-2003, 01:33 PM   #12
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small tow cars

Lex:

I have the impression that many Europeans tow with smaller vehicles than Americans?!

I just can't imagine towing a 2,500lb trailer with a 2 liter (or smaller) vehicle that is under 3,000 lbs.

Is it the cost of gas?

It seems unsafe?!

=========

I have seen a 24ft travel trailer towed by a full size pick up truck go out of control on a rain slick interstate. The trailer pushing the truck where ever IT wanted to go. The truck had absolutely no control. It was scary!!!

Folks who tow over 60-65mph have much less margin of safety.



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Old 03-18-2003, 02:10 PM   #13
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I think the majority of us US'ns drive the speed limit. Then there are the 20% that drive under about 10 to 15 under and the 10% who speed until they notice then slow down. but that leaves a bunch that think the police are there to outmaneuver. they will never get caught, they think. . . I have a very much younger brother that thought it was fun to drive 90 in the rain, racing to a football game, no seat belt. he's head must be harder than the pavement because he's is still alive, but with many impairments.



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Old 03-18-2003, 02:58 PM   #14
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speed

Our speed limits are low also- 55mph or 90KPH(kilometers) on two lane
and 60mph or 100 KPH on 4 or more lane.

My last trip to the states on I 94 found me at min 45mph, max 70mph posted speeds

but some people just don't get it

Yesterday there was a 200 or so car pile up 5 hours south of here- people driving too fast in foggy conditions



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Old 03-18-2003, 03:49 PM   #15
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PineConeDon

>>I have the impression that many Europeans tow with smaller vehicles than Americans?!

Depending of the tt: yes.

>> I just can't imagine towing a 2,500lb trailer with a 2 liter (or smaller) vehicle that is under 3,000 lbs.

If you mean a loaded trailer of 2500lb, a well dimensioned 2l can do the job.

>>Is it the cost of gas?

Sometimes. and the costs of cars. Or preferring a small tt.

>> It seems unsafe?!

If you obey the 85% rule, it is safe. If you are a safe driver of course.
And if the trailer is loaded properly.

Safe Loading
It is important to keep weight low down and over the axle. In our diagram above the area for heavy items, such as awnings, is indicated in red, medium weight items can be loaded in the pink area, the rest of the caravan should be used for storing light items only.
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e7793682fbefloading.gif/>
And if the noseweight is ok: 50 - 75 kg.

Speed limit for rigs in most European countries is 50 mls.
On French highways 80 mls.



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Old 03-18-2003, 04:19 PM   #16
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Hi Lex

Thats a good post.Good information for all to view.:wave



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Old 03-18-2003, 08:00 PM   #17
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Lex - very nice graphic; illustrative of the correct method of loading.

Most of us get in a hurry (me :r ) and just shove things anywhere on occasion; even when we know better.

I think you 85% rule of thumb is more real world than the 75% rule listed in the link below, but they give a very good illustration of the change in power when going up in elevation.

http://www.popuptimes.com/archives/75rule.asp

:wave



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Old 03-18-2003, 10:32 PM   #18
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85%??

Les:

According to a weight receipt, my laden tow vehicle weighed in at 4,260lbs, the trailer axle at 2,280lbs (thats what, about 55%?). Tow with a 3.8 liter v-6.

Perhaps I'm a bit on the conservative side. :E :E



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Old 03-19-2003, 01:05 AM   #19
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Quote:
Orginally posted by PineConeDon
According to a weight receipt, my laden tow vehicle weighed in at 4,260lbs, the trailer axle at 2,280lbs (thats what, about 55%?). Tow with a 3.8 liter v-6.
Perhaps I'm a bit on the conservative side. :E :E
You say it ;) ;) ;)
Experienced drivers may upgrade the 85% to 100%. :) :) :)
But it is still an advice. Legally the limit is: max tow load for the car or the max mass of the complete 'train'.



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