bike towing question

[c-mo]

Moving to Oregon from San Jose and trying to figure out how to get both vehicles up there safe and intact. I drive a VW Jetta 1.8 lit w/ turbo and wondering how viable an option it is for towing a GSXS1000 (460lb wet)?

also would need to install a trailer hitch (shop recommendation)

 

[Smash Allen]

It will work just fine, uhaul can install hitch for you

 

[NSR500]

With a 1.8 like that you'd just have to take it easy through elevated passes. (Hills, Mountains, etc...)

 

[Kalvin00]

Just make sure to kick the overdrive off and/or keep it in a lower gear going up the hills. You won't be able to pull 60mph going up the grade past Dunsmuir, just take it slow..

My Focus tows my R1 and folding HF trailer fine, but it's a manual.

 

[Junkie]

I towed a fair amount with my Integra and it did fine. It was a stick though.

 

[splat]

When your car hunts for gears make sure you turn off overdrive. Otherwise, you should be fine.

 

[chrysaetos]

I have a 2010 GTI that I've used many times to tow a ~700lb trailer and a 410lb bike with, and it's worked just fine. The GTI puts out roughly +20hp and ft-lb over the Jetta. I think max tow capacity for me is 2,000lbs. It is a 6-spd stick, and I can still pull pretty hard when towing; although I get about 19mpg instead of 30mpg so the fuel gauge is something to keep a closer eye on.

I bought my hitch and wiring from etrailer.com (https://www.etrailer.com/fitguide.htm), and got my stuff without a problem.

 

[auntiebling]

is it a MKIV? you could hurry up and install one of these

 

[madsen203]

I bought my hitch and wiring from etrailer.com (https://www.etrailer.com/fitguide.htm), and got my stuff without a problem.

+1

Usually they are super easy to install. I had to widen two frame holes but all else was sintch. Hitch took 2 hours installing and wiring was another hour. I suggest spring the extra dough and get the T-plug in adapter so you don't have to splice any wires.

I got my stuff super quick. Hitch and wiring was $150 OTD with free shipping and included the ball mount. Great deal overall!

 

[Cincinnatus]

I moved from Augusta, GA to the Boston area with a small sailboat and trailer, my Yamaha RD-400F, and my car, plus all my other stuff. I rented a 17' U-Haul, put the boat, trailer, and bike inside the truck all the way up front, other stuff packed tight, and put the car on a trailer. No problems.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

Moving to Oregon from San Jose and trying to figure out how to get both vehicles up there safe and intact. I drive a VW Jetta 1.8 lit w/ turbo and wondering how viable an option it is for towing a GSXS1000 (460lb wet)?

also would need to install a trailer hitch (shop recommendation)

Your car will tow a small trailer and the bike just fine, as long as you have a tow package installed, and (as mentioned) stay out of overdrive.
Hell, back in the day, I had a Chevy Vega that I towed a trailer with a couple of dirt bikes on, no problem!

 

[thenewwazoo]

I'd look up the maximum towing ratings for your car first. It's in the owner's manual, and if it's not, you can look up the car's rating in Europe (lots of cars are rated elsewhere, but not in the USA) to give you a solid idea of what's reasonable. Once you have that info, you can figure out next steps. If you're going to pack cargo in the cabin with you, please be very cognizant of the GVWR. You do not want to exceed it.

 

[ilikefood]

I'd look up the maximum towing ratings for your car first. It's in the owner's manual, and if it's not, you can look up the car's rating in Europe (lots of cars are rated elsewhere, but not in the USA) to give you a solid idea of what's reasonable. Once you have that info, you can figure out next steps. If you're going to pack cargo in the cabin with you, please be very cognizant of the GVWR. You do not want to exceed it.

The owner's manual most likely says that your car will catch on fire, void your warranty, and explode if you even think of towing anything, and that you should go out and buy a huge SUV (of the same brand) to tow even the lightest load. Meanwhile people in Europe tow huge campers with 1.2L hatchbacks and all is fine.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

And the tow info will probably be for bumper towing, not a tow package. Bumper towing on cars won't even let you tow a bass boat. A small one. Without a trailer.

 

[thenewwazoo]

*sigh*

I didn't make those recommendations because they're clever. My car, for example (a Mazda 3), has no tow rating in the USA, but can be purchased with a tow package in Australia where it has a published maximum tongue weight and trailer weight. ilikefood, you win the prize for the most predictable comment yet, anyway. But thanks, you two, for speaking up without a clue.

 

[Maddevill]

I used to tow my race bike in a Harbor Freight trailer with a 85 VW Cabriolet. No problems.

 

[Sharky]

I used to tow my race bike in a Harbor Freight trailer with a 85 VW Cabriolet. No problems.

Except for the whole lost man card issue.

 

[Aware]

Meanwhile people in Europe tow huge campers with 1.2L hatchbacks and all is fine.

Not really. Aside from any manufacturer-published limits, vehicles are not allowed to tow anything heavier than the towing vehicle. So a little 1.2 won't be towing anything massive unless it is balsawood.

 

[madsen203]

+1 installing hitch yourself. (I may be able to help if you'd like). Then buy used HF trailer and lube existing bearings and make your move. When you get there sell it. Even if sold at a loss it will be cheaper than a trailer rental and probably the lightest solution to boot as well!

 

[Sharky]

+1 installing hitch yourself. (I may be able to help if you'd like). Then buy used HF trailer and lube existing bearings and make your move. When you get there sell it. Even if sold at a loss it will be cheaper than a trailer rental and probably the lightest solution to boot as well!

We rented a uhaul 9x5 trailer for my wife to help my daughter move from Santa Barbara. The trailer itself was 1200lbs!
HF trailers are what's? 300-400?