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04-28-2009, 04:03 PM | #19 |
04-28-2009, 05:06 PM | #20 |
Modded Moderator
Drives: 07 Toyota Yaris, 71 Galaxie Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Posts: 3,670
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My AT performed amazing towing, as long as you balance the load. I went over 1,000 miles with over 1,200 lbs total weight (passengers, dogs, gear, trailer) with a old 4x8 utility trailer and in all honesty it drove better (and netted almost 20mpg more) than my '87 Chevy Astro with a 4.3L V6. Just keep the trailer light, but for camping like you mentioned you should be fine.
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04-28-2009, 05:48 PM | #21 | |
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A tip on what NOT to pull with a compact: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY |
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04-28-2009, 06:03 PM | #22 |
Drives: 06 Polar White 5dr, 13 Soul 4u Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,740
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Real hard to get pictures without hoisting the car. This is the Curt Class I hitch. My only complaint with Curt is that the finish sucks. Didn't take long for paint to flake off and rust. You can see it mounts to the transport tiedowns with 2 small and 1 large bolt per side, and tucks up behind the bumper.
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04-28-2009, 06:19 PM | #23 |
Drives: Silver 2007 3Dr - Gryph Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Posts: 310
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That's something I entirely agree with. Thus why I said only go over the 700lbs point if you have a trailer with brakes on it, so it does a good chunk of the slowing instead of basically rear-ending your car every time you try to slow down.
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04-28-2009, 09:41 PM | #24 |
I have the Hidden hitch brand hitch, went through winter it still looks great. I got it from e-trailers.
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04-29-2009, 11:43 AM | #25 | |
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05-02-2009, 07:19 AM | #26 |
Drives: Silver 2007 3Dr - Gryph Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Posts: 310
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Actually, an Automatic Transmission is better at towing for most current cars, including our Yaris. Instead of slipping the clutch under the heavier load, the torque converter just does what it's designed for and multiplies the torque to let you get moving easier. It's also very easy to add an oil cooler to most automatic transmissions, which can almost eliminate the added wear and tear from towing.
For example, you could only get the Metric Tonne towing package for a Jeep Comanche with the AT because it was feasable to hook up a transmission-fluid cooler since the AT fluid was actively pumped like engine oil is, and and the stock AT torque converter could handle the load but the stock MT clutch would burn out. With that package and a 5th-wheel kit reinforcing the frame? Those things are BEASTLY tow machines though, they have no problem towing a 35-foot 5th-wheel RV in the 16,000lbs range at 65 for hours on end. On a sub-3,500lbs compact pickup truck, mind.
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05-02-2009, 12:09 PM | #27 |
Trucks are meant to work, don't forget. However, manufacturers are pouring more money into bettering their automatic transmissions as only 10% of people currently buy a vehicle with a standard transmission (light duty vehicles). Even light duty trucks are now all automatic when equipped with a V8 engine. Automatics have more options and the valve body can be configured for more fluid flow if necessary. In some cases this can be done yourself. Shift kits are widely available for machines that regularly tow to decrease clutchpack/band slip, but only for automatics.
In some cases, you could easily exceed the GCWR as most owners generally do because they are CLUELESS when it comes to trailer and vehicle weight (sales people don't always tell you what you can safely tow, they'll just try to sell you something big and expensive in hopes that you'll buy it). One of my 2.5L Dodge Spirits that I owned has a 3 speed auto, and it had TWO external transmission coolers that were dealer installed (aftermarket parts). The car was used by by-law enforcement and was always driving slowly, or parked on asphalt, which gets really hot in the summer months. I put on 280,000miles on that car before the frame rusted through. Original transmission and bought it with 42K on the odo. Electronics also play a big part in automatic transmissions as well. As much as I prefer a manual, the wife can't drive it, and I don't like rowing gears during heavy traffic. |
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06-29-2009, 01:45 AM | #28 |
Clean and (dis)Functional
Drives: Yaris 2dr--Black Betty Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Tropical Minnesota
Posts: 562
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Sorry the pic is a little dark. Just finished a 1000 mile trip with the trailer...480 there empty, 480 back with a John Deere 300x, and about 80 miles while there getting my Dad into assisted living. Gas mileage suffered, I drove 65-70 mph. I have an auto tranny and it was in the 90-100 degree range during the day all weekend.
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06-29-2009, 10:46 AM | #29 |
ellenbetty
Drives: 2 2007 Yaris 3 door liftback Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Stow Ohio
Posts: 182
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There could be a carriage difference between the Yaris design sold in the US and the Yaris sold in other countries. For example of known differences between models, Toyota offers different size motors, and a diesel motor, in Europe, than are not offered in the US.
Plus there are import restrictions between the US and Canada because of different emissions standards. So there could be enough differences between the US model other models that make towing with the US version unsafe. Since Toyota provides a towing loop bolt for the US model of the Yaris, and recommends that tow truck operators not tow the US version of the Yaris using the under carriage, because of how light the under carriage is on the US model of the Yaris, Toyota may view the US version of the Yaris to be unsafe to do any towing. If you decide to tow, with make sure that you have maximum automobile insurance coverage available. Last edited by ellenbetty; 06-29-2009 at 10:49 AM. Reason: grammer errors |
06-29-2009, 04:03 PM | #30 | |
Drives: 2009 Yaris 3dr Join Date: May 2009
Location: California
Posts: 135
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Quote:
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07-06-2009, 03:14 PM | #31 | |
Modded Moderator
Drives: 07 Toyota Yaris, 71 Galaxie Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Posts: 3,670
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Quote:
Honestly, what you said is just speculation here. The cars are the same in Canada and the US build-wise, along with Europe. The most likely reason they don't want you to tow in the US is so you go buy a Tacoma or Tundra pickup instead, lol. The undercarriage being "light" is not why toyota recommends towing by the wheels, it's to prevent damage to the car and transmission. The loop bolt is not for towing BTW, it's there in case you get stuck in a ditch, and there is no access to the rear to pull the vehicle out. I put a few thousand towing miles on my AT yaris. The only time it had an issue was when I had negative tongue weight, and that tow was only a few miles in town. |
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07-25-2009, 11:37 PM | #32 |
Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Jose, CA, USA
Posts: 685
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Here I am at the campground, got a site with electricity this time and they also have wifi, so I can post some pictures. 88 miles, one way, tomorrow we're driving back.
I must say I'm impressed, this configuration was easier to drive than I expected. The car handles just fine and drove most of the uphill sections of our trip in 5th gear at 55-60 mph. I think I will be using this trailer for many more trips to come. And now for some UHAUL product placement. The Sport Trailer weighs about 550 lbs empty and costs $20 a day: I got a thumbs up from a little girl riding in a passing Toyota Sequoia on the way here |
07-26-2009, 12:08 AM | #33 | |
Drives: 2007 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina
Posts: 388
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+1 on this:
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07-26-2009, 04:04 PM | #34 | |
Banned
Drives: 2008 Yaris Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,034
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Quote:
Can the AT hack it? Cooling isn't quite enough, you also need to modify the AT in SOME CASES to accept higher loads. Gene |
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07-26-2009, 04:43 PM | #35 | |
DWEED
Drives: 3DR 2008 Metorite Metalic Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,161
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Quote:
By the way you have the best color Yaris Toyota makes.
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Making a decision without following it with an action is still a fantasy. |
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07-27-2009, 01:58 AM | #36 | |
Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Jose, CA, USA
Posts: 685
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Quote:
Unfortunately, I don't have a temperature gauge, so I can't tell if the engine got hotter than usual during this trip, but I am not concerned at all, judging by how everything felt. |
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