Don's right .. trailer brakes would make the whole affair about 75 % better and safer, over no trailer brakes. .. in terms of braking and braking while cornering. stress on the trans under load .. if you're real nice to it , it might be all right. A trans speicialist might chime in. I don't think it says if this is a 2WD vanagon or a Syncro AWD one. some factor there on the trans I'd think.
On 3/25/2012 6:34 PM, Don Hanson wrote: > On Sun, Mar 25, 2012 at 5:44 PM, David Clarkson<dvdclarksn@aol.com> wrote: > >> Does anyone out there know what the towing capacity is for a turbo zetec >> engine(I think about 180 BHP/ not sure of torque but probably slightly >> less) westy outfitted with bigger front disc and rear disc brakes assuming >> suspension is in good shape (I have HD Bilstein and getting new progressive >> springs). Just thinking about future plans that might involve towing. Could >> this setup tow 1500-1800 lbs( Harley on a light trailer or two medium size >> 4 wheelers) assuming safe speeds and braking and no extreme hills? Is this >> only possible with a Subi 3.3 and upgraded trans/axles? Thanks list. >> >> David Clarkson >> > I think you might want brakes on the trailer, too. I've towed all kinds > of loads with various rigs and once the towed load gets up there in > comparison to the weight of the tow vehicle...the load really 'pushes' the > tow vehicle during slow down maneuvers. With some simple electric brakes > and the controller properly adjusted, you'd be much happier and safer. I > recently pulled a 10' Wells Cargo utility trailer with my wife's Subaru > Forester...While the load was OK (about 1200lbs, I guestimate) with the > power, under braking, especially when cornering, it was pretty > sketchy...brakes on the trailer would have eliminated the tendency of the > load to push the rear end around... > > Somebody will certainly chime in on the reasons you can't do it, I bet. > I guess you could, the key word is guess, if you drove with care. > Don Hanson > |
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