So I've read a number of posts here about trailer hitches and towing, recommendations for different hitches, and installation help. Most seem to be concerned with bicycle trailers/hitches - but I need some advice regarding towing a small cargo trailer.

I'm considering renting a small cargo trailer - either a 4x8 (4'x8', 850lbs empty, max. load 1,650lbs.) or a 5x8 (5'x8', 900lbs empty, max. load 1,800lbs.). I plan on renting from U-Haul or equivalent. I' I'm not sure exactly how much stuff I'm going to carry, but I can easily be convinced to take less. I plan on driving the trailer about 11hrs. from New Jersey to North Carolina. With my 2007 non-sport AT Fit, I understand I'll need a transmission cooler - regardless of whatever I tow.

After searching and sifting through a number of threads here, I seem to be seeing a lot of mixed messages - from "yes, the Fit can tow a trailer" to "oh no! disaster - you'll die." I'm trying to make a pretty informed decision whether to tow this, so I'd like to hear experiences from anyone that's towed a cargo trailer w/ their Fit. I'd also like to hear good, well-reasoned arguments for or against this idea. If anyone has any solid advice for towing, that would be super helpful.

Thanks in advance!

 

I haven't towed yet but I have installed a Hidden Hitch from www.etrailer.com that is specifically designed to work with the Fit. Installation went pretty good while doing it single handed, laying in the mud. I used the jack to hold one end while mounting the other. There is a video at the etrailer site that was helpful. I also picked up the 4-flate wiring harness but havn't intalled that yet. I plan to only tow a very small utility trailer with camping gear. My comfort level would be exceeded if I towed more than 1000# without electric brakes of some sort. A surge brake for a rental trailer would be the way to go.

 

I wouldn't want to tow anything with my Fit. Just beyond my comfort zone. Only way I would consider this is around town but certainly not out of city. Forget out of state. That's what my AWD minivan with towing package and class 3 hitch is for.

Someone else asked about using a hitch basket under the thread:
Anyone use one of THESE on a Fit... and my basic arguments would be the same and a bit more for towing.

Just a few scenarios come to mind for me which would impact my answers:
(1) Are you trying to move cargo with the Fit or cargo and the Fit?

• If its the latter then I would consider a Uhaul truck and tow the Fit with a car carrier.
• If its the former then I would just consider renting a Uhaul truck.

(2) Added to my points on the previous thread, things to consider,

• 11 hours driving with the load
• 1.5L engine/drivetrain strain
• FWD
• headlights aiming at the sky unless you have load-leveling shocks.
• brake load on the Fit
• Is your route all level driving? Consider the terrain.

You've obviously done some homework and the Uhaul site gives you a fair amount of info on things to consider.

Ultimately, its your Fit. I just wouldn't want to subject my Fit to such punishment and add to that, serious safety considerations - myself and others on the road. Just my take. Wrong car for the job - my opinion. Good luck!

 

I've towed with small cars (a Ford Escort and a Mazda 323) before. My own comfort zone for hauling any sort of distance was that the total load in the car plus the trailer plus whatever was loaded on the trailer shouldn't exceed the max load capacity of the car alone. That's pretty conservative, and that way, I felt that the brakes could handle it. I exceeded that for short hauls at low speed, e.g., picking up garden supplies, etc.

Those two cars were both rated for towing up to 1000 lbs I believe, and I think their load capacities were lower than that - so I was being conservative. At 850 lbs., I personally wouldn't tow even the smaller U-Haul trailer empty with my Fit.

I wonder what the insurance implications are if you get in an accident towing with a car that the manufacturer specifies is not rated for towing anything, like the Fit?

 

ok - thanks for all your advice; after taking it into account, I've decided not to go with the towing option for this trip. I think if it was a shorter route - 90min. at most - that I was more familiar with I would consider it, but as it stands now I think it best to just rent a big white van.

thanks again.

 

Just remember that in Europe most cars are rated to tow their own weight. Look around and see if there are towing specs for the EU and AU versions of the fit and go by those.

As an example, my dads Subaru outback is rated to tow something like 1700lbs here in the US and 3500lbs in Australia and there are no differences between the two models.

 

I know the OP has already made, what I consider, a pretty smart choice given the kind of weights he was planning to tow.

I have a 2009 Fit, MT, air shocks, hitch. Towed a smaller cargo trailer a lot (over 6,000 miles in 2 years) 4x8 and 56 inches (home-made using a harbor freight chassis) from the ground in height (so an inch or so shorter than the Fit). Empty weight 575 pounds, towed weigth from 650 to 1050 pounds. At 650, no sweat - pulls fine, brakes fine, but ride was herky jerky at times (trailer had leaf springs). At 1000 pounds, I wished I had brakes, mileage drops to 28 (at best).

The wind makes a huge difference. You loose the aero of the car - so even going into a 15 mph wind feels like 35 mph wihtout the trailer.

I now have added electric brake controller, and my new trailer (with brakes) weighs 350 pound empty, is 4 by 6 and 36 inches high (inside the slip stream more), and has radial tires, torsion suspension, and frame is much stiffer (this is a Pulmor trailer). Loaded weight from 500 to 1000 pounds. Ride is good at all weights, stops great, mileage is better (still suffers going into the wind). I have no qualms towing this anywhere.

So, keep the weight down, if you are towing regularly or long distance consider electric brakes, equip the car correctly, try to keep the profile inside the car profile (the wind drag is HUGE).

Dave

 

Do you think a Fit can tow a Sea Doo? Hubby thinks the Fit is too small to tow it I was just wondering if anyone has tried it.