Thanks! From my research the 9 1/2% downgrade is going to be the worst I'll run in to. The rest of the trip should be in the 3-6% range. I lighted the load significantly, probably about 400-500 lbs. I'm going to swing through a CAT scale on the way out of Ohio to see how much I'm pulling exactly. Coming out of the Donner Pass, 6% downgrade for 6 miles, is my big concern. But after that it's smooth sailing...

 

So I take it that downshifting (D3) wasn't enough. Along with downshifting, try just tapping on the brakes next time instead of continuously if you can... Gotta watch out for brake-fade...

 

I was tapping, it was just so steep of a grade and to be honest I started out too fast. From now on I'm going to follow the trucker's guidelines. The way I solved it was by shedding some weight and taking the rest of it in 1st and 2nd gear.

2nd day is done - and was smooth sailing. Made about 30mpg from Columbus to Des Moines. No issues at all to report!

At the I-80 truck stop in Walcutta, Iowa, I went ahead and weighed the car/trailer for my own intellectual curiousity. I was kind of surprised - about 5050 lbs today. 3300 of that was the car, 1750 in the trailer. Two observations:

1) Honda reports the curb weight of the 2009 Fit as 2500 lbs. I'm guessing that's without the A/T, spare tire, or gas/fluids. If you took me out of the car and everything I had it in, there's no way it would have made it under 2850 lbs.

2) There is also no way I have 900 lbs of crap left in that trailer. U-Haul says the trailer weighs 850 lbs, this has to be too low of an estimate. Since it was only $10, once I get to California I'm going to weigh everything again totally empty and with me out of the car.

Tomorrow will be a boring drive through Iowa and Nebraska. I doubt my gas mileage will be as good since it will be a very slow incline..

 

Another leg off the books! Good to know you're doing good and with no mechanical issues... Stay the course... steady as she goes...
Take care bud!

 

Nice report kng! Have you been just leaving the tranny in regular "D" in the flatter areas?

-Dustin

 

Thanks for your road updates... good log.

Curious about the weight discrepancy also.

Enjoy the trip & be safe.

 

It's been ages since I drove across the country. How are the motels along the way?

 

Thanks! Newp, been keeping it in D3 the entire time. My uncle is a senior exec for International Trucks, used to lead design teams. He also recommended leaving it there so the transmission would function as direct drive the entire time, so I listened

Not too bad, I had built up some Hilton Honors points so I stayed in a couple Hamptons. Tonight is a Super 8.

Made it to Sidney, NE okay, nothing to report really. Was slowly climbing, got 28 mpg. I'll be going through Salt Lake and the Rokcies on my way to Wells, NV tonight!

 

Subscribed for updates. I'm planning on moving from Tuscaloosa to Prattville next year. My drive will be substantially easier though, its less than 100 miles.

Best of luck and enjoy the views in Nevada. It's been ages since I've been....

 

I just stumbled on to your thread tonight.

You are not the only one out there driving a Fit towing a U-Haul. I was coming eastbound out of Iowa towards Chicago on Sept 28th and Fit towing a 4x8 U-haul passed me in my motorhome. I did not see the plate on the car but the trailer was from California. I was only driving 60 an he had to be doing 70+.

 

I'm sure! I just couldn't find anyone who wrote about the experience for others considering it. That guy sounds like he's being a lot riskier than I am though..

I'd say do it if you can fit all your stuff in the trailer. 100 miles would be nothing.

The Fit made it across Wyoming and the Rockies yesterday, stopping for the night in eastern Nevada. Wyoming was a challenge, but not due to the terrain - the wind! Climbing up to 8500+ ft between Cheyenne and Laramie was no problem. After Laramie, winds were gusting 35-50 the entire way across the state. The Fit was working hard to maintain speed, even on declines. I had to drop it into 2nd gear to get up a few steeper inclines going into Evanston, WY. As a result, gas mileage suffered - 25mpg on the day.

I waited in Evanston for the winds to die down, and then went through the Rockies. It was a cakewalk - pretty flat up until the approach to Salt Lake, and then 3-6% declines. I figured out the trick for those 6% stretches - run it in D3 until speed gets close to 45, then drop to 2nd gear. The Fit stayed at 45 without having to use my brakes then. Going uphill I have done to same - you can maintain 45 mph at about 5000 rpm. So I know how I'm going to do the Donner Pass.

Last leg of the journey today. For those of you considering this, if you can wait and avoid high headwinds I recommend it. They were more challenging than the hills.

 

Good thing it wasn't a wind that strong from the side. That would have been sketchy with the box trailer and Fit!

-Dustin

 

70+ with a trailer is scary enough... and with a Fit? Reckless/crazy!!! One fishtail, one skip is all it takes...

 

25mpg, is a full-sized SUV or a truck on a good day... without a trailer! You're doing good kng. Good luck the rest of the way!

 

Great to hear this is going well! Thanks for keeping us posted as well. It is nice to know what these cars are actually capable of. I use my for hauling around my band and live sound gear and it is cool to know I would have no problem doing a small to medium trailer with it!

 

I figure you have checked your oil level from time to time on the trip. Did you have to add oil and are you using full synthetic?

 

Made it to California safely! Now I have to unload, go weigh the trailer and car empty, and then pick up some new furniture from IKEA before turning it back in I'll make another update with the weight, and then some final thoughts.

Definitely! Out of the three major systems concerning me on this trip - transmission, engine, brakes - braking scared me the most. You just can't stop quickly at all towing the trailer, and if you do you'll overheat the brakes fast. And of course as you said, taking turns that fast is asking for trouble.

I'd say go for it - just be careful and give plenty of distance to stop. I trusted the Fit to not break down, other drivers were my greatest concern.

Absolutely. I stopped about every 3 hours to let the car cool down. During that time, I checked all the fluids, tires, hitch, etc. Didn't need to add any oil - my car has a blend in it right now.

 

Glad you made it safely! Just a quick question since I didn't see it mentioned. Did the trailer have breaks?

I found the Jazz specs and it is rated for 450kg (about 1000lbs) without trailer breaks and 1000kg (2200lbs) with breaks.

 

Good to know you made it safely without any issues! Argh! I don't mind the loading, driving and unloading part. I hate packing and unpacking...

Awaiting your finale/final chapter...

 

This is one of a few reasons I'm considering the 4-piston Wilwood brake setup