Harvard
51.37N 114.42W
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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Guest wrote:I'm still hesitant to tell people they can simply compare PEAK power to weight ratios and decide that they are fine. A little engine like a Civic makes peak HP through high revs and tricks like VTEC. Not something you want to sustain for long. A drop in Civic engine revs to 3,500 probably makes a MUCH more dramatic drop in available hp compared to a V8. But engine power curves are awfully hard to find these days...
I agree! If I had not found the European Specifications we would probably not be posting on this subject! We have a 6 cyl Jeep available if this Civic Chalet combo did not feel right. Now, after having the experience with the Civic Chalet, I have no doubts whatsoever! This little car (3500 lbs of it) is not screaming down the road, it is purring away at 2600 RPM in 5th except on a few hills. Because of the success we are now planning another x-country trip to the East Coast next year, a trip we have done in the past with a Honda Accord/CombiCamp, a Class C and a Class A.
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Road Ruler
Canada
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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The other thing to remmember that cruising at highway speed with something like the Civic/trailer it is only using about 25 to 35 HP. The engine really isn't working and like Caddy says with the modern engines the TQ curve is much more even than the older 4 bangers from years past.
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fpresto
Maryland
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Joined: 08/01/2007
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Just a quick question, If your transmission or engine should go out are you going to tell Honda that you exceeded the towing recommendations when you go in for warranty work or lie about it?
USN Retired
2007 Cedar Creek 30 RLSTS
2008 F350, DRW, V-10, B&W hitch,
Pressure Pro, JT Strongarms
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Road Ruler
Canada
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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The same Honda in Europe has a 3,000lb tow rating. My view would be that on this side of the pond we are getting ripped of with the degraded Tow Rating. Pee on them. I wouldn't tell them anything and if by chance there was an issue let then fix it.
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lesmore49
canada
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Joined: 11/25/2004
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link didn't work
lesmore49
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grahamular
Baltimore, MD
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Joined: 04/19/2006
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Within a couple of years I hope to see some trailer manufacturers adopting the European tongue weight/towing setup to make it even more advantageous to tow with smaller tow vehicles. My Subaru pulls my lightweight PUP perfectly and even though I'm close to my max tow weight and tongue weight when fully loaded with gear, I'm still only at about 20 lb. per HP and get around 23 mpg at typical highway speeds.
It's definitely not the setup for everybody, but there's no need to be defensive about towing responsibly-sized loads with passenger cars that are more then capable of performing the job well.
2005 Viking 1204LS Pop-up
2004 Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon (TV)
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Jarlaxle
New England
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Joined: 11/18/2006
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fpresto wrote:Just a quick question, If your transmission or engine should go out are you going to tell Honda that you exceeded the towing recommendations when you go in for warranty work or lie about it?
Take a guess.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
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lesmore49
canada
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Joined: 11/25/2004
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fpresto wrote:Just a quick question, If your transmission or engine should go out are you going to tell Honda that you exceeded the towing recommendations when you go in for warranty work or lie about it?
I don't know what kind of/ size of hitch the little Honda is packing....but that might lead to some questions from the Service Manager.
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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A guy on our Shadow Cruiser Yahoo group is pulling a 16ft Funfinder with his new Jetta diesel wagon. He is reporting 28-32 mpg, using 4th gear for mountain driving. Imagine towing a low-profile Chalet, Aliner, Trailmanor, etc. What a great set up.
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
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Harvard
51.37N 114.42W
Senior Member
Joined: 12/24/2005
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fpresto wrote:Just a quick question, If your transmission or engine should go out are you going to tell Honda that you exceeded the towing recommendations when you go in for warranty work or lie about it?
Funny you should ask! Another issue with the Honda User Manual states "thou shalt no tow this vehicle 4 down". Well I do, I did and I will, because I did it (toad 4 down) with the 90 Accord, a 2001 Civic and now this 2007 Civic. Well guess what, after towing this car to AZ in November and driving the Civic back home for Xmas I noticed uneven tire wear on the rear wheels. Turns out, if we the consumer, are smart enough to pick up on this before 25,000 miles expires they will fix the rear "camber control arms" under warranty. So I took it to the dealer where I bought it, complete with the towing apparatus installed on the front, and there were no questions asked. If you have a 06 or 07 Civic check your rear tires for wear, search the net for "Dancing Rear End" on the Honda Civic.
So in answer to your question, I will ask the question. Did Honda tell me about my "extra special" rear camber control arms that shipped from the factory with the car? Actually I would handle the situation just like crossing the US/Canada border, I would not volunteer any answers but I would truthfully answer any questions!
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