Towing with the HHR.
#11
I've researched pretty good. You should have a good hitch put on and a transmission cooler. Not expensive. The vehicle itself can have 1000 lbs weight including passengers gear and tongue weight of the trailer. Tongue weight is about 10% of what you are pulling if loaded correctly. That means if you are towing 2000 lbs. The tongue will probably weigh 200 lbs. A good idea would be an electric break on the trailer. The manual says 1000 lb. towing limit. Trailer and contents. That would be safe. However I've been told it's more the tongue weight that matters so you don't overload the vehicle which has to be kept at gvwr in your driver's door. My 08 hhr gvwr is 4245 and curb weight without any add additional equipment is 3155 Lbs. Again you would have to add passengers, gear, hitch weight, the transmission cooler and the tongue weight. On mine that leave a total of 1090 lbs. for everything.
#12
[QUOTE=agrandad;464670] A good idea would be an electric break on the trailer. QUOTE]
Actually, electric trailer brakes get complicated with he need for an electronic brake controller inside the car as well as a special (7 pin) electrical connector to handle both the lights and the brakes. Also, electric brakes aren't the best for boat (PWC) trailers as they go into the water. I have had them on boat trailers and they have always needed work after a few years.
Surge brakes on the trailer are much simpler and effective, but not sure if any brakes are available on trailers that small?
If you meant an electric safety break away system, again, not sure they are available without adding the braking system, in which case they are included.
Actually, electric trailer brakes get complicated with he need for an electronic brake controller inside the car as well as a special (7 pin) electrical connector to handle both the lights and the brakes. Also, electric brakes aren't the best for boat (PWC) trailers as they go into the water. I have had them on boat trailers and they have always needed work after a few years.
Surge brakes on the trailer are much simpler and effective, but not sure if any brakes are available on trailers that small?
If you meant an electric safety break away system, again, not sure they are available without adding the braking system, in which case they are included.
#13
I went ahead and ordered a hitch and trailer connection. Installed on Friday and took the jetski to the lake on Sunday. No problems pulling, stopping, driving, turning, or coming off the boat ramp. Great little car. I did follow some advice and left the hatch open when backing up, couldn't see crap back there otherwise.
#15
There is always the option of installing a backup camera or using a portable unit rather than opening the rear hatch when backing trailer into the water. Camera comes in handy when backing up to a trailer to hook up as well.
#16
i installed both tow hook and rear cam. works great. the I-gear is good for towing in hilly terrain to save the overdrive gears.
i quess the towing limits for manual tranny is due fast wear of clutch plates if heavy towing is done.
i warmly recommend "taxi-schedule" on tranny maintenance if you tow heavy boats frequently. tranny lube atleast every 50 k miles.
i quess the towing limits for manual tranny is due fast wear of clutch plates if heavy towing is done.
i warmly recommend "taxi-schedule" on tranny maintenance if you tow heavy boats frequently. tranny lube atleast every 50 k miles.
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07-20-2018 03:23 PM