Does anyone know the weight of the trailer that came with the sailboat and the trailer ball size and if plausible to tow with fiat500l
Tow hunter trailer with fiat 500l
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How Much Do you Like the Car?
The trailer weighs about 900# and has a 2" ball.
I've towed mine with an 88 5.0 Mustang Convertible. Around town it does fine but with any kind of speed and turning I could definitely feel the trailer pushing the car.
If the Fiat has an automatic I'd be even more concerned. If you kept it conservative kept the auto out of overdrive and changed the transmission fluid when you finished the trip I'd bet you could make it fine. I have no idea what the tow capacity of the Fiat is if it is even recommended. I doubt you'll outright damage the car but you will not be doing it any favors.
Also I'd remove the uprights for the trip and check closely the bolts on the fenders before and during the trip.
Two places you definitely want to slow down on I-10 are approaching the tunnel going under Mobile Bay and coming down the bridge over the Mississippi into Baton Rouge you also want to be sure you are in the right lane on the bridge or you'll end up downtown instead of making it over to I-12.
When you make it this far let me know I'll buy you a cold one you will have earned it.
The trailer weighs about 900# and has a 2" ball.
I've towed mine with an 88 5.0 Mustang Convertible. Around town it does fine but with any kind of speed and turning I could definitely feel the trailer pushing the car.
If the Fiat has an automatic I'd be even more concerned. If you kept it conservative kept the auto out of overdrive and changed the transmission fluid when you finished the trip I'd bet you could make it fine. I have no idea what the tow capacity of the Fiat is if it is even recommended. I doubt you'll outright damage the car but you will not be doing it any favors.
Also I'd remove the uprights for the trip and check closely the bolts on the fenders before and during the trip.
Two places you definitely want to slow down on I-10 are approaching the tunnel going under Mobile Bay and coming down the bridge over the Mississippi into Baton Rouge you also want to be sure you are in the right lane on the bridge or you'll end up downtown instead of making it over to I-12.
When you make it this far let me know I'll buy you a cold one you will have earned it.
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Ok I looked up towing capacity some say 440 kg so 2.2 x 440= 968 other site states Towing Capacity (Std/Max) 882 lbs.
So I'm in the ballpark! Change transmission fluid is a good idea! I'm here for work so my plan is to tow it back and get the mileage paid doing it!that being said I might be able to get uship hauler to drag it my way for 250 dollars! Couldn't drive to Ft Worth to Lafayette for 250 in gas so if I can close that gap... Then just have the 12 hours back to tampa... I paid 800 for the trailer and works paying my mileage it just may be a good deal... Where do we meet up for a drink
Thanks Brett
While I'm asking please since I'm new here I hope I'm doing ok!! I purchased the boat for 1400 in the water with rubrail repair 30 bucks, new sail cover and hatch cover 300, Bigfoot 9.9 mercury electric start with charging can eat off this motor almost no hours maybe none for 800,cushions recovered 500, new mainsail 600, all new running rigging 300 and I spliced myself...and a great condition trailer made for this boat 800...think that comes out to 4,700 and almost everything has been replaced that matters theOk I looked up towing capacity some say 440 kg so 2.2 x 440= 968 other site states Towing Capacity (Std/Max) 882 lbs. So I'm in the ballpark! Change transmission fluid is a good idea! I'm here for work so my plan is to tow it back and get the mileage paid doing it!that being said I might be able to get uship hauler to drag it my way for 250 dollars! Couldn't drive to Ft Worth to Lafayette for 250 in gas so if I can close that gap... Then just have the 12 hours back to tampa... I paid 800 for the trailer and works paying my mileage it just may be a good deal... Where do we meet up for a drink
most is this a good deal or not????
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Since I am the culprit with the 23.5, there are a few things to consider.
Remember that you are pulling at full capacity and if going uphill, slow down and do not push the transmission. I would suggest that you make sure the bearings are greased and the lug nuts are tight. It would help to have a spare tire for the trip and you may want to look at a trailer place, Northern Tool or West Marine. I would go 20 miles and stop to check the bearings. Some warmth ok but extra hot, you have a bad bearing. If you have to ever replace the bearings, the size is 1.98 inch or two inch as most would say. Also replace the racers or the surfaces which the bearings go around and around.
I am not sure if you have brakes but check the fluid anyway if you do have brakes. Make sure that you cross the safety chains and hook up backwards to the tow vehicle. By hooking backwards will prevent the chain hook ups from coming off if you hit a hole or whatever. If chains are too long, then twist them to shorten up.
When loaded with a boat, always take a short line and tie down the winch handle on the tongue of the boat. It sure helps if the locking mechanism fails and that has saved me a few times.
feel free anytime to contact me. I have a good friend in your area that is great on canvas repair.
Crazy dave condon
Since I am the culprit with the 23.5, there are a few things to consider.
Remember that you are pulling at full capacity and if going uphill, slow down and do not push the transmission. I would suggest that you make sure the bearings are greased and the lug nuts are tight. It would help to have a spare tire for the trip and you may want to look at a trailer place, Northern Tool or West Marine. I would go 20 miles and stop to check the bearings. Some warmth ok but extra hot, you have a bad bearing. If you have to ever replace the bearings, the size is 1.98 inch or two inch as most would say. Also replace the racers or the surfaces which the bearings go around and around.
I am not sure if you have brakes but check the fluid anyway if you do have brakes. Make sure that you cross the safety chains and hook up backwards to the tow vehicle. By hooking backwards will prevent the chain hook ups from coming off if you hit a hole or whatever. If chains are too long, then twist them to shorten up.
When loaded with a boat, always take a short line and tie down the winch handle on the tongue of the boat. It sure helps if the locking mechanism fails and that has saved me a few times.
feel free anytime to contact me. I have a good friend in your area that is great on canvas repair.
Crazy dave condon
The car is reported to have a 2000 lbs towing capacity with a 200 lbs tongue weight. Make sure you check the temperature of the hubs after an hour on the road; they should feel warm to the touch but not too hot to touch. Inflate the tires to at least 90% of maximum pressure. Maximum tire pressure will help dissipate heat but since the trailer is empty you also want to control the bounce. Check the lights, adjust the tongue weight to prevent swaying (around 125 lbs). On a long hill or incline shift to a lower gear and reduce speed to keep RPM in check. Check braking performance to establish your following distance. It should be a piece of cake. One of the joys of a trailer boat is to be able to reach distant sailing venues in a short time but for that you will need another vehicle.
One ton tow limit on that little car?. My old Ford Ranger was 2000 lbs. I believe you were looking at the trailer hitch specs and not the actual car towing spec. That car probably doesn't weight 2k lbs. The only thing I would tow behind that tiny car would be a Sunfish on a aluminum trailer. Why don't you see if you can rent a flatbed truck....put your Fiat on it and tow your trailer with the truck. The cost will be less than the potential damage to your Fiat. Those things are barely bigger than a Smart Car.
Actually fiat 500l weighs Kerb weight 1245kg - 1365 so almost 3000 lbs! The fiat website states it's good for towing 880 lbs and the all disk brakes are incredibly strong... Took me several weeks to learn how to drive it so sensitive on the brakes! As I understand their brembo brakes with Koni shocks all Ferrari technology... Great article about Dodge Jeep putting fiat underneath next years model 2015 ... Fiat 500l just came out and Has a wide stance and was stretched to accommodate 5 passengers.
Other responses regarding trailer safety and tire pressures and such thank you so much!! That's is all so helpful I'm going to order bearings and races for safety!! My dad was a mechanic so no problem changing and greasing if need to on the road! My dad taught me the touch the tire truck check for heat! Also I leave little air lower so it doesn't bounce and straightens up the trailer a little! I'm installing the hitch over the next two weeks while working! Thank you all so much everyone
Other responses regarding trailer safety and tire pressures and such thank you so much!! That's is all so helpful I'm going to order bearings and races for safety!! My dad was a mechanic so no problem changing and greasing if need to on the road! My dad taught me the touch the tire truck check for heat! Also I leave little air lower so it doesn't bounce and straightens up the trailer a little! I'm installing the hitch over the next two weeks while working! Thank you all so much everyone
Do take pictures. Just the thought of a Fiat 500 with a hitch and boat trailer on it...
I rented one of those on my last trip. Fun car to drive. The short little wheel base ought to be interesting with a trailer behind it.
I rented one of those on my last trip. Fun car to drive. The short little wheel base ought to be interesting with a trailer behind it.
According to this website (out of UK) http://carleasingmadesimple.com/bus...t/500l-diesel-hatchback/59197/technical-data/ 500l will tow up to 400Kg (880lbs) unbraked and 1100Kg (2420lbs) for braked trailer. These numbers are typically lower for the north american versions of the same vehicle.
The numbers above are for diesel version of the car (love the mileage numbers).
The numbers above are for diesel version of the car (love the mileage numbers).
Interesting that they increase the towing weight rating by the addition of trailer brakes. Perhaps it is due to European safety regulations. I agree a margin of safety is required during stopping to safely regulate the trailer weight momentum that could be generated. Here in the US we regulate the need for trailer brakes based on its weight and load and do not have a set of different limits per tow vehicles. If you are only pulling around 900 lbs you should be good and are not required to have brakes.
Just a thought if your fiat does not have a transmission cooler you may want to have one installed or do it yourself if your so inclined . Good luck
Folks he is towing an empty trailer with practically no windage. The tow vehicle has a relatively powerful engine and a multispeed transmission. It should be a piece of cake. Drop in fuel mileage should be minimal and not likely to overheat.
Additional Consideration
Thought about this a bit and would like to offer these additional suggestions.
Tongue weight, with no boat on the trailer there will be excessive tongue weight. This would not be an issue except that you at the upper end of the limits for your towing system and on a front wheel drive vehicle it makes it even more of an issue. I'd suggest removing the jack post and ladder and strapping it to the rear of the trailer. You are not going to need but 100# of weight on the hitch and I'd bet the empty trailer is twice that. It is only four U bolts to remove so no big deal.
Tire pressure, normally the inclination is to put the tires at the max pressure the tires are rated for. At 35 PSI the tires are going to bounce all over the place and after 1,000 miles they will have rattled the filings out of your noggin and will exacerbate the tendency of the trailer to try and pull the tow vehicle around curves. I'd start at 25 PSI and watch them if the tires seem to be getting warm put a little more air in them
I had earlier recommended removing the uprights on the pictures of the trailer posted they are already gone where are the lights and plate mounted?
If you can get the thing shipped for $250 it very well may be worth the money to avoid the hassle. Fort Worth to Tampa is at least 16 hours on the road with no trailer; with the trailer it will be more than 20 hours. Consider the extra gas, probably an extra night in a motel, wear and tear on the car, etc.. You are not likely to save much money doing it yourself though you are certainly within the realm of suitability for doing so.
Despite all that I'd likely be headed east with the trailer behind me were I in your situation.
Thought about this a bit and would like to offer these additional suggestions.
Tongue weight, with no boat on the trailer there will be excessive tongue weight. This would not be an issue except that you at the upper end of the limits for your towing system and on a front wheel drive vehicle it makes it even more of an issue. I'd suggest removing the jack post and ladder and strapping it to the rear of the trailer. You are not going to need but 100# of weight on the hitch and I'd bet the empty trailer is twice that. It is only four U bolts to remove so no big deal.
Tire pressure, normally the inclination is to put the tires at the max pressure the tires are rated for. At 35 PSI the tires are going to bounce all over the place and after 1,000 miles they will have rattled the filings out of your noggin and will exacerbate the tendency of the trailer to try and pull the tow vehicle around curves. I'd start at 25 PSI and watch them if the tires seem to be getting warm put a little more air in them
I had earlier recommended removing the uprights on the pictures of the trailer posted they are already gone where are the lights and plate mounted?
If you can get the thing shipped for $250 it very well may be worth the money to avoid the hassle. Fort Worth to Tampa is at least 16 hours on the road with no trailer; with the trailer it will be more than 20 hours. Consider the extra gas, probably an extra night in a motel, wear and tear on the car, etc.. You are not likely to save much money doing it yourself though you are certainly within the realm of suitability for doing so.
Despite all that I'd likely be headed east with the trailer behind me were I in your situation.