Towing The Elio / Towing With The Elio

[Craig]

Now that'll float your boat.................

If this yacht-za rock-n, don't come-a knock-n

 

[Ty]

I'd like to throw into the discussion that because there is so little weight holding the Elio's back tire to the ground that you should load the trailer almost evenly above its axle. Too much weight and leverage and one good bump will lift that rear right off the ground!

 

[Coda1]

I built my camper a couple of years ago. I don't think the Elio will have too much trouble pulling it. My Escort pulls it fine. I bit more sluggish but not too bad. Doesn't seem to affect handling much. Not for the claustrophobic. I wish it was about a foot taller since it is very cramped it there. I can remove four bolts and be back to a flat bed trailer.

 

[zelio]

I built my camper a couple of years ago. I don't think the Elio will have too much trouble pulling it. My Escort pulls it fine. I bit more sluggish but not too bad. Doesn't seem to affect handling much. Not for the claustrophobic. I wish it was about a foot taller since it is very cramped it there. I can remove four bolts and be back to a flat bed trailer.

You actually get in that? Yikes! Definitely not for the claustrophobic. LOL :-) Z

 

[Craig]

You actually get in that? Yikes! Definitely not for the claustrophobic. LOL Z

And the people who don't like small spaces.

 

[RogWild]

I'd like to throw into the discussion that because there is so little weight holding the Elio's back tire to the ground that you should load the trailer almost evenly above its axle. Too much weight and leverage and one good bump will lift that rear right off the ground!

Tongue weight 20-50# and a 300-500# trailer, should not be a major problem; but trailer 'brakes' would be a big help.

 

[RogWild]

I built my camper a couple of years ago. I don't think the Elio will have too much trouble pulling it. My Escort pulls it fine. I bit more sluggish but not too bad. Doesn't seem to affect handling much. Not for the claustrophobic. I wish it was about a foot taller since it is very cramped it there. I can remove four bolts and be back to a flat bed trailer.

Just hope some 'prankster' doesn't LOCK you in it some night!

 

[raybonz]

I built my camper a couple of years ago. I don't think the Elio will have too much trouble pulling it. My Escort pulls it fine. I bit more sluggish but not too bad. Doesn't seem to affect handling much. Not for the claustrophobic. I wish it was about a foot taller since it is very cramped it there. I can remove four bolts and be back to a flat bed trailer.

Wow you built your own camper? Cool please post pics of it open and the interior.

Ray

 

[Ty]

Tongue weight 20-50# and a 300-500# trailer, should not be a major problem; but trailer 'brakes' would be a big help.

Probably not and I agree about the trailer brakes.

 

[KN16]

Tongue weight 20-50# and a 300-500# trailer, should not be a major problem; but trailer 'brakes' would be a big help.

These are figures that usually come up using generic formulas. 300lbs is more than likely the upper limit. Remember you're going to have 55hp (or less by the time they finish the MPG tune) With 2 adults (otherwise you'd just load the back seat) you'd have trouble being fast enough to safely navigate traffic. (remember they're designing for a capacity of two adults. 500lbs doubles that!)

A tongue weight of 20lbs you'll notice. 50 would probably be really hairy. That much down force behind the rear axle is going to take pressure off your drive/steer axle.

I use a basket on a small car on a regular basis. The car weighs much more than an Elio and the drive axle is in the rear still I can feel the difference with just a loaded cooler.