Towing The Elio / Towing With The Elio

[NSTG8R]

Okay, this may sound like 'overkill' for such a small trailer, but, in my minds eye, an electric brake on an Elio trailer might help prevent jackknifing during hard braking. With only one wheel back there, I could see it getting out of shape with, say, 500# pushing on it, particularly going down hill, and even more so going down hill with a bit of a curve in the road. It might not be worth the extra expense, but it's something to consider if you plan on doing a lot of trailer-hauling road trips in the future (if this has already been brought up, I apologize ). Mine will be for going to and from work (mainly), and any long distance trips will be in my comfy Jeep Grand Cherokee. My wife can pack that thing to the ceiling just going on an over-night trip...the trailer I'd have to haul behind the Elio would out weight the vehicle..."pack light" is not in my wife's vocabulary.

 

[WilliamH]

View attachment 5100 This is the way to go. Elio, it's up to yo

I was looking at the picture this morning, and although the conceptual design looks nice it appears that, unless carefully packed, the weight would be behind the trailers axle. Looking at the picture makes it appear that more than 60% of the cargo volume is behind the axle. That would put negative loading on the tongue and reduce the weight and traction on the Elio's rear wheel. Really dangerous.

 

[goofyone]

Okay, this may sound like 'overkill' for such a small trailer, but, in my minds eye, an electric brake on an Elio trailer might help prevent jackknifing during hard braking. With only one wheel back there, I could see it getting out of shape with, say, 500# pushing on it, particularly going down hill, and even more so going down hill with a bit of a curve in the road. It might not be worth the extra expense, but it's something to consider if you plan on doing a lot of trailer-hauling road trips in the future (if this has already been brought up, I apologize ). Mine will be for going to and from work (mainly), and any long distance trips will be in my comfy Jeep Grand Cherokee. My wife can pack that thing to the ceiling just going on an over-night trip...the trailer I'd have to haul behind the Elio would out weight the vehicle..."pack light" is not in my wife's vocabulary.

The general rule for towing with a motorcycle, which is likely the guidelines that are closest to the Elio reverse trike configuration, is that for safety you are best off to keep towing weight below 35%-50% of the unladen motorcycle weight depending on the weight of the rider(s). Considering the Elio has a lower power to weight ratio than most motorcycles I would say these number likely need to be adjusted down to about 20%-40% depending on the weight of the passengers and gear inside the vehicle. The production Elio's estimated weight is 1250 lbs so this would give us about 250-450 lbs of towing weight including the trailer. Consider the stock complete harbor freight trailer weighs in at 150 lbs and modifications will not add much weight this still gives owners at least 100 lbs for gear even when hauling two full sized adults which should be plenty for most people

I have also actually thought about trailer brakes myself and we had a discussion on this thread a while back about them but the truth is that this is one of the things we just really do not have a good answer for just yet:

The only reason I even mention trailer brakes is really because I have no real basis for understanding exactly what will happen to the stability of that single non-drive wheel in the rear of the Elio while towing. I have mostly used rear wheel drive vehicles for towing so the drive wheels are just forward of the trailer and can resist the trailer forces in lighter trailers even if they do not have brakes. Front wheel drive vehicles rarely tow anything heavy and have two rear wheels to assist in maintaining stability plus they naturally want to under-steer which when pulling a trailer can be a good thing. Motorcycles and trikes that are used for towing all have rear wheel drive which once again assists in maintaining positive control of the trailer. Of course all this assumes properly balanced and weighted trailers.

We know that when the center of gravity shifts towards the rear of a reverse trike, such as the Elio, this tends to induce over-steer in the vehicle, when the rear end wants to spin the vehicle around, which is not something you want to happen while pulling a trailer. With only one tire in the rear there is not a lot of rubber to maintain stability if this were to happen. Trailer brakes should theoretically be able to correct this issue, if it really is an issue in the real world at all. This is just something that those of us who choose to tow will have to figure out in this new vehicle.

 

[Bert]

I believe I'll HAVE to get a trailer eventually, just for Wifey purse!! o_O

 

[BigWarpGuy]

If they Cam Am Spyder could tow a trailer, perhaps the Elio could too?

Spyder BRP.

 

[Jim H]

If they Cam Am Spyder could tow a trailer, perhaps the Elio could too?

Spyder BRP.

Great looking trailer and it would look fantastic behind the Elio. Only problem is the cost.

 

[grampi]

The general rule for towing with a motorcycle, which is likely the guidelines that are closest to the Elio reverse trike configuration, is that for safety you are best off to keep towing weight below 35%-50% of the unladen motorcycle weight depending on the weight of the rider(s). Considering the Elio has a lower power to weight ratio than most motorcycles I would say these number likely need to be adjusted down to about 20%-40% depending on the weight of the passengers and gear inside the vehicle. The production Elio's estimated weight is 1250 lbs so this would give us about 250-450 lbs of towing weight including the trailer. Consider the stock complete harbor freight trailer weighs in at 150 lbs and modifications will not add much weight this still gives owners at least 100 lbs for gear even when hauling two full sized adults which should be plenty for most people

I have also actually thought about trailer brakes myself and we had a discussion on this thread a while back about them but the truth is that this is one of the things we just really do not have a good answer for just yet:

Agreed. I plan to never exceed 300 lbs (total trailer weight with cargo). I could see towing more weight as a potential for hazard (one person mentioned towing 500 lbs, which I think would be too much for the Eilo to SAFELY tow). I can't imagine needing to take more than 100 lbs of cargo even for two people...clothes and bathroom supplies simply don't weigh that much...

 

[Lil4X]

It's difficult to compare the Elio which was designed for efficiency and economy with a sport trike with two or three times the available horsepower. I'd be a little concerned with towing a trailer, having dragged several - including some very large boat trailers all over the country. You haven't been out of control until you've come down a steep hill with 5500# of fiberglass trying to pass you.

That's why we're keeping the old beater van, treating it to a thorough mechanical overhaul, pounding out a few dents, and giving it a full respray. With just over 100K on the clock, it will probably last longer than either my wife or I, as we see it as the "heavy hauler" in the family, best suited to once-a-month serious grocery shopping or bargain hunting.

As for touring, or even just weekend roadtripping, the Elio offers some interesting possibilities. Learn to pack light and tight and that trunk space should be all you need for a weekend. Otherwise for longer trips, pack a roll of quarters and a few soap pods for the laundromat.

 

[Jim H]

snipped.........You haven't been out of control until you've come down a steep hill with 5500# of fiberglass trying to pass you. .

Try a 11,000 lb 5th wheel behind you. If I could manage that I'm fairly confident I can handle an Elio with 300 lbs trailer weight

 

[JEBar]

Try a 11,000 lb 5th wheel behind you. If I could manage that I'm fairly confident I can handle an Elio with 300 lbs trailer weight

tell me about it ..