Tow Rigs, What do you have/use?
#601
Evolving Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: kunkletown/Easton, pa
Posts: 257
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got my dively trailer (econotrailer) delivered sunday, exactly when they said they would. I haven't been able to do anything but briefly hook it up. Initial impressions are that it is simple, as expected, with a few things I believe could be a little better. I'm not wild about the way the ramps are held in, just a chain with a threaded link. The jack seems to be a little on the light side. For the money though, I am satisfied and general quality is good. I attached some pictures for your viewing pleasure:
The only thing I have to work out yet is the lighting. It comes with LED lights which apparently is a problem on some German cars. They don't offer enough resistance and the car thinks there is a bulb out. I bought an inline adapter to offer more resistance, hopefully it fixes the problem.
The only thing I have to work out yet is the lighting. It comes with LED lights which apparently is a problem on some German cars. They don't offer enough resistance and the car thinks there is a bulb out. I bought an inline adapter to offer more resistance, hopefully it fixes the problem.
#602
LED lights doesn't seem to be an issue with my newer Touareg. The issue we have is the constant low voltage so a relay is needed to only give the brake controller voltage when you step on the brake and let the brake controller adjust the gain.
http://tm-techmark.com/touareg/PDFfi...%20Cayenne.pdf
http://tm-techmark.com/touareg/PDFfi...%20Cayenne.pdf
The following users liked this post:
PAdutch (Apr 12, 2016)
#604
EvoM Guru
iTrader: (1)
#605
Evolving Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: kunkletown/Easton, pa
Posts: 257
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LED lights doesn't seem to be an issue with my newer Touareg. The issue we have is the constant low voltage so a relay is needed to only give the brake controller voltage when you step on the brake and let the brake controller adjust the gain.
http://tm-techmark.com/touareg/PDFfi...%20Cayenne.pdf
http://tm-techmark.com/touareg/PDFfi...%20Cayenne.pdf
This is what I had to buy for the lights, if anyone is interested:
https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Tow-Ready/20142.html
My guess is the new cars are capable of handling the LED lights, as they are more common place than in 2005.
#608
Evolving Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: kunkletown/Easton, pa
Posts: 257
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now its on to loading and strapping. I have some t-hooks. Anything I should know about straps?
#610
Evolving Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: kunkletown/Easton, pa
Posts: 257
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Figured I would give one last review of my towing set-up. So far I have towed the evo twice, one 2 hr trip and on 45 min trip. Both went well.
Trailer:
The econo-trailer has been quite good. The open center and t hooks make it easy to load and unload. I can load the car in about 15 minutes. The open center does make it difficult to haul anything else though, I hauled my friends shell (no wheels or anything) and it would have been nice to have a closed deck. My trailer is also the 15ft version, which is short. This makes it extremely maneuverable, especially with the small tow vehicle. I have already had to negotiate some pretty tight spots that would have been a problem with a long set-up. The problem with the shorter trailer is where it positions the car, it is pretty far forward. So much so, that I could never get a box or rack on the tongue, my splitter/front bumper protrudes to far. For this reason I wish I had gotten the 18ft version. Overall I'm an happy with the trailer.
Touareg:
My touareg is an 05 V8 with air suspension and it has to be one of the most unappreciated tow vehicles out there. The V8 has plenty of power, I towed up many Pennsylvania hills at this point. The air suspension is great, self leveling so the car positioning is not so critical and it rides great even with the trailer. Gas millage is not great 9-12 mpg, but that's the only downfall at this point. The small size makes it very maneuverable, but I wouldn't mind some extra cargo space. The car has impressed me enough that I am considering upgrading to a newer diesel version.
Here is a pic of the set-up:
Trailer:
The econo-trailer has been quite good. The open center and t hooks make it easy to load and unload. I can load the car in about 15 minutes. The open center does make it difficult to haul anything else though, I hauled my friends shell (no wheels or anything) and it would have been nice to have a closed deck. My trailer is also the 15ft version, which is short. This makes it extremely maneuverable, especially with the small tow vehicle. I have already had to negotiate some pretty tight spots that would have been a problem with a long set-up. The problem with the shorter trailer is where it positions the car, it is pretty far forward. So much so, that I could never get a box or rack on the tongue, my splitter/front bumper protrudes to far. For this reason I wish I had gotten the 18ft version. Overall I'm an happy with the trailer.
Touareg:
My touareg is an 05 V8 with air suspension and it has to be one of the most unappreciated tow vehicles out there. The V8 has plenty of power, I towed up many Pennsylvania hills at this point. The air suspension is great, self leveling so the car positioning is not so critical and it rides great even with the trailer. Gas millage is not great 9-12 mpg, but that's the only downfall at this point. The small size makes it very maneuverable, but I wouldn't mind some extra cargo space. The car has impressed me enough that I am considering upgrading to a newer diesel version.
Here is a pic of the set-up:
#611
Evolved Member
iTrader: (55)
I have the econo trailer 15' and don't have a problem with having a toll box on the tongue. I also have front splitter. I can also even get a pit bike in between the car and toll box. Just requires more planning when loading the car. I put a lot of heavy stuff in the tool box to keep weight balance, like jack, spare rotors, tools, ect. And don't put anything heavy in the back of the car. I used to put a set of wheels in the trunk, now I put them on driver and passenger seat. the evo is 60/40 weight split, so you dont really have to pull it up as far.
#613
Evolving Member
Here's the tire rack I just had built for my Econotrailer out of 1.5" x 1.5" square steel tubing. Found the design on another forum and drew it up in Google Sketchup to get the needed dimensions.
Debating on whether or not to spend $300 for powder coating...
Debating on whether or not to spend $300 for powder coating...
The following users liked this post:
PAdutch (Jul 5, 2016)
#615
Evolving Member