[A/S] Re: towed car questions

["Lewis Leistikow <LewLei@xxxxxxxxxxxx>" <LewLei@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have a 2000 35 ft Land Yacht with the Ford V-10 engine.  Depending 
where you will be traveling, the weight of the towed vehicle is/can 
be critical.  I towed a 4 door Tracker (4 down) over the Colorado 
passes and knew I had something back there - - both up and down 
hill.  The Tracker was 3000lb.  I now tow a Ford Ranger with a 
motorcycle in the bed.  With this rig, I'm close to 4000lb.  On some 
of the passes, I am down into first gear and moving up hill about 20 
to 25 mph.  And make sure you have a braking mechanism for the towed 
vehicle.  Otherwise, you can get into real trouble on the long steep 
downhill runs.

Fuel economy is another consideration (for some of us).  This 
motorhome (carrying a fair amount of weight inside because I am a 
full-timer) can get up to 8.5 mpg when not towing.  While towing the 
Ranger/bike, I average in the low 7's.

BTW, if it weren't for having the motorcycle, I'd still have the 
Tracker.  Loved that little SUV.  Very comfortable seating, good 
visibility, 4wd, economical to drive.  But I wouldn't recommend the 
2 door models if you intend to drive the car very much on high speed 
highways. Short wheel base and gets 'squirrely' at higher speeds.  

Lew