From this thread: http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6930
I continue on....
2000 Ford Focus LX sedan
2.0 SPI 4 cylinder EFI engine
110HP, 125ft/lb
5 speed manual
Towing capacity: 1000lbs
Tounge weight : 200lbs
distance 800 (400 + 400 + whatever excess due to route change if needed).
So I went down to uhaul and picked up a ford focus hitch. Installed for about 220 not a bad deal.. considering i was thinking like 300 or so. I could have gotten the parts online and shipped to me for install locally but i did not want to work with the electrical system. My roommate said the installing of the hitch is no problmes, the other stuff is a different issue. If I did it, it would have cost me about 170 just to get the stuff here .. so i feel the added was just labor that i paid for.
Anyway so it got installed so tommorow I am going to go pick up the trailer and head out to LA via the Interstate 5.
Any last minute suggestions on what to look for and stuff. I did an oil change and i will clean out the K&N tonite so it will be ready tommorow. I plan to dump in some berryman's fuel injection cleaner into the tank before i leave.
Manjul
I have towed with a Focus before, and it went pretty damn well. It was a wagon with 130hp. You will notice that trailer gives the car quite a good thrashing to either side once in a while. Just pay lots of attention. You wont have any problems though. The gearing on the Focus made towing remarkably easy. I promise that you will be shifting ALOT to keep it in the power band. Keep the revs up most of the time, because that engine does not have the balls to deal with low RPM passing with the trailor.
Im not too much help, but hopefully a little bit.
Make sure you have enough weight % on the tounge. Mine was messed up for some reason at the start of my journey due to an idiot friend tossing a keg at the back of the trailor, and it was not pleasant. REally made the trailer a b handful.. Give yourself lots of room to stop. Your car probably has drums on the rear, and youll notice the inertia of the trailor.
Once your in 5th cruising along, itspretty damn good, I must say. Drives really easy at 120 km/h.
Later!
Speed limit with trailer is 55mph. So keep your eyes open for chp.
Plug in the radar detector too. :P
oh the radar will be on..
The drums on the back is going to be an issue, but overall breaking will be dicey.. we will see what happens..
The issue for me is that i got a huge hill - the grape vine to climb.. i think i will be on the right lane going about 35 mph
any tips on backing up???
remember, when backing up, either use your mirrors, or look out back window, (mirrors are a lot easier once you get used to them. (practice)
when reversing, the trailer will move in the opposite direction of the steering wheel+turn wheel clock-wise, the trailer will come to drivers side, counter-clockwise the trailer will come to passengers side. :thumb:
Backing up is tricky. Especially with a short trailer. They react very quick to steering input.
With the bike on it will be easier since you'll see when it turns. Without a bike, you'll need to make a flag or something to see the movement of the trailer.
Find a place to practice a little. Then think ahead before you park, so you can avoid situations where you have to back up. Find a spot in the parking lot with 2 slots so you can pull straight in and have the trailer in the second slot behind you. Then just drive straight out when you leave.
Also watch how you corner in tight areas. The trailer will take a different arc than the car. Go out farther than normal, then turn. This is for tighter areas.
On the freeway or town, just remember your car is twice as long now.
So if you pass, make sure there is enough room before you pull back in front.
bob b's got it right, also when reversing, star your turn early, to avoid jack-knifing, also sharp turns in reverse can be a :x :x :x :x with a short trailer, nother thing, like bob b said, in parking lots, either pull into two spots (perpendicular), or pull through one and into the one in front.
but do get some practice reversing. friends giving cues can be an asset also :thumb: