First shot at towing

[Bill Rubenstein]

Last weekend I got a chance to tow for the first time. It was an open 6 x 12 U-Haul, gross weight was 4200 llbs. I did St. Louis to Kansas City and back and it was a piece of cake. I have the tow package and ran in 4th with the tow mode active. I was running 62 or 63 mph, the temperature was in the low hundreds (101, 102) and the transmission temp gauge never budged. I got 12.1 mpg. The U-Haul had surge brakes so I didn't get a chance to try the Prodigy I installed.

Bill

[CJ3FLYR]

Originally Posted by Bill Rubenstein

Last weekend I got a chance to tow for the first time. It was an open 6 x 12 U-Haul, gross weight was 4200 llbs. I did St. Louis to Kansas City and back and it was a piece of cake. I have the tow package and ran in 4th with the tow mode active. I was running 62 or 63 mph, the temperature was in the low hundreds (101, 102) and the transmission temp gauge never budged. I got 12.1 mpg. The U-Haul had surge brakes so I didn't get a chance to try the Prodigy I installed.

Bill

Blocks of stolen WWII gold? Just playing... When you say 'gross 4200' was that your best estimate at the towed weight or the max GVW for the trailer? If it's towed weight 12.1 is pretty damn good considering what an aerodynamic nightmare that set would be (unless you have a cap, of course).

[Bill Rubenstein]

That was actual gross weight. It was a big Symposium/Trade show with 4 of my lathes at 600 lbs. each and the U-haul said it weighed just short of 1800 lbs. In fact, I was pretty close to the max posted weight for the U-Haul.

Bill

[CJ3FLYR]

Originally Posted by Bill Rubenstein

That was actual gross weight. It was a big Symposium/Trade show with 4 of my lathes at 600 lbs. each and the U-haul said it weighed just short of 1800 lbs. In fact, I was pretty close to the max posted weight for the U-Haul.

Bill

Cool, you did very well then... Pulled almost that much with mine so far but just in town. Can't wait to go on a trip with something in tow. Do you have a bed cover or cap?

[Bill Rubenstein]

No bed cover and no cap. We had 3 people (my wife and I are on the small side) and 3 suitcases in the bed plus some tools, my hitchhoist which runs something over 150 lbs and a pallet jack which I forgot about in the trailer. When I got to the show, forklift service was $45.00 which seemed pretty cheap in relationship to setting up the hitchhoist and hauling the machines around on a pallet jack. I gave the forklift guy a little tip on top of it which got us pretty much to the front of the list when it came time to reload for the trip home.

Also (off topic but fun), my wife wanted to see the baseball game Sunday evening after we packed up rather than go out to eat. So, we ordered room service -- the Sheraton at the Overland Park Convention Center. They had a deal -- if it takes over 30 minutes it is free. It took them 37 minutes so I wished I had ordered something more expensive. I was nice and tipped the guy who brought it, though.

Bill

[rjspitz]

Originally Posted by Bill Rubenstein

That was actual gross weight. It was a big Symposium/Trade show with 4 of my lathes at 600 lbs. each and the U-haul said it weighed just short of 1800 lbs. In fact, I was pretty close to the max posted weight for the U-Haul.

Bill

What do you turn on the lathes? I have one of those mini-metal-lathes. It's amazing how something like turning a lathe can be soooo much fun.

[Bill Rubenstein]

I (and my customers) turn wood -- bowls and art pieces mainly. www.stubbylatheusa.com. I import the machines from Australia and add electronics and build the stands for them here. This is my little retirement business which started as a hobby.

Bill

[rjspitz]

Nice site. Those pieces are amazing!!