BRZ with hitch pulling uhaul trailer

[vwu]

I have to travel cross country. Is it advice-able to pull a 5' x 8' Cargo uhaul Trailer with you BRZ/FRS?

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by vwu

I have to travel cross country. Is it advice-able to pull a 5' x 8' Cargo uhaul Trailer with you BRZ/FRS?

It's not advisable, no.
The real stress comes with the weight load you're filling the trailer with. Pack as much weight towards the front as possible and secure it well- loads that shift a lot will cause much more stress than a well packed, tight, frontloaded trailer.

You can't rent a moving truck, if you really must travel cross country with so much stuff?

[Tcoat]

Rent a Uhaul truck and car dolly to pull the car.
There are guys that pull small lightweight trailers with these cars but a loaded Uhaul is just asking for trouble.
I would be more concerned about stopping pulling a trailer that weighs more than the car than anything.

[Flarpswitch]

Yes, you can tow with a BRZ, but not much. I met a guy who travels with a tiny camp trailer and the setup he has sure beats setting up a tent when the weather is crappy. There are concealed hitches available, however you have a max tow weight of 1,000 lbs. When loading the trailer, the rule of 10 to 15% tongue weight should be observed for stability. Surprisingly, because the BRZ/86 is rear wheel drive, it is better suited for towing than a front drive car. Also, the automatic transmission is better suited for towing. He told me that he has a small utility trailer so between what will fit in the car with the rear seat down and the trailer, a trip to Home Depot is a piece of cake. One thing I just remembered that he said about his utility trailer; he had to upgrade the tires to go over 45mph. When I was a kid, all my worldly possessions could fit in the back seat and boot of my Austin Mini-Cooper. The BRZ now could have done the trick.

[WildCard600]

Those Uhaul trailers are heavy. I bet the trailer alone weighs more than the towing capacity of the BRZ.

I wouldn't do it.

[Summerwolf]

Not only is it not advisable, I highly doubt UHaul would rent that to you if you were honest on the application.

A little utility trailer with some tools and tires, sure. Maybe a pop up camper.... but that enclosed trailer, loaded down with stuff. That would be a lot to tow.

[LimitedSlip]

I get flamed when I bring this up, but it says what it says:

[DarkPira7e]

Inb4 OP replies " Well I heard that someone did this so I'll take my chances"

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

It's not advisable, no.
The real stress comes with the weight load you're filling the trailer with. Pack as much weight towards the front as possible and secure it well- loads that shift a lot will cause much more stress than a well packed, tight, frontloaded trailer.

You can't rent a moving truck, if you really must travel cross country with so much stuff?

this is the exact wrong way to ever load a trailer.

[WildCard600]

Originally Posted by soundman98

this is the exact wrong way to ever load a trailer.

The key to successfully trailering all the things is excessive tongue weight.

[soundman98]

[Breezio]

10-15% tongue weight.

Too heavy on the nose is bad. Too heavy on the ass is worse.

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by soundman98

this is the exact wrong way to ever load a trailer.

Have you towed before? You want the majority of the weight closer to the truck, not farther away from it. I didn't say to leave the rear unloaded, you still need some weight over the axles to keep it steady..

[Stephen W.]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

Have you towed before? You want the majority of the weight closer to the truck, not farther away from it. I didn't say to leave the rear unloaded, you still need some weight over the axles to keep it steady..

Ah, not quite. You should NEVER exceed the recommended tongue weight which is what will happen if the majority of weight is as far forward as possible. In a perfect world the majority of weight should be just in front of (or over) the axles so that no more than 60% of the total weight is forward. This is so you'll have sufficient weight on the tongue without overloading it.
In the photo the engines of our motorcycles are just ahead of axle. The trailer was so balanced that I could lift it by the tongue and set it on the ball.


To the OP, to tow any type of trailer you need enough power to pull the vehicle plus it's load up steep hills PLUS, be able to stop it going down the other side. Even if you don't think you'll be driving up or down hills. I would never think of towing two sports bikes from Ontario to North Carolina with a regular Impreza. However, the STi with it's 300 h.p. (rated) and big Brembo brakes made a better tow vehicle than either of our previous two Fords, Ranger pick-up and an Explorer.