Pulling a 2 place trailer with a Cavalier?

WE0H · 09-26-2007, 02:06 PM

Got a quick question, first a little back ground info. Picking up a pair of TS-770 Monte Carlo's on Saturday. First PWC's for us so we are newbies to this. They are riding on a 2 place Karavan trailer. Would a '03 automatic Chevy Cavalier be fine for the boat launches around the Twin Cities? I know it will pull them fine on the road, only concern is the launch. I know enough to not go in a sand launch with a car...LOL!!! What to you guys think?

Thanks much,
Mike

yamanube · 09-26-2007, 03:52 PM

Hard to say, what lakes are you riding at and what do the launches look like. The water is pretty low across the state making some launches a little more hairy (requiring you to pull in further). If its a nice launch (large, not very steep and solid paving or concrete) then you should have no problem. Some of the ones with large bricks or precast concrete sections may give you a little trouble. Just keep a tow strap in the trunk in case you get into trouble.

WE0H · 09-26-2007, 04:12 PM

We live by Anoka. Lake George in Anoka county would be the closest. For sure gonna go to 'Tonka next season. I know from past experience with boats about those crazy launch sites. LOL!!! Sure seen some stuck cars and even trucks many times. I was just worried that the car would be a no way answer. I'll go buy a hitch then. That car is not normally driven in the summer as it is the wife's winter car but the only one here with an automatic tranny. Surely wouldn't want to run a 5 speed at a ramp. Could be a clutch burner...LOL!!!

I'll be looking for places to go and people to meet as I learn how to ride the TS. I rode both of them last night for the first time ever on a Ski. Was on the Mississippi north of Saint Cloud. Awesome 51 degrees and really wasn't cold riding. Stayed dry as I didn't have a suit with for the test rides. Both of us have lots to learn and want to take care of our TS's.

Thanks for the reply,
Mike

yamanube · 09-26-2007, 04:15 PM

You've come to the right place, there is tons of usefull information and lots of helpfull people. A few days of reading and you will know all there is to know about your skis.

WE0H · 09-26-2007, 04:22 PM

So cool. Looking forward to meeting some of the locals and learning and learning...Looks like we are gonna take them out Saturday as the weather looks like 70's and sunny. Need to run the wife through the basics and make sure she is safe. Tons to learn. I like this forum so far. Lots of people and good attitudes.

Mike

Flyin Fil · 09-26-2007, 04:42 PM

I'm not sure if that would be a good idea...I think you could get the ski's in the water but not out w/o a tow. Unless, the ramp is really flat in which case you will need to be submerged to your door handles to float the ski's.

You probably will find the weight in the back will make the front end of the car real light, and, with any water on the ramp you will be spinning your wheels. (I guess you could have someone heavy sit on your hood...LOL)

Don't forget a cavalier is lower to the ground then a truck. A low hitch and with tongue weight, your trailers back end will be sticking up in the air.

yamanube · 09-26-2007, 04:44 PM

Quite a few guys we ride with pull their skis with cars, granted they are standups. Just be carefull when picking your launch.

Coreyf983 · 09-26-2007, 06:00 PM

my brother tows his two couches with a ford taurus, and im just saying, you better not be driving far, because the tongue weight is too much for a car's suspension IMO. If you go slow, you will be fine, but remember that it will/might bottom out your suspension.

WE0H · 09-26-2007, 06:43 PM

Far would be the 45 miles to 'Tonka. Typical would be the 5 mile drive to Lake George. I understand the limitations of the car. Never gonna expect it to win a stoplight drag race with the trailer on, or off for that matter...LOL!!! Just seeing if we could get by for the time being. Already own 4 cars with two being winter only & two being summer only. Crowded already and adding the trailer...LOL!!! The Cavalier is already way past warrantee but only has 30k miles on it since it sees 6 months of driving a year. If I had to go to some nutso ramp, I'd surely get my dad involved with his truck. Don't want to be a hindrance upon him for the 5 mile trips to the local lake, otherwise. I'll go check out the ramp there tomorrow and see what we are faced with.

Truck in the future? I think so but have to figure out some space to park in the backyard and move the fence up the side of the garage so all is hidden in back when not being used. Dont want it to look junky with a ton of vehicles in the driveway. The ski's are gonna be off site and inside for the winter. I might be able to keep a truck with them all winter and just live with the extra vehicle and ski's out back in the warm months. Maybe a big canvas tarp with a flower garden painted on it covering everything so the wife thinks it looks pretty...LOL!!!

But for now, just wondering if the car will sit there and do a burn out on every ramp it tried to pull out of or maybe just get's 'em out gruntin but gets the job done good enough. It definatley won't be used for a vacation or rush hour traffic let alone a long-haul trip up north. That's where friends and family come in handy with their heavy haulers.

Thanks much for the advice and recommendations.

Mike

Coreyf983 · 09-26-2007, 06:48 PM

prolonged towing with this car will also do a number on its transmission (with only 30K why would you want to do that?), and suspension. You can get by, but consider something else. Why not use one of your winter vehicles?