Last Minute Towing Advice

[11Budlite]

We're getting ready to trailer the Birkin to Carlisle tomorrow and I was wondering what tire pressure you run in the trailer tires. The tires are Load Star K550 ST205/75D15 and they have a max inflation of 50 psi on the side wall. Should I keep it at 50 psi?

 

I also measured the tonque weight at #255-260, which should be comfortably between the recommended 10-15% of overall trailer weight (car/trailer is about #2200). Over the weekend I installed a Prodigy brake controller to the 2007 Honda Ridgeline I picked up last week (2200 miles so it's already broken in), so I'm hoping for an improved towing experience compared to the Caravan I'd used before.

 

Here's a pic of the "new" truck, plus trailer:

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1223848872_20080516_0001.JPG

 

Bruce :7drive:

 

PS: I won't forget to strap the car down before we leave!

[JBH]

Nice set up!

 

You did the right things by getting the brake controller (assuming you have electric brakes on the trailer)

 

The tongue weight is good. If the trailer wanders, you may need to transfer a little forward.

 

I don't think you need to run max. pressure. Back off 5-10 psi

 

Have fun!

[jwduncan]

Bruce,

 

I've had good luck using 40lbs of air in the trailer tires. See you Saturday.

[11Budlite]

Thanks for the advice JBH and Jeff. I'll lower the pressure to 40 psi.

 

"Nice set up!" - I drove the Ridgeline for the first time 2 weeks ago...I can't believe how nice it drives and how versatile it is. And the trailer has worked out perfectly for my needs as well.

 

And yes, the trailer does have electric brakes. I took the trailer out w/o the car on it and played around with the power setting to get used to it. Tomorrow I'll do the adjustment with the car on it. The Prodigy brake controller came highly recommended and has certainly lived up to it's reputation so far.

 

We're looking forward to Saturday...hopefully the weather holds out for us!

 

Bruce :7drive:

[powderbrake]

I warm the brakes up a bit before I adjust my Prodigy controller. The car must be on the trailer for the adjustment.

 

I always run the max pressure on the tires.

 

Recheck your wheel lug nuts after running for an hour or so.

 

If you ever get some sway in the trailer, and it begins to whip back and forth, like when you are passing a semi at 80 mph, reach down and push the manual brake lever, it straightens the trailer out immediately.

 

The electric brakes are a very good idea, good luck on your first tow.

[Mandurath]

I am absolutely anal about my tire pressures. Almost all of those gators (trucker speak for the remains of old tires on the interstate cus they can cause damage to fuel lines, etc) are from improperly inflated tires. It gets worse when the roads get hot. Just follow whatever the recommended inflation is for the tire. I tend to prefer more tongue weight just so my truck rides better.

 

[blami]

Where are your rear tie down straps??? I could not see any tie down straps in your posted picture.

 

If you do not have rear tie down's you are likely to have some serious problems.

 

Don't tow you Seven anywhere without at least one rear tie down, better yet, make it 2 rear tie downs. The left rear tie should be attached to the right rear side (through the wheel or to the frame), the right rear tie should attach to the left side.

 

You don't want you Seven moving forward or sideways while on the trailer!!

 

Bart

[11Budlite]

Thanks for the advice guys. I had done some towing of a pop-up camper in the past so I wasn't a complete newbie, but it was my first time with the electric brakes hooked up and traveling any distance with the car trailer. I did try using the manual control to get used to using it in a situation like you describe Jerry, and it ended up being a pretty natural motion to reach the controller.

 

The drive down and back were completely uneventful (other than the amount of rain!). I adjusted the brakes with the car on the trailer and they seemed to work perfectly. What a difference between towing with the Ridgeline with the electric brakes and towing with a Caravan w/o brakes. That was only a short trip to the DMV but what a difference! The trailer tracked perfectly and I got between 14.5-15 mpg keeping the speed between 60-75 mph.

 

Hey Bart, I think you missed my PS at the bottom of my first post! That picture was taken before I tied it down and put it in the garage for the night. Thanks for the advice though...I'm sure it's been done before!!

 

Bruce :7drive:

[11Budlite]

A picture out the back window on the way to Carlisle:

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1825680439_20080517_0001.JPG

 

Bruce :7rain:

[gjslutz]

Bruce this photo shows that people from CT. are much, smarter than from Oh. I had a great trailer & truck at home stored in my dry hanger.

[southwind25]

yes,,,but..what kind of story is " we were dry while it rode home on the trailer" ?

 

hey...is there a little icon WithOUT the umbrella? :7rain:

 

we had some good bonding time with the se7en..it became a little bit more a part of us this weekend. it got absolutly filthy too! now we start adding that deep rich patina shine that says my owners love me but use me.

[11Budlite]

There were times when I was glad to be nice and warm and dry inside the truck, but somehow I think we missed out on part of the adventure!

 

I must say I was very impressed with the Ohio contingent, as well as the rest of the guys that drove their cars!! :thumbs:

 

Bruce :7drive: