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Re: More "Tow Vehicles" - This Time a Saab

To: twobees@sprynet.com
Subject: Re: More "Tow Vehicles" - This Time a Saab
From: David Littlefield <dmeadow@juno.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2001 22:37:01 -0500
On Thu, 5 Jul 2001 20:58:59 -0400 "N" <twobees@sprynet.com> writes:
> Hello Fellow Listers (As opposed to 4-wheeled Listers).
> 
> I don't want to buy a truck as I have no need for one.  I do have a 
> Saab 9-5
> with A/T & 200 h.p. V-6.  The Factory suggested towing weight is 
> only 2,000
> lbs.  However, I suspect it is capable of more as they don't 
> differentiate
> between the 3 engines available in Saabs nor between A/T & manual.
> 
> Anyone have any experience with a passenger car of this size?  I 
> have an
> opportunity to buy an enclosed trailer at a good price.  But, it has 
> a
> MaxGVW of 3500#.  And, in my conversation with the factory rep he 
> indicates
> the trailer weighs about 2,000# alone.  Is that possible for an 
> enclosed 6 x
> 15 trailer?  Or do I have to bite the bullet & buy an open Trailex 
> at 680#?
> 

I've got a friend that tows his race Midget on an open trailer behind a
tired looking Saab.  The trailer itself is pretty lightweight and small,
originally designed for a Mini.  Just a number of square tubes welded
together with an aluminum diamond plate deck.  It also has some tiny
tandem wheels on either side.  I doubt the trailer and load weigh
significantly more than your 2000# limit.

I wouldn't suggest the enclosed trailer.  I think it would be too much
weight for your Saab, but, more importantly, an enclosed trailer would be
subject to crosswinds and your Saab wouldn't have enough weight to keep
it planted.  Remember to figure about 10% of the trailer/load weight for
the hitch weight on your bumper.  You'd be looking at probably 300-400
pounds potential bumper weight.  That's an awful lot for a small car,
particularly when it is so far back from the axle.  Hmmm, towing a
wind-susceptible billboard with a light weight car with its front end up
in the air sounds like a recipe for occupying a ditch...

David Littlefield
'62 MGA MkII
'51 MGTD
'74 MG Midget vintage racer
'88 Jaguar XJ-S

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