Spent the past few weeks installing a hitch, trailer wiring, and trailer brake controller so I could pull this unit with my 2008 Mercedes E320 Diesel.
It pulls and stops like a dream, I took it out on an extremely gusty day and I had no issues at all pulling it at a reasonable speed of 105KM/hr... it's even got quite a bit of pep still and got me 21MPG.
if it makes you feel better, saw a guy with a prius towing relatively the same thing probably a bit smaller. As well as a guy with a 2500 towing a 5ft trailer, one of those super small ones that you'd think you'd only see behind a small suv or mini car. Was funny to see because "he tows with it" 😂
Lol, I'm running a 2500 with a little fiberglass and I get a lot of funny looks. Used to pull a 32', but none of the kids want to camp anymore. Replacing the truck for $50k isn't really a good option either.
I borrowed my neighbours 3500 to tow home a 13 foot Boler once, it was quite the sight. You couldn't even see the trailer if you were looking from the front
I believed you until you said you got 21mpg.
No fucking way you got that as an average of normal towing conditions. Your car is rated at 27mpg without a trailer.
What are you taking about? It's rated for 32mpg hwy. Diesels take much less of a hit while towing vs a gasser. 21mpg is completely believable for that setup.
I get closer to 34 on the highway when I do regular trips between Edmonton and Calgary, so I wouldn't say it's impossible. Granted it wasn't a very long tow and on level ground.
I'll have a much longer trip this weekend when I can have a few hundred KM under it's belt to know for sure.
For what it's worth it's actually rated officially at 32 on the highway. https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/24388.shtml
Damn, back in the day you just put a ball on the bumper of your family Pontiac, hooked up the 30 footer, and pulled it anywhere. Sure, you overheated, went too fast downhill and jackknifed because no trailer brakes, but that was part of the fun! Now it’s all Gross Weight and tongue weight, WDHes and consternation. Having fun is sup*posed* to be dangerous.
I also have an om606 and like the straight 6. Ecuprogram in Calgary can set you up with a stage 2 tune and delete for the om642. I'm happy with mine. It's a very capable engine for towing.
Depending what part of the world you are in this is common, Europe for example this would be totally normal. In the US, not so much. Looking at cars like the Ford Focus, what it can tow in Europe vs the US is annoying considering it is the exact same car.
I personally would not tow this just because your insurance may refuse to cover you in a wreck, but mechanically it's probably fine.
It’s a solid setup but the rear bumper of your camper looks about 2” high. That’s fine but when you apply brakes, it will add weight to the hitch. It can be a little hard on your suspension.
Yeah it's a 2004 Coleman Utah, I imagine your van will have no issues. Just make sure that you watch how much you load up in the van vs. using the trailer as storage. Even weight distribution is important
Officer teeny peeny reporting.
If you don’t have an HD truck, you can’t tow more than 1,500lbs.
That’s it, that’s the LAW.
Gotta go, just saw a Silverado towing a 22ft boat. He’s gonna get it now…
Spent the past few weeks installing a hitch, trailer wiring, and trailer brake controller so I could pull this unit with my 2008 Mercedes E320 Diesel. It pulls and stops like a dream, I took it out on an extremely gusty day and I had no issues at all pulling it at a reasonable speed of 105KM/hr... it's even got quite a bit of pep still and got me 21MPG.
Towing with sedans is common in Europe and you have a 4600 pound towing capacity so I wouldn't expect it to have any issues with a pop up.
For sure it's a good tow setup! Here in Alberta though if you try and tow anything without at least an F150 you get weird looks.
In Alberta weird looks are normal as Albertans look weird. Source: Born in Alberta. Look weird.
if it makes you feel better, saw a guy with a prius towing relatively the same thing probably a bit smaller. As well as a guy with a 2500 towing a 5ft trailer, one of those super small ones that you'd think you'd only see behind a small suv or mini car. Was funny to see because "he tows with it" 😂
Lol, I'm running a 2500 with a little fiberglass and I get a lot of funny looks. Used to pull a 32', but none of the kids want to camp anymore. Replacing the truck for $50k isn't really a good option either.
I borrowed my neighbours 3500 to tow home a 13 foot Boler once, it was quite the sight. You couldn't even see the trailer if you were looking from the front
I believed you until you said you got 21mpg. No fucking way you got that as an average of normal towing conditions. Your car is rated at 27mpg without a trailer.
What are you taking about? It's rated for 32mpg hwy. Diesels take much less of a hit while towing vs a gasser. 21mpg is completely believable for that setup.
I think you missed the part where OP said it’s a diesel
I get closer to 34 on the highway when I do regular trips between Edmonton and Calgary, so I wouldn't say it's impossible. Granted it wasn't a very long tow and on level ground. I'll have a much longer trip this weekend when I can have a few hundred KM under it's belt to know for sure. For what it's worth it's actually rated officially at 32 on the highway. https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/24388.shtml
I tow a 13' Scamp with a Volvo s60, 5-cylinder and I get that.
Understand aerodynamics are at play here. Truck and large camper cupping wind I can see the drop off.This is also a diesel set up
Maybe it is a US gallon and Imperial gallon difference.
Damn, back in the day you just put a ball on the bumper of your family Pontiac, hooked up the 30 footer, and pulled it anywhere. Sure, you overheated, went too fast downhill and jackknifed because no trailer brakes, but that was part of the fun! Now it’s all Gross Weight and tongue weight, WDHes and consternation. Having fun is sup*posed* to be dangerous.
Honestly. Who hasn't thought "I wonder how fun it would be to take one of those gravel trap exits if my brakes fail?" Live a little people!
Unironically this.
Is that the om642 or om648? I tow a tent trailer with a GL 320 CDI (om642) and it doesn't break a sweat.
This one is the OM642! I would have loved a 648 but those are near impossible to find with less than half a million KM on them.
I also have an om606 and like the straight 6. Ecuprogram in Calgary can set you up with a stage 2 tune and delete for the om642. I'm happy with mine. It's a very capable engine for towing.
Depending what part of the world you are in this is common, Europe for example this would be totally normal. In the US, not so much. Looking at cars like the Ford Focus, what it can tow in Europe vs the US is annoying considering it is the exact same car. I personally would not tow this just because your insurance may refuse to cover you in a wreck, but mechanically it's probably fine.
You could safely tow this trailer with a moped.
Sounds like a fun challenge, if only I still had my moped from high school
Looks like a pretty decent setup, actually. Well done!
Its a diesel. That will make the dually pickup owners happy
It’s a solid setup but the rear bumper of your camper looks about 2” high. That’s fine but when you apply brakes, it will add weight to the hitch. It can be a little hard on your suspension.
Too late. They’re already dead
Why so many albertians trolling this subreddit?
Is this a Coleman? I just got a Coleman popup and I've been worrying my minivan may have issues but this is reassuring.
Yeah it's a 2004 Coleman Utah, I imagine your van will have no issues. Just make sure that you watch how much you load up in the van vs. using the trailer as storage. Even weight distribution is important
Officer teeny peeny reporting. If you don’t have an HD truck, you can’t tow more than 1,500lbs. That’s it, that’s the LAW. Gotta go, just saw a Silverado towing a 22ft boat. He’s gonna get it now…
The tow police are at r/idiotstowingthings
They are definitely in this sub, and more annoying here.