Sedan pulling a Rockwood 2306

[KnP]

Yes, is possible.

Is a 09 Pontiac G8 GT with a 6 Litre L76 and a 6L80 transmission. The car was build in Australia as a Holden Commodore VE Series 2. These cars are rated to tow 4680 Lbs with the right equipment. Ordered the GM designed OEM Holden Hitch with the Wiring Harness for the lights and brake controller. Also, added a Heavy Duty Transmission Cooler to keep the Transmission Fluid temps in check.

The car is stable as a rock, the L76 V8 pulls nicely and the 6L80 works wonderful on Sport and Manual mode. There is no sway, no bucking, no pulling whatsoever. Very impressed with the car.

Here are some pictures...

[ChibullsAN]

Nice! Love it!!!!!!

[aeblank]

Wow dude. I do mine (2306) with a 2500 duramax.

Have you been out much? Many miles on it? It kinda looks old school with a car pulling a trailer. All brand new equipment though.

[KnP]

When I bought the 2306 was to tow it with the car. My 03 Impala was getting old, so bought a 16 Colorado with a 7,000 Lbs towing limit and a V6. Plans changed and used the Truck to pull the TT. Always wanted to know how is like to tow with the car. So bought the Hitch parts and tailored to the G8. To my surprise, tows better than the 16 Colorado. Have not taken it on long trips, just local to test the waters. So far so good, Transmission Temps stayed at 180F and engine at 190F. Took some steep hills and hangs with traffic just fine.

Might take it on a longer trip next time to check it out. For what I can tell, is going to do it just fine.

[Patrickm]

Too funny. Good for you. Be safe and happy travels! Let us know your gas mileage...

[mopwr4me2003]

Atleast your car can do it. You could have this set up instead lol



Tim

[aeblank]

Originally Posted by mopwr4me2003

Atleast your car can do it. You could have this set up instead lol

Attachment 154800

Tim

Just needs some lower gearing.

[KnP]

Har har... a RV Dealer Lot Tug !

[Patrickm]

Originally Posted by mopwr4me2003

Atleast your car can do it. You could have this set up instead lol

Attachment 154800

Tim

LOL. I know this is photo-shopped but why do I believe someone's done it!?

[amblt]

Originally Posted by aeblank

Wow dude. I do mine (2306) with a 2500 duramax.

Have you been out much? Many miles on it? It kinda looks old school with a car pulling a trailer. All brand new equipment though.

I go back to the late 50's when my dad bought an 18' Glendale travel trailer, and he towed it with various 50's vintage (Dodge/Chrysler) sedans. Now that I think of it, we rarely saw trucks, and some of the trailers were much longer (read heavier) than ours. A definite factor was the baby boomer generation needing the seats in the sedans. (No crew cabs in those days).

My first trailers (starting in the mid 80s) were more modern, lighter, smaller, (up to 3000 lb and 17') and we towed them with an 86 Olds wagon and an 87 Mercury Grand Marquis. No problems there.

Since 2003, we've joined the ranks of pickup users. (see my avatar) Times change, I guess.

[aeblank]

Originally Posted by amblt

Times change, I guess.

You can thank the epa cafe standards. Cars that bug couldn't pass, SUVs were "trucks" so largely exempt.

Instead of a huge wagon, we have a suburban (even worse on gas, arguably). But hey, we have the Aveo.

Anyway, times do change. 500hp and 700ft-lb in my truck.

[Patrickm]

Good story. Interesting change. We live in Colorado and just bought a 4,300 lb dry Rockwood 2104s. Had a 2015 Frontier rated at 6,300 to pull it. Went over 2 passes (Raton and La Veta) on way home. Went out this week and bought a Titan, rated over 9k. The frintier seemed strained. I can't imagine towing with a car, but those classics were heavy and often v-8 powered, so I guess they stood the test.

[gastan]

Nice setup. Pulling with a car or minivan is possible. You just have to be set up properly and be aware of your weights and limitations. Here's a pic of our setup at Oregon's Farewell Bend State Park at the Oregon/Idaho border on I-84. This was our last stop before arriving back home after a 10 week, 7,000+ mile, 13 state trip.

Car is rated for 3600 lbs and includes a tranny cooler. Mini Lite is a 2012 2104 - - dry weight @ 3400 lbs and load capacity of 1200 lbs. We never load it anywhere near that. Never carry water and just a few days worth of food at a time and several changes of clothes. I have weighed in at half a dozen different weigh stations and have never been over the limits (close but never over). Car performed great but I didn't push it. Averaged 12.18 mpg on that trip.

[KnP]

I think the 2306 is a bit nose heavy. According to specs it around 510 Lbs. That is not near of 12%~10% of the advertised weight of 3860 Lbs, is about 13%. Had to crank the bars tight. Ran fine but I need to find the way to reduce tongue weight, close to the 10% mark. So far, pulling is fine, got room to move (4,620 Lbs limit). However, tongue weight is limited to 460 Lbs. Adding the hitch weight plus tongue weight, is too much for the rated tongue weight.

Going to take the trailer to the scales to get a good reading.

[kenandterry]

I’ve loved the G8 since they came out. I had a G6 and always envied it’s bigger brother. Would love to have one in the shape yours is.....especially since the 09 was the last year.

BTW....Holden operations just produced their last cars last week in Australia.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/last-...143000790.html

[KnP]

Yes, the VF Series 2 was the last. For the people that does not know. The Chevrolet SS is a rebadged Holden Commdore VF SS. So is also the last year for them. However, if you can get a hold of a Chevrolet Caprice PPV is a Holden Stateman with the L99 V8 6.0 Litre engine that is Flex Fuel. Also, Zeta Platform is the same as the 1st Gen New Camaro. So is possible to swap Rear Ends, Rims, Suspension Components, etc...

[Scrapper]

Patrickm, the problem is the dry weight. Coming off the line, no RV will weigh what is listed as the dry weight. Dry is the weight of the RV without battery, LP tanks, spare tire, no water in any tank or any optional equipment added to the basic trailer. I don't think it even includes the awning. The dry weight should never be considered when purchasing a RV.

The RV will always weight more than the listed dry weight. Some times by 1000# plus.

[glsimms]

Hey if Lucy & Ricky can tow their monster size RV with a car.... Why Not?? BTW, Long Long Trailer is a hilarious movie.

[KnP]

Watched that movie... sure is funny and Desi won a bet over that movie.

[Patrickm]

Love that!