Get hitched

[mxr662]

http://sacramento.craigslist.o....html

For all those wanting to tow



Modified by mxr662 at 7:50 PM 8/15/2009
Modified by mxr662 at 7:50 PM 8/15/2009

[Infinitiguy19]

I wonder for the people who have poly urethane or something other than the original bushings for the rear subframe and a M/T transmission, Can they use that?

Not that I would my self because its so wrong its like killing dogs :Cough Micheal Vick:

And funny thing is I was going to post a Q45 that I saw that looked like Brian's. It had a Tow hitch and well it was just the opposite of Brian's Q.
Modified by Paul Wall at 8:03 PM 8/15/2009

[Q45tech]

We don't usually recommend towing anything even a motorcyle due to the potential damage to transmission and rear subframe and the associated $4,000 replacement cost of these two items.

[maxnix]

Now we know know it became a "clunker".

[jltibbs]

We don't usually recommend towing anything even a motorcyle due to the potential damage to transmission and rear subframe and the associated $4,000 replacement cost of these two items.

So the RWD, almost 300hp FLAGSHIP should not tow anything? Sounds like Infiniti had a sorry weak point. I see Taurus's, Camry's, and all other sorts of vehicles with hitches/in-tow, and the Q can't hang?

I don't understand.

[Infinitiguy19]

Apples to Apples.

[Epod]

So the RWD, almost 300hp FLAGSHIP should not tow anything? Sounds like Infiniti had a sorry weak point. I see Taurus's, Camry's, and all other sorts of vehicles with hitches/in-tow, and the Q can't hang?

I don't understand.

You don't put a thoroughbred into a mule's harness.

[mxr662]

Towing is so controversial. Maybe I will find a home made transmission flush machine on craigslist next.

[MinisterofDOOM]

So the RWD, almost 300hp FLAGSHIP should not tow anything? Sounds like Infiniti had a sorry weak point. I see Taurus's, Camry's, and all other sorts of vehicles with hitches/in-tow, and the Q can't hang?

I don't understand.

Drivetrain layout and power have nothing to do with towing. That's why 4-banger Frontiers have higher towing capacities than V8 sedans.Tauruses and Camrys should not be used for towing any more than the Q. For one thing, the automatic transmissions in these cars are NOT up to the load. You'll ruin them in a hurry. Especially if you allow the car to use overdrive.The other weakness is frame construction. The unibodies of these cars are not designed with towing stresses in mind. Nor are the subframes. Trucks have monstrously beefy ladder frames. The Q and Camry and Taurus have a wussy subframe bolted to a unibody.

It's the same reason the Pathfinder has a 7000lb towing capacity while a Honda Pilot (which makes similar power) is only rated for a max of 4500.

[Skibane]

Eh, depends on what you're towing...

Three 200-pound passengers + 200-pound driver + 200 pounds luggage = 1000 pounds rolling weight, 1000 pounds on the axles

200-pound driver + 800 pound trailer = 1000 pounds rolling weight, but only 300 pounds on the axles (assuming 100 pound tongue weight)

[MinisterofDOOM]

Eh, depends on what you're towing...

Three 200-pound passengers + 200-pound driver + 200 pounds luggage = 1000 pounds rolling weight, 1000 pounds on the axles

200-pound driver + 800 pound trailer = 1000 pounds rolling weight, but only 300 pounds on the axles (assuming 100 pound tongue weight)

Not comparable. Trailer weight is focused on certain points of the frame. Starting and stopping is especially stressful. The stresses from towing are vastly greater than the stresses of hauling passengers.

[jltibbs]

Drivetrain layout and power have nothing to do with towing. That's why 4-banger Frontiers have higher towing capacities than V8 sedans.Tauruses and Camrys should not be used for towing any more than the Q. For one thing, the automatic transmissions in these cars are NOT up to the load. You'll ruin them in a hurry. Especially if you allow the car to use overdrive.The other weakness is frame construction. The unibodies of these cars are not designed with towing stresses in mind. Nor are the subframes. Trucks have monstrously beefy ladder frames. The Q and Camry and Taurus have a wussy subframe bolted to a unibody.

It's the same reason the Pathfinder has a 7000lb towing capacity while a Honda Pilot (which makes similar power) is only rated for a max of 4500.

Thanks MoD, that's what I was looking for, an answer. Not a brief description and a value if you damage something. Now everyone who is curious will know why not to tow.

[Q45tech]

Think about weight distribution. The front seats are at the center of gravity [+- a couple of inches] so half the load is transfered to front tires, somewhat similar in rear seat [since inside the rear wheels]......................now gasoline and trunk and bumper don't transfer any weight to front tires.

[maxnix]

And think about altered increases in vectors of thrust in all planes parallel to the road and the effects on the silicone filled bushings.
Modified by maxnix at 4:35 PM 8/16/2009

[Q45tech]

Unfortunately the US doesn't require that potential buyers of vehicles have a 3.8 GPA and BSME. I've always thought they should but alas we even allow BA and non HS grads to buy a car.

Think about that the next time you are in traffic, I do all the time!

[Infinitiguy19]

I think at the very least a psychological test should be done before anyone gets a licence, Each driver has many lives in there hands every time take your car out on a public road.

[Kiven422]

We don't usually recommend towing anything even a motorcyle due to the potential damage to transmission and rear subframe and the associated $4,000 replacement cost of these two items.

When my 94 Q45t broke... I used my 91 Honda Accord 4-cyl/2.2L to tow it. RPMs kept low, twice the boot and power still under my foot, that baby can tow!

A friend asked me to tow his car using my Q45 --- instant reflex "you're crazy!"

[Skibane]

Not comparable. Trailer weight is focused on certain points of the frame. Starting and stopping is especially stressful. The stresses from towing are vastly greater than the stresses of hauling passengers.

The stresses are indeed different, but don't necessarily favor hauling passengers. Trailers tend to have their own brakes (electric or hydraulic surge) - Passengers don't.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Most trailers in the weight range that people would be towing with a Q don't have their own brakes. And most trailer brakes suck anyway, unless they're high-end ones that require a brake controller on the towing vehicle.

[jltibbs]

Unfortunately the US doesn't require that potential buyers of vehicles have a 3.8 GPA and BSME. I've always thought they should but alas we even allow BA and non HS grads to buy a car.

Think about that the next time you are in traffic, I do all the time!

Maybe I should turn in my license.

[Q45tech]

When you see and drive so very very very many ragged out and improperly maintained Q45 and a few LS400/430 you develop serious paranoia on the highway.

It often takes all my Q45's power to get a safe distance away quickly.

My son drives a State Crown Vic [30-35k per year] with police package and an elected offical in the rear. He has nightmares about the typical car on the road. Unfortunately they are stuck with what they drive/ride in.

All our rowdy neighbors have calmed down since the black CV spends time in the driveway. All those antenna and lights..........a blip of the siren, windows open with 2 way blaring every once and awhile.

[maxnix]

Maybe I should turn in my license.

Not saying you in particular should, but I would say 50% are unqualified to drive a two ton vehicle at highway speeds.

[maxnix]

Eh, depends on what you're towing...

Three 200-pound passengers + 200-pound driver + 200 pounds luggage = 1000 pounds rolling weight, 1000 pounds on the axles

200-pound driver + 800 pound trailer = 1000 pounds rolling weight, but only 300 pounds on the axles (assuming 100 pound tongue weight)

Butt he point is, passengers primarily create changes in vertical force vector for which the bushings were designed, while trailers increase force vectors in the horizontal planes for which they are only minimally designed.

And as MoD has mentioned, big difference between having a hitch mounted to a sub frame vs. a ladder frame.
Modified by maxnix at 9:51 AM 8/17/2009

[Q45tech]

How many drivers understand their wet coefficient of friction varies directly with their tire inflation PSI? DUH. How many can instantly calculate the critical hydroplane speed?

[jltibbs]

How many drivers understand their wet coefficient of friction varies directly with their tire inflation PSI? DUH. How many can instantly calculate the critical hydroplane speed?

See, that's where, to me, book smarts is ok, but in all reality common sense should have kicked in. Who cares what your hydroplane speed is? Slow down in inclement weather. Plain and simple

I know people do not rationalize this because they're talking, texting, or whatever. It would be nice to be able to calculate that on a whim, but most likely not going to happen for most people.

[maxnix]

See, that's where, to me, book smarts is ok, but in all reality common sense should have kicked in. Who cares what your hydroplane speed is? Slow down in inclement weather. Plain and simple

See, the plain and simple problem is if you can't calculate your hydroplane speed or feel it in your tires, then what is that safe speed?

Many idiots behind the wheel who are challenged by operating just a toaster.

[bullittandy]

How many drivers understand their wet coefficient of friction varies directly with their tire inflation PSI? DUH. How many can instantly calculate the critical hydroplane speed?

I think that old people like you and Brian should have to take driver's tests since your cognitions are impaired, reflexes are slow and your "paranoia" increases susceptibility to road rage.

[mtzgr777]

I want it.

Not to tow anything, but to use it for my bike rack which fits into the hitch....

[mtzgr777]

My son drives a State Crown Vic [30-35k per year] with police package and an elected offical in the rear. He has nightmares about the typical car on the road. Unfortunately they are stuck with what they drive/ride in.

All our rowdy neighbors have calmed down since the black CV spends time in the driveway. All those antenna and lights..........a blip of the siren, windows open with 2 way blaring every once and awhile.

A black Crown Vic Interceptor was teh car I originally wanted. They are cheap to maintain (comparatively) and people drive more cautious around you. I test drove 6 of them which had holes all in the top from the sirens, had no back seat and the one's that did were plastic and seemed to be poorly maintained. If your son picked up one that hasn't been too "beat-on" he made out pretty good in my mind.....those are surprisingly hard to find in good condition.

[maxnix]

I think that old people like you and Brian should have to take driver's tests since your cognitions are impaired, reflexes are slow and your "paranoia" increases susceptibility to road rage.

Remember this asinine when you are where we are!

To paraphrase Samuel Clemens, "When I was 17, I was sure my father was the most ignorant man alive. When I turned 21, I couldn't believe how much he had learned in the intervening 4 years!"