Towing?

vielecustoms · Post by **vielecustoms** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 9:06 am

not sure if this was covered, I searched, got a lot of stuff that said nothing to do with this.

how much weight can I safely pull with the neon? any mods other than the trailer hitch and e brakes on the trailer? (I have a 02 MTX btw)

I am thinking about building a tear drop trailer for camping or traveling around. they usually weigh in around 900 lbs, I am planning on building it as light as possible to save on weight by using aluminum for the frame and doing a few other things different to save weight.

something like this
http://www.golittleguy.com/teardrops/mo ... -platform/

also debating if a reverse tear would be more aero friendly and possibly lighter without the galley in the back.
http://www.littleguyrt.com/

if anyone else is interested there is a forum and plans here http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 9:46 am

Not sure I would feel safe pulling anything over like 500 lbs, if that.

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:04 am

A manual trans neon is rated about 1500lbs iirc.

You would need the wiring for the lights. I'm not sure if you will be able to do electric brakes on the trailer, I've never wired one before but generally you use a 4 prong plug on small applications like this (ground, rear lights and turn signals)

eastwoodsn352 · Post by **eastwoodsn352** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:50 am

bye bye clutch

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:28 pm

If you know how to drive the clutch should be fine. They wouldn't rate it for 1500 if the clutch couldn't handle it.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 2:43 pm

I'd think on a Neon, you'd want to wire for brakes. Then again, if they rate it for 1,500lbs, you might be OK as long as you use good common sense and keep your distance from other cars. Doesn't it mention something in the owner's manual?

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:51 pm

2000 for an MTX, 1000 for an ATX.

GreeNeons03 · Post by **GreeNeons03** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:18 am

If a PT Cruiser can pull one, shouldn't a Neon be able to as well?

esteinmaier · Post by **esteinmaier** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:38 am

I pulled a box trailer 2000 miles in my 99 R/T MTX. It did fine, and still got 33mpg. Just don't slip the hell out of the clutch and do your best to leave lots of room for braking.

vielecustoms · Post by **vielecustoms** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:02 pm

these things are made almost any size, they have em in sizes to pull behind motorcycles. I am hoping to shave it down to just above 800 lbs by building things with lighter materials.

but by the time I get my crap together I will more than likely end up getting a bigger truck / suv, my 2 seat zr2 Sonoma ain't cutting it with the fam, and winters a coming!!!

GreeNeons03 · Post by **GreeNeons03** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:34 pm

I wouldn't mind having the little guy RT. The thing looks bad ass.

non-magnum · Post by **non-magnum** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:45 am

I believe there is 2000+ neon on youtube shows how to wire/tow hitch install That looks pretty cool but i didn't find the price for it

vielecustoms · Post by **vielecustoms** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:05 am

most hitches I've found are around $120, or like 250 installed with wiring at uhaul. wiring is fairly easy just have to figure out what to tap into for stop turn and tails. and for the brakes just have to hook up a brake controller.

I like the RT because i think it would weigh less without the extra reinforcement needed for the opening galley door and the extra weight of cabinets and all. and a more aero friendly shape behind a shorter car (such as a neon)

GreeNeons03 · Post by **GreeNeons03** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:18 am

The screen on the "Entertainment Center" in the RT is so small. They could easily fit a 20" flat screen in there. That would be one mod I would do if I got one.

non-magnum · Post by **non-magnum** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:02 pm

I'm actually wanting to build my own, doesn't look that hard, getting 4x8 trailer from H.F. and going from there. Put rear tail lights from neon

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:53 pm

Manufactured in Sugarcreek, Ohio by skilled Amish craftsmen,

"Buggy Ready"

Lol, it's about 50 miles from me.

We go to Berlin/Walnut Creek a few times a year.

http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=40.518 ... %2C%20Ohio

Somehow, I don't see the GF crawling out of that door tho...

Therman2020 · Post by **Therman2020** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:57 am

I use to work for a RV dealership in MN as a mechanic. You can wire most vehicle for trailer brake just cost more money and if all you are towing is around 500lbs i would not be to concerned about it. Now is it 500 lbs fully loaded or empty that makes a difference. every pound counts. look into anti sway bars there costly but helps in high wind

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:36 am

Since this topic is up, I actually considered using my 00 3speed to "Dolly" my 02 R/T. I would of course install an HD trani cooler and supporting suspension mods.
Has anyone really done this before?

esteinmaier · Post by **esteinmaier** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:14 am

I would only do that very short distances. That trans would cook, and so would your brakes.

Forest Green 2k · Post by **Forest Green 2k** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:20 am

Trailer Wiring for a 2000 Dodge Neon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o5t2LyefVE

There's also a video showing how to install a tow hitch to a 2gn Neon on YouTube but I can't find it!

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:43 am

Yeah, a 2800lb Neon is very different than a 1000lb trailer.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:17 pm

Forest Green 2k wrote:Trailer Wiring for a 2000 Dodge Neon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o5t2LyefVE

There's also a video showing how to install a tow hitch to a 2gn Neon on YouTube but I can't find it!

Um, that is a "How- to" for a 2gn. Maybe not the best, but it will work.

I like how they call it a '99 neon...

GreeNeons03 · Post by **GreeNeons03** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 7:00 pm

BlackRoseRacing wrote:Since this topic is up, I actually considered using my 00 3speed to "Dolly" my 02 R/T. I would of course install an HD trani cooler and supporting suspension mods.
Has anyone really done this before?

I was going to ask, what are some mods that could be done to a Neon to assist with better towing.

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 7:47 pm

Truck Mod.

esteinmaier · Post by **esteinmaier** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:57 pm

Huge brakes, trunk and back seat filled with bricks, suspension replaced, and motor swapped with at least a big v6. At that point, buy a rusty truck.

GreeNeons03 · Post by **GreeNeons03** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:21 pm

Any mods besides buying a new truck? If I did that, I would go ahead and get a full size travel trailer as well. I want to be able to tow at most a jet ski and one of those little guy rt or rascal trailers.

gtxtreme19 · Post by **gtxtreme19** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:30 pm

GreeNeons03 wrote:Any mods besides buying a new truck? If I did that, I would go ahead and get a full size travel trailer as well. I want to be able to tow at most a jet ski and one of those little guy rt or rascal trailers.

Well this would help...

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:41 pm

500 lbs or less, it should be fine. That's two healthy babes following along. at 900 lbs, I would recommend trailer brakes, jus for the sake of braking on a turn when road conditions might involve loose gravel, dirt or mud. That 900 lbs will make your neon's ass it's bitch on slippery surfaces.
Towing something that is near the vehicles weight without the proper set up is dangerous in any combo. I doubt they make weight distributing hitches for neons.

I have a small trailer that weighs about 500 lbs. My '89 Raider pulls it fine, but the XJ you know it is there. The Raider may be shorter, but it has more weight on the rear tires. Stop hard in a turn, and the XJ gets it's ass end pushed around a bit. In the Raider, you don't even know it's there. (this is empty, at 500 lbs, the XJ is supposed to tow 3500 to 5000 pounds.

I can only imagine the problem will be far greater in a fwd car. Unless you throw a bunch of weight in the trunk. But then you are really pushing the limits of drivetrain and brakes.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:42 pm

Pizza Guy, I'd rock that.

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:31 pm

Honestly im sure the car could i would NEVER tow anything with my neon ever or really any car for that matter its not what they where made for