And I pulled a 5000#boat with a Pontiac Grand Prix. Different people look at things differently.
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DR61
Member
Light duty towing with small cars is common around the world other than in the US, where automakers have tried to convince us that trucks are needed...
I don't want to tow anything, but I do want to use a hitch-mounted bike rack.
I don't want to tow anything, but I do want to use a hitch-mounted bike rack.
omgwtfbyobbq
Active Member
On unibody cars there are usually nuts welded to the rails that can be used to attach a hitch.
https://www.carid.com/images/curt/trailer-hitches/pdf/curt-11276-installation-instructions.pdf
Can't speak for others, but I just need to attach a hitch mounted bicycle rack. I've never towed anything and I doubt I ever will, but a bicycle rack is on my vehicle all summer, and occasionally in winter.
Dynastar
Member
I literally don't know anybody with a pickup truck.
But I see from OCDetailing's latest video that it has a lot of space in the back. So next time I have a pile of wet autumn leaves to take to the local dump, I'll just pop them in there!
Pretty much every kind of car is used for towing in Norway. Even cars like the Toyota Yaris.
But sedans aren't that popular for towing, from the simple fact that hardly any sedans are sold. Same with pickups - hardly any are sold.
The two types of cars that are most popular for towing are SUVs and station wagons. Then hatchbacks in third place. Then probably vans in forth, and maybe pickups in fifth.
Sedans are probably sixth, but sadly the Model 3 isn't available as a hatchback or station wagon. You take what you can get.
JCLeonard
Member
I have also never towed with a sedan, but in Europe caravans are a lot more popular for holiday than they are on the US.
Our use case for a hitch receiver is for a hitch mounted bike rack.
thelastdeadmouse
Member
For me the trailer hitch is all about replacing functionality lost by not having a hatch.
Things I've put in my Volt in the last 5 years that wouldn't fit in the 3's trunk opening:
Things I've put in my Volt in the last 5 years that wouldn't fit in the 3's trunk opening:
- Pellet stove
- Sand blasting cabinet
- Industrial metal cabinet
- Antique wooden 4 drawer filing cabinet
- Table saw
- Drum sander
- 2 hp canister dust collector
- Water heaters
- Kitchen table and 4 chairs
- 2 dressers
Tedkidd
Member
Even if I drive every day 15 miles in to Sweden’s third biggest city for a month I maybe see a pickup one or two times, that’s how unusual pick ups is here in Sweden. If you want to get something to the junk yard you tow it even with you SUV or your station wagon or maybe in a few cases hire a smal truck.
Pickup trucks are good for transporting stuff, but useless for about anything else (vacation, comfort, family trip etc.. ). I don't see any reason to own a pickup, or rent a pickup, just to drive my gardening garbage 5 kilometers to deposit.
That's why almost any car sold in Norway has a hitch. Even VW Golf cars occasionally tows.
The first EV sold in Norway with a hitch will sell a lot. I can't believe why this is down-prioritized so much when it's that big of a sales argument.
That's why almost any car sold in Norway has a hitch. Even VW Golf cars occasionally tows.
The first EV sold in Norway with a hitch will sell a lot. I can't believe why this is down-prioritized so much when it's that big of a sales argument.
Apparently you haven't been in a pickup sold in North America within the last 10-15 years. A very versatile, comfortable, family road trip vacation machine. Love mine, most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven, hoping the M3 has even 75% of the seat time I can get in on the truck on long trips before the back/legs give out.
But I would never own one in Europe. Everytime I drive there I am glad I am not in my full size American truck (narrow streets and fuel prices).
I have a crappy harbor freight utility trailer for my Leaf (like in the picture above). I went to Home Depot recently with my dad to pick up about 6" thick of pressure treated 4x8 sheets of plywood. If you're towing a small load like that, you can barely tell that you're pulling a trailer. There's a little bit of bump when you come to a complete stop. I was surprised when my dad commented that having a car and a trailer was more convenient than using a truck; it's much easier to load lumber on a low utility trailer than into a truck bed. As a bit of perspective, my dad has an F-250 with a fifth wheel hitch and a giant ass trailer that can haul 1 or 2 cars. He also has an F-150.
SageBrush
REJECT Fascism
I have not towed a lot, but the times I did were so convenient and inexpensive.
Car: Prius v(agon)
1. Long wood for a project. I rented a trailer from U-haul for ~ $30
2. State to state move. I rented a closed trailer from U-haul for ~ $100
3. I brought my LEAF home (outside of its range). I rented a tow-dolly from U-haul for $50
4. Trencher, rented from a local place for $60. That is the way to install ground PV cheaply
Car: Prius v(agon)
1. Long wood for a project. I rented a trailer from U-haul for ~ $30
2. State to state move. I rented a closed trailer from U-haul for ~ $100
3. I brought my LEAF home (outside of its range). I rented a tow-dolly from U-haul for $50
4. Trencher, rented from a local place for $60. That is the way to install ground PV cheaply
p-f-g
Member
In Switzerland, the ability to tow is simply written on the car's papers.
For me it's clear, I will not buy a car without the possibility to mount a hitch.
Zaphod
Galaxy President (former)
Dynastar
Member
Sucks if the 3 doesn't have the option, but I'm sure Torklift will make one for us Americans.
