Hi all,
I'm investigating the possibility of my 2005 Honda Civic being able to trailer a Laser. It sounds like it would be possible, but I want to know for sure because the last thing I need is a wrecked transmission. I live in Southern California and we have lots of hills around here, so I'm a bit worried about how my car can handle this, even with the Laser and trailer weighing less than 400 lbs. Can anyone give me some insight or be willing to share their stories of towing a Laser with a Honda Civic or similar sized car and engine?
Hi Scully Girl;
Your very prudent in being cautious with the decision to place your Laser atop your Civic. The added weight, added drag, and resulting additional requirments to both your engine and transmission are not to be taken lightly.
The suggestion to check your owners manual for towing capacity is a good one, as is the auxillery cooler for your transmission. While you asked about roof top capacity/load, some of the same priciples apply.
I have two suggestions:
1. Ensure you get a good or excellent roof top carrying system and that its attached flawlessly.
2. Put the money into an axillery transmission cooler, or replace the one that may be mounted infront of your radiator already, with a larger one. Your dealer or well versed mechanic shop should be able to do this for $200 - $300.
I have a 2003 Ford F-150 and tow either a work trailer or boat behind me nearly all the time. My tranni crapped at only 34,000 miles, (under warrenty) The dealer fixed it, then I had him install the axillery tranni cooler, No problem since, not one.
Good luck in your decision, and Laser sailing.
Dave of Florida
Man, i drive my laser on the roof in a small Lancia 1.1 L
When kids my dad used to drive the whole family fleet of four optimist in a trolley driven by a citroen GS break also with a 1.2 L little engine.
In many ways, we, westerners, are very spoiled. It is just a matter of pushing the engine using the gearbox properly. All cars do just fine. My record was driving my laser back in the 80s from barcelona to Porto (Portugal) in a 850cc old mini.
The Civic will do just fine.
My coach's friend car tops his V15 on a jetta...
Really late to this one, but I used to tow my laser everywhere with a 1995 Honda Civic 1.5. It handled it with no issues for 4 years before I changed my car so you should be fine.
Yeah but don't forget that americans have dodgy automatic gearboxes
(no offence guys)
Yeah but don't forget that americans have dodgy automatic gearboxes
(no offence guys)
I was more talking about the fact that in the USA cars are normally automatic rather than manualUmm, the Honda Civic is a Japanese car.
...and automatics are generally not so good for towing.
I was more talking about the fact that in the USA cars are normally automatic rather than manualdoesn't matter where they're actually made!
...and automatics are generally not so good for towing.
I was more talking about the fact that in the USA cars are normally automatic rather than manualdoesn't matter where they're actually made!
...and automatics are generally not so good for towing.
why is that? considering that most large scale vehicles that tow anything bigger than dinghys or any kind of trailer are automatic transmission. this revelation will be bad news to a large number of people. on what facts do you base your opinion??