Can a honda civic pull two ski-doo's?

[jsbush]

Could my civic pull two ski-doo's on a trailer with the proper hitch installed? Or the car is just to small and underpowered?

 

[flot]

I wouldn't.

I don't know what a ski-doo weighs, but if it's anything like a sea-doo, you're looking at at least 500-600 lbs apiece and then about another 150-350 for the trailer. That's 1100-1600 lbs.

The problem isn't necessarily power (although of course that will be a concern) but braking ability. You'd be increasing the weight of the car by about 50% which is pretty substantial. Also, being a relatively small car, you'd run the risk of the trailer doing some of the steering for you - which also isn't the greatest feeling in the world.

I'd venture that you could probably tow a single one without incident, but two would be pushing the limits of sanity. (I've towed single and double jetskis before, and the single was no big deal but the doubles definitely were a noticable load)

 

[jlee]

Your owners manual should tell you your maximum tow capacity..you'll probably be limited to 45mph as well.

 

[Jzero]

I bet the jetskis could pull the car, given a good barge to put it on

 

[Zenmervolt]

I agree with CadetLee. Check the manual and find out the weight of the loaded trailer. Watch the tongue weight too, I doubt that the Civic's suspension can handle any kind of substantial tongue load.

ZV

 

[jsbush]

Thanks guys. I'll check the owners manual tomorrow. I'll check out the subaru legacy too, I think i'd be better off borrowing my dads subaru when I go on a trip with the ski-doo's.

Checked on subaru's web site for the legacy, and it can have a maxium trailer weight of 2000lbs so it should have many problems. It's 1000bls for the civic so that wouldn't work.

 

[Ns1]

i think you'd be better off pulling the honda civic with 2 ski doo's

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
i think you'd be better off pulling the honda civic with 2 ski doo's

Considering my friend's Arctic Cat (think it was...) had ~116hp, two Ski-Doos (assuming they're fairly new) probably are a lot more powerful (combined) than the Civic..my friend's dad has an 800cc..3 cyl, tuned exhaust...167hp..

 

[MichaelD]

You will definitely need to silicone around the doorseals and firewall opening, else the water will come in and the car will sink, probably taking the jetskis with it.

What pitch prop are you planning on mounting to the driveshaft? A .34 pitch should work pretty well, based on the MTW (Max tow weight) of the two jetskis. I would suggest a 40/60 oil-gas mix for the Civic while operating in wet conditions; this will help with dieseling as well as pulling-power.

Good luck!

 

[stev0]

Originally posted by: Jzero
I bet the jetskis could pull the car, given a good barge to put it on

skidoo there genious... thats a snowmobile, not a jetski (your thinking seadoo)

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: stev0

Originally posted by: Jzero
I bet the jetskis could pull the car, given a good barge to put it on

skidoo there genious... thats a snowmobile, not a jetski (your thinking seadoo)

I didn't know such a thing existed. I've heard enough people screw up and call Sea-Doo a "Skidoo" that I figured that's what he was doing We just call them "Snowmobiles" around here.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Also be sure that your tongue weight isn't any more than 10% of the car's towing capacity. In the case of the Subaru, there shouldn't be any more than 200lbs of downward weight on the trailer tongue.

ZV