Can i tow with civic?

digitaldurandal

Golden Member
Dec 3, 2009
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I am looking at getting some lightly used seadoos. I notice that America is very conservative with its towing laws and that most vehicles are rated at a higher capacity overseas.

In America the civic is rated at 1000 lbs towing but overseas it is a bit more 1500 without electric breaks.

A seadoo is approx 900 lbs. I want to know if I can get a class I hitch, hook up a trailer with electric breaks and safely move 2 seadoos about 3 - 4 miles at no more than 30 mph with the civic. What about a trailer without the electric breaks?

Anyone have any experience with this? My sister used to use her malibu to move two of them, including on the highway so I do not think it will be much of an issue for the civic as I will simply accelerate slowly.
 

microAmp

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2000
5,988
110
106
Don't forget to add trailer weight, anything else you load into the car, including other people.
 

Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
6,666
3
81
I am looking at getting some lightly used seadoos. I notice that America is very conservative with its towing laws and that most vehicles are rated at a higher capacity overseas.

In America the civic is rated at 1000 lbs towing but overseas it is a bit more 1500 without electric breaks.

A seadoo is approx 900 lbs. I want to know if I can get a class I hitch, hook up a trailer with electric breaks and safely move 2 seadoos about 3 - 4 miles at no more than 30 mph with the civic. What about a trailer without the electric breaks?

Anyone have any experience with this? My sister used to use her malibu to move two of them, including on the highway so I do not think it will be much of an issue for the civic as I will simply accelerate slowly.

You're not going to have much of choice, towing nearly a ton w/a Civic. :D
 

Jesusthewererabbit

Senior member
Mar 20, 2008
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I wouldn't even worry about the hitch, just tie it to the bumper with a bungie cord. There's nothing that could go wrong.
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
485
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Regardless of the distance you are driving how to you plan to launch and (more importantly) recover your PWC? Launching ramps are fairly steep and slippery. Please bring a friend that has a movie camera and upload your experience to youtube for everyone to enjoy. ;)
 

MotF Bane

No Lifer
Dec 22, 2006
60,801
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Regardless of the distance you are driving how to you plan to launch and (more importantly) recover your PWC? Launching ramps are fairly steep and slippery. Please bring a friend that has a movie camera and upload your experience to youtube for everyone to enjoy. ;)

I hadn't even thought of the launching ramps.
 

digitaldurandal

Golden Member
Dec 3, 2009
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Regardless of the distance you are driving how to you plan to launch and (more importantly) recover your PWC? Launching ramps are fairly steep and slippery. Please bring a friend that has a movie camera and upload your experience to youtube for everyone to enjoy. ;)

Ill have to check but I believe the ramp here is not that steep, launching shouldnt be too bad if I get a tilting trailer that aid in launch. recovery may be more difficult.

Hmm, I really cannot afford to purchase a truck and water craft both.
 

overst33r

Diamond Member
Oct 3, 2004
5,761
12
81
You'll be fine.

DSC00100.jpg


boattow1.jpg
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
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considering that these days they have to design cars around fat americans i'm sure it can do 1000lb.
 

MovingTarget

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2003
9,002
115
106
If you inflate to sidewall, you should get more traction to launch/recover your seadoo.

:D

Seriously, get a real vehicle to tow this around. I don't see this ending well at the boat launch even if you do make it there.