Newb to towing and LC200 -- cross country towing a car a bad idea?

[gx2lc]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of two big life things:
1. Moving from NY to TX or possibly WA. Depends on my wife and her employment situation.
2. Purchasing a 200 series LC

Our other vehicle is a Tesla Model3 Performance. Cars weight is 4,250 lbs. I'm trying to think about cost effective ways to get the Tesla with us. As I see it we have a few options

1. Ship it. I would just have it shipped, however my wife's job as a ER physician tends to be in flux. She might switch up states which would require shipping again. Also the shipping quotes I am seeing are $2-$2.5k..
2. Tow it
3. Sell it and buy something where we go -- this might make more sense pending my investigation of Tesla's supercharger support in TX and WA. Tesla is wife's daily driver. We will be renting and won't have the luxury of home charging as we do now.
4. Drive both along the way -- this may seem like the obvious thing to do. Wife isn't keen on it as she wants us to be together and share the cross country driving...happy wife happy life.

I've never towed anything. Wife is a little concerned on two fronts 1) she thinks it will be massively inconvenient (due to some parkways not allowing trailers) or 2) the trailer will get stolen from wherever we are staying at along the way.

Would appreciate any advice on whether towing could be a viable way to go with a LC200. Thank you in advance for your advice.

 

[CharlieS]

Buy a used car trailer, tow it, and sell the trailer once you get to your destination.

I've never had trouble selling trailers for good resale prices. I bet you break even.

Once you get there you can decide whether you want to sell the Tesla, and not be rushed into selling it on an aggressive timeline before you go.

Towing forward is easy, you just drive. You need to not take corners too sharp, plan ahead a little more (I like to think about whether there are drive through options when I pull in anywhere), backing up is tricker (but not rocket science - practice a little before you go). Living in fear of theft is not productive. Lock the tongue when you aren't using it. Be prepared for much poorer fuel mileage, and reduced travel speeds.

Or if you are concerned, pay a shipper to do the whole thing. They're doing what you would do, but getting paid to do it.

 

[BVE]

Tow it, the cruiser was built for this.

 

[gx2lc]

Thanks appreciate your input. Towing may be the way to go. Does towing require any special skill or planning? Sorry if that sounds like a ridiculous Q. IE If you pull up to a hotel how do you lock or secure the trailer? Is parking a concern? Do I need to practice backing up?

 

[TeCKis300]

Thanks appreciate your input. Towing may be the way to go. Does towing require any special skill or planning? Sorry if that sounds like a ridiculous Q. IE If you pull up to a hotel how do you lock or secure the trailer? Is parking a concern? Do I need to practice backing up?

Yes to the backing up. It's completely foreign until you get a little bit of time on it, and you want to start on your own terms, rather than in a high pressure situation.

Couple tips
1) Where the trailer is pointing relative to your LC, is where it's going to turn in reverse. It's not dependent on how far you turn the steering wheel (like in forward direction), but how you use your steering to create that relative angle between the tow vehicle and trailer.
2) Holding the bottom of your steering wheel... turn the wheel in the direction you want the trailer to pivot towards.

 

[JS22STL]

Learn the Scoop - backing will be 10x easier.

 

[CharlieS]

Thanks appreciate your input. Towing may be the way to go. Does towing require any special skill or planning? Sorry if that sounds like a ridiculous Q. IE If you pull up to a hotel how do you lock or secure the trailer? Is parking a concern? Do I need to practice backing up?

For fun, go hang out at a boat launch sometime. Bring a lawn chair and your choice of beverage. Pure entertainment.

Backing up isn't hard to do, but there are skills you need to develop - you need to practice. Take your trailer to a big empty lot and practice.

On comment I'd make about the video, you can't always use your rear window - learn to use your mirrors! And while these guys like a spotter, I seldom have one.

 

[gx2lc]

Thankss I was thinking of just doing a Uhaul rental but that might not be enough time to practice. Appreciate the responses.

One more Q: How have you handled storing the trailer when traveling? Is it fine to just lock it so someone can't drive off with my car. Any issue with parking? Will avoid the obvious stuff IE urban environmentss

 

[Slow Paddler]

Most trailers have the capability to use a lock on the hitch clamp. Might be a bit small of a hole for your typical high school locker style padlock, but rental places sell them.

With that weight, isn't @gx2lc going to need to install a trailer brake controller?

 

[CharlieS]

I run a Master padlock through the hole in the hitch assembly to discourage casual theft. If someone REALLY wants your trailer or Tesla, you aren't going to stop them.

I've never encountered a problem parking a vehicle with a trailer. Most times, I end up taking two spots where you'd normally have two cars nose to nose, but sometimes you just park sideways.

 

[CharlieS]

Most trailers have the capability to use a lock on the hitch clamp. Might be a bit small of a hole for your typical high school locker style padlock, but rental places sell them.

With that weight, isn't @gx2lc going to need to install a trailer brake controller?

Great point. Not with a UHaul (the times I've used UHaul, they only had mechanical emergency braking), but most car trailers I've owned or borrowed have brakes. The Redarc Towpro Elite is great, and a quick plug and play if you buy their Toyota harness. I can get in and out of the dash in 10 minutes, but even a newcomer should bang that job out in well under an hour.

 

[gx2lc]

hey there @CharlieS do you have any advice on brands or specific trailers to purchase? Or even some good resources to research? Something cheap or easily resell-able. .

 

[CharlieS]

Not really. My last car trailer was an aluminum Trailex. It was perfect for what I used it for, but not inexpensive. I also have a Mission aluminum trailer, and they're really well made. Steel trailers are going to be more economical. I towed one for many years, I don't recall what brand it was.

 

[Sandroad]

For fun, go hang out at a boat launch sometime. Bring a lawn chair and your choice of beverage. Pure entertainment.

Backing up isn't hard to do, but there are skills you need to develop - you need to practice. Take your trailer to a big empty lot and practice.

On comment I'd make about the video, you can't always use your rear window - learn to use your mirrors! And while these guys like a spotter, I seldom have one.

I'm so happy to find out others do the boat launch for entertainment thing. It's a hoot.

 

[Sandroad]

I'm going back to the OP #3. Investigate carefully charging support for the Tesla if you cannot charge it at home. Here in Michigan that would be a deal-breaker because the supercharger network is extremely limited. I don't know of anyone who owns a Tesla without being able to charge it overnight at home around here. My recommendation (without the ability to home-charge an electric vehicle) is to sell the Tesla where you are now and buy an appropriate vehicle where you are headed. That way you can: a) not worry about charging away from home when you get there; b) enjoy the drive west together; c) have no worries about towing or getting ready to tow; d) get a new vehicle for your wife that fits perfectly for the commute and where you live and; e) get a rust-free 200 in the south if you're buying used. The other advice in this thread is solid, but focuses too much on the ability of a 200 to tow. No problem there, but the big picture is more important IMHO.

 

[degmla]

@gx2lc, I'm Team @Sandroad. If you've never towed before, a cross-country tow of ~5k pounds will not be stress-free, even with an LC. Yes, they are good tow vehicles, but that is still in reference to towing. I don't think y'all will enjoy any of that trip, except the arrival!

Contrast, driving the LC alone cross-country will be a pleasure. And, depending on your timeline, etc, you could even plan a few light off-road excursions. That would be much more difficult with anything in tow.

Your shipping numbers seem high. But, even if those are currently competitive, I think it'll be worth it. Ship it and forget it. (Assuming you keep it)

 

[TeCKis300]

Couple thoughts as I have a Tesla Model 3 at home too

- re: charging in your new location. I know much of the focus is on superchargers and Level 2 charging. But the reality is that it's not a requirement. Many own Tesla's that never visit a supercharger. And many get by only with the standard 120V 12amp Level 1 trickle charger the car comes with - pluggable into any literal outlet. This really depends more on how you use the car and your commute distance whether this will keep up. Level 1 charging 12hrs a night will get you anywhere from 40-60 miles added range depending on the weather and how efficiently you drive the car (and the M3 is extremely efficient). If you can charge 18hrs, 60-90miles. Or if you have days off charging full 24hrs of not using the car, that'll give you a good reserve to stay ahead through the week. Should give you an idea if Level 1 charging will keep up. There's ways to adapt and gang outlets for 24amp charging. As well as adapting dryer outlets.

Towing a car trailer is as easy a start as any. They tend to tow easy with lots of stability, still have good agility as they aren't terribly long, are easier to backup than some tiny utility trailer, and less aero resistance than travel trailers. I started towing with one, and the 200-series is one of the best partners to have and learn towing with. I wouldn't hesitate to consider this as an option, as the open road across country is the best space to do it. Gas stations will probably be the harder part of the leaning curve, but still plenty doable.

 

[Sandroad]

Couple thoughts as I have a Tesla Model 3 at home too

- re: charging in your new location. I know much of the focus is on superchargers and Level 2 charging. But the reality is that it's not a requirement. Many own Tesla's that never visit a supercharger. And many get by only with the standard 120V 12amp Level 1 trickle charger the car comes with - pluggable into any literal outlet. This really depends more on how you use the car and your commute distance whether this will keep up. Level 1 charging 12hrs a night will get you anywhere from 40-60 miles added range depending on the weather and how efficiently you drive the car (and the M3 is extremely efficient). If you can charge 18hrs, 60-90miles. Or if you have days off charging full 24hrs of not using the car, that'll give you a good reserve to stay ahead through the week. Should give you an idea if Level 1 charging will keep up. There's ways to adapt and gang outlets for 24amp charging. As well as adapting dryer outlets.

Towing a car trailer is as easy a start as any. They tend to tow easy with lots of stability, still have good agility as they aren't terribly long, are easier to backup than some tiny utility trailer, and less aero resistance than travel trailers. I started towing with one, and the 200-series is one of the best partners to have and learn towing with. I wouldn't hesitate to consider this as an option, as the open road across country is the best space to do it. Gas stations will probably be the harder part of the leaning curve, but still plenty doable.

The OP noted no charging at home due to renting (apartment?) which forces the owner into either Tesla superchargers or public level 2 stations. I’ll guess (an educated one, since I own an electric Audi) the owner does not have the time to sit at a public level 2 station during the course of a busy day. So, I think their approach to research availability of superchargers is a good one before deciding on vehicles.

 

[GordJ]

There is nothing scary about towing a car trailer. By the time you’ve gone through two states you’ll be an expert. The steepest learning curve is in the first 10 miles where you’ll learn how wide to take the corners and not bounce over curbs. If you tend toward the outside of your lane without crossing the line you’ll rarely have a problem. I can’t answer security issues but gas stations on major highways are seldom small enough to cause you any concern and the same goes for hotels. I think the biggest issue will be the brake controller install, which is a pretty small problem. Look ahead and leave a little extra space (I tend to drive with the radar cruise on the ”2 car” setting to give some xtra room) and you’ll be fine.

 

[TeCKis300]

The OP noted no charging at home due to renting (apartment?) which forces the owner into either Tesla superchargers or public level 2 stations. I’ll guess (an educated one, since I own an electric Audi) the owner does not have the time to sit at a public level 2 station during the course of a busy day. So, I think their approach to research availability of superchargers is a good one before deciding on vehicles.

I may have missed it but the way I read it was they couldn't install a Level 2 charger as they were renting. I'm assuming they still have access to good ol outlets? Which is viable depending on regular range needed. Basically saying it's not necessarily a function of charge speed but rather range used on a regular basis.