How much do you think your trailer with the lawn mower weighed? I'm completely out of warranty as well; so it's not like expect the dealer to cover repairs anymore. I'm thinking I might just go with a open-top trailer, which is a lighter. What do you think of that?

 

The trailer is a 4x6 featherlight tilt, so no rear loading ramp needed. Both combined, I'd probably guess 500 lbs. Never weighed either to be honest. Ony other thing I really use it for is trips to Home Depot or Ace Hardware for lumber and such.

 

Goetylsd.. I got my 4x6 tilt trailer from Tractor Supply and they have stores in Wisc. Mine, according to their site only weights 275# and would be cheaper to buy than rent, esp if you ever needed it again. This is the one I have. http://www.tractorsupply.com/vehicle...pacity-1011070

 

I was wondering as I read this thread when someone was going to think of that
It sounds like all you really need outside your car is your Moped. Get the smallest, lightest trailer you can find. $200 for a transmission cooler plus trailer rental? I might sell the Moped and buy another on the other end before I'd do that. Or ride it there

 

If I got a trailer like the one you're talking about, do you still think I'd need the transmission cooler? Or would that be unnecessary for this type of trailer?

 

You would be find just the way the HHR is now. You would be able to haul your bike and a few other things and still stay under the 1000# that GM recommends as a limit. Think the booklet that came with the trailer says to stay under 60MPH or something like that. Before in your 1st post, the U-Haul itself almost put you at the limit.

You may want to see if your State requires a plate on it.

 

One additional consideration that I think has been ignored is the terrain of this trip. Towing that size trailer loaded will be quite different on flat terrain vs hilly terrain vs mountainous terrain. Obviously, the tranny and engine will work a lot harder on any terrain which isn't flat. You brakes will also have a lot more work to do when going down hills.

If the roads are in fairly rough shape with considerable dips/expansion joints that will put a lot stress and strain when the HHR and trailer bounce. Depending on how much weight is actually on the tongue and hitch I'd be concerned with really stressing the frame where the hitch is attached.

 

For the most part, the trip is pretty level terrain. There are a few light inclines and hills, but I wouldn't really consider it "mountainous." The road surface is in good condition, no dips or bumpy surfaces like you mentioned. And as for the trailer being licensed, I know that here in Wisconsin, if a trailer is under 3,000 pounds, it doesn't need to be licensed.

 

Your biggest issue isn't the weight as much as its the frontal area of the trailer. Its like holding up a piece of plywood and running head on into the wind. The HHR has a pretty low towing capacity to begin with. Towing a box is only stressing the car that much more. Anything with a box I would avoid like the plague. The HHR just isn't made for it.

 

It's funny, last weekend we were looking at these as we could tow it with either the HHR or our Harley.

Turns out the Harley has a higher towing capacity.