If you’re fine with a trailer, this would be a viable option. In Europe, almost nobody uses a truck and we still haul a lot of shit around. You’d be surprised what a sedan can pull.
This way you would only have the higher drag when really needing it and the low cost of a smaller car the rest of the time.
Unfortunately in the US almost no small vehicle has rated towing capacity, even when the same vehicles do in Europe. So if you were to tow with a small sedan you’re operating outside of what it’s rated for in the US. So I’m sure manufacturers would use that to deny warranty coverage, or in the event of a crash I’m sure that could play a factor…
I’m not sure how to read the towing capacity in the USA, since it’s documented very differently over here, but it seems they’re petty much the same for the bog standard car I’ve picked (Audi A4). Dragging around 1.5 to 2 tons is probably enough for most people.
Looking at something like a Toyota Corolla (1.8 L hybrid, to compare like powertrains), it gets 1300 kg towing capacity in Europe from what I can find, and in the US it’s 0, the manual will say not to tow with it.
I’m sure it varies between manufacturers.
Lots of places like furniture, hardware and gardening stores will also just rent you a trailer. So you can just hook it up and carry your stuff home if you need to. And if you need it more often you can just buy your own trailer, they’re not even that expensive.
If you’re fine with a trailer, this would be a viable option. In Europe, almost nobody uses a truck and we still haul a lot of shit around. You’d be surprised what a sedan can pull.
This way you would only have the higher drag when really needing it and the low cost of a smaller car the rest of the time.
Unfortunately in the US almost no small vehicle has rated towing capacity, even when the same vehicles do in Europe. So if you were to tow with a small sedan you’re operating outside of what it’s rated for in the US. So I’m sure manufacturers would use that to deny warranty coverage, or in the event of a crash I’m sure that could play a factor…
Every car in the US has a towing capacity number. Small cars are usually around 1k lbs
Oh, that’s a shame.
I’m not sure how to read the towing capacity in the USA, since it’s documented very differently over here, but it seems they’re petty much the same for the bog standard car I’ve picked (Audi A4). Dragging around 1.5 to 2 tons is probably enough for most people.
Looking at something like a Toyota Corolla (1.8 L hybrid, to compare like powertrains), it gets 1300 kg towing capacity in Europe from what I can find, and in the US it’s 0, the manual will say not to tow with it. I’m sure it varies between manufacturers.
That’s bitter.
Lots of places like furniture, hardware and gardening stores will also just rent you a trailer. So you can just hook it up and carry your stuff home if you need to. And if you need it more often you can just buy your own trailer, they’re not even that expensive.