I'm looking into purchasing a hitch to tow a flat bed trailer (probably 4'x6' or so) for my move next year. I have a Honda Element, but the towing capacity is only 1,500lbs and the 4WD 4-speed auto trans worries me. The other option is to outfit my '01 Accord with the hitch and tow with that.

I don't have a good weight estimate, but I doubt it would be more than 2,000lbs total. The available hitches are rated at 200lbs tongue/2,500lbs total. I've done a good bit of work to the car to improve performance, so I'm contemplating whether those mods might make it a better candidate for towing the trailer than using the Element. Thoughts?

 

Accord:
-plenty of power to get the job done
-good brakes and tires to keep things safe

Element:
-Torque converter- much better for towing
-Ride height/ground clearance -also nice when towing
-enough power so long as there are no big hills to climb
-tow ratings are more for insurance reasons that what can be done...

My vote would be the Element. drive a little more carefully/slowly to keep the transmission cool and the brakes/tires happy and be aware of the rear suspension droop after the trailer is loaded.

EDIT- is renting a truck/van not an option?

 

I used to tow a 5x8 utility trailer with 2 dirt bikes or an ATV with my first 96 Accord. It was on a pretty regular basis and I never had a problem. I probably wouldn't hesitate to tow 2000lbs with it as long as you take precautions and don't try to drive it like a race car.

 

I've just about settled on using the Accord. The Element seems terribly down on power with the 4-speed trans (it has to down shift into 3rd to get up hills on the highway with cruise control set to 60mph), and I don't think that's going to cut it trying to cross the Alps. I have 9k rear springs on the Accord plus the large sway bar, and I can adjust the height with the coilovers to level the trailer if needed, so stability and ride height shouldn't be an issue. Renting a vehicle here for 1-way trips is almost unheard of.

I've been reading a lot on towing regulations in the US vs Europe. Here, you see sub compacts with sub-2.0l motors towing small campers and even other cars ALL the time. Trucks and big motors aren't popular in Europe, but extensive driver training and camping are. Most model cars you can find in both EDM and USDM markets are rated for their own weight +/- about 10% for towing, whereas the same models in the US are rated for less than 1000lbs, if they carry a tow capacity rating at all. The most frequent explanation I come across is that the US has more lawyers, and less driver training. Go figure...

 

interesting! Good luck and don't forget to get some good photos of the car with trailer in the Alps. magazine-worthy opertunity.

 

This is basically what my 4x8 trailer looks like and I pulled it NO problem with my 1999 v6. I too used it for moving and it was PACKED. Keep in mind that most hitches will have a 150-200lbs tongue weight and the trailer is limited to 1000 pounds. Gas mileage definitely goes down pulling this, even empty.