Hey gang,
I've been in the process of buying a used Palomino Colt 8ft popup....figured I'd learn from some popup specific forums the tricks and tips to help keep the unit as light as possible so as to not overload the E...this is a 2008 EX AWD Auto with a Class III hitch and I am installing a tranny cooler and wiring harness....the PUP is a 2002 Pal Colt that dry weights at 1234 - no brakes and we will be adding minimal goods to the trailer (couple of light folding chairs and some lightweight camp cookware). To save weight (and since nobody seems to use them) I will be leaving the attached canopy at home.

Now, folks on the popup forum are all over telling me that the E will NOT handle this PUP and that it is dangerous, etc. I spoke to the Honda Service Manager today and he was pretty clear that there is plenty of wiggle room on that towing number but he did suggest a tranny cooler....
Question is how dicey is this set up?? Many on here seem to be hauling more....my big concern is the intangibles (family in car, some minimal "luggage" in car...) am I on a razors edge?? Or as the Service guy indicated, there is more wiggle room that I need....

Like I said since you all drive the E...how about some real world examples??

Honda prints capacities that they know are safe.

The E's specs say 150 tongue/1500 tow, 875 interior cargo plus passengers. Weigh your family and their luggage.

Do the math. It's up to you to decide, not us to persuade you..

Thanks for the reply...my question stems from the danger!! warnings from the popup forum, to the examples on here of folks towing more than that to my dealer's Service Dept. falling about in the middle...

Hence, my request for real world examples one way or the other or suggestions to make it a safe as possible....

Tim and Elaine have been towing a 2,000+ lb pop-up for several years without any issues. There's probably has brakes but not a tranny cooler. I don't see the Element needing a tranny cooler with what you are looking to tow. People on the popup forum you are going to most likely don't know anything about the Element so are just making the comments based on ignorance. I wouldn't worry about their comments.

Read up on here what people are towing, where they tow and the weight they are hauling. If these factors are similar to what your plans are then follow their recommendations.

I'd feel comfortable with 1200 pounds provided you don't pack too much stuff (as I am prone to do). Weight isn't the only issue, wind resistance is a big part of the equation and in that regard you'll be better off than I am with the teardrop (900 pounds empty and I carry tons of gear!).

What kind of terrain will you be driving? If you're not going over a mountain range frequently, don't worry about it. If you are, get trailer brakes.

Good luck!


:-)

I would tow the 1200lbs, BUT, I would put brakes on it. I think the cost would be reasonable, but my peace of mind would be worth more than the cost.
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you will have no problem towing that weight. I tow more than that several times a summer. Put breaks on the trailer to save your E's brakes and to keep things in control if there is an emergency stop or going down hill. You can probably get brakes for $500 buck plus install if you can't do it yourself.

You will be surprised how easy the E tows that trailer.

I am getting a trailer that will be about 1400 pounds with gear and 150 pounds nose weight. I am putting electric brakes on to help.

Personnaly, I would not worry about the weight. I have tow a similaire PUP with my previous car which was rated at 1500 as well (Nissan Rogue). If I were you, I would get the brakes installed. I really appreciated having those.

I tow #1,000 empty (5' wide teardrop) plus I'm sure with cooler, porta pottie,clothes, guitar, dry food, easyup,tent, booze, stove another #300 pounds in the trailer,,Plus firewood, 2 kayaks and that gear, 2 bikes with 4 bike rack, dog pen, 2 adults, 2 small dogs etc etc in the E! Iv'e had no problems without trailer breaks but I am adding a tranny cooler for $350. After a good 4+ hour run on the highway or a lot of stop and go or hille, I do hear a little whine down below-just seems it might be a little hot.

Since popups tend to be a little wider then the E, would that mean you would want breaks! Because of more wind pushing it around?

Either way, Tim is the man to talk to

Hope this helped.

Wog..... You've already got my opinion (formulated with the help of the E-ple here) from another thread here. But I'll tell you this also: I got opinions from a couple of Popup forums, too, and my impression there was that in general, they tend to have a lot of big muscle pickups, and know very little about the actual capability of the Element. Get some brakes, and tow the trailer.

My pop-up was 1080lbs empty. I added a new, larger power center, radio and speakers and a built in cabinet for storage of a couple of plastic bins full of cooking stuff. I then load up the camper and the back of the E and it pulls/stops just fine. I will admit, that in some areas with larger hills, I have to downshift (5 spd) and gear or sometimes two to be able to pull through them, but it's not bad. Also, I still average about 20-21 mpg.

Okay, so we took the plunge.....the E tows this thing fine.....when we hitched it up the first time, the rear end did not hardly move down at all.....really excited to get it out on the road soon now that it has been home and cleaned up!
I will be adding a tranny cooler as originally planned and may add brakes if I can find a way to do it cost effectively...

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/Tri-WogStl/photo-1.jpg

Congrats! Pics in use when you can please! Enjoy...

Hope to have those "in use" photos taken soon!!!!!:grin:

congrats!! well done & good luck!

Have fun!! :)

Congrats! Glad you found the E to handle it with out any problems.

When I bought my boat the guy I was buying it from had a Dodge Durango and was shocked when the E's rear end barely budged when we hitched it up. The E really is a closet tow truck.;-)

Set up for that dry run........
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/Tri-WogStl/DSCN0396.jpg

Looks like all you're missing is a campfire and beer! Get on the road already.

Very good! you will love it! Get out there and make some memories, the season is here... Buffy

Even though we had to winterize this past weekend :-( ...here's a couple of shots from out last trip of the Fall......

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/Tri-WogStl/DSCN0408-1.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff306/Tri-WogStl/DSCN0407-1.jpg