Tow Options

[Hawk]

I really want to make the Durango trip. When we went to Spyderfest we had to board our dog. He is old, diabetic, and a medical nightmare (but THE best dog in the world, don't argue with me, HE IS!!!). He did not do so well and it took us a while to get him back to himself. So we are not going to board him for anything over a couple of days in the future. I was thinking of renting a truck (we have a Fiat 500 and a 2004 Accord 4cyl) to tow the Spyder. Well, rental companies do not rent vehicles with tow hitches, or allow you to tow. So, what do you think my options are. I was thinking maybe a U Haul or something like that and put it inside. I even thought about an RV (toy hauler type), but that is going to be too much due to them only allowing so many miles. From here to Durango is 1650. I am not made of money either!!! Thanks.

Mike

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Last year at the owners event Ron (don't know his SL name) had a problem with his Spyder and it couldn't be ridden home. He rented a UHaul truck to get it home. The only problem is loading it as they don't have ramps. But I think you may be wrong on the towing with their vehicles. Quite often I have seen people towing vehicles behind UHaul trucks. Of course those are usually the biggest trucks and you wouldn't need that.

Have you looked at dog trailers? There is one called Wags that looks like a miniature horse trailer. It is the only one I would consider to put my dog(s) in. They are pretty expensive though and it may freak your dog out worse than the kennel. Good luck and I hope you find a solution.

 

[Hawk]

Last year at the owners event Ron (don't know his SL name) had a problem with his Spyder and it couldn't be ridden home. He rented a UHaul truck to get it home. The only problem is loading it as they don't have ramps. But I think you may be wrong on the towing with their vehicles. Quite often I have seen people towing vehicles behind UHaul trucks. Of course those are usually the biggest trucks and you wouldn't need that.

Have you looked at dog trailers? There is one called Wags that looks like a miniature horse trailer. It is the only one I would consider to put my dog(s) in. They are pretty expensive though and it may freak your dog out worse than the kennel. Good luck and I hope you find a solution.

Yeah, trailer is way too much, plus I agree, I think he would freak. Looks like this truck may be an option:
http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/EquipmentDetail.aspx?model=TM

Only thing is getting it in and out of there. Any suggestions on a ramp for this? I have the elkas, but added the bumpskid, so front clearance is a little higher than normal, but not much with the bumpskid.

 

[NancysToy]

Most folks that have used a box truck to haul motorcycle have had to find a loading dock or tall hill to load and unload. That is an unknown on the road. They have often had to fabricate ramps. You would have to fabricate very sturdy ramps to load a Spyder...and very wide ones or three of them.

Sometimes we can't have everything we want. As sad as it is, you may be better off staying home, under the circumstances. The trip alone will be traumatic for your dog. Time for some serious thought. So sorry you are in this fix, but your concern for your animal should take precedence. JMHO

 

[Bob Denman]

As much as I hate to say this... :agree: Take care of your best pal first... :thumbup: He'll appreciate you guys being there for him FAR more than you'd enjoy the trip.

 

[Hawk]

Most folks that have used a box truck to haul motorcycle have had to find a loading dock or tall hill to load and unload. That is an unknown on the road. They have often had to fabricate ramps. You would have to fabricate very sturdy ramps to load a Spyder...and very wide ones or three of them.

Sometimes we can't have everything we want. As sad as it is, you may be better off staying home, under the circumstances. The trip alone will be traumatic for your dog. Time for some serious thought. So sorry you are in this fix, but your concern for your animal should take precedence. JMHO

We have considered that. And the more I look, the more I am coming to the same conclusion. My concern for him is at the top of the list. He rides pretty good though, so as long as he is with us in the vehicle, he handles that really well. We have considered many options. I am thinking uship may be an option. Just may be hard to find two shipments on the dates I need it shipped. But I am tending to agree with you.

 

[Hobstopper]

Another option is to drive and ride. I figure it would be approximately 3400 miles round trip from your location. If you could get an average of 17 mpg combined between the two vehicles with fuel averaging $3.50 a gallon (prices are falling right now), then it would cost approx. $700.00 in fuel.
You would not have to worry about having a cargo trailer for the Spyder since your clothing and such would be in the car. The cars you listed should get pretty good fuel mileage and the Spyder one up with no trailer should be able to get right at 30 mpg. So if the car that is driven can achieve 35 mpg and the Spyder 30 mpg then your effective mpg would be right at 17 mpg. If the car gets anything better than 35 mpg on the highway then your cost would go down. A communication system like Sena or Scala would allow you to communicate with each other.
Just another option.

 

[Hawk]

That's actually not a bad idea. Now, talking my wife into driving, not a good idea. That actually could work.

 

[Bob Denman]

Another option is to drive and ride. . A communication system like Sena or Scala would allow you to communicate with each other.
Just another option.

:shocked: That WOULD make it easier on your buddy... :thumbup:
We had a dog who ended up being a diabetic, so I know how tough it is to deal with that... (I'm a Type I also!) They can't tell you what's going on; they just have to trust you to know and then do what's right for them...

 

[Hawk]

Lol, I think I found my solution:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/car/tow-two-wheel-drive-vehicle.htm

Tow the Fiat with the bike.

 

[dancogan]

I really want to make the Durango trip. ...we have a Fiat 500 and a 2004 Accord 4cyl) to tow the Spyder. ...Mike

Mike, just to remove any doubt about using the 4cyl Accord, I did tow my Spyder on a lightweight aluminum trailer behind a 4 cyl CRV. It was basically flat land and the care was definitely straining at even the hint of a hill. Going through the mountains? Just won't happen.

We've had tough decision to make, too, regarding our dogs. That's one of the major reasons we bought our first motorhome. The dogs are happiest when they are with us. They don't really care where they are, as long as they're with us! That was the vet's opinion, too.

 

[Hawk]

Mike, just to remove any doubt about using the 4cyl Accord, I did tow my Spyder on a lightweight aluminum trailer behind a 4 cyl CRV. It was basically flat land and the care was definitely straining at even the hint of a hill. Going through the mountains? Just won't happen.

We've had tough decision to make, too, regarding our dogs. That's one of the major reasons we bought our first motorhome. The dogs are happiest when they are with us. They don't really care where they are, as long as they're with us! That was the vet's opinion, too.

Yeah, I know they won't tow it. Maybe for a short span, with flat land. But not for a long trip. I used to have a Pontiac G8 8cyl, which would tow it no probs, but had to give up to enjoy the Spyder. I miss that car. My wife told me to fly her and the dog up there and I could fend for myself for 4 days (there and back).