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Thread: So I towed a car with my mirage.

  1. #1
    Uber Mirage alex16's Avatar
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    So I towed a car with my mirage.

    I will start by saying lets keep this positive. I know I will get some hate for this.


    I have experienced my mirage with a lot of weight in it and I felt like I could do it. So I did.


    I have a lot of driving experience and I don't recommend anyone to tow significant weight without experience.


    A few things I would like to point out.

    Brakes... Not bad at all.
    Power. This was my main issue, first gear the clutch had to be abused to get going from a uphill start. Once moving it was just sluggish but just barely okay.
    Handling. Not that good, the real issue was my small tires, lack of weight. I could easily control it but it took my full attention. The traction control system kicked in on 3 curves I was going a little fast on.

    Overall.. Pulling 2,000 lbs from Orlando Florida to northern Ohio, 1,500 miles was a bit of a challenge with my mirage but I feel like someone towing a car on a tow dolly with a truck and no experience could have been just as wild.

    I set the cruise control in 5th at 59 mph for half the trip. In the mountains of Virginia I was 4th 55mph and down to second gear twice 25mph with the tractor trailers going up 7-9% grades

    I towed a 1979 Chevrolet chevette automatic 1.6

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    2014 ES F5MBD aka 5MT. I am a full time Uber driver, if you want to drive for uber DO not sign up without my referral code for a bonus .

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 44.8 mpg (US) ... 19.1 km/L ... 5.2 L/100 km ... 53.9 mpg (Imp)


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    Alex1a1f (11-22-2016),Eggman (11-22-2016),Fummins (05-19-2022),Remy (11-22-2016)

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    Moderator inuvik's Avatar
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    This probably ranks up there as a "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!". I'm glad you and the Mirage survived the trip but I'm sure you're not eager to ever repeat it!

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 automatic: 40.5 mpg (US) ... 17.2 km/L ... 5.8 L/100 km ... 48.6 mpg (Imp)


  4. #3
    Senior Member IchabodCrane's Avatar
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    You got balls, I'll give you that.
    I once flat towed a ford escort station wagon with an identical mercury lynx station wagon 300 miles with a bumper clamp tow bar.
    I thought that was badass but 1500 miles, that's a lot of perspiration. Kudos.
    Will weld for beer.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE 1.2 automatic: 45.3 mpg (US) ... 19.3 km/L ... 5.2 L/100 km ... 54.5 mpg (Imp)


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    ...how was your gas mileage for the trip?

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    Eggman (11-22-2016),poorman1 (11-22-2016)

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    Uber Mirage alex16's Avatar
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    Towing it ranged from 34-32. Dropped down to 30mpg in the mountains and the cold. When I got near Ohio I was driving through the snow.

    The mirage did much better than even I expected. I expected it to be terrible. It was not good but not terrible.

    Out of all the towing experiences I've had this doesn't even rank in the top 3 scariest lol.

    By far the worst towing experience I've ever done was a 1989 f350 crew cab pulling a 53 foot gooseneck with a Cressida, ls1 240sx, and ae86 Corolla, plus 24 wheels/tires 2 tool boxes, 3 people and supplies. We went through scales and were at the legal limit 24,980 lbs (under 26,000 total).

    The truck had new brakes all around, new master cylinder, good trailer brakes, still wouldn't stop. Flat out we timed 0-60mph took 1 minute and 48 seconds flat level ground with the 7.3 diesel. We took a few grades in Colorado that brought us down to 5-7 mph in 1st gear. We took some grades in Montana/Idaho/Washington we almost lost the truck a few times due to not being able to slow down on grades.

    Strangely enough the 3500 cummins diesel truck we got for the second trip had a combined carrying capacity with the trailer that put us over 26,000, so we had to switch back to the dangerous old f350.
    2014 ES F5MBD aka 5MT. I am a full time Uber driver, if you want to drive for uber DO not sign up without my referral code for a bonus .

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 44.8 mpg (US) ... 19.1 km/L ... 5.2 L/100 km ... 53.9 mpg (Imp)


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  10. #6
    Uber Mirage alex16's Avatar
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    I actually got asked if I can flat tow another car from South Dakota. With winter here... I declined the offer. Even with my 4x4 f150 I doubt I would feel safe doing that run in the snow. If the mirage was awd I would consider it, but the truck doesn't have studded snow tires, stability control or traction control which I found out helps soooo much.
    2014 ES F5MBD aka 5MT. I am a full time Uber driver, if you want to drive for uber DO not sign up without my referral code for a bonus .

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 44.8 mpg (US) ... 19.1 km/L ... 5.2 L/100 km ... 53.9 mpg (Imp)


  11. #7
    Mileage Miser
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    Wow, 2000lbs hey? With no powered brakes for the load?

    That's plain crazy!

    Good on yah, Alex.

  12. #8
    Senior Member Cobrajet's Avatar
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    Adjusted for inflation, those two cars cost about the same amount!

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    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    Wow, that is quite the haul!
    Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block

    Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)


  15. #10
    Senior Member Top_Fuel's Avatar
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    Wow...that's pretty crazy...and impressive at the same time! I have made that trek (Orlando-Ohio) several times, but it's I-75 the whole way for me. I can't imagine trying to climb Jellico Mountain dragging 2,000 lbs behind my Mirage. It would be even crazier coming down the other side.

    I'm guessing that's a really clean Chevette? You have plans for it? Maybe an LS3 swap for the ultimate sleeper!


        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)


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