Ratty2Austin Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 so I am looking at most of my things here, and my tailer, and my impreza.. the "rated capacity" of the trailer is 970lbs.. and i dont think the EJ18 will like any more than that either, going up mountain passes.. one of the heaviest and largest things I am transporting in the trailer, is my bike.. about 500lbs loaded by itself... it gets about 45 to 55 mpg on the freeway, and is realitivly comfortable on long trips.... has cargo bins for all my camping needs... @1700 miles, and average 2.20/gal for gas...@45mpg, it would cost me about 90 bucks to drive it out there... then i looked up an airline ticket.. it would be about $150 or so for a one way flight back to seattle, on a tuesday night.. so if I leave sunday early morning, i could get to MSP sometime late monday or early tuesday.... then fly home, and take the car on the trip, with less stuff in the back... would make that part safer (less top weight in trailer, and easier on the EJ18..) what do you guys think would be best? if I bike it.. where could I stay for the least $$ (midway point, Billings MT) thanks for opinions! need to know before this weekend!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLCraig Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 I would be more worried about the brakes on your Impreza then the engine. The EJ18 maybe small but it's a tough engine, spending a few miles running in 3rd gear at about 4.5K isn't going to kill it while climbing the passes. My bigger concern would be extra load on the brakes while going back down the other side of the passes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A DOG Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 You can find cheap hotel in Bozeman, which is right before billings. Maybe we could meet up for dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northguy Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 You seem to make a case for an extra trip, but why incur the extra expense and the lost time (unless you just enjoy riding long distances and waiting in lines at airports). I say trailer it and cast aside your doubts in your car. It's a good car and it'll do fine. Just take it easy, don't be in a big hurry. Enjoy one trip instead of hating two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 You seem to make a case for an extra trip, but why incur the extra expense and the lost time (unless you just enjoy riding long distances and waiting in lines at airports). I say trailer it and cast aside your doubts in your car. It's a good car and it'll do fine. Just take it easy, don't be in a big hurry. Enjoy one trip instead of hating two. What he said, Make one trip, go a little slower and save the equipment. Check your bearings on the trailer and make sure you have a good spare--with air Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subeman90 Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Also, if the trailer is a little heavy you might want to get those rubber things to put in the springs to help level out the car a little too. You can't see sh#% at night if your headlights are up in the trees. i vote also for the one trip thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Load up the trialer and stop by a truck stup with a scale. See just how close or over capacity it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subeman90 Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 ignorance is bliss.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobywagon Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 There are safety issues to be considered for both options. Option 1) load the bike in the trailer and make 1 trip. This option means that you will likely be driving an overloaded vehicle pulling an overloaded trailer. Having done this, once and never again, I can safely say that it is a WHOLE LOT of not fun. The trailer will tend to push HARD on downhills and under braking. If it has those little dinky trailer tires, it will want to come around on you under conditions such as a braking turn in the rain. These things tend to be a bit hard on the driver. Option 2) make two trips. This will make the first trip significantly easier, but will add on the additional cost of a flight as well as that much extra fuel. Also, you will be one SINGULARLY tired individual. OF course, there's also the safety concerns there. Having said all that, I'd say go with option one. It sorta minimizes your exposure. Even though the additional weight of the bike will cost you more fuel, I don't think it'll come out to the same amount as if you drove both. Just thought of a third option. Perhaps you could get a board member to go with you. Call it a 1400 mile meet and greet. Maybe you could spring for part or all of the flight back for that board member. Overall expense would be the same as if you made two trips and you'd be a LOT safer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty2Austin Posted June 24, 2005 Author Share Posted June 24, 2005 hmmmmmm.... well.. i have the time now, tomorrow is my last day at Carter... any board members with experience towing a trailer and some free time want to come along? (either fly over from MSP, or fly home to SEA) to drive my car with a not-so-loaded down trailer, and follw me on my bike? or option #2, 2 trips...but... Freddie is opting to help pay for my flight back if anyone is gung-ho about coming along on this road trip as my driver (must be GOOD at driving a 5spd, and with a trailer) please call me tonight, so I can arrange the dates of when this needs to all take place!!! 206-856-7797 (cell phone) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty2Austin Posted June 24, 2005 Author Share Posted June 24, 2005 plan #3... this might be a winner.... drive my car+trailer+junk, without the bike this week..... sometime later in july fly back and bring the bike back over, (before winter starts! ) and then I will be less hurried... OR... I could fly back, get the bike, show up at WCSS7 and then head back to MSP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkster58 Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 look...you don't need the bike right now..... leave the bike with you mom for the winter ...fly back in the spring and ride out.....don't break your neck pulling that trailer overloaded....looking at the trailer last wk ..i would say that the main prob will be the bearings in those wheels ....the wheels don't look like they can go 60mph for very long... but what do i know..lol......forget the bike for now.....fly out before WCSS7 will pick you up at the airport ( both of ya )and head for the show...i'll drive ya back to the airport...piece of cake eh....spark:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballitch Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 i think you should leave the bike with the rents' and fly back just before WCSS7 and make your appearance and after the show go on a nice long bike ride thru the country. you can never have enough ride time on a crotch-rocket.... ~Josh~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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