i-MiEV towable

[PV1]

Combined with the trailer hitch from Torklift, would the i-MiEV be able to handle this trailer?

http://www.safaricondo.com/en/caravanes_R1723

 

[sandange]

From what I see this trailer weighs 1,725 lbs - 782 kg
I would say NO

 

[jray3]

Agreed that the 1725 lb trailer would be too much but this 490 lb teardrop is more like it, and a rather complementary design too. (though probably more aero if it were reversed)

http://www.golittleguy.com/model?id=36&model=MyPod-Basic

And ...wait for it... then you'd have ... My i-Pod!

:roll:

 

[Don]

No doubt our drivetrain wasn't designed to tow 1700 pounds - In addidion to several other problems, the cooling system would likely be overloaded causing the motor and inverter to overheat

Even if you could tow something that heavy, your range would be cut in half I'd bet . . . . but even going 30 or 35 miles would probably overheat the drivetrain

Don

 

[PV1]

Unless you're pulling a lot of hills, the drivetrain shouldn't have much problem with the weight. The aero and tire drag would definitely make it like being on the highway all the time. I think I'd be more worried about the trailer pulling the hitch out of its mounts than the motor overheating.

 

[Don]

I have a covered trailer about that same size and weight that I tow my motorcycle in. When pulling the trailer with my Protégé 5, my gas mileage goes from 32/33 to 20/21 . . . . this must mean I'm using much more horsepower pulling the trailer than when I'm not

The electrical equivalent would be the EV motor and inverter continuously working about 30 or 40% harder than it was designed to do. Since both the motor and the inverter are liquid cooled utilizing small radiator, I'm not so sure it wouldn't overheat. It would certainly be something I'd be very worried about if I was foolish enough to try taking the car so far outside it's design parameters

Don