Towing Fusion Style

Hi BARF,

Anyone have any experience towing a single motorcycle trailer with a Ford Fusion? There are plenty of class 1 hitches available but I also understand the drivetrain was never intended to tow. If it’s been done with success I would love to hear about it.

Thanks!
 

Butch

poseur
Staff member
Little trailer, one motorcycle, no problem.
Think of the load four (or five?) large Americans puts on a vehicle.

Just don’t tow and carry large Americans at the same time.
 
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WoodsChick

I Don't Do GPS
Not a Ford Fusion, but my 1987 Toyota MR2 had no trouble towing my 1987 CR125 and tiny trailer all over California for a few years. Never had any issues with the car after I quit towing with it, and it had 200k miles on it when all was said and done.

Carnegie-L.jpg
 

Butch

poseur
Staff member
MR2Chick!
You so rock.

I used to abuse the hell outta my 82 Ford Escort. Like four people, four mtn bikes on the roof, two motos on the trailer. Plus gear. It was pretty slow up hills. Never failed though.
 

WoodsChick

I Don't Do GPS
MR2Chick!
You so rock.

I used to abuse the hell outta my 82 Ford Escort. Like four people, four mtn bikes on the roof, two motos on the trailer. Plus gear. It was pretty slow up hills. Never failed though.

:laughing I used to haul that CR over the Altamont Pass on my way to Altamont Raceway, and that little MR2 would do triple digits with the trailer! It was scary, and it always felt like things could go sideways really quickly so I didn't make a habit of it, but it would do it with no complaint. Same with climbing up the mountain to Penny Pines, normal speed and no extra effort on the MR2's part. That motor/tranny combo was rock solid, and was still running like a top when I got rid of it 20 years later.
 

Maddevill

KNGKAW
My friend just towed a Harbor freight trailer loaded with an 1977 CB550 and all his possessions from Walnut Creek to North Carolina. Had no problems. He used a 2013 Ford Focus

Mad
 
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easter bunny

Amateur Hour
I can't believe I don't have a picture of mine hitched up but you're good. I have the 3L V6 and I tow a 5x8 enclosed back and forth from Reno to TH, Sonoma, and Laguna. I installed an aux transmission cooler because the long climbs can run the temps way up in the summer months. Loaded for a race weekend with generator, bike, gear, cooler, ez ups, spare rims and tires, toolboxes, and all the other stuff it's around 2000lbs. Tows up the 5 toward TH at 75 just fine.
 
I feel much better about my decision to hitch up the Fusion. If 150K miles hasn’t caused any problems on my V4, let’s see how this challenge goes.
 

easter bunny

Amateur Hour
Your fusion will tow just about any open trailer fine. Use the manual shifter as the auto constantly wants to downshift. Keep you foot on the floor in a higher gear. Think about upgrading your brakes from OEM grocery getter parts. I'm riding the brakes with a literal ton of trailer pushing me down Donner Pass so I put a Power Stop kit on mine.
 

Lagwagonlead

Well-known member
Does anyone have any recommendations for light, single motorcycle trailers?

I think the two most popular single bike trailers are Harbor Freight and Kendon folding trailers. Harbor Freight are cheaper and come with just the frame and wheels, so you build out the deck. Kendon are ready to go from the factory and very high quality. Both trailers can be bought as foldable and therefore stored in a garage or storage unit along a wall. I would recommend doing this to prevent corrosion and theft.
 

APpy

Well-known member
Kendons and small cars don't mix well in my experience.

The geometry is all wrong for small wheelbase motorcycles. Almost the entire bike ends up in front of the trailer axle, which means huge tongue weight. Maybe it would be better with a Harley/Goldwing which seems to be their intended market.

Also, check the recommended ball height for the Kendon. It tends to be much higher than other trailers. This combined with a low deck means it's very easy to drag the front if you use a lower ball height. This can be somewhat mitigated by getting 5-inch rise ball mount like this: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Ball-Mount/Curt/C45028.html
 

Butch

poseur
Staff member
I’m interested but I’m not sure my Fusion could pull that? How much does it weigh?

I dunno,2 or 300 ponies? Pounds? I think the manufacturer is “Shelby”
I dunno, it works, it’s cheap. Pics tomorrow.

No prob for your Fission.
 
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