In-Laws want to pull car 2k miles...

[Jhawker23]

My wife volunteered the Ridge to her parents to pull her sisters car to Springfield, Mass. I'm very much opposed to this because the only thing they are trying to accomplish is not driving two cars, but of the two cars they would take, one gets 25 mpg and the other gets something close to 40 mpg.

Do I have a case on any level? I know I can win the gas war, but I haven't done the calculations for an approximate amount.

Is there any reason the ridge shouldn't pull a car 2k miles?

I don't mind that they use it, but I can't stand the thought of the Ridge working so hard for so long and putting 4k miles on!!!

[wjr1004]

Should be no problem as long as you are not over max towing weight..
I agree with putting 4 K miles on your truck would want to either....
Why don't they drive the car there.....?????

[geotech]

Might be cheaper to rent a car to pull a car one way and then fly back!
Can't those two cars be rigged with a pull bar to pull each other?

Doesn't make a lot of sense at first blush!

BTW, my first wife used to volunteer me and my things all the time.

[PerryLynch]

Originally Posted by Jhawker23

My wife volunteered the Ridge to her parents to pull her sisters car to Springfield, Mass. I'm very much opposed to this because the only thing they are trying to accomplish is not driving two cars, but of the two cars they would take, one gets 25 mpg and the other gets something close to 40 mpg.

Do I have a case on any level? I know I can win the gas war, but I haven't done the calculations for an approximate amount.

Is there any reason the ridge shouldn't pull a car 2k miles?

I don't mind that they use it, but I can't stand the thought of the Ridge working so hard for so long and putting 4k miles on!!!

But you won't be available that weekend! That's the weekend we were all driving to AL to see the remains of the monster pig for ourselves!

Also: I'd bet they'll want to drive the more comfortable of the 2, so you're going to be asked to drive the Ridge at reduced mpg (12) to tow the 40 mpg car? I don't think so. They will save no money if they buy your gas for doing it.

[25 Year Honda Owner]

Originally Posted by Jhawker23

My wife volunteered the Ridge to her parents to pull her sisters car to Springfield, Mass. I'm very much opposed to this because the only thing they are trying to accomplish is not driving two cars, but of the two cars they would take, one gets 25 mpg and the other gets something close to 40 mpg.

Do I have a case on any level? I know I can win the gas war, but I haven't done the calculations for an approximate amount.

Is there any reason the ridge shouldn't pull a car 2k miles?

I don't mind that they use it, but I can't stand the thought of the Ridge working so hard for so long and putting 4k miles on!!!

Do the math, drive two cars 2K miles with combined average mileage of 32 MPG. Tow with Ridge 2K miles and return 2K miles would average about 16 MPG for the 4K combined. No way would I go alnog with this idea!!

[Jhawker23]

Their thinking is not logical. They want to pack a ford aspire full and pull it with the ridge. Before my wife offered, they were going to pull the aspire with a buick roadmaster.

My question was "why pull the car, it gets 40 mpg". They believe that they needed the drivers seat to place boxes. But correct me if I'm wrong, but couldn't they just put the boxes in the space they would have to make for her to ride with them? Either way, there has to be room for the daughter. This whole towing thing seems like a terrible idea.

[bobpres]

If the boxes only take up the space of the driver's seat, let them buy a rooftop carrier for the Aspire. It would be a cheaper investment than 50 or 60 extra gallons of gas at $3+ per gallon. I bought a cheapy softside rooftop carrier (for watertight storage in the bed of my Ridge) for something like $20 at Walmart. Even if it's only used for this one trip, that's still better than the extra strain and wear and tear on your truck.

[Jb4fun]

The other thing is that even getting 12 mpg might be a stretch for some of the trip. I don't know which way your in-laws plan on going but I have drove from WI and Chicago to NJ before and I'm not sure if there is a way you can avoid going through mountains. I have always traveled along Interstate 76 in PA and do not know what the terrain is like driving on Interstates 80, 86, or 90. My guess would be that during those stretches of the trip (driving through mountains if you can not avoid it) towing a car could drop you to single digit mpg's.
.
Personally I don’t blame you, it does not make sense and I would probably not want to do that trip with my truck, I guess unless it was for myself. It is also a crappy situation your wife has put you in; hopefully you don’t catch too much guff for thinking logically and your in-laws understand where you are coming from. Good luck.

[scottIN]

Originally Posted by Jhawker23

They want to pack a ford aspire full and pull it with the ridge. .

A Ford Aspire? I'm pretty sure that will just fit in the bed of the Ridge. They're the ones with the little tricycle size tires, right?

[Honda4X4]

If you do not do as the "In laws" ask, they will remember it as long as you are married...... and then some.
Even if it costs more, you will pay the price in grief. Maybe I'm wrong, I hope so.