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Has anyone tried towing with their Renegade? If so, how heavy of a trailer have you towed and what engine/transmission combo do you have? How does the Renegade perform while towing?
I urge everyone to go slow when thinking of this vehicle for towing, ESPECIALLY if you don't have the factory tow package. Towing is not it's strong point. Add to this the fact that the 9spd is the only recommended transmission, and a strong transmission is key for towing, along with the short wheelbase, etc, ...the red lights are there people.We were thinking about moving from a large travel trailer to one of these: http://www.aliner.com/campers/ranger12/ With options, it's 1500lbs unloaded but once you start putting camping gear in it you'll probably get pretty close to that 2000 lbs. I'd be afraid to be the first one to max out the towing capacity.
Would this trim removal tool work? http://www.harborfreight.com/panel-clip-pliers-67399.htmlI did the Renegade Ready install all by myself. Was very apprehensive but I felt there was no other options and I needed the hitch for an upcoming trip.
The install was pretty easy, the hardest part was overcoming my fear of taking a apart a brand new car. The instructions where very good, I even did the wiring no problem. I did the whole thing by myself in just shy of 8 hours. It can be done faster, but I am slow, it was hot and the beers were cold.
I said before in another thread, definitely take the rear tires off, have all the recommended as well as the required tools, if you can source them buy a few extra body retainer clips, you do run the risk of breaking more then they give you extra. I am sure if you called RR, they can provide you with a part number. I was able to buy a trim removal kit and a body clip tool on amazon for cheap -
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-35260-P...id=1439916533&sr=1-3&keywords=body+clips+tool
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KCXMCTM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
I had everything else.
I have a small utility trailer, 800 pound max that I use for camping that I plan on using and bikes that I haul regularly. I just did a 1200 mile round trip fully loaded up with luggage and bikes. I averaged about 21mpg. I was expecting worse with the amount of drag I strapped onto the car.
Here it is doing work in Zion National Park
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Let me know if you have any additional questions,
This is what you need. No metal!Would this trim removal tool work? http://www.harborfreight.com/panel-clip-pliers-67399.html
HF is local.
I just got your Zion pic to load... Looks amazing. I can't wait to get out there. Long way from Indiana though!Here it is doing work in Zion National Park
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Let me know if you have any additional questions,
Sweet! I actually own that set. Forgot that the little clip pry tool was in there though! Pleasant surprise.This is what you need. No metal!
5 Piece Auto Trim and Molding Tool Set
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-auto-trim-and-molding-tool-set-67021.html
I think I saw you post that in one of the other hitch threads. What sort of weight do you figure that was?I am towing two Jetskis. I has done great on the road and at the ramp!! I installed the under the bumber hitch
Zion is beautiful, I cant wait for more road trips in the Reny, its a perfect rig for them!I just got your Zion pic to load... Looks amazing. I can't wait to get out there. Long way from Indiana though!
In the mean time, I'm excited to have an easy way to load up bikes for the day. Where did you get your bike carrier? And that roof basket?
Sweet! I actually own that set. Forgot that the little clip pry tool was in there though! Pleasant surprise.
It is 2000 lb with no gas on the skis. tongue weight about 180 lbI think I saw you post that in one of the other hitch threads. What sort of weight do you figure that was?
I went ahead and bought the amazon clip tool on your recommendation. I think I'm going to attack it with the help of my brother-in-law on the 29th. I spent all of July moving him out of his house and we'll be using the hitch to move him into a new one, so he owes me.Zion is beautiful, I cant wait for more road trips in the Reny, its a perfect rig for them!
The Rack is Inno - http://www.amazon.com/Inno-Tire-Hol...qid=1440000328&sr=8-2&keywords=inno+tire+hold
I chose this rack because its tray style that holds up to three bikes, which is what I needed. In order to hold 3 bikes you need to buy one more tray - http://www.amazon.com/Inno-Optional-Tire-Hitch-Automobile/dp/B00A3B524A/ref=pd_bxgy_468_img_y
The bike setup is pricey, but bikes are not cheap, and I am very pleased with how sturdy and great the rack looks.
The Roof Rack is Rage Stingray - http://www.amazon.com/Stingray-Low-...UTF8&qid=1440000451&sr=1-4&keywords=rage+rack
I also got the extension - http://www.amazon.com/Stingray-Roof-Cargo-Basket-Extension/dp/B00A0XTS5K/ref=pd_bxgy_263_img_y
The rack is cheaper then the popular brands. It is very well made, and looks great. I like the low profile.
The one I put on my Amazon link works well, the pivot ball thing is perfect. The only time you need that particular tool is when your are peeling the wheel well trim. The point of contact is under the trim, so you don't necessarily need to worry about small scratches. It is a PITA, and you often break the clips.
The main issue is that the clips pull out of the trim portion much easier then they pull out of the car. You are not supposed to peel the whole trim off because its held on by double sided tape at the opposite end, Peel just enough to get to a few screws, but like I said, the clips pop out of the trim very easily. After they pop off, you need to pull the whole clip out of the car to reinstall, that's when they usually break. The more you mess around under the trim, the more those darn clips pop apart. Before you know it, almost all of them will be detached. If you can get someone to put pressure at about the middle of the trim while you bend it to try to work them out out it would be very helpful. Maybe even some strong painter tape.
I would be worried a plastic pry tool might break, and also not having enough leverage - but you will need plastic trim tools for other parts of the install.
Cool...
When you say peel the trim back to get a few screws, what exactly do you mean? The electrical wiring kit came from RR yesterday, but I haven't gotten a chance to dig into it much yet...
Any other really tricky parts that I should be aware of before I would get started?