Anyone else tow with a Pontiac Torrent?

[sjm32157]

Up until this year, I towed our 19 1/2 foot I/O with my 4.7 L Durango. The Durango was my work beater until I changed jobs and needed an economy car to commute. I set up my wife's 2008 Pontiac Torrent, AWD 3.4 L, to tow the boat. Installed a Curtis Class III on the factory mounting points, what a slick installation. I retrieved the boat from storage this morning and was quite surprised how it towed. The Torrent is rated for 3500 pound and I am guessing that my boat, single axle escort trailer (with brakes), equip weigh around 3000 - 3400 pound. I live about 5 to 6 miles from the boat launch so it's only about a 10 minute tow. The Durango and Torrent are rated at about the same horsepower, 185, but the V6 doesn't the grunt that the small V8 did in the Durango. The Pontiac owners manual also recommends towing with the gear selector in the I position. Works okay but the RPM bounces around. I have a 500 foot paved driveway up to our home and I always used low range in the Durango. Don't have that in the Torrent.

 

[Scottmel80]

Re: Anyone else tow with a Pontiac Torrent?

How do you find the Pontiac Torrent is pulling the boat out of the water??? I am buying a boat and i'm not quite what size to purchase. The boat is an expense and I dont want to have to purchase a new truck as well... Do you have any issues with the 19??? Would a dual wheel tralier be easier to pull??? Any help would be great.

 

[cribber]

Re: Anyone else tow with a Pontiac Torrent?

I've done the same weight and driving range with a Pacifica... I'll drag it about an hour to either coast but wouldn't want to take on a long haul. You should be okay if you're rated for 3500Lbs max.

 

[Scottmel80]

Re: Anyone else tow with a Pontiac Torrent?

Thats what the manual says it will pull 3500 with a class 3. I was looking to purchase a 1999 Regal 1900lsr. Dry weight is 2700 +trailer... Water is only 20 minutes away...but i was concered wit the steep ramps getting the boat out of the water...

Will a double axel trailer make trailering easier then a single???

 

[Maclin]

Re: Anyone else tow with a Pontiac Torrent?

The tow rating can be deceiving, as it is only part of a formula. There is also a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) which is what the whole rig can weigh (the vehicle plus cargo plus weight of whatever is being towed). That year Torrent GCWR is 7310, which means to tow 3500 safely the vehicle with driver and passengers and cargo can only add up to 3810. There is also the Gross Vehicular Weight Rating (GVWR) which is what the vehicle and cargo and passengers can weigh with no towing, the Torrent is rated at 5010 there. So if your Torrent weighs 4000 loaded while towing then the tow weight can only be 3310. If the vehicle is full of fuel and passengers and some gear it could top 4500 I bet, leaving only 2810 for weight of towed cargo. Lather, Rinse, Repeat with different figures.

My truck is rated at 7400 towing, but to stay under the GCWR I can only have 3 gallons of fuel and just a 100 lb driver! which leaves me out for sure. With gear and full tank in the truck I figure I have a true 6400 towing weight capacity.

Just watch the total weight. And the tongue weight with passengers and gear, it can make the rear drop down too much.

By the way, I think the 4.7 Dodge V8 is 250-260hp, not 185, mine in a 4x4 reg cab with the 3.92 gears is rated at 260, just sayin'...

 

[Scottmel80]

Re: Anyone else tow with a Pontiac Torrent?

Thanks Maclin....That is some great information...I guess based on that i should go with a bit smaller boat...or suck up the expense and get a truck to pull it with....This is going to be expensive...

 

[ksukats57]

Re: Anyone else tow with a Pontiac Torrent?

You should not only be concerned about the traction at the ramp, but about your transmission temps while towing (this vehicle is NOT built for towing, therefore doesn't have the extra trans coolers, oil coolers, etc.) and the suspension. That thing will squat like crazy with a heavy boat on it.

 

[jkust]

Re: Anyone else tow with a Pontiac Torrent?

oops old post