Towing vehicle help/questions

[bones774]

Re: Towing vehicle help/questions

What is towing policy?

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Towing vehicle help/questions

Pfunk42,

I suggest you may also want to look for a diesel engine in your tow vehicle. We tow a much smaller jet ski (~1400# w/trailer +fuel+ accessories) and do it all with a VW Jetta with a TDI (turbo diesel) rated at 100 hp (5 speed manual). We are currently in Ft Walton Beach, FL with the ski for some end of summer activities. Towing the 4 passenger Yamaha SUV from N. Ohio to FL was no big deal and going through the mountains was a breeze. I was impressed how the torque from this 1.9 liter engine pulled the long grades on cruise control with no loss in speed. The greater low speed torque produced by diesel engines make them a perfect choice for towing.

However fuel economy suffers. At 70 mph our normal 48 MPG falls to 35 MPG with the trailer in tow. On several long grades following a Ford Explorer, with a fishing boat in tow, we would pass on the upgrade and be passed on the down grade. The Explorer did not have a diesel and we never changed speeds up or down grade.

Not sure who offers diesel engines in crossover vehicles with the towing capacity you need, but I know VW offers a diesel V6 Toureg that may warrent a look. They have a premium price on them, but you may be able to find one a couple of years old.

Best of luck with your search.

Norm M. (erie_guy)
Port Clinton, OH

 

[jkust]

Re: Towing vehicle help/questions

I was in a similar situation as you recently towing almost the same load. I had formerly towed with an older fwd minivan with a small v6 and 3500lb tow capacity and knew I needed to correct the situation. When you go on vacation and load the van up with stuff, four people and 25gas of gas in the tank I was way beyond the tow rating. In line with what a lot of people say though, the van towed and stopped just fine with optimal conditions. The auto air adjust suspension made the van seem more competent than it really was. It is the emergency maneuver situations and slippery ramps that make the wrong vehicle potentially dangerous. In any event, we upgraded to a midsized truck based suv with a 5.3 liter v8, intelligent AWD, 3.73 ratio, locking rear differential, air ride suspension and a 6500lb tow capacity. I figured if we were going to tow buy a true tow vehicle with a v8 and skip the high tech 6cylinders. Of course it it is like night and day to tow with but I can say I am glad we do not use it as a daily driver. The non towing mileage is horrible compared to the van and if we drove it daily we would be filling up a lot. I also tow snowmobiles in the winter here in MN (again previously with the minivan) and something beyond just two wheel drive is really practical.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Towing vehicle help/questions

What is towing policy?

http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/default.asp?WT.mc_id=400006​