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Towing tips for SUVs
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Comments
Weight distributing hitch
Sway Controller
And properly distribute the weight inside the trailer
With that said, if you are going out and looking for a tow vehicle I'd say you probably want to get something slightly beefier with maybe a 6000lb towing capacity. I had a 2000 Trooper that would tow 3800lbs with ease, so that is a vehicle you could start by looking at.
-mike
Also, the Pathfinder is also unibody, I used to own one and towed my 4000 lbs boat/trailer with it with no problem. It did have a couple of stiffening rails added to the frame, so it was a bit of a hybrid, frame-wise.
At this point, there's not much point responding to the original poster since he hasn't been at TH since 5 days after his post (back in April), but I'll say that 75-80% of capacity is a good rule of thumb that I've used, and that trailer was right about there, so the PF would probably have been fine. The trouble is that that would be with nothing but a driver. If the PF was loaded with another passenger or two and some cargo (likely), the capacity could be exceeded by another 300-600 lbs easily and that would be a problem.
The Pilot is a great vehicle for folks who need a mini-van but are too "cool" to get one and feel they need an SUV. As a tow vehicle yeah it's pretty weak.
I towed at my Trooper's limit for a while and when time came to get a new vehicle I went for the truck with the most towing capacity in the class. The only trucks with more towing that I can find over my Armada is the 2500 Suburban w/8.1L Engine, and the Diesel Excursion. Both of which cost a ton more and get way way worse fuel milage. (even the Diesel Excursion)
-mike
In any case, I would agree that it's not a great tow vehicle.
-mike
editor_karl, "Karl's Daily Log Book" #751, 5 Jun 2005 3:54 pm
Steve, Host
"Give me a vehicle that looks like I live an active lifestyle. Don't worry about it actually supporting this look in the least."
Sounds so familiar :=)
I have towed on the highway at 65 mph and around town with no problems, including a steep boat ramp. I believe the Pilot tows just as good if not better that the Jeep GC.
The Pilot has its limitations, just like the Jeep. Both vehicles will never beat a full size truck for towing capacity.
On a flat road towing would be easy on the drivetrain, but continued towing like I do up and down very steep mountains makes the Pilot really work.
Hopefully, we will make it to Lake Winnipausaukee this summer with the boat.
There is no doubt it can handle it, I will not take chances with my two young kids.
Gas mileage was a concern while shopping for a new SUV as was towing capacity. I am averaging 19 MPG with the Pilot not towing, in every day driving. I figure that 98% of the time, we will not be towing anything. Just every day driving. The Pilot fit the bill everytime it was compared to other SUV's such as a Merc. Mountaineer, Envoy, ect.
If gas $$ was about $1.30-1.50 a gallon my first choice would be a Tahoe/Yukon. We will never see those prices again. You can't beat a v-8 with full size frame for towing capacity. You have to know the Pilot's limitations before you buy.
P.S. The Honda sales people were clueless about towing capacity of their vehicles. I did the research myself.
I have a new popup trailer which will weigh about 2100 lbs when packed and my Drawtite hitch is a Class 1 with a rating of 2000 lbs max. How critical is the 2000 lbs max? Is there any over capacity built in? The TW is right at 200 lbs which is the rating for the hitch. Do I need to replace the Class 1 with a Class 2 hitch?
Thanks....Ron
-mike
I see 2 possibilities for you:
1) Go to u-haul with the Blazer and then switch the trailer to the Explorer when you get home. Do the drop off when the u-haul at the other end is closed. Downside of this, of course, is that if anything happens on the way, u-haul will not cover it, so this is a high risk option.
2) Buy a used trailer in Atlanta and sell it in Phoenix. I did something like this when relocating my son back home in NY from Denver. Bought a Ram 1500 PU to pull a u-haul trailer in Denver and sold it back home...and made a profit on it, even including sales tax.
Hope this helps and others may have better options.
Maybe you could trade the Blazer for a cargo trailer?
Btw, I used to have good friends in Tucson and loved visiting because the thrift stores there are great from all the retirees downsizing. I bet Phoenix is similar. Maybe you should just take what will fit in the Explorer and perhaps get a rocket box for the roof, and then buy stuff as you need it.
Steve, Host
-mike
U-Haul's FAQ is pretty clear about their policy.
Steve, Host
LOL, best idea you ever had. I still owe you a few KKs.
Actually, to make it more familiar and combine my idea and yours about trading the Blazer....I'd say tow the Blazer as the cargo trailer. 'Cept it's too big to use with a dolly carrier afaik.
Although option 1 is prob very tempting, I think option 2 is the way to go.
In any case, good luck to averyb...let us know how you made out if you can.
And paisan....at least he actually needs his SUV, huh?
What are you driving these days LI Sailor?
My stable is the 04 Armada, 94 Legacy Turbo 5MT and the 96 Impreza Racecar.
-mike
I purchased this trailer in May 2004 and had to drive it home empty 250 miles including several steep grades (the type with the required turn off that has has special signage showing the run-away ramps for vehicles with trailers). The trailer came with a Reese dual cam anti-sway weight distribution hitch and I installed/calibrated a prodigy brake controller before returning home.
What I found out is going more than 60-65mph and getting passed by tractor trailer was an adrenaline rush. I was pleasantly surprised that the hills didn't have much impact. This got much worse when I filled the trailer with water, groceries and about 1000lbs of "Toys" in the back total trailer weight approx. 6600lbs. After towing the trailer round trip 200 miles by myself I had decided I wouldn't take my family (and probably myself) and the trailer on another trip until I resolved the sway issues. I thought I was going to lose control of the vehicle a couple of times especially going down (not even a steep grade) hill 55mph in winds gusting to 25mph and a tractor trailer passing on the Thruway.
I looked all over the the net and found that the only possible solution for my setup was a very expensive hitch called a Hensley Arrow MSRP $2995 http://www.nosway.com . I looked further and found they were selling used for around $1400 on ebay and hitchtrader. I found someone selling a used hitch for $1350 but 300 miles away/ I decided it was worth a try and if it didn't work I could just sell it.
Bottom line there is an amazing difference with the Hensley and I've already had my family on a couple of trips with the trailer and we are planning a 700 mile trip at the end of July to OshKosh WI.
I would suggest to try and tow the trailer with your tanks empty and fill up as close to your destination as possible. When loading the trailer try to keep it as balanced as possible with approx. 10% of trailer weight on the tongue.
Other Tips:
Get a 18volt+ cordless drill with a 3/4" deep well socket it works great for raising/lowering stabilizer jacks and for adjusting the trunnion bars on the Hensley Arrow hitch.
The only mirrors that I could find that would allow me to see around my TT, not damage the 4Runner, and not virbrate out of position, where the McKesh mirrors at nosway.com. These people definately know their stuff.
Good luck
Actually, the "my Blazer broke down and I switched" is not a bad approach...unless the $ amount is big (you hit a bus), in which case they will find out all the details.
In any case, good luck, hope all works out.
Hey, maybe you should just change all the emblems to Mountaineer ones
tidester, host
tidester, host
You're towing as much weight as the Explorer weighs. Be careful of the tail wagging the dog, and be sure you have really good trailer brakes!
Keep it out of overdrive, too...
Cheers!
Paul
-mike
Motorweek had a Pat Goss Segment on a product called SenZBar here is the link... http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/goss/2434.shtml
they have it on the Moterweek website but do not indicate who sells them. Any auto/truck retail outlets carrying them?
I'm not a Pilot owner, but I'm interested in buying one soon.
However, I will be doing a TON of towing in the Pilot. I know it's not the best vehicle for towing, but when I say a TON, I mean a ton of time, not weight.
In fact, less than a ton of weight! The loaded 5X8 cargo trailer I'll be hauling will probably weigh in at 1600-1700 pounds. With 4 people in the vehicle (this is for a touring band), that's about 2000 lbs, which, from what I understand, is well within the Pilot's limits, even following the 70% rule.
Has anyone here towed smaller loads like this? Cargo trailers? I know the Pilot isn't great with 3000 lb. boats, but I was wondering how it towed smaller loads. And keep in mind I will be towing this load 5-7 hours a day for 30-day stretches several times a year!
We used to tow with a Tahoe, but got in a terrible accident this summer (flipped off the highway; trailer and Tahoe destroyed; luckily, everyone was ok). Obviously, safety is the *most* important thing to us. The absolute most important. So in terms of Pilot vs. Tahoe, which would be best consdiering our safety concerns? I know the Pilot is safer all-around, but the Tahoe is better suited for towing and is longer, heavier, and more powerful. Therefore, considering that we will *always* be towing, does this make the Chevy a safer choice?
The Pilot IS NOT SAFER if you plan to do a lot of towing. The front wheel drive vehicle is not well-suited to a lot of towing. It seems that there have been many who have had transmission problems towing trailers with the Pilot. If you want to be safe-you need a body on frame vehicle. This setup is much more suited to towing. You don't have a true frame on the Pilot. The entire "stress" of towing is put on every wield, every joint, every door. NOT GOOD for towing. If you want to stay with a smaller tow vehicle, take a close look at a 4Runner. You could get the V6 and be just fine. This come equipped from the factory ready to tow and are built for it. You could also take a look at the Tahoe.
Good luck!
Hmmmm...1600 + 4 folks = 2000 lbs? Pretty lightweight folks...a all (small) girl band?
IMHO, if your numbers are right, you should have no trouble with the Pilot.
http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/dinghytowingguide/2005/DinghyRatings_p16_25.pdf-
Scroll down to the Truck/SUV category to see the Ford Escape. Looks like you have a 55 mph speed limit, no distance restriction, and can tow 'wheels down' if it's a manual tranny.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Paul
-mike
My previous vehicle was a 97 toyota 4-runner, we had no problem pulling with it. Did it have coolers on it from factory? Are these really necessary? Help before a fall prey to a scare tactic.
I have an '05 4Runner with the V8. It came ready to tow from the factory with brake controller wiring harness, transmission cooler, power steering cooler, etc. I don't know about your '97 though. I tow a 4,500pound-21 foot travel trailer with my 4Runner.
Make sure you get someone who has been in business a long time to install your hitch. These guys generally know what they are doing. This (hitch install) is all they do. Stay away from people who install hitches and rent trailers!
If I remember correctly, if the hitch came with the Pilot from the factory, I believe the transmission cooler is installed as well. I wouldn't sweat the power steering cooler for light duty towing.
Cheers!
Paul
Trailer brakes & the weight distributing hitch would be absolutely mandatory. The tranny cooler would be money well spent, otherwise you'll be spending more for a fried tranny later. Air shocks? maybe, but the weight-distributing hitch should take care of most of that issue. Be sure to add air to the 4Runner tires when towing to compensate for the extra load.
Cheers!
Paul
varmint, "Acura MDX" #6363, 19 Sep 2006 10:10 am
-mike