When looking at towing capacities should I take any addition weight being carried in the vehicle into consideration? ex.) wheels/tires, tools, luggage, etc....

I'm thinking of cargo that would be inside of the vehicle or in the back of a pick-up.

Thanks!

Jay

 

yes..
why wouldnt you ?? Its weight that your towing right ???

 

Most def. Things to look @ include the payload capacity. The individual axle capacities. The GVWR (gross vehical weight rating) & the GCWR (gross combined weight rating). You shouldn't exceed any of them. When towing, my truck has a GCWR of 20k lbs. That rating includes the tow vehical, cargo & trailer. Now say that I pull a 5th wheel trailer. The total weight of both the loaded vehical & trailer is under 20k. It would seem to be ok, however 'fivers have more pin weight than tag trailers do tongue weight for the same size trailer (load on tow vehical). That pin weight could put me over the GVWR (total amount of weight that the truck can weigh including cargo) of the truck.

HTH

 

Thanks so much. So I am gonna go ahead and assume that rinky dinky Escape & Ranger V6's won't cut it for even little trips. I beleive an Escape's towing cap. is around 3500lbs.

Anybody have any suggestions for something in the $14-16K range? I'm looking for something comfortable to drive everyday with the option of me using it to tow someday down the road (2-3yrs). 4x4 would be a nice option.




[Modified by jstock107, 11:49 AM 2/27/2003]

 

Escape=NFW nope nada zip

Ranger with a 4.0, especially a stick with a 3.55, 3.73 or 4.10 rear =

Though for 14-16k, you could get yourself into a comfy 99-00 midsize V8 SUV of your choice (Exploder, Durango, Grand Cherokee, etc.)

 

I have ahad some good discussions with a coworker about this. He and his wife own horses and were looking at tow vehicles. To keep it short, they looked at the GMC line of trucks and were happy with the trim packages. GMC trucks are more of the work trucks and the trim packages support that.

 

the new Kia Sorento can tow 5000lbs

 

15k also gets you a '99 Tahoe with low-moderate miles. Mouse motors own.

 

No it can't.
http://kia.com/sorento/sorento-specs.shtml
Towing capacity 3,500 lbs. (see owners manual)

That would do a light production car on a dolly, but not a trailer.

 

actaully nope i am right, 5000lbs with trailer brakes, 3500 without

http://www.kia.ca/english/showroom/i...re2003_Eng.pdf

page 4 under the picture of the boat


[Modified by zc911, 5:37 PM 2/27/2003]


[Modified by zc911, 5:37 PM 2/27/2003]

 

Pickup or SUV?

14-16K will buy a very nice second hand full size truck or SUV. A little more than that and you can probably get into a loaded Ford Expedition, for example.

Whatever you get, make sure it has a towing package and the accompanying goodies (hitch, wiring harness, trans cooler, and so on).

 

Thanks everybody!! You've given me excellent choices to consider.

 

You can get a used Exploder in that range. The V6 will be challenged if heavily loaded but reasonable loads or a V8 will do. The S10 Blazers do okay as well. I know quite a few people who have had good luck towing with Astro vans also but the rear axle is from an S10 2wd and they tend to be the weak point. YTou can put a small block V8 in it when the V6 dies (the VW racer at work is doing that).

Lots of used V8 full sized trucks fit that price range but daily driver V8 gas mileage is not the best.

Consider 5,000 lb rating at the bare minimum. A tranny oil cooler and B&M Shift Improver kit will really help the tranny live.

 

Some Exploder's transmission tend to blow up around 60-80kmi, beware.

 

I was looking at 99 v8 Grand Cherokees, and discovered that the reliability for them is horrible. (unlike my old bombproof 4.0L cherokee)

 

Just an idea..You should be able to find a ford f150 2 wheel drive with a triton v8 that was used buy some commercial or construction company. Many times hi milage but usally taken care of. Bonus they are usally white so a nice graphics package to match your car would be easy . Good Luck. Also a ford F150 w/ Triton V8 will tow 8k that should be plenty for you if you just starting up in racing.

 

J ust
E mpty
E very
P ocket

jeeps brake down like crazy. Their is a a reason they say that jeeps are built not bought.

 

How is the 4.0 Cherokee for towing? What trailer weight are you at?

I'm driving a Jeep Liberty 3.7L rental this week, and it ROCKS, at least compared to my other recent rentals, Yukon (2nd best, but bigger, tows GREAT), Ford Expedition(so-so), Durango (sucks).

I parked beside a Cherokee Sport at lunch, and SUPRISE!.... The liberty makes it look small! It's rated to tow up to 5k with an Auto and heavy cooling system.

J

 

The engine is more than capable of towing a light, open trailer and car. But the chassis is only rated to 3500lbs or so due to unibody construction (I assume that's why it's so low). Most open, steel trailers + smallish production car will weigh 4000lbs+ depending on how much stuff is piled on (wheel rack, tool chest, etc).

 

I just towed my Type R (2600lbs) w/ uhaul trailer (2000lbs) and extra wheels and tools (about 200lbs) with a 1998 Toyota Tacoma V6 Xtracab(5sp) from New York City to VIR (600miles). I recently bought the truck used for $13K (has a pickup bed cover with camper.)
This was at the limit of it's towing capacity but it did surprisingly well. From this experience:
Positives:
Acceleration of the V6 was good. I had no problems merging on the highway or going uphills. I was able to do uphill highway grades at 60-65mph and maintain 70 mph no problems with good gas mileage (maybe low to high teens).

Negatives:
Helper springs and/or self-leveling hitch are needed and definitely better brakes. The Uhaul trailer only had surge brakes. They worked, but electric brakes would of been much safer.

If you are only doing casual towing then I recommend the Tacoma. I like the Toyota for the daily gas mileage, towing gas mileage, decent power, reliability, etc. I would like more power and better brakes.

But, a friend towed with me and he had a Chevy Tahoe. He definitely out accelerated me, but worst gas mileage and not sure about reliability.

 

Thanks David!!

Looks like the Tacoma would be a good target vehicle for me to begin looking at. My dad just bought a 4dr. supercab and I am in love with the thing! I just didn't know what their V6's could handle.

Jay