SUV Towing
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,975
Likes: 5,213
From: Michigan
Not quite decided on open or closed. The vehicle would be transporting a couple of people and dogs on occasions. Would be used to tow only motorcycles, not any other recreational vehicles. Would be daily driver . Maybe one or two big trips a year and a few weekends. Also occasional Home Depot runs. 35 miles round trip daily commute.
Agree don't want oversized gas guzzler but not something barely making requirements or odd shaped roofline that nothing's fits in back to load.
Thanks
Agree don't want oversized gas guzzler but not something barely making requirements or odd shaped roofline that nothing's fits in back to load.
Thanks
These vehicles (I'm told) get about 24 MPG's on the highway and will tow the size loads you are describing, and with the rear seats removed they have enough storage and roof height for dogs, etc.
A Yukon or Tahoe will give you lot's more towing capacity but your MPG's will drop below 20 MPG's.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4,892
From: North Dakota
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,653
Likes: 9,113
From: Snow Hill, NC
Not quite decided on open or closed. The vehicle would be transporting a couple of people and dogs on occasions. Would be used to tow only motorcycles, not any other recreational vehicles. Would be daily driver . Maybe one or two big trips a year and a few weekends. Also occasional Home Depot runs. 35 miles round trip daily commute.
Agree don't want oversized gas guzzler but not something barely making requirements or odd shaped roofline that nothing's fits in back to load.
Thanks
Agree don't want oversized gas guzzler but not something barely making requirements or odd shaped roofline that nothing's fits in back to load.
Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 771
Likes: 15
From: Cartersville, Georgia
Here is a little towing 101 .... before you buy, do your homework. A few terms you must be familar with are GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating), max conventional trailering weight rating, TW (Tongue Weight) and trailer weight.
Take an Acadia for example ... just because it has a trailer weight rating of 5,200# does not mean it will tow 5,200# in all instances. A FWD '09/'10 Acadia has a curb weight of 4,720#, a GCWR of 9,500#, a GVWR of 6,411# and a max tow rating of 5,200#. If a 5,200# trailer (including trailer weight & cargo) has a TW of 580# loaded, add that to the curb weight ... 5,300#. Add another 140# for a full tank of gas ... 5,440#. Add 300#+ for two adults ... 5,740#. Add another 300# or so for luggage, cooler and beer ... 6,040# ... within about 300# of the GVWR not too mention vehicle fluids and options.
So that is good .... correct?
Not so much ... take that same example and compare it to the vehicle's GCWR. Take the loaded vehicle weight of 6,040# and add the 5,200# trailer weight ... 11,040#. That is 1,540# over the GCWR. Most will say this is not a problem and is overthinking ... ! Consider how that transmission, engine and, most important, brakes will perform being 1,540# overweight. Also consider if, worst case scenario, you are involved in an accident ... your fault or not, you are overweight and will be at fault. Some insurance companies won't cover the accident because of this.
Just be educated when chosing a tow vehicle ... Google it ... !
Take an Acadia for example ... just because it has a trailer weight rating of 5,200# does not mean it will tow 5,200# in all instances. A FWD '09/'10 Acadia has a curb weight of 4,720#, a GCWR of 9,500#, a GVWR of 6,411# and a max tow rating of 5,200#. If a 5,200# trailer (including trailer weight & cargo) has a TW of 580# loaded, add that to the curb weight ... 5,300#. Add another 140# for a full tank of gas ... 5,440#. Add 300#+ for two adults ... 5,740#. Add another 300# or so for luggage, cooler and beer ... 6,040# ... within about 300# of the GVWR not too mention vehicle fluids and options.
So that is good .... correct?
Not so much ... take that same example and compare it to the vehicle's GCWR. Take the loaded vehicle weight of 6,040# and add the 5,200# trailer weight ... 11,040#. That is 1,540# over the GCWR. Most will say this is not a problem and is overthinking ... ! Consider how that transmission, engine and, most important, brakes will perform being 1,540# overweight. Also consider if, worst case scenario, you are involved in an accident ... your fault or not, you are overweight and will be at fault. Some insurance companies won't cover the accident because of this.
Just be educated when chosing a tow vehicle ... Google it ... !
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,653
Likes: 9,113
From: Snow Hill, NC
Here is a little towing 101 .... before you buy, do your homework. A few terms you must be familar with are GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating), max conventional trailering weight rating, TW (Tongue Weight) and trailer weight.
Take an Acadia for example ... just because it has a trailer weight rating of 5,200# does not mean it will tow 5,200# in all instances. A FWD '09/'10 Acadia has a curb weight of 4,720#, a GCWR of 9,500#, a GVWR of 6,411# and a max tow rating of 5,200#. If a 5,200# trailer (including trailer weight & cargo) has a TW of 580# loaded, add that to the curb weight ... 5,300#. Add another 140# for a full tank of gas ... 5,440#. Add 300#+ for two adults ... 5,740#. Add another 300# or so for luggage, cooler and beer ... 6,040# ... within about 300# of the GVWR not too mention vehicle fluids and options.
So that is good .... correct?
Not so much ... take that same example and compare it to the vehicle's GCWR. Take the loaded vehicle weight of 6,040# and add the 5,200# trailer weight ... 11,040#. That is 1,540# over the GCWR. Most will say this is not a problem and is overthinking ... ! Consider how that transmission, engine and, most important, brakes will perform being 1,540# overweight. Also consider if, worst case scenario, you are involved in an accident ... your fault or not, you are overweight and will be at fault. Some insurance companies won't cover the accident because of this.
Just be educated when chosing a tow vehicle ... Google it ... !
Take an Acadia for example ... just because it has a trailer weight rating of 5,200# does not mean it will tow 5,200# in all instances. A FWD '09/'10 Acadia has a curb weight of 4,720#, a GCWR of 9,500#, a GVWR of 6,411# and a max tow rating of 5,200#. If a 5,200# trailer (including trailer weight & cargo) has a TW of 580# loaded, add that to the curb weight ... 5,300#. Add another 140# for a full tank of gas ... 5,440#. Add 300#+ for two adults ... 5,740#. Add another 300# or so for luggage, cooler and beer ... 6,040# ... within about 300# of the GVWR not too mention vehicle fluids and options.
So that is good .... correct?
Not so much ... take that same example and compare it to the vehicle's GCWR. Take the loaded vehicle weight of 6,040# and add the 5,200# trailer weight ... 11,040#. That is 1,540# over the GCWR. Most will say this is not a problem and is overthinking ... ! Consider how that transmission, engine and, most important, brakes will perform being 1,540# overweight. Also consider if, worst case scenario, you are involved in an accident ... your fault or not, you are overweight and will be at fault. Some insurance companies won't cover the accident because of this.
Just be educated when chosing a tow vehicle ... Google it ... !
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