towing with these anyone?

[Bruce Thomas]

Is anyone towing with any of these vehicles.....we are looking to replace our voyager this year and maybe get something that pulls a bit easier so any comments are welcome......so....happy with your choice or no?
Ford Flex
Ford freestyle
Kia sorento
Kia sedona

thankyou Bruce

[RSchleder]

Originally Posted by Bruce Thomas

Is anyone towing with any of these vehicles.....we are looking to replace our voyager this year and maybe get something that pulls a bit easier so any comments are welcome......so....happy with your choice or no?
Ford Flex
Ford freestyle
Kia sorento
Kia sedona

thankyou Bruce

Bruce, take a look at the V6 GMC Terrain!

[Steven F]

We are towing a Scamp 16 with a 2010 Ford Edge FWD. We are very happy with it. It would have the same engine and transmission as the Flex, but it is not as large.

[Frederick L. Simson]

If I remember correctly, our returning compatriot Steve L. tows his 16' Casita Spirit Deluxe with a Ford Flex.

[Bruce Thomas]

Originally Posted by RSchleder

Bruce, take a look at the V6 GMC Terrain!

I kinda like the look of a flex...but i know the gmc is nice my friend has one....Bruce

[Steven F]

I looked at the Chevrolet Equinox (same as Terrain), but liked the extra power of the Edge. It has a 3.5L engine vs. 3.0L in Terrain. Both have 6-spd transmission. For us we chose the Edge and are happy with it. - Steve

[theresa p]

Well I have never towed with either of the above but my mechanic has told me many times to stay away from Kia as parts are sometimes hard to come by the old 10 yr rule with the North American brands doesn't seem to a rule here.

Just a thought.....

D

[Alf S.]

Hi: All... We did tow with an '05 Ford Taurus V6 3.0 Ltr Wagon. The only problem was finding stats for it. It had 2000 #'s of cargo cap. but only 1250 #'s of trailer cap. Seemed a bit over on one and short on the other.
Our '02 4.3 Ltr. V6 Sierra PU. had 5800 #'s of tow cap. but was a poor performer on the hills.
Looking forward to trying our new 2010 Nissan Crew Cab 4.0 Ltr. PU. with 6100 #'s of tow cap. and lots more torque!!! It's a real "Go getter".
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Mike Hilliard]

My dear Alf;
I also have an '05 Taurus wagon and I had planned to tow with it - - - until I saw the low ratings this vehicle has. I can tow to my hearts content, as long as I don't go over 1100 lbs ??? What kind of package is this? I did the research and found the biggest problem is the rear springs on the wagon (these are special springs to maintain a minimum ride - and fit the body). These can be upgraded with aftermarket springs, aftermarket shocks, air ride bags etc., etc., etc.
So I went out and bought an F-150 that has 8000 lbs towing capacity - until I found out the springs on that vehicle are kind of wishie washie. I need to upgrade the springs again and install a solid anti-sway bar on the rear suspension...

I can't win for playing, can I???
If I can find a really good trailer (e.g. a bigfoot fifth wheel, or a nice old Amerigo with lots of room) I will join the ranks of you folks. Now I find out St. Louis is not the hot bed of fiberglass trailers as I had hoped it to be...

STRIKE THREE!!!!

Keep in touch sir as will I.

[Alf S.]

Hi: Mike Hilliard... Your batting average is about... "Like mine"!!! I just hope that with the Nissan Frontier 4X4's 4 leaves+ helpers under neath, I don't have to go to great lengths to add-a-lot.
Our Escape 5.0 has a max. axle cap. of 3500#'s and a pin weight of less than 500#'s and I have been told by other owners towing the same combo that their truck only squats down by an inch with the trailer attached.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Borden]

It is not just about weight, though that is important; the air being pushed is more important for super ultra lights. They even make a WD hitch for super ultra lights rated 350 / 3500 lbs, "Trans coolers" and electric brakes all help. WD systems level the load a requirement in Ontario, unlike extra springs they keep the nice factory ride.

[Kip in Ga.]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Hi: All... We did tow with an '05 Ford Taurus V6 3.0 Ltr Wagon. The only problem was finding stats for it. It had 2000 #'s of cargo cap. but only 1250 #'s of trailer cap. Seemed a bit over on one and short on the other.
Our '02 4.3 Ltr. V6 Sierra PU. had 5800 #'s of tow cap. but was a poor performer on the hills.
Looking forward to trying our new 2010 Nissan Crew Cab 4.0 Ltr. PU. with 6100 #'s of tow cap. and lots more torque!!! It's a real "Go getter".
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

The Frontier should perform very well. That is an excellent engine.
Kip

[Borden]

Getting a new car. The one Kia comes with an optional class 3 hitch; they had one on the dealer showroom floor with hitch pre installed. It is famous for is towing capacity. We looked at it for our new car but in the end our trailer only weights 2000 lbs. and it was more than we needed.

[R. Wms.]

We are buying a 17' Casita-2500 lbs. We want to pull it with a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo with towing capacity of 4500 lbs. We are getting a class 3 trailer hitch with brake wiring installed.The engine is a 3.2L V6 with a 4 speed overdrive transmission with an engine rated at 205 hp. It also has winter start and power transmission mode. Will we be able to tow this trailer comfortably, especially up mountains?

[Mike Magee]

Originally Posted by R. Wms.

We are buying a 17' Casita-2500 lbs. We want to pull it with a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo with towing capacity of 4500 lbs. We are getting a class 3 trailer hitch with brake wiring installed.The engine is a 3.2L V6 with a 4 speed overdrive transmission with an engine rated at 205 hp. It also has winter start and power transmission mode. Will we be able to tow this trailer comfortably, especially up mountains?

Going up the steepest grades, you may want to shift to 2nd gear and keep the speed down to 30 or 40 mph. But yes, it should get you over the hills.

I would recommend asking an Isuzu dealer whether an auxiliary transmission cooler is recommended. this is cheap insurance against a ruined tranny.

One other thing to keep in mind: once you get the trailer loaded about the way you would want it, check the tongue weight. The 17' Casita Deluxe can be pretty front heavy. With propane and all, I think I've seen numbers around 500 lbs or more, which may make a weight distributing hitch desirable (perhaps necessary).

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Michael Galazin

One other thing to keep in mind: once you get the trailer loaded about the way you would want it, check the tongue weight. The 17' Casita Deluxe can be pretty front heavy. With propane and all, I think I've seen numbers around 500 lbs or more, which may make a weight distributing hitch desirable (perhaps necessary).

Trailer Weights in the Real World

I agree with Michael. The lightest 17' Casita Tongue weight I ever measured in the linked spreadsheet was 300 pounds and the heaviest Tongue weight was 660 pounds, with the average falling at approximately 440 pounds. However, I believe you'll be OK with a towing capacity of 4500 pounds which indicates to me a tongue capacity of 450 pounds.

[Borden]

Tongue weight depends on proper packing of trailer for weight distribution tongue should rang 10% to 15% of total trailer and load weight. 2500 trailer + 500 cargo 3000 so 300 to 450 lbs range for best ride.

[Cam A]

Thanks, Frederick. I find it quite reassuring to have the real-world numbers available from a reliable source.

[eldercaddy]

That's really a good choice. I am doing that everytime I have car to tow.

[Bill MacDermod]

It seems many folk are concerned about towing in the mountains, We tow a 17' Casita with an 05 Odyssey which has a 3500 weight limit. Our annual trip in Apr - June took us from Fl. to about the most southern route there is to Joshua Tree and then to the mountains of Northern Az. Utah, SW Co. NM through the Ozarks then home and I'm talking the scenic routes not Interstates. What we found was that there are so many tourists on the road on both bikes and auto's that are also going through the mountains that your speed get cut from the normal speed limit to 15-25 mph so its really a moot point. If your using interstates than it may be a different story, even then we travel at a max speed of 62 mph. The 3.5 V-6 had all the power needed. If the objective is to get there as fast as possible you not only miss the scenery but your gas mileage suffers terribly. Our eastern trips which we do to make the rounds of our kids take us through the mountains of NC, Va, Pa, NY and New England. we are enjoying the journey