How do most vehicles tow???

[frankrom]

Hi Guys,

I am confused here. I've been looking at buying a boat and just about pulled the trigger when i began to ask a few more questions about towing and the total weight.

I have a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5 L V6 with front wheel drive. The manual says the vehicle can tow 3,500 lbs.

I am looking at Four Winns H183 F&S. Needless to say the boat weighs in at 2600 ish pounds with the trailer weighing about 900... those are estimates... bottom line is the four winns dealer told me both would weigh at 3495 ... 5 lbs off my MAX TOWING CAPACITY. This doesn't include fuel, anchors, gear etc.

So clearly this doesn't work... I looked at possibly trading my SUV in but it seems as if MOST OTHER VEHICLES all have a max towing capacity of 3500 lbs... so how the hell does everyone tow their boats?!!?

The hyundai dealer said i could probably get away with towing 4000 lbs.. without much issue... maybe a few with hills or boat ramps. Not sure if i really want to exceed my towing capacity for safety and the health of my vehicle.

What do you guys think? how do you do it? think it is safe to tow?

so frustrated as now i feel as if i cannot get the boat I want which means no boat.

 

[90stingray]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

Not safe to tow. You need a smaller boat. OR... BUY A TRUCK! Done deal, no issues. Go boating, and have fun. But seriously, if a truck doesn't work for you, there are other mid sized vehicles that can tow 5000lb range. Check out this chart and see...

http://www.onlinetowingguide.com/guidelines/towing_capacities.html

 

[H20Rat]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

So clearly this doesn't work... I looked at possibly trading my SUV in but it seems as if MOST OTHER VEHICLES all have a max towing capacity of 3500 lbs... so how the hell does everyone tow their boats?!!?

Find something with a frame... Unibody vehicles are usually limited to 3500 pounds, with a couple rare exceptions that are above that. It is so much nicer to tow with a body-on-frame vehicle, you don't feel the trailer jerk you around on every bump.

If you are looking at imports, check out either nissan SUV's or trucks, or a toyota truck. Even nissan's smallest SUV, the xterra, is still rated for 5000 pounds. The nissan titan is good for almost 10k.

 

[Brian66D]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

The problem is that you're driving a Hyundai.

Over the years:
04 BMW X5 - pulled a 5000# boat with no issues.
It is going to be a more expensive vehicle than your hyundai but will last longer IMO and you can always buy a certified pre owned

I had 2007 (rear bucket seats w/ 3rd tow to fit 7 total) and 2008 (rear bench w/ 3rd row to fit 8 total) Chevrolet Tahoes. Both loaded to the max and could tow anything I threw at them. 5.3 v8 with 4spd

I just traded in my 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 5.3 6spd for a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 appearance package 5.3 6spd (both crew cabs & can seat 6 with plenty of room) and obviously these both can tow pretty much anything I throw at them (minor modifications for performance and suspension on both)...

If you're looking at staying in the SUV market look for something a little bigger than your hyundai....not saying it has to be something I have driven before lol just saying that they are good options for a DD and something that can handle a tow or fifty on the weekends.

If you really want to feel manly ...buy something american and full size. Somethin bout bein' MERICAN that you just feel good behind the wheel of a pickemup truck.

So what if I spend 8 grand a year in fuel....its whatever.

ps-whats a carbon footprint?

 

[roscoe]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

The hyundai dealer said i could probably get away with towing 4000 lbs.. without much issue... maybe a few with hills or boat ramps. Not sure if i really want to exceed my towing capacity for safety and the health of my vehicle.

That dealer is a numbskull.

You will have only ONE issue with a hill, and it may be your last.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

If you really want to feel manly ...buy something american and full size. Somethin bout bein' MERICAN that you just feel good behind the wheel of a pickemup truck.

'buy american' is the biggest farce ever... My previous car was a ford. There was a label in the door jam that proudly proclaimed 'made in <some town I can't pronounce>, mexico'. My current car, a subaru, is made in Indiana, by American workers.

Basically you can support the American CEO, or the American worker. Here is an interesting report... Top 10 American made vehicles. (cars and trucks) Domestic manufacturers hold spots 3,4,7,8,10. The other spots, including obviously 1 and 2, are held by non-domestic brands. Also note how many 1/2 ton trucks are on that list... One, and it isn't american. Yes, you read correctly. A tundra is far more american than an f150 or silverado.

Says something about the sad state of american manufacturing and how american CEO's believe in their own country...

http://www.cnbc.com/id/43562127/The_Most_American_Made_Cars_and_Trucks

So... still feel good behind the wheel of your foreign made truck?

 

[maproy99]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

'buy american' is the biggest farce ever... My previous car was a ford. There was a label in the door jam that proudly proclaimed 'made in <some town I can't pronounce>, mexico'. My current car, a subaru, is made in Indiana, by American workers.

Basically you can support the American CEO, or the American worker. Here is an interesting report... Top 10 American made vehicles. (cars and trucks) Domestic manufacturers hold spots 3,4,7,8,10. The other spots, including obviously 1 and 2, are held by non-domestic brands. Also note how many 1/2 ton trucks are on that list... One, and it isn't american. Yes, you read correctly. A tundra is far more american than an f150 or silverado.

Says something about the sad state of american manufacturing and how american CEO's believe in their own country...

http://www.cnbc.com/id/43562127/The_Most_American_Made_Cars_and_Trucks

So... still feel good behind the wheel of your foreign made truck?

Yea I do. I know what country the profits from GMC go. All over this country in the form of dividends. And GMC openly admits that it uses American, Mexican, and Canadian parts. Personally I believe, maybe if we give the Mexicans a reason to stay in Mexico, therefore no illegal or legal immigration, leading to they will not be working at McDonalds, so maybe my order will have a lower chance of being messed up. (I'm not serious about that )
Is there anything wrong with buying a few parts from out of this country that are impractical to start making here and benefit the local economy where they are currently made?

 

[Brian66D]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

'buy american' is the biggest farce ever... My previous car was a ford. There was a label in the door jam that proudly proclaimed 'made in <some town I can't pronounce>, mexico'. My current car, a subaru, is made in Indiana, by American workers.

Basically you can support the American CEO, or the American worker. Here is an interesting report... Top 10 American made vehicles. (cars and trucks) Domestic manufacturers hold spots 3,4,7,8,10. The other spots, including obviously 1 and 2, are held by non-domestic brands. Also note how many 1/2 ton trucks are on that list... One, and it isn't american. Yes, you read correctly. A tundra is far more american than an f150 or silverado.

Says something about the sad state of american manufacturing and how american CEO's believe in their own country...

http://www.cnbc.com/id/43562127/The_Most_American_Made_Cars_and_Trucks

So... still feel good behind the wheel of your foreign made truck?

easy smoke...guess you couldn't feel the sarcasm in my post....?

I am well aware that my silverado was "made in mexico" but my engine and trans were made in the us. I have the window sticker to show all the parts made in the us. You can't buy a crew cab silverado with a FINAL ASSEMBLY plant in the US unless you buy a silverado with special paint. That 3 on the front of the VIN doesn't bother me one bit. It is my understanding that the meh-hi-co plant is going to be closed and a plant in FLINT, MI will be re-openeing to replace it also. Just because all those vehicles are "made in the us" doesn't mean much other than the parts were assembled here.

I find it hard to believe that cnbc gathered all information available...I'm fairly knowledgable on the topic. My family owns a chevrolet, nissan, toyota, & scion dealership. I see these vehicles every day and the origins they come from, final assembly plant, parts distribution, etc. I wonder why GM still outsells any foreign auto maker in trucks? Its because when it comes down to it...the titan, frontier, tundra, and tacoma are junk. They don't hold up as well and the warranties don't stand up to GM...what other auto manufacturer could produce the same body style from 07 to 13 and still outsell virtually all of the competition?

I do feel great behind the wheel of my AMERICAN made truck assembled in meh-hi-co. I will continue to joke with a hick accent about GUNS, MERICAN PICKEMUPS, and BEIN A PATRIOT.
ps- subaru holds like .00000001% of the vehicle market today so they don't even count.

this conversation is for a different forum and different section. I could argue all day...but at the end we're both just a couple of dudes arguing on the internet.

 

[rallyart]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

There are many vehicles that will tow 4500 plus pounds. Most minivans will tow 3500 like your Sante Fe, which is built to similar standards.
What you need for the higher rating is more 'truck' and less 'passenger' in the design. What I mean by that is it has money spent on chassis, brakes, driveline, and suspension beyond what is necessary. Check to see what the tow rating is with and without an equalizer hitch. There are differences. Also look at trailers with brakes. The braking capacity of many vehicles is seriously compromised when you almost double the weight they have to stop. Take the time to research and you'll find a vehicle that you can use every day, and tow an 18' boat. I found one that would park in the mall and tow my 22' boat, both very well.
Good Luck.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

Ok back to the op yes you could probably get away with towing 4000 but it is a really bad idea. It's bad for your vehicle and more importantly it is illegal and should you get in an accident even if it is completely not your fault you can be held criminally liable. Don't open yourself up to that kind of liability. If you step up to a larger suv or a full size truck you will easily be able to tow that boat or get a smaller boat and keep the current car. You would be surprised how much wieght gets added once you put in fuel and gear.

 

[roscoe]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

Trailblazer, with the I6 or v8, Explorer, S-Blazer, S-pickup, Ford Ranger, will all tow your boat.

 

[Treker57]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

As has been said smaller boat or bigger tow vehcile. Mine for over 13,000

 

[tpenfield]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

It seems that with each boat that I bought, a new tow vehicle purchase was shortly to follow.

The typical thresholds for towing capacity are 3500, 5000, 7000 lbs. Then, you are into the trucks, etc.

So, you need to graduate from the small SUV to a medium or large capacity SUV in order to tow the boat. That is one of the hidden costs of boating

 

[Thalasso]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

'buy american' is the biggest farce ever... My previous car was a ford. There was a label in the door jam that proudly proclaimed 'made in <some town I can't pronounce>, mexico'. My current car, a subaru, is made in Indiana, by American workers.

Basically you can support the American CEO, or the American worker. Here is an interesting report... Top 10 American made vehicles. (cars and trucks) Domestic manufacturers hold spots 3,4,7,8,10. The other spots, including obviously 1 and 2, are held by non-domestic brands. Also note how many 1/2 ton trucks are on that list... One, and it isn't american. Yes, you read correctly. A tundra is far more american than an f150 or silverado.

Says something about the sad state of american manufacturing and how american CEO's believe in their own country...

http://www.cnbc.com/id/43562127/The_Most_American_Made_Cars_and_Trucks

So... still feel good behind the wheel of your foreign made truck?

I'm with you on this one Smoke. Bought me a Tundra to to my 288 FourWinns

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

The Domestic vs. Foreign part of this discussion ends now. Thanks.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

What do you guys think? how do you do it? think it is safe to tow?

I think that you're smart to be asking questions. I don't think that your vehicle is made to tow the boat that you're looking to buy. I think that the Hyundai dealer is as slimy as could be.

I towed my Alumacraft Navigator with 90hp 4-stroke with a Ford Ranger. The boat weighs about 1000lbs naked with a 350lbs motor and a 500lbs trailer. So I'm around 2000lbs and my Ranger was rated for 5000lbs. It was safe but I felt that I was pulling something that weighed a ton. I now have an F150 and barely notice the boat.

You need to have a safe vehicle for towing or don't tow. It's not just about the damage you may do by stressing your vehicle, it's about the safety of my family and everyone else on the road that you might put in danger by towing with something that is towing to its max.

 

[CoffeeHound]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

Dad always kept telling me : " Son ,,never hook anything behind your truck that weighs more than your truck !
So one time i tried a big load and the next day replaced all the brake shoes !!
Seems to still hold true even with equalizer hitchs !!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

Dad always kept telling me : " Son ,,never hook anything behind your truck that weighs more than your truck !
So one time i tried a big load and the next day replaced all the brake shoes !!
Seems to still hold true even with equalizer hitchs !!

So you are saying I shouldn't be towing my 6500# boat begind my 4200# truck. Please explain how, with that logic, a person could tow anything that is longer than 22'.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

Agreed with those who say bigger vehicle or smaller boat.

For that boat I'd want at minimum a full-sized (e.g., F-150/Silverado 1500-sized--not Ranger or Dakota) truck with a V8.

My advice: if you must tow with the Santa Fe, go SUBSTANTIALLY smaller on the boat; that (or any FWD and/or unibody) is just not a true tow vehicle, you will quickly tear it up if you get anywhere near it's so-called capacity. If you must have the 18' boat, get an old beater truck to tow it with.

 

[ricohman]

Re: How do most vehicles tow???

You have to remember, that 3600lbs is the max without a load of passengers.
You need a truck. There are a pile of mini-van-like-thing-crossovers that can pull more but they are no where near as rugged or useful as a truck.