New Vehicle Question

This topic has 9 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 11 months ago by BIGCATTER.

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July 14, 2014 at 11:11 pm #437752

BassCatSam1
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All, Need some help regarding a new vehicle. I have a 2000 Classic with 200 Mercury motor on a single axle trailer (approx 3300 lbs trailer stamp reads) I am looking at a new Chevrolet Traverse LTZ with FWD. (front wheel drive) Dealership states vehicle can tow up to 5200 lbs. Anyone want to chime in on this vehicle? I am concerned about safety. I was towing with a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT. Vehicle has 122K miles and has recently been costing me way too much money with front end repairs, shocks, struts etc. Appreciate any advice.Sam

July 15, 2014 at 12:19 am #437753

schodackbassman
Participant

I dont know, when you get into that price range Id rather buy a full size double cab GMC/chevy pickup with 4wd. The double cabs have plenty of room for the kids and the gas mileage is pretty good. There are some good deals on GMC Sierras SLE packages these days. Plus you cant beat a full size truck for stopping your trailer. Its not just about pulling it, its more important to be able to stop it. I also have a Classic (2007/200 Merc) and tow with higher end Sierra. Great tow vehicle as Im sure the Chevy is. If you go with a Traverse, Id get 4wd.

July 15, 2014 at 1:11 am #437754

Hooter
Participant

Generally speaking. rear wheel drive is much better for towing than front wheel drive any day.

July 15, 2014 at 8:12 pm #437755

NCBaycat
Participant

You dont need 4wd to tow a boat but I would want at least RWD.

July 15, 2014 at 11:13 pm #437756

BassCatSam1
Participant

Thank you for the advice.Sam

July 16, 2014 at 5:10 pm #437757

Love To Fish
Participant

Watched a couple vehicles try to pull their boat out of the water the other day. Ramp was busy and wet from alll the activity. They just sat there and spun their tires. Sorry I am biased as I have a 4 wheel drive Siverado and have not had an issue.Just my $.02John

July 16, 2014 at 8:02 pm #437758

NCBaycat
Participant

Love To Fish wrote:Watched a couple vehicles try to pull their boat out of the water the other day. Ramp was busy and wet from alll the activity. They just sat there and spun their tires. Sorry I am biased as I have a 4 wheel drive Siverado and have not had an issue.Just my $.02JohnI pulled with a 2wd Trail Blazer for a long time and never had an issue. It was RWD with the G80 locker though.

July 17, 2014 at 12:52 am #437759

intlwaters
Participant

I pull my boat with either a rwd tachoma or a fwd chevy equinox. At the same bad ramp the fwd equinox was much better. That is my experience.

July 17, 2014 at 1:11 am #437760

MeanV2
Participant

I prefer my 4wheel drive Silverado and the peace of mind it offers me at pretty much any condition found at the ramp. Dan

July 17, 2014 at 5:00 pm #437761

BIGCATTER
Participant

As a professional mechanic , my opinion is that front wheel drive vehicles have no business towing anything bigger than a pop-up tent trailer. ( about 1000 pounds ) — The transmissions are just not durable enough to take the abuse of towing ( TOO MUCH HEAT BUILDUP ) , and although the vehicle may be rated at 5200 pounds , if you hooked that much to it youd probably think you were dragging an anchor when you tried to accelerate , let alone pull a long hill . — Just my humble opinion . — Hoss
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