Towing with a VX

[Canadian80]

Hi there,

I'm currently considering a VX as my next vehicle purchase. I have one question that I can't seem to find a clear answer to:

What is the towing capacity of the Vehicross?
I read somewhere 5000lbs, but I have not seen any pics or proof of this.

I have a 17' speedboat with a 140 inboard/outboard. Not sure what it weighs, but it's pretty much an average 17' speedboat. Do you guys think this would be ok to tow around with a VX?

Thanks in advance,
-Ryan

[tom4bren]

you mean like this?


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/100_2663.JPG

I wouldn't go much more than 2000lbs since that's approaching the vehicle weight. You should be fine with your set up though.

[circmand]

the manual states the VX is not recomended for towing

[rowhard]

Just remember you have a short wheelbase so I guess it can get squirrelly, I'm NOT speaking from experience

[Riff Raff]

I haven't towed any boats/trailers with the VX, and I don't plan to because it is AWD and the added strain on the TOD system might cause TOD flucuations/issues.

My primary tow vehicle has always been my 1978 FJ-40. I've previously owned a 19' Bayliner Cuddy Cabin which had a single-axle trailer, and it was squirrelly as heck with massive sway (very scary). My current boat is a 19' MasterCraft ProStar 190 Tournament Ski Boat with a tandem axle and it tracks smooth as silk behind my FJ-40 with no issues and zero sway.

My advice-- No, I wouldn't tow anything behind the VX simply because of the tempermental TOD system. In addition; I would highly recommend a tandem axle boat trailer if available for your boat, as dual axle boat trailers track straight and true without any sway.

In my opinion, a trailer tow hitch should only be installed on a VX to serve as a primary mounting point for a "Rear Step Bumper" that fits into the square box receiver hitch (to protect the vunerable rear cladding). Examples of Rear Step Bumper's using square box trailer hitches can be viewed on the photo gallery's of MARLIN and MR. LARRY'S

[psychos2]

I towed a 22' donzi classic (with a full tank of fuel) from cape cod, mass to lake george ,ny. no problems,probably a lot heavier than your boat. Probably close to 5000 lbs with trailer and fuel. shawn


Hi there,

I'm currently considering a VX as my next vehicle purchase. I have one question that I can't seem to find a clear answer to:

What is the towing capacity of the Vehicross?
I read somewhere 5000lbs, but I have not seen any pics or proof of this.

I have a 17' speedboat with a 140 inboard/outboard. Not sure what it weighs, but it's pretty much an average 17' speedboat. Do you guys think this would be ok to tow around with a VX?

Thanks in advance,
-Ryan

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Borrowed from Bantan's gallery:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/2252704sep_098.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/4844)

[JoFotoz]

Hey Tom..did ya strip yers down!!



I wouldn't go much more than 2000lbs since that's approaching the vehicle weight. You should be fine with your set up though.


WEIGHTS & CAPACITIES

Curb weight
3955 lbs

jo

[Canadian80]

Wow thanks for all the pics and info guys..
I think I'm going to continue to pursue the VX, as towing will be infrequent short trips.
Thanks again,
-Ryan

[tom4bren]

"Hey Tom..did ya strip yers down!!"

Thx Joe so VERY much for correcting me:).

'Scuse my typo, I meant to say 3000lbs. My SeaDoo is prolly about 2000lbs and tows fine. The twin pack of SeaDoos is even less & tows even better with the wider stance (it's almost as wide at the VX with the offset from Hell).

I agree with Canadian, for short hauls to/from the lake, the VX is fine for towing. For long hauls, you should at least add a tranny cooler.

Canadian, the power mode switch can be your friend while towing. It is NOT recommended to use low range on the transfer case while on pavement (some have without incident but I never would).

Tom

[Joe_Black]

Follow the same towing guidelines as for the Isuzu Trooper RS which has the same wheelbase as the VX: 5000lbs tow and 500 tongue. I'm not certain why Isuzu chose not to include this in the VX manual and opted for the "towing not recommended" comment other than dealing with an overly-litiginous American society. But a survey of Isuzu's other 90-inch wheelbase vehicles will yield the same stats for the drivetrain. I regularly towed full loads with my 1993 Trooper RS and will all of my VX's too, you just have to be mindful of the short wheelbase.

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=479&d=1161648571

[vt_maverick]

In my opinion, a trailer tow hitch should only be installed on a VX to serve as a primary mounting point for a "Rear Step Bumper" that fits into the square box receiver hitch (to protect the vunerable rear cladding). Examples of Rear Step Bumper's using square box trailer hitches can be viewed on the photo gallery's of MARLIN and MR. LARRY'S

Or this...

http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/09/44/28/26/0009442826092_500X500.jpg

:cool:

[Riff Raff]

Or this...

http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/09/44/28/26/0009442826092_500X500.jpg

:cool:

Yes, now that's different. I'd just be really worried about the "heat" possibly scorching/melting the plastic rear cladding. It would be the same as parking your VX really close to a open camp fire (not very wise). How 'bout you try it out first near your plastic rear cladding, then give us a product review (or an insurance incident report).

[vt_maverick]

Yes, now that's different. I'd just be really worried about the "heat" possibly scorching/melting the plastic rear cladding. It would be the same as parking your VX really close to a open camp fire (not very wise). How 'bout you try it out first near your plastic rear cladding, then give us a product review (or an insurance incident report).

:p Don't worry, I'm not that dumb, I had exactly the same thought when I first saw it. Apparently you can buy an accessory that extends the arm backwards another couple feet for safety. I guess the idea is that you haul it close to your vehicle then extend it out for cooking and cool-down.

[etlsport]

trying to decide if it would be ok to tow a trailer from philly to pittsburgh.. its about a 4hr drive some of it is a highway mountain pass.. not sure of weight.. it would be a 4x8 uhaul trailer with a dorm room worth of stuff

never towed anything before so any tips or input is appreciated

[tom4bren]

Eric,

I've towed a 6x8 trailer that's boxed in (fully loaded with junk). I'm not sure of the weight either but it did the job well. The mountain pass will be slow going - the power mode will be your friend there - just pick a speed that the VX can maintain even if it's slow & don't keep shifting up & down just to keep the speed up. See if you can find a trailer with surge brakes - that'll help on the back side of the mountain pass.

The only other thing I'd mention is to keep both hands on the wheel. Side winds can be quite entertaining if you're not prepared.

[etlsport]

thanks tom.. my plan is tomorrow or wednesday to go rent the trailer and drive it around town a bit to get used to it, its only 20 bucks a day so thats no biggie.. wish me luck! lol

[etlsport]

well tomorrows the day.. pick up the trailer at 7am.. we'll see how it goes

my vx is in tip top shape with..
new tires and shocks
fresh trans fluid, fresh t-case fluid..

wish me luck!

[Ldub]

thanks tom.. my plan is tomorrow or wednesday to go rent the trailer and drive it around town a bit to get used to it, its only 20 bucks a day so thats no biggie.. wish me luck! lol


well tomorrows the day.. pick up the trailer at 7am.. we'll see how it goes

my vx is in tip top shape with..
new tires and shocks
fresh trans fluid, fresh t-case fluid..

wish me luck!

:luck:...:thumbup:...:luck:...:thumbup:...:luck:.. .:thumbup:

And happy motoring!

[tom4bren]

Best o luck buddy.

Let us know how it went.

[Leah]

Sheesh! Does anyone know what happened to etlsport? He never reported back...

[tom4bren]

He survived the trip. IIRC experienced no difficulties whatsoever. If you check his gallery, I think he has a pic of the setup.

[etlsport]

I made it! Haha no problems at all.. Even parallel parked with the trailer.. Vx handled with confidence and authority. Later towed the larger trailer about 40 miles loaded around 4000 lbs with no issue other than getting up one steep hill I was worried that I was running steady around 4k rpms.. That made me nervous but it was fine

Larger trailer
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/SNC00315.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=17623)


Smaller Trailer
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/SNC00283.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15768)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/SNC00272.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15767)

[Bob Barker]

Wowser! It looks like a Tonka toy next to those big rigs!!!

[vt_maverick]

You have a Tone hitch right?

[etlsport]

yep, didnt notice any deflection in it, i kept a close watch on my back up cam, and before leaving had a buddy jump up and down on the trailer connection, the suspension flexed, but not the hitch

[Cobrajet]

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/SNC00283.jpg

Looks like a scene out of Transformers!

At least it didn't end up looking like this one...

http://media2.myfoxdc.com/photo/2010/10/11/TransformerDCPoliceCarAccident4_20101011160420_320 _240.JPG

[RallyDude]

Those are some big boats to be towing with the VX, especially the sailboat. I've towed a small enclosed camper with a Wrangler (same short wheelbase, high profile). In downtown Chicago traffic, the trailer started wagging me back and forth like a dog with a squeaky toy. The front end would go back and forth with all the weight coming off the suspension at each side. Unnerving as hell. I found that the only way to stop this, was to actuate the trailer brakes and apply the gas at the same time. Once I figured out that trick, I never had any issues. Still, not a preferred situation.

I think a small boat, a couple jet skis, atv's, or dirtbikes, a light sport aircraft, or a utility trailer or pop-up camper would be what I would be most comfortable towing. Anything above 1,500lbs, I'd want a trailer with brakes. I think it matters how often and how far you plan on towing that boat.

As far as messing with the TOD, you could install an off switch so you could tow in 2wd. Don't use it in 4th gear either, overdrive is not intended for towing, and you could easily burn out that tranny. Keep the speed down as well, and you'll be happy for the advise the first time you come to a stoplight.

Etisport, that's probably a bit much. I'd probably rent or borrow a truck for the day, or a utility trailer rather than an enclosed one. Besides all the extra weight, you have a lot of drag on an enclosed trailer.

[RallyDude]

You're much better off running at higher rpm's, rather than upshifting and trying to tow in too high of a gear. You're not going to harm the VX constantly keeping 4,000 rpm's. I didn't make that last post before looking at page 2. I think the smaller trailer is more fitting for the vehicle. I'd want trailer brakes on the larger one especially coming down a pass. Glad it worked out for you.

[Volksnick]

My VX was my only vehicle for quite a while (10 years!) and it saw plenty of towing duties. I regularly pulled a 20 ft sailboat and a large (12ft box) popup. I also flat towed a lot of old VWs (~1800lbs). The pop up was the only one with electric brakes. There were frequent utility trailer/dirt bike hauling trips. I never once got in a scary situation and never once felt like the tail was wagging the dog. Always lots of power and plenty of stopping ability. I'd argue that the trailer hitch is the only reason I kept the VX all that time, because without a hitch, a vehicle is useless.

The VX has towed stuff ALOT better than my 2007 V6 frontier (manual) and its rated for 6,500 lbs...which is why I still have it...