Towing with FWD based SUV/Crossover

[Stewart Fan]

Originally Posted By: supton


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I presume you are keeping the 2500HD, and the 5th wheel; and are looking for a separate vehicle for moving bikes/ATV's/etc on rare occasions?


Correct. The CR-V has done a great job towing two bikes the times we take them with us. Now we have a couple atvs as well and a larger trailer. The CR-V isnt capable enough for the current task

 

[lyle]

I had an Expedition, dumped it for a Flex. It hauls my 2 pwc's and trailer (~2300 lbs) without fuss. I also have a utility trailer and have pulled a couple Grizzly ATV's on their trailer effortlessly.

Virtually any late model crossover will handle your needs without fault.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: Stewart Fan
Originally Posted By: andrewg
I'll probably get SLAMMED for even posting this (the anti-Ridgeline crowd is very vocal on BITOG)....but a Honda Ridgeline tows 5,000 no problem....seats five....has a great bed.....and handles like a dream.

I also use it as a daily driver and it's fantastic at it. Very comfortable and if it snows...no problem at all.

I've had mine for a few years and it has been perfect in every way for my needs.




I've never been a fan of the Ridgeline. Not a hater,just not excited about the styling. A Pilot is on the list to look at this weekend.


I understand...no problem.

The Ridgeline has unusual styling and doesn't appeal to everyones taste.

It actually took me a bit to find them very attractive myself. But once I drove one....it became immediately more attractive!

One of the very best vehicles I've ever owned...and tows moderate loads with ease and confidence.

As someone else has stated...the new Pilot is coming out. Should fit your needs very well.

 

[jk_636]

Go for the Ford Escape. They are absolutely outstanding. I can honestly say it has been the best vehicle I have ever purchased. Plenty roomy, lots of option and a v6 that is bulletproof. Heck, that V6 only gets 80hp less than my Dodges V8! They are easy to work on, parts are readily available and if you dont want to purchase a new one, there are quite a few "certified" used ones that can be had for a great deal.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: jk_636
Go for the Ford Escape. They are absolutely outstanding. I can honestly say it has been the best vehicle I have ever purchased. Plenty roomy, lots of option and a v6 that is bulletproof. Heck, that V6 only gets 80hp less than my Dodges V8! They are easy to work on, parts are readily available and if you dont want to purchase a new one, there are quite a few "certified" used ones that can be had for a great deal.


A new one, or an older, used one? The 2013+ Escape is a completely different vehicle than the 2012 and previous. The 2013+ Escape is basically a Focus on stilts with larger turbo 4's as powerplants.

 

[rslifkin]

IMO, anything FWD based should never have a trailer behind it. First time you have to take off up a hill in the rain, it's going to be a fun time (as the trailer tongue weight removes weight from the drive wheels).

 

[bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
IMO, anything FWD based should never have a trailer behind it. First time you have to take off up a hill in the rain, it's going to be a fun time (as the trailer tongue weight removes weight from the drive wheels).


I've done quite a lot of towing over the years using FWD and/or AWD based vehicles, including in the rain, and up hills, even from a standing start, and never had this issue you are trying to imply will happen.

If you completely overload a trailer to the degree that what you are describing will happen, you have no business towing a trailer in the first place.

I towed a 6x12 U-haul trailer from Brooklyn, NY to Saint John, New Brunswick (up north in Canada) using a '92 Buick Park Avenue Ultra (Supercharged 3800), without a single issue, and there was plenty of rain and hills on that trip, once I got into Maine and New Brunswick. Just a nice, uneventful trip. Towed the empty trailer all the way back to Brooklyn, again, with no issues.

Towed plenty of motorcycles on the U-Haul 5x9 and 6x12 Utility trailers from Queens, NY to NHIS using that same '92 Buick. Also, no problems, ever.

Heck, I towed a 17' sailboat from Boston to Queens with that same car.

Plenty of other cars and trailer combos since those days, too.

BC.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
Originally Posted By: rslifkin
IMO, anything FWD based should never have a trailer behind it. First time you have to take off up a hill in the rain, it's going to be a fun time (as the trailer tongue weight removes weight from the drive wheels).


I've done quite a lot of towing over the years using FWD and/or AWD based vehicles, including in the rain, and up hills, even from a standing start, and never had this issue you are trying to imply will happen.

If you completely overload a trailer to the degree that what you are describing will happen, you have no business towing a trailer in the first place.

I towed a 6x12 U-haul trailer from Brooklyn, NY to Saint John, New Brunswick (up north in Canada) using a '92 Buick Park Avenue Ultra (Supercharged 3800), without a single issue, and there was plenty of rain and hills on that trip, once I got into Maine and New Brunswick. Just a nice, uneventful trip. Towed the empty trailer all the way back to Brooklyn, again, with no issues.

Towed plenty of motorcycles on the U-Haul 5x9 and 6x12 Utility trailers from Queens, NY to NHIS using that same '92 Buick. Also, no problems, ever.

Heck, I towed a 17' sailboat from Boston to Queens with that same car.

Plenty of other cars and trailer combos since those days, too.

BC.


Agreed. ^

My Ridgeline is front wheel...never had a single issue. Of course, if it detects any slippage I presume it will go into rear wheel mode....but that's never happened with a trailer unless I was pulling a boat out of the water on a very slippery boat ramp.

 

[KD0AXS]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
IMO, anything FWD based should never have a trailer behind it. First time you have to take off up a hill in the rain, it's going to be a fun time (as the trailer tongue weight removes weight from the drive wheels).


That's what a weight distributing hitch is for.

 

[Brons2]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
IMO, anything FWD based should never have a trailer behind it. First time you have to take off up a hill in the rain, it's going to be a fun time (as the trailer tongue weight removes weight from the drive wheels).


LOL

Clearly, you have never been to Europe and seen all the Golf sized cars towing travel trailers. Not huge ones mind you but still in the 10-15 foot range and probably 2000+ lbs.

 

[Stewart Fan]

I don't have much concern with rain,traction,hills,etc.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
IMO, anything FWD based should never have a trailer behind it. First time you have to take off up a hill in the rain, it's going to be a fun time (as the trailer tongue weight removes weight from the drive wheels).


Not sure if original poster is getting an AWD vehicle. My Acura MDX recognizes the trailer(plug?) is there and actually changes the AWD and stability control to work better with towing. Typically if I take off I notice it pushes majority of power to rear wheels(it can do 30/70 split) in the AWD guage on dash.

I used it to tow a load of apple wood cut pretty small and with a rented uhaul 6x12 trailer full even out of the orchard.

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Originally Posted By: rslifkin
IMO, anything FWD based should never have a trailer behind it. First time you have to take off up a hill in the rain, it's going to be a fun time (as the trailer tongue weight removes weight from the drive wheels).


Not sure if original poster is getting an AWD vehicle. My Acura MDX recognizes the trailer(plug?) is there and actually changes the AWD and stability control to work better with towing. Typically if I take off I notice it pushes majority of power to rear wheels(it can do 30/70 split) in the AWD guage on dash.

I used it to tow a load of apple wood cut pretty small and with a rented uhaul 6x12 trailer full even out of the orchard.


That definitely solves the problem. The issue with FWD or FWD until slip type AWD setups is that you're asking an awful lot of the front wheels when pulling a trailer, especially now that they've got less weight on them. A WD hitch helps, but it's not a perfect solution.