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Location: Berlin | My Uplander is rated for 3500 lbs towing and the boat I am looking at comes in at about 3500lbs total. What will be the effect on the van after a few years of towing? Is there a inexpensive way to increase the towing capacity or should I just buy a different vehicle? |
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| I think the tranny will be the main component to suffer in this scenario. You're not usually towing too far, Rich, I think, but I wouldn't want to stress the wife's vehicle too much by towing your boat. My suggestion is to get a nice older truck just for towing, and let wife's minivan alone to haul the kids.
The other thing to consider when towing is braking. I'm pretty sure that boat would be pushing that van around abit, and the braking would not be very safe. |
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Location: Berlin | The farthest I would be traveling would be 20 miles into Oshkosh. For the most part I would be towing about 10 miles to Poy Sippi. I really don't want to buy another vehicle so this will play a huge part into whether I buy a new boat or not. Thanks for the bad news bud:( |
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| Rich, Keep in mind that towing capacity is reduced by every pound you put into the vehicle including the weight of the passengers, gear, dogs, and everything else you haul around. Most front wheel drive vans are rated at #2000 LBS for towing and that is really the top end. I would not recommend that you use your Highlander for towing even though it is rated for #3500 lbs. I'm not even sure you can get a class 3 hitch for a Highlander and a class 2 hitch is rated at a max of #3500 lbs. If you do decide to tow, it will affect the way the vehicle drives by reducing the balance from front to back. Your steering will be very light and your braking will be most affected so reduce your speed and plan on longer braking stops. Now having said that... I towed a #2500 LB boat with my wife's extended Venture van for a couple of years and it seemed fine. The most problems I had were the driveway and landings. If you plan on traveling greater distances, have someone put an Engine Oil and Transmission Oil Cooler on and make sure the tongue weight does not make the vehicle squat to low. I worked for General Motors for 15 years, I can’t believe I admitted that…. Dominic |
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Location: Berlin | Dominic, it is an Uplander, not a highlander but I that will not change anything. I am looking at all the options right now. I am looking to fing an SUV with a 5000lb towing capacity that gets the best gas mileage. My hunt has just begun.
I purposely downsized on the boat so I could tow it with the van and now after looking at the numbers, this is really frustrating. I am sure I am not the only one is this boat (no pun intended). |
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| Just make two trips. |
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| Is this what you are driving???
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 chevy-uplander.jpg (11KB - 84 downloads)
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| what model of boat, and what motor, trailer brakes? |
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Location: Berlin | Yes, that is what I am driving. The boat in question is either a Tuffy X-190 with a 150 Opti and single axle or a Bass Cat Sabre FTD with a 150 Opti and Dual axle. I believe both have breaks on the trailer.
Edited by Rich S 4/30/2008 12:21 PM
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Location: Berlin | BTW Dominic, I was so embarrased to be a van owner but let me tell you, I LOVE that thing. I would really hate to part with it. I do think it is under rated becasue it has a 3.9L. I know there are other factors but I am starting to think I might give it a try. The 3500lbs is the Bass cat LOADED as well. |
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| Rich, you got one kick ass soccer mom van :). Unfortunately there isn't much out there for performance upgrades for your Uplander. I'm guessing soccer moms aren't impressed with that kind of stuff. Your best bet would be a "retrofitted" general after market tranny cooler.
Overall towing 10 miles one way isn't gonna kill your tranny right away. I think you could change to a good synthetic tranny fluid and keep your trips short and you'll be fine. 20 miles to Oshkosh will most likely be hard on your tranny and fluid. keep up with the maint regularly and you'll probably be fine.
My grand father had a Dodge Caravan that he used to tow boats and an ATV around all the time, he swore up down that it was his best "pick-up truck" ever. Never did have any problems with that.
Edited by Jayman 4/30/2008 12:44 PM
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| That X-190 won't be near 3500 lbs. I bet my 1890 doesn't weigh that. I think you should do as Jayman said with the tranny cooler, and get the X-190. You'd be OK. If you need to go further, just take me, and we can use my truck!
Your serious. You really drive that thing. hehehe |
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Location: Berlin | I don't just drive in it Shep....There is LOTS of room in there
Take your boat to the dump and put it on the scale. I would Love to get the exact weight. Your will be quite a bit heavier I would imagine but would get me in the ballpark.
Edited by Rich S 4/30/2008 2:44 PM
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| Rich I will take my 190 to the scale this week and let you know.
Zach |
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Location: Berlin | Thanks a ton Zach! That will be the deciding factor here. |
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Location: Manitowoc, WI | Rich, if you do as the others tell you and put the tranny cooler in I think you will be fine. But, if you are gonna be driving a mini van, at least go with the X190 and no one will even notice the mini van when they see you. LOL! Just kidding! |
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Location: Berlin | I fell in love with the X-190 as soon as Denny told me about it. It will probably be the way I am going to go. I do like the Bass Cat as well. It is a very well built boat and has a unlimited transferable lifetime hull warranty. I also like the idea of going mid to upper 60's with a 150. The X-190 will handle the wave better and has a better layout for walleyes as well as the larger livewell. I have until end of January to decide but the more I look at the two, the more I like the Tuffy. |
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| I agree with shep and purple skeeter about the tranny's. I was pulling my pro-v with my S-10 4X4 and as soon as the transmission got hot it blew out the rear seal, coating the front end of my boat. It was a mess. It was my fault not to put a larger cooler on to protect the transmission. And I was running a little harder that what I should of been. I personally now will buy a littly over kill for pulling purposes. I would do the homework in depth to protect your investment. Good Luck. |
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