Towing Capacity/Vehicle Help?

Hey Everyone,

As I consider purchasing a ski nautique (1999), what kind of vehicle should I consider towing it? I have a 2002 Kia Sedona Minivan with towing capacity of 3500 lbs. with a class III hitch rated for 5500 pounds. Will the 195HP 3.6 ltr. V6 on this van be able to handle the tow? or should I consider a larger engine? Thanks for suggestions.

Bob

I would be hesitant to tow with a minivan or anything else with a car based frame and FWD... but the towing capacity on the Sedona looks pretty good. The Cleveland area is pretty flat, so you may be ok. Im one who strongly prefers 4WD on the ramp, but I know many do without it. If you decide to go for it, do get the Class III hitch.

That being said, if youre shopping for a new vehicle, Id look for something built to tow- especially if youre going to go far distances or are planning to tow more than a few times a year. A small or midsize SUV would be plenty for that '99, which should weigh in the neighborhood of 3500lbs with the trailer. Something along the lines of a Pathfinder/Grand Cherokee/etc would be fine (I have a V8 4Runner). No need to go full size truck or SUV unless you need the room for the family.

Joe - I'm in the Eastern Subs...I would go to West Branch - most likely, but we annually go to the Adirondacks to Lake Pleasant north of Utica.

Pete - I found a Land Rover Discovery - 2003 for sale, but I've heard so many negative things about repairs and the costs of those repairs that it makes me shy away.

Tim: I suppose an 2005 Acura MDX 4x4 would foot the bill too. Thoughts?

bnhbutts wrote: Pete - I found a Land Rover Discovery - 2003 for sale, but I've heard so many negative things about repairs and the costs of those repairs that it makes me shy away. Tim: I suppose an 2005 Acura MDX 4x4 would foot the bill too. Thoughts?

Don't buy a Disco. I love them and hate them at the same time. 2003 was the best year for them because they inherited the Range Rover powerplant as well as many other good updates for that year but the car is still an absolute joke reliability and maintenance-wise, not to mention absolutely abysmal with gas mileage.

MDX is a unibody vehicle rather than body-on-frame. Plus, it's my personal opinion based on field research that most Acura drivers are total a-holes . I'd pass on that vehicle for sure.

I wouldn't discount the 3rd-gen 4Runners although they are starting to get old. The newest one of those is a 2002 MY, which is already 8 years ago.

Whatever car you end up with, even towing with the minivan, add a trans cooler. Slushbox trans temps go through the roof while towing loads and heat kills them.

^^ Probably. Can't stand looking at the Envoy GMT360 platform in any of its 500 million variants but it'll probably do the job just fine. The Explorer seems like it's come a long way in the later models, but I don't know much about it. Not a bad looking car.

People any thoughts on the Honda Ridgeline? I am guessing that any pickup type vehicle with a V6 or larger is gonna be good for towing. But I could be wrong.

bnhbutts wrote: Pete - I found a Land Rover Discovery - 2003 for sale, but I've heard so many negative things about repairs and the costs of those repairs that it makes me shy away.

Bob,
The Land Rover series III was a 1970. That was way before Ford took over the company!!! Go at it Ford lovers!

Durango will do the job. I'd think carefully first. My brothers 2 wheel drive Durango got poorer mileage than my 4WD Suburban. The Suburban is a far better tow vehicle, and obviously has a lot more room. BKH

I've seen many a boat towed with a Durango. You should be fine with that, especially with the V8 model. I believe it's basically a Dakota chassis. Personally I have a Suburban. I waited a long time to get it but I couldn't ask for a better tow vehicle.

David

Def look into Tim's 4 runner, Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado.

Trucks I have had S10 v6 sucked gas like no tomorrow towing my snowmobile trailer, then I upgraded to a Silverado 5.3 liter same thing on the snowmobile trailer plus the transmission was shifting all over the place even in tow mode, I upgraded to my newest truck a year and half ago a 2500HD Duramax, 6th gear all the way back and forth from CT to Lake George and 17MPG doing 65MPH towing my 206. I wish I could hitch up both boats at the same time lol when I go up for July vacation to LG and the Reunion TBD(sept I am assuming)

jwchapman wrote: The Durango is built on the Dakota chasis and while great for towing and hauling stuff, it rides a lot rougher than some of the newer trucks and cross-overs.

Leaf springs in back probably don't help in this regard.

Only one way to find out! I don't know about up north but here in florida no matter what happens there is always someone else at the boat ramp that will make you look good by making a total ass of themselves. It takes me about four minutes to load my boat and get out of the way but I always have to wait 20 minutes for some dumbass to load thier jet ski. I guess thats the price we pay to live here. I guess if the fwd won't pull it up the ramp you can get someone to pull you out and then you'll know.

bkhallpass wrote: Durango will do the job. I'd think carefully first. My brothers 2 wheel drive Durango got poorer mileage than my 4WD Suburban. The Suburban is a far better tow vehicle, and obviously has a lot more room. BKH

Suburban, now thats a "Beast".. Good choice, I wish I could find one in the mid 80's or later.. Big 350 motor, animals..

Thanks but my Signature line says it all, Photos well but not close up. It sure is fun though.