Any 1 tow there boat with a car?

[MazerMadness]

bifdotorg, I did try tow/haul mode the first time using the truck as a tow vehicle and, like you said, it holds the transmission in a lower gear and mostly eliminates the gear searching. My initial concern was the fuel mileage being that the truck was running at a higher average rpm. I'll give the tow/haul mode another shot, hopefully the additional fuel consumption is negligible.

I just wish more cars came with an available manual trans...seems like its a dying breed and its sad...when I was in europe, every single car i spotted was a manual...even minivans!...haha.

 

[carbineone]

Yes nothing beats a manual trans,be it a car,pickup or SUV..A manual is all I will own but it is getting tough to find them now..You would also note that most all cars in Europe are diesel powered also...They are in that sense much smarter than us..

 

[Coastiejoe]

Towed for years with my Lexus RX300...

It is a crossover from their car to their SUV. Worked fantastic...

 

[qsilver23t]

 

[pvamax]

Another 'balt tow mobile

 

[tealracing16]

bifdotorg, I did try tow/haul mode the first time using the truck as a tow vehicle and, like you said, it holds the transmission in a lower gear and mostly eliminates the gear searching. My initial concern was the fuel mileage being that the truck was running at a higher average rpm. I'll give the tow/haul mode another shot, hopefully the additional fuel consumption is negligible.

I just wish more cars came with an available manual trans...seems like its a dying breed and its sad...when I was in europe, every single car i spotted was a manual...even minivans!...haha.

Towing in haul mode isn't for fuel mileage. It's to make sure the tranny isn't searching for a gear, this heats up the tranny and BOOM.

 

[biffdotorg]

That's exactly what we were trying to recommend. Use the tow/haul mode to save the tranny.

Many think a vehicle will lose mileage just because it is running higher RPM's for longer periods of time. Many times it actually doesn't hurt it as the engine isn't lugging either. It may be a side benefit, but definately not the purpose. It is all about not burning up the tranny.

 

[HighBeam]

I used to tow a 98 Yamaha XL1200 with my modified 90 Volvo 744 16v which was rated to tow 3500 lbs and it did it just fine. Now I'm towing a 98 Seadoo GSX with my 08 Subaru Outback 2.5i which is rated to tow 2700 lbs and it does the trick. My only complaint is my Subaru could use the low range on the manual that's offered everywhere else in the world but North America. It would make pulling up the steep muddy country ramps just a little easier, but really I won't be getting stuck anytime soon.

Oh and to buddy who says only real men drive trucks, I prefer to enjoy my handling, good mileage, cheaper price, and every other benefit my wagon offers.

 

[RFoster130]

Another 'balt tow mobile

I'm just baffled you guys do that. Not only is it probably going to kill your car, it is highly illegal. I work in public safety and have seen cars exceeding their towing capacity kill someone in a wreck and the driver was charged. The cobalt max towing capacity is 1000 lbs. that boat DRY without anything, weighs 1450 lbs. Add the trailer, liquids and your gear and you are easily at 2000, twice the max.

 

[biffdotorg]

I think I would have to agree with Foster on that one. Just because it can do it, doesn't make it right. I would strongly suggest looking into a small SUV or a full sized car for that speedster. There is a reason for tow ratings. (they should think about changing the name to Tow/Stop ratings)

 

[pvamax]

Thanks for the concern guys. I'm aware of the ratings, did lots of research before putting a hitch on my car. Towed a 3 seater pwc last summer all over the northeast. Then a snowmobile all winter. I'm 1.5 miles from my launch, and a beater was absolutely not worth it. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but you can do it if you are careful. Braking early is the biggest concern. People also said my car wouldnt pull it out of the water, and that my clutch would be dead soon if it did. Well, 25+ launches this summer and never had a problem pulling it out and clutch feels new, AND there's 100k on the car.

 

[RFoster130]

Thanks for the concern guys. I'm aware of the ratings, did lots of research before putting a hitch on my car. Towed a 3 seater pwc last summer all over the northeast. Then a snowmobile all winter. I'm 1.5 miles from my launch, and a beater was absolutely not worth it. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but you can do it if you are careful. Braking early is the biggest concern. People also said my car wouldnt pull it out of the water, and that my clutch would be dead soon if it did. Well, 25+ launches this summer and never had a problem pulling it out and clutch feels new, AND there's 100k on the car.

Ummm... Legally, NO you cant. Did you bother reading what I wrote. All it takes is a single accident. it doesnt matter if it is your fault or not, you hit someone while towing double the recommended capacity, YOU will be the one in trouble. I have seen it happen.

 

[pvamax]

Ummm... Legally, NO you cant. Did you bother reading what I wrote. All it takes is a single accident. it doesnt matter if it is your fault or not, you hit someone while towing double the recommended capacity, YOU will be the one in trouble. I have seen it happen.

Legally, you can't drive over the speed limit either. Or talk on your cell phone in my state while driving. Etc, etc.

I'm not arguing that its a great idea, nor that it is legal, according to the overprotective tow ratings. The OP titled the thread "any1 tow their boat with a car". I do and i enjoy my 25mpg at 65mph TOWING! Yep, I went on the highway 600 miles round trip with it. Look out! :thumbsup:

 

[RFoster130]

Its just a matter of time before something catastrophic happens to you or some unsuspecting person you hit. towing 2000 lbs with a 2600 lb car is just plain ignorant.

 

[biffdotorg]

Why does this sound like an un-insured motorist case in the making?

PVAMax I won't harp on you, as I too towed PWC with a Grand Am and a GrandPrix not much larger than your Cobalt in the past. But I think you need to understand the liability that Foster is trying to convey to you.

If someone pulls out in front of you with a $40,000 truck and you pile into them, it will be your fault. It won't matter what the situation is, by law, it will be your fault as you were breaking the law when the incedent happened. Even worse, your insurance company may feel the same way and now you will be treated like an uninsured motorist. Now you need to foot the bill for that $40,000 truck out of pocket. My guess if you won't buy one for yourself, you won't buy one for someone else, now he has to pay out of his pocket. That's not cool or fair.

I do believe this is the same situation if a drunk gets in an accident. Doesn't matter who hit who, one was breaking the law and they are liable.

We all know you can physically pull that boat. And you have proven it can be done. It just doesn't make it right. The last analogy is those of us who drive our trucks on MN lakes. We all do it, and we have shown they do it well, it doesn't make it right. And most of our insurance companies will not pay for that truck when it goes through the ice as it was never intended to go there.

You can only "brake early" when you know something is coming, Stop sign, traffic light, your turn. But you cannot brake early when someone else does something stupid like pulling out in front of you, or their mattress flies off the trailer in front of you.

Story over, be careful, be safe. Enjoy your PWC/boat and keep contributing to the board, but try to promote proper towing and following the ratings of the vehicle for everyone's safety. I would hate to lose my truck, boat or family to an uninsured motorist.

 

[RFoster130]

I just hate it because i have seen the end result of what happens when people do stupid things. I have seen what a dead body looks like mangled in a car that was hit because someone was towing a trailer twice the recommended capacity. That person you hit is someone's family. They dont have a choice, YOU do.

 

[pvamax]

Its just a matter of time before something catastrophic happens to you or some unsuspecting person you hit. towing 2000 lbs with a 2600 lb car is just plain ignorant.

Curb weight is a bit over 2800, but close enough...

Why does this sound like an un-insured motorist case in the making?

PVAMax I won't harp on you, as I too towed PWC with a Grand Am and a GrandPrix not much larger than your Cobalt in the past. But I think you need to understand the liability that Foster is trying to convey to you.

If someone pulls out in front of you with a $40,000 truck and you pile into them, it will be your fault. It won't matter what the situation is, by law, it will be your fault as you were breaking the law when the incedent happened. Even worse, your insurance company may feel the same way and now you will be treated like an uninsured motorist. Now you need to foot the bill for that $40,000 truck out of pocket. My guess if you won't buy one for yourself, you won't buy one for someone else, now he has to pay out of his pocket. That's not cool or fair.

I do believe this is the same situation if a drunk gets in an accident. Doesn't matter who hit who, one was breaking the law and they are liable.

We all know you can physically pull that boat. And you have proven it can be done. It just doesn't make it right. The last analogy is those of us who drive our trucks on MN lakes. We all do it, and we have shown they do it well, it doesn't make it right. And most of our insurance companies will not pay for that truck when it goes through the ice as it was never intended to go there.

You can only "brake early" when you know something is coming, Stop sign, traffic light, your turn. But you cannot brake early when someone else does something stupid like pulling out in front of you, or their mattress flies off the trailer in front of you.

Story over, be careful, be safe. Enjoy your PWC/boat and keep contributing to the board, but try to promote proper towing and following the ratings of the vehicle for everyone's safety. I would hate to lose my truck, boat or family to an uninsured motorist.

Yep, I understand the dangers, and like I commented originally , thanks for your concern.

 

[jake1295]

i came to this thread looking for advice on trying to tow a speedster with a cobalt.
details; i'm literally towing less than a mile (on an old back highway), to the lowest grade ramp i've ever seen

 

[Dr Honda]

For the guys who are towing WAY past the legal load... I would recommend putting trailer brakes on the boat trailer. At least then, you will have the extra help in stopping.

 

[LouDoo]

You all are absolutely correct, it's the same as someone driving with no insurance, a suspended license, an expired license. No matter what the cause of the accident it's the person with the violations fault. I know this from personal experience, my son was actually at fault in a traffic accident, because the person he hit was without insurance she was charged with the accident. Because she was driving without insurance and an expired license the theory is she shouldn't be on the road.

Lou

 

[Dr Honda]

Yep... same thing with Pittsburgh's Q-back. (big Ben) He got into a motorcycle accident. it was 100% the other person's fault (ran a red light)... but since Ben didn't have a bike license... it was charged to him.

So... if you are over load, and someone rear-ends you... you will be SOL.


A final note from a "Local Guide." I don't want to be harsh, but there is no reason to debate something that is clearly illegal. I will start to have posts removed, or close threads, when they say... "It's only 2 miles to the ramp, but it seems to work fine."

Unless you are on private roads... it's illegal.

You can buy a beater truck or SUV for less than the price of the fine that is coming your way, if you get caught.

 

[bigJake]

Yep... same thing with Pittsburgh's Q-back. (big Ben) He got into a motorcycle accident. it was 100% the other person's fault (ran a red light)... but since Ben didn't have a bike license... it was charged to him.

So... if you are over load, and someone rear-ends you... you will be SOL.


A final note from a "Local Guide." I don't want to be harsh, but there is no reason to debate something that is clearly illegal. I will start to have posts removed, or close threads, when they say... "It's only 2 miles to the ramp, but it seems to work fine."

Unless you are on private roads... it's illegal.

You can buy a beater truck or SUV for less than the price of the fine that is coming your way, if you get caught.

Not to mention the danger. We have had 2 incidents in the Pittsburgh area in the past couple years of people being killed when their car was struck by a trailer that got away from the tow vehicle.

 

[Dr Honda]

Not to mention the danger. We have had 2 incidents in the Pittsburgh area in the past couple years of people being killed when their car was struck by a trailer that got away from the tow vehicle.

Yep... Locally, they are cracking down on trailers, because of some DEATHS from idiots who think they know more than the manufacturers.

Speaking of that... I was listening to a couple guys that were pissed off.

To start... in PA, you can register your truck to be whatever weight class you want. A lot of guys will get a 3500 (1 ton) and register it as a class 5 or 6 so they can have a 35,000 CGVW. (I actually use to register my 2500 as a lighter truck to save money)

Anyway... these guys were pissed off because one of them finally got pop'ed for it. He had a 5th wheel car hauler, and had 4 full sized cars on it. The State cop had him open his door, to see what the ACTUAL CGVW was. Needless to say, he was over by almost 15,000 Lbs. The owner decided to argue with the cop saying that it was registered higher. (like the DMV paperwork could change what the truck actually is) After getting his fine, he had to unload 2 of the cars so he could continue to drive. (that is why he was pissed)


If you want to see what I'm talking about, look up "Hot shot Trucking".

 

[pvamax]

i came to this thread looking for advice on trying to tow a speedster with a cobalt.
details; i'm literally towing less than a mile (on an old back highway), to the lowest grade ramp i've ever seen

If you havent figured it out yet, it can be done but is not legal or recommended!

 

[Strizzo]

i towed our family's glasstron GS205 (mercruiser 5.7l I/O) a few times with my F-150 to and from storage and to the boat shop. loaded up fully wet, the boat and trailer weighed close to the max rated tow weight of 5000lbs, and THAT was a handful to haul down to a stop, even with surge brakes, towing close to the limit, i can't imagine people towing twice the limit, and at highway speeds no less.