I hope someone may be able to help me out with this question. I have
a Sport Nautique and I am thinking of buying a new vehicle to pull
it. Right now I have a GMC Serria (5.3L V8) and I'm looking at trying
to save some money by buying more of a mid-size SUV (Highlander 3.5L
V6) to save on gas because we have to travel a bit of distance just to
get to the boat. The new Highlanders have a standard capacity of 2000
lbs and a maximum of 5000 lbs. The boat with full fuel, gear, and
trailer are 4000 lbs. What are peoples options for the Highlander to
pull it?

On Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:57:06 -0700 (PDT), Uwpgrad
wrote:

I hope someone may be able to help me out with this question. I have
a Sport Nautique and I am thinking of buying a new vehicle to pull
it. Right now I have a GMC Serria (5.3L V8) and I'm looking at trying
to save some money by buying more of a mid-size SUV (Highlander 3.5L
V6) to save on gas because we have to travel a bit of distance just to
get to the boat. The new Highlanders have a standard capacity of 2000
lbs and a maximum of 5000 lbs. The boat with full fuel, gear, and
trailer are 4000 lbs. What are peoples options for the Highlander to
pull it?

I can't speak to your exact situation, but I can tell you based on
conversations with others that the 3.6 will tow your boat fine - just
don't expect to get better gas milage towing.

Stick with the 5.3 - believe it or not, towing you will get better gas
milage.

"Uwpgrad" wrote in message
...
I hope someone may be able to help me out with this question. I have
a Sport Nautique and I am thinking of buying a new vehicle to pull
it. Right now I have a GMC Serria (5.3L V8) and I'm looking at trying
to save some money by buying more of a mid-size SUV (Highlander 3.5L
V6) to save on gas because we have to travel a bit of distance just to
get to the boat. The new Highlanders have a standard capacity of 2000
lbs and a maximum of 5000 lbs. The boat with full fuel, gear, and
trailer are 4000 lbs. What are peoples options for the Highlander to
pull it?


You do need the 3.5L V6. (can you get a 4 cylinder in the Highlander in
the US??)
Most manufacturers recommend that you only tow 80% of the vehicles rating
for a safety cushion.
That cuts you down to 4000 lbs total boat/motor/trailer weight.
Sounds like a perfect fit for you. If they didn't charge so much for them
up here (cheapest version is $39K) I'd be lining up for one March 2009.

On Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:57:06 -0700 (PDT), Uwpgrad
wrote:

I hope someone may be able to help me out with this question. I have
a Sport Nautique and I am thinking of buying a new vehicle to pull
it. Right now I have a GMC Serria (5.3L V8) and I'm looking at trying
to save some money by buying more of a mid-size SUV (Highlander 3.5L
V6) to save on gas because we have to travel a bit of distance just to
get to the boat. The new Highlanders have a standard capacity of 2000
lbs and a maximum of 5000 lbs. The boat with full fuel, gear, and
trailer are 4000 lbs. What are peoples options for the Highlander to
pull it?

You will have to save a *lot* of gas to cover the transaction costs of
trading vehicles. If economy is the only reason, I'd forget about it.

"Uwpgrad" wrote
buying more of a mid-size SUV (Highlander 3.5L
V6) to save on gas because we have to travel a bit of distance just to
get to the boat.

How about getting a beater truck to leave where the boat is, then drive
between there and home in an economical car?

Wayne. B wrote:
On Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:57:06 -0700 (PDT), Uwpgrad
wrote:

I hope someone may be able to help me out with this question. I have
a Sport Nautique and I am thinking of buying a new vehicle to pull
it. Right now I have a GMC Serria (5.3L V8) and I'm looking at trying
to save some money by buying more of a mid-size SUV (Highlander 3.5L
V6) to save on gas because we have to travel a bit of distance just to
get to the boat. The new Highlanders have a standard capacity of 2000
lbs and a maximum of 5000 lbs. The boat with full fuel, gear, and
trailer are 4000 lbs. What are peoples options for the Highlander to
pull it?

You will have to save a *lot* of gas to cover the transaction costs of
trading vehicles. If economy is the only reason, I'd forget about it.

I was going to say....!


I never could see spending thousands of dollars to try to get a couple
more miles to the gallon.

Ernest Scribbler wrote:
"Uwpgrad" wrote
buying more of a mid-size SUV (Highlander 3.5L
V6) to save on gas because we have to travel a bit of distance just to
get to the boat.

How about getting a beater truck to leave where the boat is, then drive
between there and home in an economical car?

Ernie,

I don't know the guys situation either, but I do know that to some
folks it's really not the idea of getting there, but how you look,
getting there.....

On Mar 27, 11:08*am, Tim wrote:
Ernest Scribbler wrote:
"Uwpgrad" wrote
buying more of a mid-size SUV (Highlander 3.5L
V6) to save on gas because we have to travel a bit of distance just to
get to the boat.

How about getting a beater truck to leave where the boat is, then drive
between there and home in an economical car?

Ernie,

I don't know the guys situation either, but I do know that to some
folks it's really not the idea of getting there, but how you look,
getting there.....

"It's not weather you win or lose that counts, it's how cool you
looked, playing the game" DLR

Uwpgrad wrote:
I hope someone may be able to help me out with this question. I have
a Sport Nautique and I am thinking of buying a new vehicle to pull
it. Right now I have a GMC Serria (5.3L V8) and I'm looking at trying
to save some money by buying more of a mid-size SUV (Highlander 3.5L
V6) to save on gas because we have to travel a bit of distance just to
get to the boat.

IMO, you've said enough right there. the 3.5 may or may not get you
slightly better fuel economy for normal use over the 5.3.

But towing, I'm sure you'll be quite disapointed in the overall
performance of the 3.5. you'll actually use more fuel than the 3.5
because of the smaller displacement and will have to work the engine
so much harder, that you'll consume more fuel, and overtax the engine
due to being forced to use lower gear ranges , so you're speed will
suffer, and consumption will be higher.

I suppose that's one reason why you find huge diesel engines instead
of 350 chevy's in semi-trucks.

Sometimes smaller isn't better.

I'm not a slave to fashion. my tow vehicle is a 1990 Mercury Colony
Park wagon. Basicly the same drive train as a half ton ford pickup of
the same year.It's a comfortable car to drive, and I really don't need
a truck. and the wagon even though isn't stylish or modern isn't a
"beater" and suits my needs quite well. The wife doesn't really like
to, but if need be she will drive it, ok? It has a 5.0/302 v8 that
when driving with some sense will yield about 23 mpg on a four-lane
with the cruise parked at 65. My wifes 2004 Chrysler Town & Country
van has a 3.5 v6, and under the same conditions will yield the same
milage.

I tow a 23 foot cuddy with the wagon and it sucks on the fuel tank
pretty hard about 12 mpg. ...But it will still pull the beast at 60
mph, with some effort, but not badly. And thats with up to 4-5 people
inside with the cargo end loaded with "stuff". If I was to attempt to
tow the same boat behind the wifes van it would never get out of
second gear with the throttle on the floor.
And in a few miles the transmission would be toast.

just my own analogy, but I think you'd be better off with what you've
got.

On Mar 27, 11:20*am, wrote:
On Mar 27, 11:08*am, Tim wrote:

Ernest Scribbler wrote:
"Uwpgrad" wrote
buying more of a mid-size SUV (Highlander 3.5L
V6) to save on gas because we have to travel a bit of distance just to
get to the boat.

How about getting a beater truck to leave where the boat is, then drive
between there and home in an economical car?

Ernie,

I don't know the guys situation either, but I do know that to some
folks it's really not the idea of getting there, but how you look,
getting there.....

"It's not weather you win or lose that counts, it's how cool you
looked, playing the game" DLR

Exactly!