Towing Capacity
 

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?

Towing Capacity
 

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.

Towing Capacity
 

"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.

Towing Capacity
 

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.

Towing Capacity
 

"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?

Towing Capacity
 

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.

Towing Capacity
 

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.....

Towing Capacity
 

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

Towing Capacity
 

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.

Towing Capacity
 

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!

Towing Capacity
 

On Mar 27, 12:08*pm, Tim wrote:

I'm not a slave to fashion. my tow vehicle is a 1990 Mercury Colony
Park wagon.

In the words of Aaron Tippin: First a side note. On our annual fishing
trip to Center Hill Lake, we stayed on the lake close to Smithville.
Aaron has a hunting/fishing/convenience store there. We went in there
and he was there, talked to us for half an hour!

Sometimes she runs, sometimes she don't
More than once she's left me on the side of the road
The older she gets the slower we go
But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio



She needs a carburetor, a set of plug wires
She's ridin' me around on four bald tires
The wipers don't work and the horn don't blow
But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio
I've got sixteen speakers crossin' my back dash
A little bobbin' dog watchin' everybody pass
Dual antennas whippin' in the wind
Lord, there ain't a country station that I can't tune in
She ain't a Cadillac and she ain't a Rolls
But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

I got stopped by a cop late last night
Out-of-date tags and no tail lights
He said I oughta run you in but I'm lettin' you go
Because there ain't nothin' wrong with your radio
I got the best lookin' gal in my hometown
I asked her last time that i took her out
Honey, tell me what it is that makes you love me so
She said there ain't nothin' wrong with your radio

I've got sixteen speakers crossin' my back dash
A little bobbin' dog watchin' everybody pass
Dual antennas whippin' in the wind
Lord, there ain't a country station that I can't tune in
She ain't a Cadillac and she ain't a Rolls
But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

No, she ain't a Cadillac and she ain't a Rolls
But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio.

Towing Capacity
 

wrote:
On Mar 27, 12:08�pm, Tim wrote:

I'm not a slave to fashion. my tow vehicle is a 1990 Mercury Colony
Park wagon.

In the words of Aaron Tippin: First a side note. On our annual fishing
trip to Center Hill Lake, we stayed on the lake close to Smithville.
Aaron has a hunting/fishing/convenience store there. We went in there
and he was there, talked to us for half an hour!

Sometimes she runs, sometimes she don't
More than once she's left me on the side of the road
The older she gets the slower we go
But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio



She needs a carburetor, a set of plug wires
She's ridin' me around on four bald tires
The wipers don't work and the horn don't blow
But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio
I've got sixteen speakers crossin' my back dash
A little bobbin' dog watchin' everybody pass
Dual antennas whippin' in the wind
Lord, there ain't a country station that I can't tune in
She ain't a Cadillac and she ain't a Rolls
But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

I got stopped by a cop late last night
Out-of-date tags and no tail lights
He said I oughta run you in but I'm lettin' you go
Because there ain't nothin' wrong with your radio
I got the best lookin' gal in my hometown
I asked her last time that i took her out
Honey, tell me what it is that makes you love me so
She said there ain't nothin' wrong with your radio

I've got sixteen speakers crossin' my back dash
A little bobbin' dog watchin' everybody pass
Dual antennas whippin' in the wind
Lord, there ain't a country station that I can't tune in
She ain't a Cadillac and she ain't a Rolls
But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

No, she ain't a Cadillac and she ain't a Rolls
But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio.

Fits my wagon to a "T". except mine only has 14 speakers...

Tehre as a rich Texan standing in a bar in his fine tailor-made suit
Big brimmed hat and silver-toed Tony Lama, and was sippin' on Seagrams
V.O. Sitting next to him at the end of the bar was a beat'down
hillbilly in a dirty white T shirt and bib overalls sucking down 3.2
sop.

Next thing you know the Texan kicked 'ol green teeth in the shin.
"OW!" said the hillbilly and turned to the Texan.

The Texan then boasted. "Boy! Where I come from, I've got the biggest
ranch in all of Texas!"

"Well now, jist how big IS yer' spread thar mister?"

"My spread is so big that after breakfast at 6AM I get in my pickup
and by the time I get down to the end fo the lane to get the mailbox,
it's noon and time for lunch. Then, when I get back home it's 6PM and
suppers a-waitin' on the table!"

The bumpkin then said:

"Y'know, mister? I usta' have me a pick-ap truck jist li' kat!"