On Tue, 1 Apr 2008 21:25:24 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

On Apr 1, 2:45*pm, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:
On Tue, 1 Apr 2008 09:36:23 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"

wrote:
I was thinking of taking the new boat to the lake this afternoon using
my wife's car. She has a FWD Saturn Vue with the factory larger tires.
It has the towing capacity but a friend warned me that FWD vehicles
may be more likely to spin out pulling a boat out of the water. The
car as electronic traction control. If it slips does it help to let
air out of the tires? I do carry a 10,000 lb tow rope. If someone is
around and I can't get it out I guess I could ask for a pull, but
hopefully I won't have to. Any tricks are appreciated, hopefully it
won't be an issue but I don't want to get stuck.

Well, think about it. *You have 3,000 lbs hanging off the back with
4/500 lbs of tongue weight on a incline that might be slippery with
vegetation, water, etc. *The weight of a small engine over the wheels
isn't going to make much of a difference. *Add in how much time you
have on the tires, the tread pattern, etc. *I don't know about the
Vue, but it probably has "traction" control - you might want to check
if you can turn it off because if you can't, you will lose engine
power if the tires start to slip and you wont' be going anywhere.

The chances of having problems is very high given the right
circumstances.

I could go off on a towing rant here, but I will refrain.

I'm adopting a new philosophy - to each their own. :)

I'm always amazed at how people will try to pull a boat or trailer wih
a car half the size of the boat. I was always leary of vehicle makers
*maximum* tow ratings. too many decieving circumstances involved.

3500 lb tow rate? "OK, lets tow 3500 lb.s hey no problem, can't do
over 45 but thats ok, OH man, theres a school bus stopping in front of
me! I thought this thing had brakes!" or... 3500 lb. on a flat paved
surface in the dry. now lets tow uphill from a wet loading ramp with a
now amplified 3500 lb from a dead stop. now it's more like 4500 lb.

Well, pay your dues, take your chances.

I was told years ago by a SAE type that tow limits are exactly that -
limits. Meaning that it will tow up to X amount, no fudge factor. And
that's not a tested figure - it's basically a design calculation and
if you have any sense, you wouldn't go above 80% of it's rated limit.

Another factor people don't consider is length of the trailer as
compared to the car. Tow vehicle size and weight is as important as
the ability to tow X amount of pounds - has to do with trailer weight
and length compared to vehicle weight and length.

I feel a rant coming on.

I will refrain. :)