Newb with a towing question
08-03-2009, 04:02 PM
#4
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Aint gonna be happy. Make sure your cooling system is in tip top shape, overheat that motor once and you will have issues.
And make sure your brakes are in great shape... the 4runner already weighs upwards of 5,000lbs.
And make sure your brakes are in great shape... the 4runner already weighs upwards of 5,000lbs.
08-03-2009, 04:55 PM
#6
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Well since we have not heard back from him I looked around and the GVW on the 03 Jetta is about 4000lbs. I don't think it's a good idea...so with the 4runner 5k, Jetta 4k, and trailer 1500lbs. I would not do it, not that far.
Wrabbit is right stopping will be an issue and if you have hills around getting up them will be fun.
Wrabbit is right stopping will be an issue and if you have hills around getting up them will be fun.
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08-03-2009, 10:14 PM
#8
We are talking real Mountains could you tell us just from where to where .
I could do this if I had to , I sure would not want to . It can be done but you would need to come off any pass in first gear and use your brakes not at all or very little .
It is not the getting up the mountain it is getting down that is the killer!!!!
I would pass on this one.
I could do this if I had to , I sure would not want to . It can be done but you would need to come off any pass in first gear and use your brakes not at all or very little .
It is not the getting up the mountain it is getting down that is the killer!!!!
I would pass on this one.
08-04-2009, 05:24 AM
#10
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Towing something that heavy you really should have electric brakes...You'll never stop!!
find the towing specs on this. I think it's like 3500lbs
Length: 176 in. Width: 66.5 in.
Height: 66.1 in. Wheel Base: 103.3 in.
Ground Clearance: 9.1 in. Curb Weight: 4050 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 38.7 in. Front Hip Room: 49.6 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 53.9 in. Rear Head Room: 38.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 53.7 in. Rear Hip Room: 51.5 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.5 in. Rear Leg Room: 31.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 43.5 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 78 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5
Performance Data
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3 liters
Base Engine Type: V6 Horsepower: 150 hp
Max Horsepower: 4800 rpm Torque: 180 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 3400 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs.
Drive Type: 4WD Turning Circle: 37.4 ft.
find the towing specs on this. I think it's like 3500lbsLength: 176 in. Width: 66.5 in.
Height: 66.1 in. Wheel Base: 103.3 in.
Ground Clearance: 9.1 in. Curb Weight: 4050 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 38.7 in. Front Hip Room: 49.6 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 53.9 in. Rear Head Room: 38.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 53.7 in. Rear Hip Room: 51.5 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.5 in. Rear Leg Room: 31.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 43.5 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 78 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5
Performance Data
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3 liters
Base Engine Type: V6 Horsepower: 150 hp
Max Horsepower: 4800 rpm Torque: 180 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 3400 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs.
Drive Type: 4WD Turning Circle: 37.4 ft.
Last edited by Lumpy; 08-04-2009 at 05:31 AM. Reason: Towing
08-04-2009, 06:08 AM
#11
08-04-2009, 06:17 AM
#12
Registered User
It's also 500lbs over the max towing capacity. I would not do it going that far especially on a dolly that does not have electric brakes. This is why they make 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.
08-04-2009, 02:47 PM
#13
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We are talking real Mountains could you tell us just from where to where .
I could do this if I had to , I sure would not want to . It can be done but you would need to come off any pass in first gear and use your brakes not at all or very little .
It is not the getting up the mountain it is getting down that is the killer!!!!
I would pass on this one.
I could do this if I had to , I sure would not want to . It can be done but you would need to come off any pass in first gear and use your brakes not at all or very little .
It is not the getting up the mountain it is getting down that is the killer!!!!
I would pass on this one.
Last edited by OnePunk; 08-04-2009 at 03:06 PM.
08-04-2009, 04:03 PM
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Sound's risky, 3500# towing capacity, 4000ish# VW with no control of the brakes, and mountain roads, sounds like highway roads. I am not saying it can't be done, but that another tow rig, no smaller than 6000# tow capacity (later model 4runner, Tacoma, Tundra, and gasp Dodge Dakota, Ford, Dodge, Chevy, 1/2 ton model's or larger, etc) may be a better choice. If you still choose to do it, be aware that you can be ticketed for exceeding the manufactures Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR). Also take it slow, stop at every opportunity to cool the brakes and engine, and if it were me I would take as many secondary roads as possible to avoid traffic.
I realize that in your later post that you stated may not be going, however others may have a similar question that this response may help.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
I realize that in your later post that you stated may not be going, however others may have a similar question that this response may help.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
08-04-2009, 05:02 PM
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Ok, I've actually located a full size diesel chevy to tow it. That would be legitimate as far as GCVWR goes right?
Last edited by OnePunk; 08-04-2009 at 05:05 PM.
08-05-2009, 01:07 AM
#18
Just take your time and don`t worry about all the idiots . i would say 285 might be your best bet. i have not been out that way since the late seventies so things may have changed.
It could take as long as 4 to 6 hours seems like a long time but be safe . I have been moving things like this and lots bigger since 1974 So I have pretty much seen it all but still learning .
good luck.
It could take as long as 4 to 6 hours seems like a long time but be safe . I have been moving things like this and lots bigger since 1974 So I have pretty much seen it all but still learning .
good luck.
08-05-2009, 07:43 PM
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just to add- electric brakes on a trailer are useless unless the tow vehicle has a controller. I think what was meant are hydraulic brakes, a.k.a. "surge" brakes which actuate brakes on the trailer when the tow vehicle slows down: when you apply the brakes on the tow vehicle it slows down and this causes the trailer to run up on the tow vehicle which in turn compresses a hydraulic cylinder that sends fluid to the brakes on the trailer... the quicker the tow vehicle slows the more the trailer presses against the vehicle and more brake pressure is applied to the trailer's wheels. You will not find tow dollies so equipped (with either electric or hydraulic brakes) since the dolly does not carry and / or control the full weight of the vehicle being towed and as such the vehicle being towed could cause the dolly to lock up the brakes and jack-knife into the tow vehicle.
Given you've found a truck capable of pulling the gross combined weight of the dolly/trailer and vehicle this is less an issue, but keep in mind that in many locales trailers weighing more than 1500 lbs (give or take) require brakes on at least one trailer axle and a functioning break-away safety device to actuate the trailer brakes in the event the trailer separates from the tow vehicle. Dollies may be exempt from this requirement in some locations as well though, so research the requirements for towing.
Given you've found a truck capable of pulling the gross combined weight of the dolly/trailer and vehicle this is less an issue, but keep in mind that in many locales trailers weighing more than 1500 lbs (give or take) require brakes on at least one trailer axle and a functioning break-away safety device to actuate the trailer brakes in the event the trailer separates from the tow vehicle. Dollies may be exempt from this requirement in some locations as well though, so research the requirements for towing.
08-08-2009, 10:00 AM
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Just an update, that nightmare is over. I ended up renting an F-150 and a car dolly from uhaul, certainly glad i did too. For the most part the drive wasn't that bad there were a few tough uphills that I know for certain my 4runner would not have made it. all in total we were on the road for roughly 7-8 hours yesterday. And on a side note, the "crack" in the jettas oil pan described by dylan my soon to be step brother, was more like a silver dollar sized hole. Wanna say thanks to him for destroying my fams car engine after only 6months of driving it.
