Towing Experience?

[funvibe]

I'm looking to purchase a camper this summer (pop-up type). This will be the first time I tow something with my 2005 Vibe (Automatic trans). I know the manual states limits of aprox 1000lbs. I'm wondering what others have towed with success, and how their Vibe has responded. I did read the post of the gentleman who towed his 18ft boat (and launched it!). It's hard to find a camper under 1000lbs, but there are lots between 1000 and 2000 lbs. Any comments, advice, suggestions would be appreciated.

[MRCN RCE]

welcome to the family. there are a buncha people on here that tow things with their vibes. one of the guys here tows an 18 foot boat with no issues, so you should have no problem. also, there's a hitch for about $90 shipped in the for sale forum. here's the link http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=28885i'll look for the post about the 18ft boat. edit: found it, pics are about halfway down. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=28094enjoy your new baby

[kevera]

I thought the manual said 1500lbs.Anyways if your going to tow,then get a tranny cooler.

[Sublimewind]

Biggest thing with towing with an auto as Kevera said, is the tranny, get a cooler or get stuck out on the road... You gotta make sure you can stop that sucker to, not the easiest with the Vibes punny little brakes. If you had a manual you could use engine braking to help, but with the auto, it's all up to those tiny wittle brakes... beware.. Balence is key also, if you load anything into the camper, you want to try and get your toung weight as close to neutral as you can, cantered slightly forward to put some weight on the toung but not to much...

[pacerman]

Just hauled a yard of topsoil in my utility trailer, it alone weighs 750#, pulled it OK, but we live in hilly terrain, 2nd gear in the auto, up short hills, specs are 1500# (which I could never understand), I'm guessing my total trailer weight was 2500-3000#, took the backroads, handled well at 30mph. Planned well ahead for braking........05AWD

[djb383]

I wasn't impressed with our automatic tranny Vibe, when towing our motorcycles. Too much downshifting but I understand the manual shift tranny seems to do better.

[Digger]

I tow a 14 foot Boston waler boat that checks in at 800#. Add the home made steal trailer and you have over 1000#. No problem at all pulling or launching.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by djb383 »I wasn't impressed with our automatic tranny Vibe, when towing our motorcycles. Too much downshifting but I understand the manual shift tranny seems to do better.When you towing with an auto, it';s a good idea to keep the tranny in 3rd so it's not constantly shifting in and out of OD... Another reason for the tranny cooler, and yes you'll burn more gas, but the motor and tranny will be happier in the end.

[blue_can]

You can get engine braking with the auto in 2 or 1. The second coast brake (in 2) and the first/reverse brake (in 1) inside the trans operate to give engine braking.

[ned23]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »When you towing with an auto, it';s a good idea to keep the tranny in 3rd so it's not constantly shifting in and out of OD... Another reason for the tranny cooler, and yes you'll burn more gas, but the motor and tranny will be happier in the end.Agreed. More shifting is expected when towing in general because that's how the car deals with the extra load, but you can minimize it.