towing

[bobbee25]

The Vibe is rated for a maximum of 1550lbs. Can you get a way with a 1500-2000 (boat) if you are just towing over flat terrain once a week, 15 miles maximum ?Does the Vibe have enough power to pull the boat out of the water ?

[Altus]

Due to the short wheelbase of the Vibe and the reletively low HP, this would probably fall into the 'overloading' category.A couple of factors though -- IF the tongue weight of the boat/trailer is around the 150lb mark, AND it has electric brakes -- then you're probably ok for this little bit of overloading. As for being able to pull it out of the water.... depending on the incline we're talking about here - if it's a low enough incline it's possible, but all the boat launches I've seen I'd doubt it though. The Vibe's engine doesn't generate the real HP or Torque ratings until way up in the rev range, and for that kind of pulling, you want the torque down low... which is why bigger engines and diesels are the favorite.

[mcgusto82]

i agree with ALTUS. you should really look into a supercharger. this will give yoiu the torque to pull into 2k lbs. this is the best i can come up without getting another car.

[bobbee25]

Does Pontiac offer a supercharger ? If not, where else and about how much.Would that do the trick, I really don't want to buy an SUV.

[Altus]

Yes, the dealers do have a Supercharger available - big $$ though.And yes it'd help as it sends a base engine HP and Torque up to the level of the GT, but it's more spread out along the whole range, rather than a 50hp boost at 6000 rpm.However this would only help with towing uphill or getting the boat/trailer out of the water -- the biggest limiting factors are the short wheelbase and the braking ability of the Vibe with that much weight behind it.Wheelbase - nothing you can do - you MUST keep the tongue weight around the 150lb mark (okay - less than 200) MAX - or else you will be damaging towing and/or suspension components.Brakes - here's where my previous comment about electric brakes on the trailer comes in. They can solve a whole lot of problems, and any trailer weighing more than 1500lbs in my book should have them anyway. The modulator isn't expensive to get installed either. Other options you have are to upgrade the front brakes, and to get really good tires for braking performance.

[mcgusto82]

Quote, originally posted by bobbee25 »Does Pontiac offer a supercharger ? If not, where else and about how much.Would that do the trick, I really don't want to buy an SUV. what yr is your vibe?. if 03-04, then the Supercharger will work. you can buy it new at pontiac for around 2.5k to3k. they make one specially for the vibe/matrix. you can also look on ebay. i do. i've seen them go for as low 1.3k. which is VERY cheap. keep in mind that the one for the matrix will require a vibe CPU unit. i believe the S/C will also be listed for the corolla. the S/C will give you more torque than a GT will. i would say enough to pull your boat around. But like somebody else said, since it's weight. you should also be concerned with the braking ability of the trailer. the possibility on pwr gain for the S/C is higher than what pontiac claims. with some mods, you could breaking 200HP, with similiar torque gains.

[JohnC]

I use to pull a 900# sail boat with a 65 bug. Pulled out of the water no problem untill I capsized it, with the boat 1/3 full of water it was a no go. A fellow sailor gave the bug a tug up the ramp.I think an auto vibe would be able to handle better than a manual...more useable torque.

[jasonvibe]

remember you need traction. Wet front tires?...could be tough. So an AWD Vibe would actually have better luck pulling a boat out...without a worry.

[JohnC]

Quote, originally posted by jasonvibe »remember you need traction. Wet front tires?...could be tough. So an AWD Vibe would actually have better luck pulling a boat out...without a worry.Yep can't beat all wheel drive on a slimy boat ramp. Alot depends on the angle of the ramp, how long the trailer tongue is and how much draft your boat takes.