Towing UHaul with 2003 Pontiac Vibe

[WIVibe]

I have a 2003 Pontiac Vibe, high miles (218K), automatic. It is in great shape and runs like a champ, no problems. I am being transferred back to the midwest and need to bring some new furniture back with me. I would like to rent a 4x8 trailer from UHaul for the 1200 mile trip. I just ordered all my furniture 3 months ago, so I have exact weights on everything - total that would go in the trailer is 538-lbs. I have approximately another 400-lbs of stuff that will be in the car (including me, clothes, my big dog, etc.) Am I inviting disaster if I do this? Planning on having the hitch and wiring installed by UHaul and 4x8 is the smallest trailer my mattress will fit in.

[djkeev]

Well..........you can........but.......should you??.........Towing is inherently hard on an automatic transmission. Even a new one designed to tow!Now take one with a quarter million miles on it and tow with it?? Budget for an overhaul would be my advice, if not during the actual tow trip, within a short period of time after the tow trip.Rent a truck and a dolly......tow the Vibe. You'll probably money ahead in the long run.Dave

[WIVibe]

Thanks for the input. I wonder if it would be best to just drive myself back and have my stuff shipped, and eliminate towing - the Vibe with the trailer, or the Vibe on the trailer - altogether.

[star_deceiver]

Uhaul trailers are very heavy. Maybe try to find something a little lighter like a flatdeck. Mattresses are a pain....Personally, I've found it much easier just to sell as much as possible and move less stuff. Downsizing and such.

[j42.snyder]

I've seen someone else on here tow close to 2000 pounds with a 2009 1.8, and it seems to have been okay so far. The trailer you're looking at shows a empty weight of 850 pounds, and they're not much taller than the car. They're also narrow enough to easily see past with your side view mirrors. You'll be pushing slightly past the recommended limits with the stuff in your car added in.I have a 2009 with 2.4, and I've towed the larger 5X8 trailer which is notably taller without issue, with about 400 pounds of stuff in there, and 3 adults in the car.As long as you keep our speed down (under 60mph), you'd probably be alright I'd think. Keep a close eye on the temp gage of course...If you haven't had the transmission serviced recently, I'd probably give it a fresh fluid change, (correct fluid of course) and make sure the coolant is in good shape too. As long as you take it easy and respect the car, you'll likely be fine. You know more than any of us what condition it's in and how it's been cared for. Make sure your brakes are in good shape too - as they'll have to work a bit more than normal with that added weight.In general people seem to have done plenty of towing with these cars quite successfully. Most of the failures reported on here don't seem to be due to this type of use. I've towed my boat for several thousand km with no complaints - although it's only about 1000 pounds loaded. It's bigger however (16 foot), so I find the wind resistance plays more of an issue than the weight.Hope this helps a bit...John