towing

[smoker161]

hey everyone i just had a hitch installed on my 2004 vibe mostly for a hitch mount bike rack but once i had it on i had to try the hitch out with the boat on back of vibe it pulled it around addition it pulled nice but i may be over doing the cababilites of the vibe, i havent had the weight of boat done but it does seem to over shadow the car some. have any of you used your vibe to pull anything other than small popups etc.

[Doug14]

One guy here uses his vibe to tow his Rally vibe. viewtopic.php?f=30&t=38118 scroll down 1/3

[beemerphile1]

I pull a utility trailer and a small pop up. With my motorcycle on the utility trailer there is around 1,000 pounds with a tongue weight of 130 pounds. The popup weighs just under 2,000 pounds fully loaded and has a tongue weight of 250 pounds. I have towed with the Vibe for well over 10,000 miles.

[dgekiere]

I've towed a few things.


Never had issues pulling anything... still got 25 mpg.

[smoker161]

are you using a transmission cooler or any suspension up grades. boat seemed to set rear down by about 2 inches or more didnt measure .

[beemerphile1]

I wish there were air bags, helper springs or something available for our cars but there isn't. I have considered adding spring spacers which reduce the amount of spring available for compression.

I installed a stacked plate oil cooler for the transmission. I wouldn't tow without one.

[smoker161]

thanks for the info. i really dont need it to tow i can use truck i got the vibe because of its reliabilty and gas usage plus i thought it looked good i will stick to the bike rack for now.