GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I am looking to tow a boat. I see the recommended tow rating is 1500 lbs. Would 1750 total make that much of a difference? We would be hauling only the boat the rest of the gear will be in camper behind our truck. Before considering towing that kind of weight I would install a tranny cooler to ensure the transmission stays cool. I mean if I was running a full car of gear and the boat I would think it would be too much for that little car.

Should I be worried about towing that much weight? It would probably be for 300-600 miles once maybe twice a year.

Personally if I were going to do it maybe twice a year, I'd just rent or borrow a more appropriate vehicle for it. Towing 1750 lbs with a 1.8L engine with 118 ft-lb of torque is not the best idea in the world.

What car are you planning to tow with? A signature line would help.

I have towed the trailer you see in my signature for over 14,000 miles now. I also have towed a utility trailer with a motorcycle on it for over 6,000 miles.

My camping trailer weighs just under 2,000 when loaded. No problem towing it with the gen II 1.8L and four speed auto. I did add a stacked plate design transmission cooler and the trailer has brakes. I would be leery about towing that weight without trailer brakes.

Another thing to consider is how the boat will enter the water. Launching and retreating a boat on a wet slip way with a FWD car might be difficult.

SeattleJeremy wrote:Another thing to consider is how the boat will enter the water. Launching and retreating a boat on a wet slip way with a FWD car might be difficult.

How so?

Nasmfell wrote:

SeattleJeremy wrote:Another thing to consider is how the boat will enter the water. Launching and retreating a boat on a wet slip way with a FWD car might be difficult.

How so?

I should mention I haven't tried this with a FWD car, as my family has always used trucks to launch boats. So anyone with actual experience in a Vibe, Matrix or Corolla would be appreciated.

Vibes don't have much towing power to begin with, especially 1.8L Vibes.
Trailers move the cars center of gravity toward the rear of the car, depending on the Tongue weight of the trailer/cargo, this means there is less weight over the front wheels, meaning less traction than normal.
Boat Launches are sometimes quite steep. This moves the center of gravity back further.
Boat Launches are almost always wet, limiting traction further.
If the boat starts heavier than the recommended tow rating of the car, how much heavier will it be when pulling the boat out of the water?

If you can get the boat to a boat launching apparatus like the one picture here, just to the left of the pin. This would likely be the best way to do it, however, there is likely a fee for launching using this method.
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Des+ ... sz=20&z=19" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry guys. It is a 2004 AWD 4speed auto. We pull our 700lbs. Jet ski without issues along with our Landscape trailer usually with our ATV (approximately 1100lbs). I would be launching the boat using my truck that I am towing the camper with. I was looking at the Mako 17' skiff it has a package weight of 1758lbs.

Here is what I was thinking. Tow hitch is rated for 2000lbs./200lbs. tongue weight. Literally the only thing in the car would be my wife and maybe a drink or 2 no gear what so ever. So that leads me to think that the max towing with the car loaded to the brim would be less total weight than the 1758lbs. with only the boat. Am I looking at this wrong?

When driving highways at 70mph pulling our jet ski or landscape trailer the car pulls 3000 rpms and generally doesn't shift down unless it is a steep grade so I am thinking with this boat it should pull it fine long as it doesn't shift in and out of overdrive a lot and heat up the tranny.

I've been towing my boat every summer for about 3 years. each trip is usually 900km round trip, never had a problem. Boat package weighs 1450lbs, plus 2 passengers, 1 dog & luggage in the car. I also have a transmission cooler installed. It's a little sluggish up long slopes but can handle it.