towing a full size car

I'm towing a 2012 Explorer, 4 down, 5000# when fueled. 10,000# hitch, 6000# rated receiver and tow bar. Same gas mileage as when I towed my 4300# Odyssey.

Do it. 3800 pounds isn't particularly heavy, the compact SUVs most popular for towing are heavier. You need braking at that towed vehicle weight. A dolly can do it with surge brakes.

My C is rated for a 5000 pound tow. 3600 pound truck towed just fine, 2600 pound subcompact MPV tows even better. Don't tow with the parking brake on (learned that the hard way).

kemer wrote:
We have a 2010 Buick Lucurne that we'd like to tow with a Master Tow dolly. Our RV says we can pull up to 5,000lbs. Curb weight for the Buick is approx 3800. Wouldn't load toad down to much. Just wondering if anyone has had any issues towing a larger car...btw, it is a FWD

I would call the shop of your nearest Buick Dealer and ask if your car can be towed all 4 wheels down and, if it can what steps are necessary for a successful tow.

I pull a Lexus RX300 that weighs in at 4,020 lb.

I think you'll be fine.

How to make your signature so we can serve you better:

1. Log on and click "My Preferences".
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3. Scroll to the bottom and click "Submit Changes"
4. Exit and you're done.

Well as you know it must be towed with a dolly.I don't see a problem as it isn't that heavy. Just be shure to follow the dolly manufacturer's instructions. They vary by type of dolly.
Bill

Don't assume your car can be towed 4-down. . . better check it out thoroughly. Not all cars can.

kemer wrote:
We have a 2010 Buick Lucurne that we'd like to tow with a Master Tow dolly. Our RV says we can pull up to 5,000lbs. Curb weight for the Buick is approx 3800. Wouldn't load toad down to much. Just wondering if anyone has had any issues towing a larger car...btw, it is a FWD

three things to keep on mind...first, can your vehicle be flat towed or will it need modifications? have you checked? if it must be trailered or on a dolly then the weight of the trailer or dolly must be added to the weight of the vehicle.

second.... how do you know your vehicle weighs 3800-lbs? did you weigh it, pull that number from the owner's manual...what? will you be towing it with gas in its tank? how much gas? will anything else be in the car while under tow? does the 3800-lbs include the gas and other stuff? load up the car with a full tank of gas and with whatever you plan to put in the car and get it weighed. that will be uour worst case weight.

lastly, you need to understand MH weights and weight ratings. load up your MH as you would for a trip (don't forget the people) and get individual axle weights. compare those axle weights to the gross axle weight rating for that axle. be sure neither axle is overweight (it can easily happen). the sum of the axle weights will be the gross vehicle weight and the sum of the axle weight ratings will be less than or equal to the gross vehicle weight rating.

now check your manual and determine the gross combination weight rating. the GCWR is the total weight the MH is designed to propel including itself. then apply the following tests.

the amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:

- the gross combination weight rating of the MH minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded and configured for travel

- the weight rating of your hitch

- the weight rating of your tow bar

good luck and be safe.

rockhillmanor wrote:
IMHO it's not the size make or model of the car it's the weight.

My rule of thumb for 'me' is half the weight of what the MH is rated to tow.

So you think the OP must pull a Smart Car?

I pull a 4,680 lb(scale weight) car 4 down. MPG did drop some from when pulling a 3,300 lb car.

My MH is rated for 5,000 lb.

IMHO it's not the size make or model of the car it's the weight.

My rule of thumb for 'me' is half the weight of what the MH is rated to tow.