May have towed too much weight
Towed our camper for first time. Tv max 5000lb and camper single axle 4000lb. On return trip, noted an odd smell when we would stop at lights. ( no warning lights and did not overheat). We took it t...
Forum Discussion
Bumpyroad wrote:Nv Guy wrote:
It's not just weight, don't overlook wind resistance. If you have a 10 MPH headwind, the load on the TV is increased substantially.
when I was comparing a pilot vs my highlander, the pilot was rated to tow 5,000 lbs. towing a boat, 3500 towing a trailer.
bumpy
This brings up an important difference.
Boats slip thru the air easier than a brick (which is the aerodynamics of your average RV). They don't highlight it but manufacturers have a maximum frontal area for towing.
Assuming you were towing on mostly flat ground, being overweight may not have been the big issue. Fighting the wind could have overloaded it.
Also, what does "tow weight goes to 5000 with atf coolant" mean? Do you mean if you add a transmission cooler and are you sure that's the only change required to increase the tow rating?
Reality is these unibody station wagons are marginal tow vehicles. If you want to tow a 2000lb utility trailer 20 miles from the local home depot, it can work but maxed out it not a great idea.
