TOWING....can I max?

[dennin7418]

I have a 2007 5.8i and am looking to downsize my boat with the biggest that I can tow. I'm not looking at big trips...from MA to NH to Coast....but not often.

I know it can tow 6500 but are there any out there who have towed more? I'm thinking like 6500 + trailer....so....

I'm sure there is a safety factor but just want to know what others think...

[wade1485]

I have a 2008 9-7x aero. With the 6.0l v8 I comfortably tow a 24" boat that weighs 5500lbs. That being said, I would not go over the recommended towing max. An exception could probably be seen if you were towing 7,000lbs (recommended max being 6,500) if it was for less than an hour or 2 and not up/down large hills, windy roads etc...Hope this helps. BTW when I tow it feels like there is nothing behind my car. The last trip I towed my boat from Ohio to Central Canada without any issues. This car is a beast!

Mike

[ragtopcav]

I wonder if things differ in the US? For Europe [part of the whole vehicle type approval process] the maximum quoted towing capacity is tested. It must be able to tow the quoted weight on a ballasted trailer on to a 1 in 8 ramp, hold it on the parking brake and then get going again to clear the ramp, this test must be performed five times in less than five minutes. Also the towing vehicle is ballasted to gross weight. The test ramp is long enough to take the car and trailer at the angle.

If the US test is similar then this tells us several things. No testing of stability at speed. It may not be able to cope with the quoted weight at a steeper gradient [will you be hauling the boat up a ramp?] and if the car is not fully laden it could probably tow a lot more [though would traction then become an issue?]. One other thing, throughout Europe the weights stamped on to the VIN plate are largely legally enforceable maximums. What are the local state laws regarding such things that you will drive through?

[TunnanXWD]

What kind of boat? Does the trailer have brakes and have you factored in tongue weight?