Add tow hitch to car

[Paul]

Both my cars 2001 Buick century and 2013 Jeep patriot have a hull/tow capacity of 1000 lb. I’m thinking this is a arbitrary. I would like to pull 2000 lb with about 200lb tug weight. Has anyone done this with a Buick or Jeep before. I would hate to be wrong and find out the brakes can’t stop it or over heat something.

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[Charles]

Tow capacity is mostly a function of the vehicle weight. If you intend staying on relative flat ground most any vehicle can work. I pulled a 2000 lb tractor with my 89 Electra 3.8L and it did OK but I drove very slow. Brakes can be added to the trailer if they are not already there. A controller will need to be added under the dash to control the trailer brakes. You did not mention whether the trailer will be for camping or hauling??

[Paul]

I have a wood pellet stove, every year I have to rent a truck (1/2 ton) and make 4 trips, maybe three miles through town for the fule. If I could have them put the entire 2000lb pallet in a trailer that would save a lot of time, and some cash. I would not need to go over 35 MPR. Both car have a curb weight over 3000lb.

[Mike]

Manufacturer’s towing recommendations and restrictions are not arbitrary.

Why not pick up a single bag of pellets or two whenever you’re going into town anyway? Nothing says you have to get a year’s supply of fuel in one trip.

[Paul]

I save a little more then 100 dollars buying now and in bulk. The quality of the pellets is better off the pallet. The more they get handled the more dust is created in side the back, small holes get poked in the bag letting moisture get the the pellets. The lower quality the pellets the more corrective maintenance I have to do.
The first year I had the stove I did that, buy the pellets a week at a time. The auger keep plugging up with dust, wife was unhappy waking up to a cold house, and I was unhappy with cleaning the thing. This was a little less then weekly. I started buying yearly, and my monthly maintenance was enough to prevent any problems. When the pellets are dry the fuel burns hotter keeping the glass door, burn box, and heating tubes cleaner. That is why I buy yearly, same time in maintenance, a little bit of cash, most importantly the wife is happy.

[Charles]

Based on your use I think you would be OK with the Buick but if you use a heavy trailer, put a brake controller on. Does not have to be a fancy controller. You can just supply 12VDC to the brake control wire through an appropriate resistor. My little trailer is rated for one ton and is 5′ X 8′ tilt bed (Home Depot). I have hauled a John Deere 650 on it with my 89 Buick Electra and a pallet of Bricks as well. You will need at least one 3500lb axle and if it has brakes that would be better.

[Cameron]

[quote=”plg12001″ post=147635]Both my cars 2001 Buick century and 2013 Jeep patriot have a hull/tow capacity of 1000 lb. I’m thinking this is a arbitrary. I would like to pull 2000 lb with about 200lb tug weight. Has anyone done this with a Buick or Jeep before. I would hate to be wrong and find out the brakes can’t stop it or over heat something.[/quote]

So why do you think this is arbitrary?

You think you know better than the engineers that designed the vehicle? If the vehicle has a 1000lb limit it is there for a good reason. Safe towing within the limits of the vehicle..

All kinds of idiots do all kinds of weird and wonderful things with their cars. Don’t be one of them and have a safety consideration for others you share the road with.

[Jonathan Stiver]

Towing capacity numbers are more in line with ideal performance and liability. I’ve exceeded my vehicle’s towing capacity by several thousand pounds driving halfway across the country. It really struggled to maintain highway speed up the bigger hills at WOT and may have gotten dicey in an emergency braking situation but trailer brakes would help with that. Just take it easy and you’ll have absolutely nothing to worry about.

[Mike]

If you have an accident while your vehicle is overloaded, kiss your insurance good bye.

Would any of you fly with a pilot who thought overloading his aircraft was a good idea? Unsafe is unsafe.

[Chris]

cam0888 and Evil-i both have very valid points in regards to this topic, heed their advise! You’re looking to tow a considerable load in vehicles that were more than likely never designed to tow at all… Bearing in mind that towing puts an immense strain on the engine, drive train, ect, proof of which sits in my shed as we speak. All I can say is look at your owners manual and FOLLOW it’s advice, if it specifies only 1000lbs, that’s the maximum and no more.

Chrisco out B).

[Author]

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