Towing - I Have Not Done My Homework...

[txfromwi]

Good Point...

 

[TrinidadLR4]

I have towed all three sizes of UHaul enclosed trailers with the stock factory LR4 hitch system+receiver+2 inch ball. I never had to reverse/flip any tow hitches or do anything else - the height is perfect as is. I towed the 4x8, 5x8 and 6x12 trailers. The 6x12 has the integrated braking system, which adds a level of looseness in the back. It was disconcerting at first but you get used to it. The 4x8 and 5x8 trailers do not have this. I thought that out of the three, the 5x8 trailer hits the sweet spot - you can put a LOT of stuff in there. Again, the height is perfect - you don't need to do anything to reverse any factory hitches/balls. You might have to do this for an aftermarket hitch, not sure. I really like those trailers - it's a very economical way to move a lot of stuff, IMO.

 

[txfromwi]

Thanks!

I will check all those out this year when we put things in storage so that I understand exactly what may be happening next year.
2013 in Nara Bronze... we came sooo close to buying that color but ended up with Ipanema Sand instead. It was a close call...

 

[TonyInIdaho]

Since you are not traveling until summer of 24 i wiil go ahead and reply to this older thread. I have a 2014 LR4 3.0SCV6. It is a towing animal. I never planned on it becoming my primary tow rig. I have a Yukon XL i have used for years. But i recently had an unrelated mechanical problem arise with the Yukon shortly before i had to tow my 8.5'x20 cargo trailer on a 4,500 mile 10 state journeyfrom North Idaho to Texas back through the desert southwest. Loaded thre tralier back up in Nevada and then back to near the Canadian border. It dealt with elevations above 8,000' and outdoor temperature from near freezing to over 100° + on this jouney. Trailer weights ranged from more than the LR lawyers suggest to about 800 miles with the empty 3,400# trailer. This rig did not miss a beat. Mileage was poor, but hey, it was a brick pulling a larger brick.
I consider myself a very experienced person towing. My suggestion: get ahold of trailer before your journey and practice towing for a couple hundred miles empty and then load some wieght on it. Practice your awareness and backing skills. You will gain needed skill and confidence and your armpits will thank you.
I now use the Disco for pulling the 7500# travel trailer as well.
The Yukon has now been demoted to towing the flatbed trailer on dump runs and the travel trailer to more primitive locations.

 

[BigBriDogGuy]

@TonyInIdaho that's pretty amazing. Based upon the size of the LR4, I would never have thought it was capable of towing these larger/heavier trailers. I have a 2011 V8 and it is rated for 7,700 lbs. That seems like pushing it to me. But maybe not.

 

[powershift]

If the pic was of him driving on the highway with a side wind you might think differently.

 

[alldazed]

The Brit’s / Europeans are much more open minded about towing. BMW x3 , Porsche macan rated for 4400 lbs , Porsche cayenne 7700 lbs , jag f pace 5500 lbs . Audi S5 convertibles pulling caravans. I never could understand why people thought they needed something so big to pull trailers when I moved to Canada in ‘93. I still don’t. I used to use a Toyota echo to pull a 700lb jet ski. The overall load is no different than driving around with four lard asses in the car. In fact it’s less.

 

[ktm525]

In Europe most tow rigs are limited to 80-90 km/h (50-55MPH) so there is a big difference. Yes weight are higher but you do it S L O W L Y.

 

[txfromwi]

I may not tow things myself, which is why I started this thread, but...

I do know there is alot more to towing than simple down-force on the hitch
and
having inherited a Honda Pilot that was used extensively for towing in it's previous life, now with about 60K on the clock, needing a complete suspension overhaul and not a whole lot of life left in the transmission, independent of what Honda might say, it is painfully clear that it was never actually designed as a capable towing vehicle.

And that Honda Pilot is a comparative tank, especially compared to alot of what I see out there.
When I see a teeny tiny car, pulling, well, anything, I give them a very wide berth...

 

[TonyInIdaho]

If the pic was of him driving on the highway with a side wind you might think differently.

Actually, while using the LR4 with this trailer towing across Montana,Wyoming,Colorado,Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho,Oregon, Brirish Columbia and Washington. She had her share of side winds and being passed by 18 wheelers running the truck limits of 75. It is not a 1 ton truck, but with the air suspension,gearing, HP and on board nannyto help prevent the sway, this is a very capable rig.
While not attempting to debate load capacities etc, that are determined by engineers and corporate lawyers, it is well known, that vehicles are capable of more. Kind of falls in the category of speed limits and what is the vehicle Actually capable of doing. I have found in decades of towing with many rigs tire weight and speed ratings are the most important when towing. Most everything else is rather over-engineered for the max rated use. I recommend caution a steady hand and increased maintenance and they do fine. I'm not attempting to fool myself or others into not thinking that it is not ******* them. Just that they can do more than mall crawling.
* sorry if did not like the word H a r d on

Anyway, can't show pictures of the wind, but can show of few of where she has been while towing these traier while the wind was blowing