3000 lb. v. 4500 lb towing

[MMulcahy]

Trying to find the right toad for 3051s. Seems like 4x4's weigh in at 4500 lbs, small cars around 3k. Does the extra 1500 lbs of 4x4 make material difference in terms of acceleration and mpg?

Thanks for your response.

[Creativepart]

It's not for everyone but I went with a Fiat 500 as a toad for our 3051S. It's 2000 lbs light and due to lousy resale prices you can buy a fairly new one cheap (we got a 2013 for $7000). It has made no difference to our gas mileage and can't even tell it's back there until the Brake Buddy kicks in on a hard stop.

Plus, it's popular at the RV Parks.

[GL1800Rider]

We tow a Toyota Corolla manual that weighs about 3000 with a full tank of fuel. Like Creativepart says "can't tell its back there". Best mileage towing so far has been 8.8

[Total Loss]

I'm setting up my towbar setup right now for a 3820 lb Toyota 4x4. (standard cab, short bed 4 cyl-weighed on scales). Should pull it ok. Not going to break the sound barrier .

[rapiniii]

Originally Posted by Creativepart

It's not for everyone but I went with a Fiat 500 as a toad for our 3051S. It's 2000 lbs light and due to lousy resale prices you can buy a fairly new one cheap (we got a 2013 for $7000). It has made no difference to our gas mileage and can't even tell it's back there until the Brake Buddy kicks in on a hard stop.

Plus, it's popular at the RV Parks.

X2

[hessp]

We pull a 2015 Ford Focus behind our 3051s. No problems at all - have to keep looking in the rearview camera to check that it's still there!

[sonny bransom]

we flat tow a jeep wrangler with our 3170ds.pulls great with no issues

[RubberNail]

We've pulled a 2007 Chevy Malibu v6, about 3100#, over most of the US with a 2013 Sunseeker 2300 Chevy G4500 6.0. Pull one fuse and you are in business. Installed a switch to bypass having to pull the fuse. Worst mileage was about 9.5 towing. Usually about 10 to 10.5 towing, 10.5 to 11.5 solo. Malibu is a little unusual, but for us, an excellent choice that provides 4 passenger comfort while showing the grandkids around attractions near to camping, while still getting about 27mpg.

[BusyRetirees]

We used to have a 38' Class A and originally towed a 99 Chev Malibu which weighed about 3200 lbs and then went to an 07 Saturn Vue which was about 1000 lbs heavier. Did not notice the difference in towing nor was there any difference in mpg.

[sdgscott]

Hi,

Just got back from picking up my MH in Ohio. Drove my Jeep Liberty out from California and flat towed it back 2500 miles. I never felt it the whole trip. Climbed up to the summit at the Eisenhower tunnel in CO (11,158 ft.) and never got below 40 mph. It weighs in a little over 4000 lbs. It is very easy to set up for towing, ours has four wheel drive, and is quite comfortable for the 4 of us and our 2 dogs out sight seeing. Mileage is not that great as it gets about 20 mpg highway, 17 around town.

Scott