new solera owner

[Stever]

Has anyone used the Solera to tow a vehicle at or near the towing capacity of 3500# and how is the cruising and handling? Thanks

[reinerka]

We tow an '86 Suzuki Samurai (which only comes in at slightly above 2000lbs). To our surprise it didn't affect mpg when towing (we however kept it down to 55mph).

We towed up into the CA Sierra (Huntington Lake) and no issues up hill at all. The Diesel still has enough power (and good gearing in the transmission) to tow easily. Our fresh water tank was full as well. Cruising and handling wasn't any different than before.

The only thing I noticed was going downhill you could feel the little Sami actually pushing as engine breaking capacity was reduced (no surprise there).

If you tow near the limit (3500 instead of our 2000+ lbs) this will be a bit different. It will push downhill much harder and uphill the RV will not move as quickly as before....

All this is with a '11 Solera..... previous versions might not do as good as they have about 30HP less....
Reiner

[mckirby50]

We towed our jeep wrangler (4400#) from Oklahoma City to Ouray Colorado last month. Did great till we got to Monarch Pass. We unhooked near the top and drove the rest of the way. Then towed it back to OKC after we cleared Monarch Pass. Fuel mileage was upper 11mpg. Towed at 60 mph, no problems. Used a Blue Ox tow bar.

[Pedrodasdas]

Originally Posted by Stever

Has anyone used the Solera to tow a vehicle at or near the towing capacity of 3500# and how is the cruising and handling? Thanks

We drove to Michigan to pick up our Solera. On our way back, we rent a dolly from U-Haul and tow our Toyota Yaris with it. Came back all the way to Montreal without any problem. Hardly noticed we were pulling something.
The Toyota weight is 3300 lbs and the dolly probably 400 more.

We will probably have the Yaris equiped with the blue ox or roasmaster for our trip to Texas next spring.

[mckirby50]

We pulled the wrangler the first time with a very cheap tow bar that connected to the receiver ball, that didn't work for us (very noisey and clanking) We upgraded to a Blue Ox and that made a world of difference!!
Oh by the way we happen to have a really good tow bar for sale cheap!!!

[Poppy Bill]

I ordered HWH levelers at Camping World when they came in the tech said he could not install them no room. I went under the motorhome with him and he was right no room. If anyone has any info let me know.

[bclemens]

A full blown leveling system is too much weight anyway. There is a "2 point" hydraulic stabilizer system that is available from the Big Foot Levelers. We offer them as an option from the factory, but I think you can order them yourself as well.
Bigfoot - Quadra Manufacturing

I'm not sure it's on the website yet, you may need to call. They work well.