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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / April 2005Lightest option
looking for something that is easy to pull with my 3500lb. rated Pontiac Aztek, do no want soft sides. Any advice would be appreciated. > looking for something that is easy to pull with my 3500lb. rated Pontiac > Aztek, do no want soft sides. Any advice would be appreciated. One to look at would be www.casitatraveltrailers.com .  SignatureSteve - From behind a hill somewhere in WV Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Tse-tung all agreed, gun control works. > looking for something that is easy to pull with my 3500lb. rated Pontiac > Aztek, do no want soft sides. Any advice would be appreciated. try: http://www.chaletrv.com http://www.aliner.com http://www.tab-rv.com/ SignatureRichard McBane >> looking for something that is easy to pull with my 3500lb. rated >> Pontiac Aztek, do no want soft sides. Any advice would be appreciated. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > http://www.aliner.com > http://www.tab-rv.com/ thanks Richard, i've noticed those, looked at them, but just too small. I've also looked at trailmanor, nice unit. any other suggestions? >>> looking for something that is easy to pull with my 3500lb. rated Pontiac >>> Aztek, do no want soft sides. Any advice would be appreciated. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > thanks Richard, i've noticed those, looked at them, but just too small. > I've also looked at trailmanor, nice unit. any other suggestions? don't forget - your 3500 includes your trailer, the weight of any options, your gear, your gear in your tow vehicle and your passengers. Until recently I used a Sienna, also rated at 3500 lbs, as a tow vehicle. I was towing a 10 foot pop up. I felt that was the maximum I could *safely* tow. Towing above your capacity puts you and other drivers at risk. It can also do a real number on your car. Laura >>> looking for something that is easy to pull with my 3500lb. rated >>> Pontiac Aztek, do no want soft sides. Any advice would be appreciated. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > thanks Richard, i've noticed those, looked at them, but just too small. > I've also looked at trailmanor, nice unit. any other suggestions? Hate to be blunt Jim but it's your car that's too small. The Aztec is not long enough to gain proper leverage over a bigger trailer than even these. It also doesn't have sufficient hp to pull a blunt nosed travel trailer, it's the wind resistance that will kill you. Even though I still wouldn't recommend it, you might look into a 23' Award travel trailer. These came in twin bed units with a sofa bed up front. You still would be over weight and way under powered for this but at least the wind resistance would be minimal and they tow about the best of the conventional hard side trailers (next to an Airstream). You really are trying to take on way too much for an Aztec and believe me, if I tell you this you can take it to the bank of Life. HD in FL >>>> looking for something that is easy to pull with my 3500lb. rated >>>> Pontiac Aztek, do no want soft sides. Any advice would be appreciated. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > me, if I tell you this you can take it to the bank of Life. > HD in FL thanks for your input HD in FL, i appreciate it. would I be better off with a trail manor or palomino hard side? would this vehicle be more suitable to tow those style? >>>>> looking for something that is easy to pull with my 3500lb. rated >>>>> Pontiac Aztek, do no want soft sides. Any advice would be appreciated. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >with a trail manor or palomino hard side? would this vehicle be more >suitable to tow those style? Hi, The problem with your Aztek is it's short wheel base, higher center of gravity and small engine and brakes. Also the tow rating will be reduced by the amount of Stuff, including people, dogs and gas and whatever else you pack into the Aztek. The short wheel base matters because if you get a trailer that has a longer distance from it's tires to the hitch then the wheel base of the tow vehicle, it means the trailer has more leverage and could push the tow vehicle sideways if it starts swaying. A travel trailer is like pulling a box down the road. There is a lot of resistance. It will make your engine and drive train work really hard on hills any type of mountain will be really tough. A Trailmanor is better then a regular trailer towing wise. But your Aztek will be at the max tow rating even with the smallest Trailmanor. The weights given are dry weights with nothing added. Stuff like batteries, propane tanks, water, air conditioners awnings *usually* are not part of the factory weights and need to be added on. Then you have to add on what you will carry inside the RV. Cloths food etc. can add weight up fast. The other thing is what kind of frame it has. If it's unibody construction what exactly will the hitch be attached to? I've seen how CR-V hitches are attached and the only thing holding them on are the sheet metal. The Aztek may be fine for towing short distances on fairly level ground out to the lake and back once or twice a year. But if you intend to really use the RV you should really consider a better tow vehicle. It would be safer and more then likely easier more enjoyable towing experience. Hope this helps. Take care and Happy Campin... RichA "We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart" > > [quoted text clipped - 81 lines] >"We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart" > thanks for the advice, i appreciate it. snipped > thanks for your input HD in FL, i appreciate it. would I be better off > with a trail manor or palomino hard side? would this vehicle be more > suitable to tow those style? No. As far as I'm concerned, the only trailers that "fit" the Aztec style is the fiberglass bubble trailers like the Casita and Burros. These are light enough and streamlined enough to tow with a light tow vehicle. Reese makes a couple of hitches that are for lighter trailers and have equalizing built in. For a look at them see; <http://www.reese-hitches.com/weight_distributing_hitches.htm> The top two on the web page are meant for towing like you propose. Bear in mind the problem you may face with getting a class III hitch for your Aztec. Note this one that has two hitches listed, a class II and a class III/IV. The class III/IV has a limit of 350 lbs dead hitch weight; <http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-2126&bool=AND&category=r eese_combo&maxhits=25&keywords=2002&keywords_2=Pontiac+Aztek&GO=GO%21> For a look at the Casita; <http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/home.html> This is a rig I saw towed with a Honda van and the owner was quite happy with the rig. I wouldn't try and put any more strain on an Aztec than these trailers and even then, you'll be bogged down on upgrades, especially if you have a lot of "stuff" packed. JMHO. HD in FL > For a look at the Casita; > <http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/home.html> I mentioned the Casita in my earlier post. But I believe even the tongue weight of that would be pushing the limits of the Aztek if it is limited to 350 pounds. Me thinks the best option would be get a bigger tow vehicle, or at least one with rear wheel drive. SignatureSteve - From behind a hill somewhere in WV The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. -- Derry Brownfield >> For a look at the Casita; >> <http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/home.html> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > to 350 pounds. Me thinks the best option would be get a bigger tow > vehicle, or at least one with rear wheel drive. I think the 350 lbs pertains to the hitch without equalizing bars. I still wouldn't load an Aztec up much as the driveline isn't designed for pulling heavy loads. I'm sure one good long 10% grade would burn the transmission up even with a tranny cooler. Your "best option" is good advice. HD in FL >>> For a look at the Casita; >>> <http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/home.html> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >with a tranny cooler. Your "best option" is good advice. >HD in FL I have driven over 1,000,000 miles and have never seen a 10% grade. Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many in mountainous Arizona. There definitely are 10% grades out there. I got caught in one leaving Jackson Hole Wyoming once. Awful! It does not matter what kind of vehicle you have, I will never forget that uphill. I now check my route a lot more carefully. I think the largest hills in Florida are the interstate overpasses :) ... Al > I have driven over 1,000,000 miles and have never seen a 10% grade. > Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many > in mountainous Arizona. >There definitely are 10% grades out there. I got caught in one leaving >Jackson Hole Wyoming once. Awful! It does not matter what kind of vehicle >you have, I will never forget that uphill. I now check my route a lot more >carefully. Al, What are you towing, or driving? Hunter Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" I have a Pleasure Way 21 ft fancy van conversion. Dodge V8 244hp, 5.9L engine and it was slow crawling up that hill... Al >>There definitely are 10% grades out there. I got caught in one leaving >>Jackson Hole Wyoming once. Awful! It does not matter what kind of vehicle [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy > sh.t...what a ride!" >I have a Pleasure Way 21 ft fancy van conversion. Dodge V8 244hp, 5.9L >engine and it was slow crawling up that hill... Al Wow, I guess i've never been on a 10% hill.... Hunter Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" > >I have a Pleasure Way 21 ft fancy van conversion. Dodge V8 244hp, 5.9L > >engine and it was slow crawling up that hill... Al > > Wow, I guess i've never been on a 10% hill.... Try Texas west of Big Bend National Park. They have a 15% grade on the road that runs along the Rio Grande River to Presidio, TX. Ron >>>> For a look at the Casita; >>>> <http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/home.html> [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many >in mountainous Arizona. Then check this out, http://www.taborsonline.com/Doc1.htm it leads to Black Horse Canyon in CO. SignatureFrank Tabor >>I have driven over 1,000,000 miles and have never seen a 10% grade. >>Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many >>in mountainous Arizona. > >Then check this out, http://www.taborsonline.com/Doc1.htm it leads to >Black Horse Canyon in CO. The 16% grade pix immediaely brings up the old story- Man 1- "I broke my arm in three places!" Man 2- "I have told you a hundred times...stay out of those places" I would never never drive into that kind of place with a 35' Class A. I guess I should have said I have never seem a 10% grade state or interstate highway. unk >>>I have driven over 1,000,000 miles and have never seen a 10% grade. >>>Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > unk Route 80 from South Onondaga to Route 20 is 10% in places. There are other spots in NY that are similar. I'm sure, in western Pa, there are state roads that are 10% or more in places. Route 20 in central NY has several places with 6%/7% grades. Puts the semi's down to 10 mph in spots. HD in FL > Route 20 in central NY has several places with 6%/7% >grades. Puts the semi's down to 10 mph in spots. >HD in FL I crossed NY state on route 20....against ever RVer I met's advice. I loved it, would do it again in a heartbeat. It was like a roller coaster though... it was on the down hills, with a stop at the bottom of the hills, that I figured my trailer brakes weren't engaging. Hunter Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" >>Route 20 in central NY has several places with 6%/7% >>grades. Puts the semi's down to 10 mph in spots. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > a stop at the bottom of the hills, that I figured my trailer brakes > weren't engaging. Going through Central New York on Route 20 is a gas. Did you stop at Doug's Fish Fry in Skinnyiateles? If not, you missed a good meal <g>. The terrain from around a few miles east of Cazenovia to Auburn is like a roller coaster though. Still some real purty country side. HD in FL >Going through Central New York on Route 20 is a gas. Did you >stop at Doug's Fish Fry in Skinnyiateles? If not, you missed >a good meal <g>. No, wish I had known although I rarely eat fried food. Hunter Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" I see where Charles Norris <roamer@k7no.com> contributed: >>>I have driven over 1,000,000 miles and have never seen a 10% grade. >>>Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many >>>in mountainous Arizona. Much later: >I guess I should have said I have never seem a 10% grade state or >interstate highway. AFAIK there are none on the interstate system, but there are plenty on state highways. Most people who stay on flatland roads do not see the steep grades. The road to our place is (as I recall) about 26%. Will Sill > >I guess I should have said I have never seem a 10% grade state or > >interstate highway. > AFAIK there are none on the interstate system I recall that a maximum of 6-8% was a design requirement for Ike's baby. > The road to our place is (as I recall) about 26%. Holy Cow! Is it a solid surface? :) JR I had a driveway once that was 27% and it was concrete. I had to buy a car with an automatic trans so that my wife could get up it. My V6 small p/u could not back up, but my Jayco class C could. I would have loved to see them pour it, but I didn't and when there was snow in the forecast, the vehicles came out of the garage and parked at the bottom! Your correct about Interstates. I had thought it was 7% (I'm in Colorado). Jim >> >I guess I should have said I have never seem a 10% grade state or >> >interstate highway. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > :) > JR I don't remember seeing anything above 6% on interstates, but I haven't towed in Colorado. Ron > I had a driveway once that was 27% and it was concrete. I had to buy a car > with an automatic trans so that my wife could get up it. My V6 small p/u [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > :) > > JR So, I'll spot you 1%, Feel better? >I don't remember seeing anything above 6% on interstates, but I haven't > towed in Colorado. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >> > :) >> > JR I ran into a 7% back east once, think it was on I-68 in either WV or MD or that area.... George >I don't remember seeing anything above 6% on interstates, but I haven't >towed in Colorado. [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] >> > :) >> > JR I see where Jim Redelfs <jim.redelfs@redelfs.com> contributed: Will: >> The road to our place is (as I recall) about 26%. JR: >Holy Cow! Is it a solid surface? Yes, except during Spring breakup. 8-) Will Sill As interesting reading as it is, have you guys heard of 'OT: '? SignatureChris Cowles Gainesville, FL '00 Coleman Mesa/'99 Chevy Astro "Charles Norris" <roamer@k7no.com> wrote in message > > The 16% grade pix immediaely brings up the old story- [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > unk >>>>For a look at the Casita; >>>><http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/home.html> [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many > in mountainous Arizona. There are none here in Florida but I can show you some in New York and Pencilvania. You don't find them on the interstates, you find them on the secondary roads. It doesn't take a 10% grade to cook a transmission like the Aztec has. HD in FL > It doesn't take a 10% grade to cook a transmission > like the Aztec has. That's for sure. I suspect that an Aztec would have one heck of a time towing ANY FULL-profile trailer. Double-A [honk honk] M C O (AAMCO) Transmissions! :) JR >>>> For a look at the Casita; >>>> <http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/home.html> [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many >in mountainous Arizona. Hi, You musta put your 1,000,000 miles on all interstate roads then. They have em out west and we have em here in PA. They are no fun to go up with any kind of vehicle towing anything. An Aztek towing a 3000 lb trailer would be huffin and puffin and maybe releasing smoke from the tranny or engine at the top. Take care and Happy Campin... RichA "We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart" More like half-way to the top... SignatureChris Cowles Gainesville, FL '00 Coleman Mesa/'99 Chevy Astro > ... An Aztek towing a 3000 lb trailer would be huffin and puffin and maybe > releasing smoke > from the tranny or engine at the top. >>>> For a look at the Casita; >>>> <http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/home.html> [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many >in mountainous Arizona. Try "Oh My God Hill" in WY on either 14 or 14A - 10 miles of 10% Grade. In the Sierras there is one stretch of 26% grade and another of 17% grade. Not recommended for trucks of RVs. As I recall in FL, the highest point in the state is sand Mountain and it is only a few hundred feet above sea level. George > >>>> For a look at the Casita; > >>>> <http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/home.html> [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > As I recall in FL, the highest point in the state is sand Mountain and > it is only a few hundred feet above sea level. You left out the 4 miles of 8% after the 10 miles of 10%! That is on US-14A, US-14 is only 5%-7% for 18 miles. <g> Ron > I have driven over 1,000,000 miles and have never seen a 10% grade. > Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many > in mountainous Arizona. I have never seen the Statue of Liberty, the St. Louis Arch, or the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Since I have not seen them, does that mean they do not exist? Steve >> I have driven over 1,000,000 miles and have never seen a 10% grade. >> Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Since I have not seen them, does that mean they > do not exist? I just thought it was halirious that anyone would think Florida has any grade at all :-) Sure, I have only been to the Miami area, but according to my FIL Space Mountain at Disneyworld is the highest elevation in FL. When I was in Miami, we took a tour of a botanical garden. On the tour the guide proudly pointed out Cutler Ridge, the highest point in the Miami area. My husband and I were unimpressed, since we have a hill in our backyard which is higher. I think it was 17 feet! wow! Laura >>>I have driven over 1,000,000 miles and have never seen a 10% grade. >>>Are they common in Florida since I don't believe there are very many [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Laura Around Lake County, there are some hills, minor by our standards but hills none the less. Matter of fact, it's what drew us back here, reminds us of the rolling hills back home. HD in FL > I have never seen the Statue of Liberty, the St. Louis Arch, or the > Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Since I have not seen them, does that mean they > do not exist? Yes. That goes hand-in-hand with the [If a tree falls in the forest...] and [If a man says something, but isn't heard by anyone, is he still WRONG?] phenomenon. ...and the St. Louis Arch was not worth the TIME we spent waiting in line to see it. :) JR >looking for something that is easy to pull with my 3500lb. rated Pontiac >Aztek, do no want soft sides. Any advice would be appreciated. Been there, done that; and it all comes down to a TT ranging in the area of about 17'. That's what it can pull, but how much can it stop? That's what should concern you more. SignatureChris Cowles Gainesville, FL '00 Coleman Mesa/'99 Chevy Astro > looking for something that is easy to pull with my 3500lb. rated Pontiac > Aztek, do no want soft sides. Any advice would be appreciated. |
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