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Has anyone here towed with a CVT? I have access to my mother in laws Subaru Ascent (all I would need is to rent a trailer), and its towing capacity is 5k, which is what I would expect a uhaul trailer and an NA to weigh. I'd definitely be maxing it out.
I'm mostly just worried about its capabilities in the drivetrain department, and california hills, etc. I don't want to have to tell my MIL that I fried her transmission.
Originally Posted by Savington
I love it, so much so that I plan to buy it when the lease is up in 12mos.
The math is adding up really well to justify selling my daily for this. Has it had any issues? Wifes VW was turning into a german reliability meme once the miles got higher.
The math is adding up really well to justify selling my daily for this. Has it had any issues? Wifes VW was turning into a german reliability meme once the miles got higher.
No issues, but I only have ~8k miles on it. It's worth mentioning that all eGolfs are made in Germany, same with all Golf Rs.
Has anyone here towed with a CVT? I have access to my mother in laws Subaru Ascent (all I would need is to rent a trailer), and its towing capacity is 5k, which is what I would expect a uhaul trailer and an NA to weigh. I'd definitely be maxing it out.
I'm mostly just worried about its capabilities in the drivetrain department, and california hills, etc. I don't want to have to tell my MIL that I fried her transmission.
I hope you and the MIL are tight If you do decide to give it a shot I would pick up a ScanGauge. Looks like you are able to monitor engine temp, trans temp, and knock in addition to the standard water temp on that vehicle.
I'm towing in about 80% of max towing capacity in Texas. It's not fun driving 65 mph and wondering if I can maintain speed up hills without 30 seconds of 100% throttle. It was workable for a whole season, but eventually I had a coolant leak; and I've not trusted the truck yet even though it's performing well. I think confidence also plays a lot in a tow vehicle as I've driven to last two events now one being 7+hours away. Had I done it all over again, i'd have a tow vehicle that is within 60% of max capacity at most.
Yeah, looked around on the ascent forums and the people towing cars are all in flat states. Might try it once and if it sucks find a different method.
I managed to tow a 91 auto miata on a U-haul dolly with my mom's 190k mi 2003 Pontiac Montana rated for 3500lb and it was uphill the whole hour drive back. You likely will be OK with the ascent, but will want to look into something better if you are towing often.
The key when towing close to max tow capacity is to be patient and use mechanical empathy. If you don't possess either of those traits get a very overkill tow rig.
The key when towing close to max tow capacity is to be patient and use mechanical empathy. If you don't possess either of those traits get a very overkill tow rig.
A marginal tow rig will also require a lot more attention and mental energy, whereas overkill you can relax a bit more.
Just a friendly reminder to watch vehicle to trailer weight ratios. My trucker friend Joe keeps harping the importance of that. Pulling the trailer is only half the problem. The other half is the trailer pushing you! While trailer brakes seem to counter most of the problem the laws of physics are a bitch when the trailer want to take you for a ride.
Love the Suburban 2500 Solution with open trailer. I do have trailer envy when I see those nice 24’ setups though. It’s the ultimate base camp at the track!
First post-baby track day is on Saturday, NCRC at Thunderhill.
I hang my head in shame knowing you can still pull off track days with all you have on your plate while my car sits motionless. I gotta get back out there this year!!!
Took the bare truck and trailer with boat(fully rigged) over the scales the other day. Fully loaded with gear and 4 people is going to be at the limit with this truck. Thankfully I'm staying east of the Mississippi.
The key when towing close to max tow capacity is to be patient and use mechanical empathy. If you don't possess either of those traits get a very overkill tow rig.
After spending a few hours towing 2-3k this past week I can’t imagine getting close to max capacity (5k) with my F150 short bed lightning that weights 4670lbs.
The problem I see is not the truck it’s the idiots driving all around me. Things that are uneventful in my daily driver become white knuckle while towing. It really opens my eyes to how bad drivers have gotten around here. What I would be comfortable towing from Sacramento to Thunderhill is completely different than inside SF Bay Area.
Just another variable to consider when selecting a tow rig.
Has anyone towed with a 2008+ Sequoia? I have a few options in my area and I'm looking to get rid of my Crosstrek in favor of something I could daily and also tow with. I'll be losing fuel economy, but I'll be able to tow the Miata to the track and save on UHauls
Has anyone towed with a 2008+ Sequoia? I have a few options in my area and I'm looking to get rid of my Crosstrek in favor of something I could daily and also tow with. I'll be losing fuel economy, but I'll be able to tow the Miata to the track and save on UHauls
I have two friends who tow using Sequoias. Both are very happy with them. At least one of them did add airbags to the rear suspension, but I think that's more of a precautionary measure.
As someone with a 2012 Tundra with the 4.6 and 6 speed transmission, don't be afraid of the 4.6 to tow with if that option presents itself. The VVT gives it a very broad torque curve, with excellent towing power, and the 6 speed is such an improvement over the 4 speed auto that preceded it. The brakes are far stronger in the 2nd generation than the first one, and I assume the platform sharing would mean the same for the Sequoia.
I have a 2008 sequoia and have several 1000 miles pulling an 8k lb 24ft enclosed. I have the platinum with air leveling and run a weight distributing hitch with sway bar.
it is an all out beast of an SUV for towing. Blew away the 1/2 ton Tahoe and Suburban (I tested all 3 at the dealers with my trailer before buying Sequoia) Only issue is 8-10mpg depending on how heavy your foot is. It’ll maintain 70-75 no problem even through rolling hills without much work.
My 2008 has a 10k rated towing capacity. They derated the newer ones for some reason.
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If you do decide to give it a shot I would pick up a ScanGauge. Looks like you are able to monitor engine temp, trans temp, and knock in addition to the standard water temp on that vehicle. 
