Does Anyone Tow a Trailer?

[Lady Tribeca]

I couldn't find a thread for this so I hope I am not repeating a prior thread. I currently have a small Scamp trailer and it pulls beautifully with the Tribeca. I was thinking of getting a slightly bigger trailer and the specs say that the car will pull 3500 lbs. if there is a cooling. Does anyone know what that entails (or means)? I guess it might be a fan installed, but I wondered if it is expensive or would it damage the engine.

Thank you.

[awd_envy]

The cooling you're referring to is the add-on oil cooler. If you got the OEM tow package, it should be installed. It's a small radiator looking part thats about 7" x 24" and should be mounted (i believe) in front of the radiator near the bottom of the front bumper. If you got an after-market hitch, you can purchase the cooler separately as a part.


I couldn't find a thread for this so I hope I am not repeating a prior thread. I currently have a small Scamp trailer and it pulls beautifully with the Tribeca. I was thinking of getting a slightly bigger trailer and the specs say that the car will pull 3500 lbs. if there is a cooling. Does anyone know what that entails (or means)? I guess it might be a fan installed, but I wondered if it is expensive or would it damage the engine.

Thank you.

[SubieDriver]

I believe it's only rated at 2000 lbs if you don't have the transmission cooler installed, and you probably shouldn't pull that for long periods without the cooler. They also say that the 3500 lb rating is with trailer brakes.

I haven't pulled anything that heavy yet - only smallish U-Haul trailers, but I find that the Tribeca handles them well. As long as you plan for extra stopping distance, you'll be fine.

[Hum]

Just got my tow bar installed a few weeks, had to pay $1000 for the original on the "07" no one makes after market ones here. Gotta say though it's the nicest finish at the back. Looks better than Audi installed ones.

Anyway what I wanted to say is that the reason for the towbar was to tow a jetski I just purchased. I would say I easily used 20% more fuel to tow, I didnt think it would be that much higher. It pulls it Ok but you can feel it, needs to rev alot higher up hills. I would love the newer 3.6 engine in it, that would make a difference.

[MNSteve]

We tow a 2500# boat/boat trailer with no problems. But then we've got the factory tow package. You will need a transmission cooler installed before moving to a larger trailer.

[Abaton6]

How was it pulling the boat up the ramp?


We tow a 2500# boat/boat trailer with no problems. But then we've got the factory tow package. You will need a transmission cooler installed before moving to a larger trailer.

[MNSteve]

How was it pulling the boat up the ramp?
OK. So far the ramps haven't been too steep/long or too much gravel on the concrete. Got the boat (2011 model) late this fall and the weather has not been helpful. Only had it out several times. Now it is stored for the winter (yes, we've had 6" of snow already).

[DrCox]

I Tow a 20' Boat/Tailer, no Brakes (~~3100#). Have Factory tow package with cooler. Tribeca tows nicely, I prefer to shift manually vise using the automatic to get my revs up. It might be in my head but I feel like shifting at slightly higher RPM will be better for my tranny while towing.

Boat Launches = I have had steep ones and shallow ones, AWD makes for a nice pullout, 'Beca is heavy enough to not get pulled in (which was my major concern at time of purchase)

P.S. I always open my back hatch when launching/retrieving, seems to make visibility better.

-DrCox

[Abaton6]

I Tow a 20' Boat/Tailer, no Brakes (~~3100#). Have Factory tow package with cooler. Tribeca tows nicely, I prefer to shift manually vise using the automatic to get my revs up. It might be in my head but I feel like shifting at slightly higher RPM will be better for my tranny while towing.

Boat Launches = I have had steep ones and shallow ones, AWD makes for a nice pullout, 'Beca is heavy enough to not get pulled in (which was my major concern at time of purchase)

P.S. I always open my back hatch when launching/retrieving, seems to make visibility better.

-DrCox

That's good news. Thanx

[Lady Tribeca]

I am back with another question.... On the data price sheet that was attached to the window on the car...it said " towing kit - $628". I did not purchase it new so I just assume that the towing gear is there. There is a small metal thing behind the front license plate that I believe is the transmission cooler. However, the trailer dealer was surprised that it had only a Class I hitch instead of the Class III which is usually sold with a package. So now I am not sure what I have on this car.

I guess I will put on a Class II hitch just to be safe and then I can pull the trailer which weighs about 2500 lbs.

Does anyone else have the towing kit - what class hitch came with it?
Thank you.

[MNSteve]

I am back with another question.... On the data price sheet that was attached to the window on the car...it said " towing kit - $628". I did not purchase it new so I just assume that the towing gear is there. There is a small metal thing behind the front license plate that I believe is the transmission cooler. However, the trailer dealer was surprised that it had only a Class I hitch instead of the Class III which is usually sold with a package. So now I am not sure what I have on this car.

I guess I will put on a Class II hitch just to be safe and then I can pull the trailer which weighs about 2500 lbs.

Does anyone else have the towing kit - what class hitch came with it?
Thank you.

If it is a factory hitch, it has an 1-1/2" square tongue. This is what I have from the factory hitch kit. I have a 2" ball to be used for my boat trailer (16.5' aluminum boat w/50hp 4 cycle outboard). Works just great.

You shouldn't have any problem pulling the Scamp.

[SubieDriver]

Just a niggling detail: it's a 1-1/4" receiver, but I'm pretty certain it's rated at 350 lbs tongue weight, and 3500 lbs towing (with the tranny cooler - without the cooler, it's 2000 lbs).

[MNSteve]

Just a niggling detail: it's a 1-1/4" receiver, but I'm pretty certain it's rated at 350 lbs tongue weight, and 3500 lbs towing (with the tranny cooler - without the cooler, it's 2000 lbs).

Hmm, without measuring I thought it was 1.5". Ah, well. :rolleyes:

[SundayForever]

Anyway what I wanted to say is that the reason for the towbar was to tow a jetski I just purchased. I would say I easily used 20% more fuel to tow, I didnt think it would be that much higher. It pulls it Ok but you can feel it, needs to rev alot higher up hills. I would love the newer 3.6 engine in it, that would make a difference.