ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: TexTracker on April 01, 2007, 08:08:05 PM
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Has anybody towed more than the 1500 lb allowed by Suzuki/Chevy with a 2 door 99+ and the 2.0L engine?
Not that I want to do it on long trips but I wonder if I could tow my popup trailer which has somewhere around 1800 to 1900 lb.
Mine is a 2002 2-door convertible with automatic transmission and 4WD.
In Europe the same car with the same transmission is rated for 1600 kg (3680 lb) towing if trailer has brakes.
Of course I would consider adding a tranny cooler and a brake controller. Trailer has brakes.
(The main towing vehicle is a 2004 Toyota Sienna).
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In Europe the same car with the same transmission is rated for 1600 kg (3680 lb) towing if trailer has brakes.
Have you got an authority for that, please, Tex?
My GV Owners Manual states 450Kg for 2/3 door, braked; 680 for 5 door, braked. I think those figures are ridiculously low, but I haven't seen anything authoritative that says otherwise.
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I don’t have links to official Suzuki documents but I have seen several websites like these:
Australia:
http://dixonarchive.com/grandvitara/technical.htm
At the bottom it states:
The following applies to pre-october 2005 models.
3-Door
- 550Kg unbraked trailer
- 1600kg braked trailer
5-Door
- 700Kg unbraked trailer
- 1850Kg braked trailer
Caravaning magazine in Germany:
http://www.caravaning.de/fm/95/0402_Exp_AllradZugwagen_16.pdf
The table on page 14 lists the grand Vitara 2.0 Cabrio (convertible) with 1600 kg towing capacity for up 12% grades (column 6)
German Newspaper:
http://www.solinger-tageblatt.de/sro.php?redid=44369
max. Anhängelast gebremst 1600 Kilo, ungebremst 550 Kilo; (1600kg braked trailer, 550Kg unbraked trailer)
Add in Germany:
http://boerse.autobild.de/autobild/gebraucht/suzuki-grand-vitara-27998592.html
Anhaengelast 1600 kg (trailer weight = 1600 kg).
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Thanks, very useful.
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Sort of off-topic: I have a 5spd GV v6 and I can't imagine pulling anything with it... it has some tourque but generally speaking it can hardly get out of it's own way. Our suzuki platform is built like a truck and hence weighs quite a bit. I confirmed that the other day when I discovered my GV weights 250lbs more than a Jeep Cherokee (1984-2001) which has a 4.0 I6. Horse-power wise I can't hold 5th at 110 km's/hour (70mph?) when going up what I consider a fairly mild climb. I love it regardless, I just can't imagine it being able to tow very much ;)
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Strange; my 2.5 V6 isn't like that. I can change into 5th at 45 mph and carry on climbing uphill to at least 85 mph (maybe more, but I haven't tried). Do you have the stock diameter tyres?
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I'm running 225/75/16's. My GV is a 2000 so it's rated at 155hp. I should really do a comprehensive comparison of the power, torque, and weigth vs other vehicles. My guess (based on my own GV) is that it's on the under-powered side.... could be wrong.
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That's 29.3" vs 27.1" stock. It will have some effect, but your description suggests the problem is more than larger tyres could account for.
Could a partially clogged cat be the reason?
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Has anybody towed more than the 1500 lb allowed by Suzuki/Chevy with a 2 door 99+ and the 2.0L engine?
I have. Pulled about a 1500lb+ pop-up with my 03 2 door when it had the 2.0 and 5sp. Worked fine, no problems, but if you'll be traversing mountains at highway speeds, be prepared to put some RPMs on your motor. Normal flat highway and stop-and-go was no problem at all. Truck actually rode better with some weight in the rear.
Be awfully careful, though. Things can go awry quickly with such a short wheelbase.
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I should check my cat, have never looked at it. I have 123,000 km's on it (76,000 miles). I'm also not one of those people that likes to drive with their foot to the floor. On the highway I apply the law of dimishing returns with regards to how far I push the gas pedal.... I find the "sweet spot" so to speak and don't push it any harder. I would agree that these things require a lot of rev's when going against a strong head wind or up a hill of any kind. I can only hope my cat is clogged because then I'll have a reason as to why it feels kind of guttless. Otherwise, I keep pretty good care of it (synthetic oil, fancy bosh plugs, regular air filter changes etc).
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Question about catalytic convertors ... how many of you have had problems with them clogging? I'm thinking I should check mine but I'm not even sure I could tell if one was clogged by looking at it?