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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Sidekick, Vitara, Geo Tracker (Gen. 1 Platform) 1989-1998 => Topic started by: tuesdaysgone on January 30, 2011, 07:32:16 PM

Title: Towing a caravan with a sidekick sport.
Post by: tuesdaysgone on January 30, 2011, 07:32:16 PM: What is the braked towing capacity of a sidekick sport?

A quick google search shows it is 1500lbs which seems low to me.

http://www.zuks-un-ltd-uk.freeservers.com/photo2_1.html (http://www.zuks-un-ltd-uk.freeservers.com/photo2_1.html) indicates it has a towing capacity of 1500kg which is 3305lbs.

I also read a vehicle should not tow more than 85% of its weight.

I want to tow a small caravan.
Title: Re: Towing a caravan with a sidekick sport.
Post by: Skyhiranger on January 30, 2011, 08:36:50 PM: I was thinking the sport was a little higher than the regular 4 door trackicks (which is 1500lbs). But I am sure the sports capacity isn't over 2000 lbs. I wouldn't tow any vehicle with a trackick. But if you decide to, and you get in an accident, don't expect the insurance company to pay for anything, since you exceeded the towing capacity for your vehicle.
Title: Re: Towing a caravan with a sidekick sport.
Post by: tuesdaysgone on January 30, 2011, 09:17:05 PM: Is there any suzuki documentation from the sidekick sport brochure stating the towing capacity?
Title: Re: Towing a caravan with a sidekick sport.
Post by: Skyhiranger on January 30, 2011, 09:20:42 PM: Quote from: tuesdaysgone on January 30, 2011, 09:17:05 PM
Is there any suzuki documentation from the sidekick sport brochure stating the towing capacity?

IDK, I don't have a sport brochure. Looking for the spec online is probably your best bet. Like I said, I am sure it isn't over 2K, it might even be the same as a regular 4 door at 1500.
Title: Re: Towing a caravan with a sidekick sport.
Post by: Drone637 on January 31, 2011, 10:26:13 AM: Yep, same as the 4 door. 1500 lb.

0-60 in 12.5 seconds as well, apparently. Oooo, 120hp! That's not bad for an extra .2 liters. :D
Title: Re: Towing a caravan with a sidekick sport.
Post by: Skyhiranger on January 31, 2011, 10:30:31 AM: Quote from: Drone637 on January 31, 2011, 10:26:13 AM
Yep, same as the 4 door. 1500 lb.

0-60 in 12.5 seconds as well, apparently. Oooo, 120hp! That's not bad for an extra .2 liters. :D

Yeah, it is an extra .2 liters, but it is also a DOHC engine, so that is probably the majority of the extra 25 HP over a 1.6 16V SOHC engine.
Title: Re: Towing a caravan with a sidekick sport.
Post by: tuesdaysgone on February 01, 2011, 06:37:06 PM: Vehicles in the US are very underrated for towing. I'm from the uk and most tow vehicles are sedans.

What about a M101A2 3/4 ton trailer, 1500lbs.
Title: Re: Towing a caravan with a sidekick sport.
Post by: Drone637 on February 02, 2011, 02:29:23 PM: That is because so many of us have half-ton pickups sitting in the garage as daily drivers. I use a 1-ton to pull my SJ around. :D

That trailer might be pushing it without trailer brakes. They are listed at weighing 1300 pounds dry. Throw 1000 pounds of weight on it and your looking at a trailer that weighs as much, if not more, then your Sidekick. With a good hitch and trailer brakes maybe?
Title: Re: Towing a caravan with a sidekick sport.
Post by: fordem on February 11, 2011, 08:52:38 AM: Quote from: tuesdaysgone on February 01, 2011, 06:37:06 PM
Vehicles in the US are very underrated for towing. I'm from the uk and most tow vehicles are sedans.

That's because the average american needs to be protected from themselves, and the vehicle manufacturers also need to protect themselves from the average american (and his/her lawyer).

Try getting your hands on the owners' manuals for two "equivalent" vehicles - let's say a US market 2.0 litre Vitara from 2001 and the same model of UK market Vitara - I'll take a bet the US manual has at least twice the number of warning notices as the UK manual.