ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: trackinstile on January 09, 2004, 10:55:33 PM
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Hi, I"m thinking about buying a pop up to tow behind our Tracker (2000 4 cyl. 5 speed 4wd). The factory recomends 1500 lbs max, but I know that this thing will pull more. Have any of you used your Tracker or Vitara with a 4 for towing a camper? How much can it tow. I also thought about looking for air shocks, just to help keep it level. If anyone has done this or anything similar I'd really appreciate it. Thanks, Dave ;D
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  Hi, I"m thinking about buying a pop up to tow behind our Tracker (2000 4 cyl. 5 speed 4wd).  The factory recomends 1500 lbs max, but I know that this thing will pull more.  Have any of you used your Tracker or Vitara with a 4 for towing a camper?  How much can it tow.  I also thought about looking for air shocks, just to help keep it level.  If anyone has done this or anything similar I'd really appreciate it.  Thanks,  Dave ;D
I've towed a 16' Scamp camper from Columbia, NC to KC, MO. It probably weighed near 1800# (wasn't loaded). I towed it with my '00 Tracker, 1.6l, 5-sp, 4wd. Didn't have a problem at all. Just realize that you are towing something, and it will effect the acceleration and braking distances.
After fixing it up for camping, I'd fetch it from storage with the Tracker. At that time, it grossed at 2376#. I did have to place the Tracker in 4wd to get the camper backed up in my driveway.
My hitch frame is a 2" frame capable of 5000#'s. It's now on the XL-7.
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Hey, thanks for the reply, how did it feel at 2376#? Just curios if it swayed a lot on the highway, or still felt stable? I drive a tractor trailer for a living, I'm no stranger to towing, but just wondering what a Tracker could handle. Oh, btw, what is the aproxamate tongue weight?
And as for the driveway, I have a hill too, I figured I'll need 4w low to get it up and out, no big deal. Thanks again for the info. I really appreciate it. Oh, and how much did the rear sag, did you go for air shocks or is the suspention still stock? Sorry for all the questions, but, you know, the more the better I'll learn. TYIA, Dave
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Hey, thanks for the reply, how did it feel at 2376#?  Just curios if it swayed a lot on the highway, or still felt stable?  I drive  a tractor trailer for a living, I'm no stranger to towing, but just wondering what a Tracker could handle.  Oh, btw, what is the aproxamate tongue weight?
On the way home, it was rather light in the tongue. I could hit 80's going down hill in the NC mountains. Coming along the Tenn ridge, I really didn't have a problem. I did have to downshift 4th to 5th at 60mph to keep it at 55-60mph. As when loaded, I live only 12 miles from storage. Highway speeds could be used, although, it's sort of flat in those 12 miles. Once I had the tongue loaded, I couldn't lift it by myself. The battery, propane tank, adjustable height tongue have all added weight to the tongue. It took a while to stop, and as a tractor driver, I'd expect you know what I'm talking about. It never felt to sway with the short wheelbase of the Tracker, and again it was only 12 miles of 55 mph. Acceleration is comparable to that of a tractor pulling a load, not really there. To add, the Scamp was wide enough that I was able to see around it with the mirrors of the Tracker. This helped in changing lanes.
And as for the driveway, I have a hill too, I figured I'll need 4w low to get it up and out, no big deal.  Thanks again for the info.  I really appreciate it.
Mine is at 23 degrees worst angle. It's only 40' long (2 cars+) and it leans right (south) (helps with the drainage).
Oh, and how much did the rear sag, did you go for air shocks or is the suspention still stock?  Sorry for all the questions, but, you know, the more the better I'll learn.  TYIA,  Dave
It did sag some (1" or 2), but nothing for me to really worry about, even when loaded. I kept the stock suspension and had no problems. Only thing is with the tongue loaded (I'm thinking over 180#'s as I'm able to lift but not move it), it'll buck with the road bumps and rolls. This lightens the front some when it's in rebound motion. This may make you feel squirrelly, but knowing how to drive it isn't a problem.
I've since sold that and have now an XL-7 pulling the same camper. Longer wheelbase surely helps.
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I used an enclosed trailer to haul my track bike. The bike and trailer together probably weigh close to 1200#. I get a lot of buffeting when rigs pass me...not enough to be scary but it definitely moves the vehicle around. In a mild headwind I'm lucky to get up to 70mph, it will stay there in 4th or 5th as long as I keep it to the floor, normally I'll keep it around 60 in 5th about 80% throttle...shifting to 4th for hills. With a tail wind 80mph isn't any trouble...and I can stay ahead of the rigs as well ;)
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Thanks for the replys guys, I appreciate it. Did your trailer have electric brakes too??? Just wondering. Thanks again for the replys It's really helping me to look at what I can look for and expect. Thanks again, btw I'm hoping electric brakes would help. Dave
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I want to get a trailer to haul my snowmobile around in Who knows if that will ever happen though. Andrew
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Thanks for the replys guys, I appreciate it.  Did your trailer have electric brakes too???  Just wondering.  Thanks again for the replys It's really helping me to look at what I can look for and expect.  Thanks again, btw I'm hoping electric brakes would help.   Dave
The camper has them, but I only used a flat 4 plug for the lights. Not a problem realizing some weight behind you.
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You'd have to be nuts to pull a trailer that
weighs half or more than the pull vehicle,
my Trucklet weighs 2500# a 1000# trailer
would be a stopping nightmare, especially
on 33s :-/
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I admit its not the greatest tow vehicle out there :-/
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Wild Goody.
How can yours wiegh 2500#? I've ran mine over a truck scale and it wieghs 3400#. Maybe I should get out next time.
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Hey, Thanks for the replys, I'm not going to go too nuts, but knowing that 2300 # is can be done is good by me. I don't see too many Trackers as tow vehicles out there, but, well, I can't afford a bigger tow vehicle. Mine is a solid ride, only has 43,000 miles on it, and is in top running condition. I am planning on being carefull, and will use electric brakes. I have learned that there are weight dist. hitches out there, don't know if they make them for Track/Vitara's but it's worth a shot. They do help a lot. Thanks again, if there is anything else that anyone can think of please let me know your thoughts, I highly value everyones opinion. Dave ;D
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You'd have to be nuts to pull a trailer that
weighs half or more than the pull vehicle,
my Trucklet weighs 2500# a 1000# trailer
would be a stopping nightmare, especially
on 33s :-/
So I'm crazy for towing anything that weights more than 2,500 pounds with my Ford that is rated to tow over 8,000 pounds? I can understand your concern with Suzuki brakes, but that - as a general statement - isn't correct. Yes, over 5-6k I enjoy having brakes on the trailer, but it's not really that insane of an idea.
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Yes, It Is ;) Just cause I said so :P
My reply was about a trailer at or over 50%
of the tow vehicles weight without brakes,
I though as you read the thread that was
obvious, but I may have understood it
differently than you did.
Your Ford weighs what 6000- 6500 # right?
and your pulling a 2500-3000 # trailer?, be
safe and make sure you got trailer brakes.
Is that 8000# you mentioned the combination
gross vehicle weight, or the towed vehicle weight ?
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To keep things level to aid braking get air bags $69pair.
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Your Ford weighs what 6000- 6500 # right?
and your pulling a 2500-3000 # trailer?, be
safe and make sure you got trailer brakes.
Is that 8000# you mentioned the combination
gross vehicle weight, or the towed vehicle weight ?
My Ford weighs roughly 5,300 with a full tank of gas and one passenger.
The 8000 is JUST trailer. My truck is "rated" to 8,550# (7,700# GVWR), but I hardly ever see more than 3k# behind it. Brakes are ALWAYS nice, but it's not "that" bad w/o 'em... Then again, my Ford is also a v8 with 13"+ disc brakes all the way around...
Bah, just ignore me... I'm comparing potatOES to potAHtoes... err... oranges... err ...