Hi guys I have a 2950 Lbs Popup camper that I currently tow with my F150 but would like to use my XL7 for beter milage and comfort for the family. I thinking of putting on a trans cooler and using a Weight Distrubution hitch. Does anyone have any experience with towing something of this weight, that could offer me some advice before I go spending the 500 bucks for towing equipment.

Thanks-

Unlike the Vitaras the XL-7 has a HD trans to handle towing duties from the factory a trans cooler can ALWAYS help though.

My XL-7 has a towbar (suzuki OEM) that is rated to 1800kg's. I have towed a car trailer with a complete Suzuki LJ50V (900kg's) and a spare chassis, engine, gearbox, transfer, seats, steering, drive sahfts, diff's and a few boxes of parts, my toolboxes, kids bikes etc. It towed really well. I have the auto gearbox (5 speed), used the 'power' option and locked out the overdrive for hills. I drive 180km's including a steep incline down then out of a ravine. Fuel consumption was 18l/100km, which is not bad compared to my usual 16.5l/100k's. These figures are from my fleet report.

Regards


Greg

A cooler for the trans will be very helpful. Keep you speeds down to minimum and not actual highway speeds. Give plenty of braking space.

I towed my 16' Scamp camper to Zukimelt last year in July in MO to IN. 3+ hours into the drive, my 'Check Engine' light came on. The camper weighs 2100# empty, had couple bikes, coolers, little food, etc. So I'll assume 2500# and that's pushing the guess. Anyways, the trans will get hot and real hot. Engine didn't have a problem. I didn't keep OD out and the trans kept having to shift from OD to 3rd on slight inclines, then on hills, down to 2nd. Once I arrived at the camp, I let it cool down. Next day, light was off. Same thing happened on the way home. Once home, I changed the trans fluid. Still haven't added a cooler, but will get to that before I tow with it again.

I towed my fathers river boat.  I think trailer and boat came out to about 2800 lbs.  I have a Class 3 hitch (overkill i know, but it was cheaper than the Class 2 hitch)  Power was fine, not problems with heating up, but i was only going about 1-2 hours (but lots of hills).  biggest problem was the wind because the boat was so big.  Give yourself some space and you should be alright.

My XL-7 has a towbar (suzuki OEM) that is rated to 1800kg's. I have towed a car trailer with a complete Suzuki LJ50V (900kg's) and a spare chassis, engine, gearbox, transfer, seats, steering, drive sahfts, diff's and a few boxes of parts, my toolboxes, kids bikes etc. It towed really well. I have the auto gearbox (5 speed), used the 'power' option and locked out the overdrive for hills. I drive 180km's including a steep incline down then out of a ravine. Fuel consumption was 18l/100km, which is not bad compared to my usual 16.5l/100k's. These figures are from my fleet report.

Regards
Greg

Sorry to resurrect an ancient thread but the above figures calculate into only 13 and 14.2 mpg.  Does the XLZ really do that badly for gas mileage?  I'm looking for vehicles that can tow 2500 pounds and get better gas mileage than my 05 Wrangler Unlimited does.