SUV towing question

I’m not much of a car guy so I am not sure if this really makes a difference or not but I was trying to compare a Ford Explorer and a Chevy Trailblazer for the purpose of towing – maybe someone here can offer an opinion.

– 4 speed v.s. 5 speed both auto with overdrive? Is one “better”?
– “short & long arm” v.s. “multilink” rear suspension?
– torque 254 @ 3700 rpm v.s. 276 @ 4,000 rpms

Both have factory tow package and rated at or above 5,000# tow capacity

Anyone else out there towing with a Trailblazer? I have a Navigator 175.

I would prefer a full-size SUV like a Tahoe but my commuting suggests otherwise.

Thanks,
Dave

My bro-in-law tows his 20+’ Mastercraft on a dual-axle trailer with his Trailblazer. He does have the V8 engine, but it tows it just fine.

Another thing to consider is braking capacity. It might be able to pull that much weight, but can it stop in effectively?

I’ve got an ’05 Trailblazer and when the sales rep tried to tell me ” its got a Class 3 hitch, it can pull 5000#” I politely told him he was full of it. Engine-wise, I’m sure it can. Tranny and rear-end, I doubt it, and I’m sure its not set up to stop that kind of weight. JMHO

the stopping is a WHOLE lot more critical than the starting. Oversize brakes would be a minimum condition.

I completely agree on the braking issues. I estimate my rig to weigh in at about 3,000#. I spoke with a sales rep about this yesterday and he actually brought up the braking issue before I could and said while it was “rated” at 5,200# he would not recommend that on any kind of regular basis.

Thanks and keep the input/info coming

Quote:

---

I’m not much of a car guy so I am not sure if this really makes a difference or not but I was trying to compare a Ford Explorer and a Chevy Trailblazer for the purpose of towing – maybe someone here can offer an opinion.

– 4 speed v.s. 5 speed both auto with overdrive? Is one “better”?
– “short & long arm” v.s. “multilink” rear suspension?
– torque 254 @ 3700 rpm v.s. 276 @ 4,000 rpms

Both have factory tow package and rated at or above 5,000# tow capacity

Anyone else out there towing with a Trailblazer? I have a Navigator 175.

I would prefer a full-size SUV like a Tahoe but my commuting suggests otherwise.

Thanks,
Dave

---

I used to have a 03 Trailblazer and pulled my 1750 Fishawk no problems. But you had to be mindful of breaking distance, or get trailer brakes on your boat trailer.

Quote:

---

the stopping is a WHOLE lot more critical than the starting. Oversize brakes would be a minimum condition.

---

How about just a trailer with surge brakes.

electrical trailer brakes triggering off your brake lites could be a consideration. i pulled a 23’er with a jeep cherokee and the AM brakes worked well in that situation…

I pull my 17 footer with an Envoy. It has enough power but you can feel it back there. I dont have any back end sag. I have only pulled it for one summer so not sure on the long term affects yet…

i was advised to go electric when i set mine up. Salt and corrosion were the concerns. they had both available to me.

You ever think about getting a bigger SUV for towing and then a decent commuter car? I know the insurance costs a little more, but the fuel savings along with how many more years your SUV will last, I think, makes up the difference. This is what I do.

I towed my Starcraft 176 Fishmaster (full console, 115 hp) with a Trailblazer for several years. I had no issues at all. Now I have a Silverado. I actually can’t tell much difference under acceleration. Braking is a little better with the Silverado, but was nothing to be concerned about with the Trailblazer, just brake a little sooner. I have taken three trips to Canada with the Trailblazer towing winding, hilly roads. No issues and I was pleasantly surprised.

Although I really like my Silverado, I would still have the Trailblazer if the wife hadn’t totalled it. (The Trailblazer was payed off).

Another concern about towing capacity is what is stated on the vehicle is the maximum weight.

I had a few dealers (both vehicle and boat dealers) tell me that figure that maximum boat to pull divide the towing capacity by 2/3rds. I.E., if your towing capacity if 5,000#, 2/3rds = 3,333# would be your maximum boat & trailer weight. This is to take into consideration all the gear you might have on-board along with the weght of all the water in your boat and in the trailer frame and the drag/friction of the water when pulling your boat out and up a steep ramp.

I have a 2002 Olds Bravada, which was the AWD version of the Trailblazer / Envoy. At the time with the MaxTow options package that included self-leveling air suspension, high-cap water pump, and tranny cooler it was rated to tow 6000 max.

In addition to my fishing boats, I have a 22 foot Wellcraft express cruiser on a dual axle trailer with surge breaks. With a half load of fuel, and alregularlr gear, this boat/trailer weighs just over 4500.

It tows very well behind the Bravada. Obviously, you don’t move something this heavy without feeling it, but there is enough power and more importantly enough cooling capacity that I don’t boil the engine even when towing in 90 degree heat with 4 passengers and the A/C on.

Bottom line is on any boat/trailer combination over 2000 pounds, I think you’re crazy NOT to have brakes on the trailer. Brakes on a truck are engineered to stop the truck. Beyond that, all bets are off.

A couple thoughts to you questions:

– Tranny – when towing anything of significant weight, most owner’s manuals recommend that you shift into drive rather than overdrive overdirve setting. This prevents the tranny from “hunting” and constantly dropping down a gear and then shifting back up to overdrive because there isn’t quite enough power to maintain speed in the overdrive gear.

– All “towing packages” are not created equal. Some towing packages only add a plug for the tail lights and that’s it. Make sure you know what you’re getting.

– Towing is as much about cooling capacity as it is about power. For heavy towing, you need to pump more water and you need to be able to cool your transmission. That’s why it is very good to get a package that includes a tranny cooler and a high capacity water pump. IMO, it’s totally worth paying extra for these.

– There is no significant difference in power between the two vehicles you mention.

– Suspension depends not as much on the design, but on what springs are set up for. I LOVE my self leveling suspension on the Bravada, but this may/may not be available on the models you’re looking at.

Grouse

Hi guys, thanks again for the advice. I have been very specific about asking what is included in the tow package and have said it has to have the tranny cooler before I even look. I have been towing with an 04 Explorer for the past 6 years and had no issues but looking at different vehicles and the Trailblazers seem to fit my budget better than other comparable used SUV’s that I deem acceptable.

I pull a 21′ pontoon on a heavy-duty scissor trailer that probably weighs more that the boat with a 2004 Explorer Eddie Bauer. 4.6 V8, integrated brake controller, oversize tranny cooler. Boat and trailer probably weigh around 1500-2000#.

With the boat hooked up the truck accelerates like its not even there. Stopping isn’t an issue either (except that I tend to pull with loose stuff on the deck so I take it easy so as not to make a mess).

The truck has been awesome… It jerks around a bit with that kind of load on a single-axle trailer, but it has -no- issues pulling or stopping the load.

What I want is an 04 Expedition with the 6.0 diesel. Sadly, everyone else seems to also… they’re still over $10k.

If you are gonna get the TB I would definitely get the V8. I towed my Dominator with the 6 for 2 years and hated every moment. Wouldn’t pull the boat in OD unless it was down hill or you had a 25mph wind behind you, or going 50mph. Best tank I ever got pulling the boat was 10.5. I was so happy the day we got rid of it, or maybe that was because I got a new F150 with the ecoboost.

I have 04 Trailblazer that pulls 18 foot Crestliner Sport Fish. No problems with pulling. I have the straight 6. The trailer does have surge brakes with no problem stopping. I wish that Chevy would still make the Trailblazer. I have had absolutely no issues with mine.

just my 2cents I owned a bravada loved the ride and it had enough power but we wanted more room so we traded it for a tahoe i also use these trucks to drive to work so my opinion is buy the tahoe the gas milage is the same and with the tahoe there is more room and more power.

this comes up more times than not. commuter, tow vehicle. suggested above, add a small car for work, find a used truck for towing. you should get a multicar discount on insurance which helps. better mileage on the small car which helps. less wear and tear on both helps.
here is my deal: 2008 chevy aveo… bought new nov 07… pretty good mileage, set of brakes, set of tires. great to get around in and PARK!! tow vehicle… 2000 F-150 Harley edition. added 4;10 rear end, electric fan, royal purple fluids, tows great. I take it off the road in the winter to save on insurance.
I’d go for a Ford Fiesta, 40MPG! then start looking for something used to tow with… used pick up, SUV, Make it a project truck. set it up for towing your way.
when I start over thats what I’m doin’…

If you getting a Trailblazer look for the 3.75 or 4.10 gears. You wont have any problems pulling you boat. I pulled the same boat with my trailblazer with no problems. I think some of the trailblazer are rated closer to 6000 pound. Im currently pulling my boat with a GMC Acadia which has less towing capacity at 5000 pound. I dont even now its back there even when stopping.

I have a 04 chevy Trailblazer and have been pulling my 20 ft Sylvan for 8 years with no problems. I have the inline v 6 and don’t know theres a boat behind me, but I would say I have to agree with others here on the breaking issue. I have always been cautious about breaking slowly and early but had to slam on the brakes one time when a buck dashed in front of me and was very pleasantly surprised at how well the trailblazer handled that.

I’ve got an 08 Trail Blazer and have done a fair amount of towing with it, both long and short distances. I used to drag around an old, heavy, 17′ glass boat and a toy hauler. When pulling a relatively heavy load you’ll know it’s there, but the truck has plenty of power to get moving. The difference in torque you mentioned is minimal and not something you’re likely to notice between the two trucks on your list. More likely you’d notice a difference from the rear end gears than the factory torque.

Braking with the TB isn’t bad, even with a relatively heavy load. Give yourself plenty of room, begin stopping sooner than normal, and you’ll be fine. This is the same with any vehicle towing substantial weight.

TBs aren’t built for trailering like you’d expect a heavy duty pick up to be but I never had any problems getting going, cruising along, stopping, overheating, or breaking with mine. You just have to remember when you’re trailering something that you can’t drive it like you would without a trailer. Longer stopping distances, nice and smooth on both the gas and brake when you need them, watching the temperatures to ensure it doesn’t overheat and you’re good to go. Again, nothing you shouldn’t be doing with any tow vehicle and a load.

As far as commuting goes in the TB. I used to drive 98 miles each way to and from work 4-5 days a week. Needless to say I put a lot of miles on it very quickly. I loved driving it. It’s a comfortable ride, plenty of go, and was always reliable. I averaged 20-23 mpg on the highway depending on the weight of my foot. Trailering I got 14-17ish depending on what I was hauling and the driving conditions. For the most part I kept it out of OD while trailering.

I don’t have any experience with the Explorer, but I would think it’s very comparable and just as capable. Good luck with whichever you choose.