My Parents have an older Pathfinder SUV, it doesn't have much get-go (V6 Horsepower: 170 hp Max Horsepower: 4800 rpm Torque: 200 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 2800 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 5000 lbs ).
I'd like to tow a fiero with it though. Is 5000lbs towing capacity enough? I mean the Fiero + a rented UHaul flatbed would probably come pretty close to 5000 lbs, no?
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12:40 PM
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Morkidan Member
Posts: 386 From: Cincinnati, OH Registered: Oct 2003
I used to use a 99 Jeep Cherokee with an open trailer. It had the power, 4.0 6 cyl, but being a short wheel base, the towing ride would get downright scary at times.
The Pathfinder is about the same size/weight.
The weight of the car is around 2800, the trailer was 1400 lbs. That's about 4200, most short wheel base truck/SUV's would handle that.
The U-Haul trailers are about 2100 lbs empty !! That would put you close to the 5000 lbs limit.
A tow dolly might be an idea, it's alot easier to pull, as the load is on the ground & and not hanging off the rear bumper.
The U-haul trailers are around 2k-2100 lbs, empty. Fieros are around 2800. You're going to be really close to the 5000 lb. limit. (FWIW, I towed this same combination with a newer F-150. Felt like it wasn't even there.)
The good thing about the flatbed as compared to the dolly is that the flatbed probably has automatic hydraulic brakes, activated by deceleration pressure on the hitch. A dolly won't have brakes at all.
Make sure you have a good hitch.
------------------ Raydar
88 3.4 coupe. 17s, cut springs 'n all.
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02:16 PM
R Runner Member
Posts: 3703 From: Scottsville, KY Registered: Feb 2003
I have towed Fieros and other cars lots of places. I think you are really pusing the limit. It could cause problems for your truck in the future depending on the length of your trip. IF you can, rent a truck to tow with or find a buddy you can bribe. U-haul trailers are about 1800 to 2100 lb empty.
------------------ Paul From right to left: Quick, Fast, and INSANE!
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02:23 PM
Fierokid87 Member
Posts: 4954 From: N. Ridgeville, Ohio, USA Registered: Jan 2001
If your really worried about it, at the 20th one person (i forget his screen name) towed his 88 Formula with a dolly attach to his 87 GT. FROM FLORIDA! ( I think)
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02:35 PM
CoolBlue87GT Member
Posts: 8521 From: Punta Gorda, Florida, USA Registered: Apr 2001
Originally posted by Raydar: The good thing about the flatbed as compared to the dolly is that the flatbed probably has automatic hydraulic brakes, activated by deceleration pressure on the hitch. A dolly won't have brakes at all.
The U-hauls use those automatic hydraulic brakes. They would give you an little "thump" while slowing down. It always felt as if someone hit the trailer from behind. If you rent one now & then, their fine.
If you buy a trailer, electric brakes are the way to go. You'll need a brake controller box intalled inside the truck.
Here's my current trailer.
[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 11-02-2003).]
I towed mine on a tandem trailer about 650k's. The trailer wasn't exactly a light build, but my truck handled it... was driving a '91 GMC Jimmy, with the low-power version of the 4.3. Of course, it's also equipped with class-3 towing. (to 6000lbs)
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07:51 PM
Doug Chase Member
Posts: 1487 From: Seattle area, Washington State, USA Registered: Sep 2001
You'll be fine. I tow my 1700lb trailer + 2700lb rally car with my '90 Astro that has similar power and torque numbers to the Pathfinder. It's probably the exact same motor that's in Shadow Wolf's Jimmy.
I towed to the 20th from Seattle and it was fine. A little slow up the mountains, though.
------------------ Doug Chase Chase Race Custom roll cage and exhaust fabrication
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11:53 PM
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Nov 3rd, 2003
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
If your really worried about it, at the 20th one person (i forget his screen name) towed his 88 Formula with a dolly attach to his 87 GT. FROM FLORIDA! ( I think)
This guy is THE MAN
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01:34 PM
chester Member
Posts: 4063 From: State of insanity...moved in and comfortably numb... Registered: Jun 2001
I've towed from Fieros to full sized Chevy 1500 pickups on my flatbed trailer, which weighs 1900+ #'s in itself, with my 94 Chevy S-10 Blazer 4X4. Vortec V6 200hp. Towed about 23,000 miles with it since I bought it without a glitch! Cruise at 70-75. Oh, and it had 104,000 miles on it when I bought it!
Rob D.
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The Dirty Rat Chopped, dropped and just plain NASTY! 2.5" Drop 11" Brakes 17" Revolutions RCC Coilover Suspension Updated June 29 '03 www.dirtyratracing.org
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02:12 PM
blackrams Member
Posts: 33252 From: Covington, TN, USA Registered: Feb 2003
Horse power and torque are not normally an issue if your tranny is up to the task. Most folks don't worry about the real issue until it's too late. Braking is by far the most important issue, almost anything can tow a Fiero, but can you stop with an extra 2600 lbs behind you pushing you along when you really need to stop in a hurry?
------------------ Ron, aka: Blackrams@att.net 88 Formula, Stock, auto, 3800 SC swap in process 88 Formula, 4.9, auto 88 Formula, Stock, 5 Spd, T Top, My Favorite! 88 Formula, 5 Spd, Stock
Johnny, Agreed, make that 2500 lbs for the Fiero, + 700 lbs (tow dolly) or 1500 lbs for a trailer. The point is, brakes are more important than muscle or in this case Horse Power. The Whoa Factor can make towing very dicey.
------------------ Ron, aka: Blackrams@att.net 88 Formula, Stock, auto, 3800 SC swap in process 88 Formula, 4.9, auto 88 Formula, Stock, 5 Spd, T Top, My Favorite! 88 Formula, 5 Spd, Stock
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05:16 AM
chester Member
Posts: 4063 From: State of insanity...moved in and comfortably numb... Registered: Jun 2001
Horse power and torque are not normally an issue if your tranny is up to the task. Most folks don't worry about the real issue until it's too late. Braking is by far the most important issue, almost anything can tow a Fiero, but can you stop with an extra 2600 lbs behind you pushing you along when you really need to stop in a hurry?
Agreed. There were a couple of scenarios where if it weren't for the dual axle electric bakes on the trailer, I wouldn't be stopping in time. Good brakes do help.
