Can you tow a Malibu VTX or Malibu VLX with a Ford Escape or a suv similar in size? It says you can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The VTX weighs 3,300 at stock and the VLX is 3,500.

I wouldn't even try it. The trailer will weigh another 1200-1500 pounds depending on manufacturer. The VLX will weight about 3800-4000 when you get all your stuff in it. If your tow is like 1 mile to the ramp maybe, other than that forget it. That thing would probably have a difficult time pulling a boat up the ramp unless you get the V6.

Can you actually do it? Maybe. Would anyone recommend it? No way. <BR> <BR>I tow a VLX with a '98 Expedition with the 5.4 liter engine. It tows great, but even on some short freeway onramps I am only up to 40 mph by the time I have to enter traffic. <BR> <BR>I have heard the Expedition with the 4.6 is underpowered to tow a 3000lb+ boat. You could maybe do it with an Explorer but no way with a small SUV like the Escape. Not to mention you would need a new transmission in the Escape after about a month.

Not only is acceleration a problem, but so is stopping when you have that much weight behind you with a smaller SUV. I did it for about a month with a V6 Toyota Tacoma and had nothing but trouble accelerating, going up hills, and a few scarey moments trying to stop suddenly. I definitely would not recommend it!

Thats what we did with my boat back in the day and let me tell you. If you want to be forced to buy a new GMC sierra the same day your rig breaks down from a hole in the radiator then go for it! Other than that, wouldn't chance it. I know were not going to chance it ever again!!

uhhhhhhh, no.

I'll say it Shane, Merry Christmas! That's right, its time to recommend the purchase of a $45,000 diesel puller.

^^^^^^^ <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>I didn't want to say it after all the SUV Gasser lovers justify not owning diesels. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by auto on June 14, 2007)

Right on. I subscribe to the "rip the band-aid off" approach to get it over.

You need a half ton truck or SUV to pull that boat.

I have even had my old VLX slide me a little on the luanch ramps at Orwood. Those ramps are pretty new with grooves. I have a expedition with 32 inch goodyear wrangler mud and snow's on my truck. I would be scared with a smaller truck.

Do you think the new Jeep Wrangler 4 Door Unlimited would be able to pull a vlx?

doesn't it have a 3.7 I'd say hell no!!! I used to have a Grand Cherokee with the 4.0l and it couldn't do it. No way.

i tow a 21.6 enzo with a v8 envoy

Look at the Saab 9.7x with the V8. It drives well, seats 5 and can haul over 5000#.

No way. You need a tow rating of at LEAST 5-6000 lbs to tow that safely. I tow with a full size tahoe, and would still like a larger, more powerful truck sometimes. When it comes to tow rigs, a heavy rig will stay in way better control. That boat/trailer weights more than most small suv's.

Problem with midsize SUV' and smaller trucks is that when you have a boat thats 21 feet at 3500 lbs plus 1500 for trailer your at 5000 already... with gear gas food you're pushing 6k. When your vehicle is that much smaller it doesn't come with brakes equipt to stop that much weight, and the boat is gonna push you around on downhills and corners. Big trucks and SUV' are nice because they pull the boat they don't get pushed.