newbie towing with a 2005 trailbazer?

[flounder709]

We're going to be picking up our leftover 2006 205 sport on 8/8/07 and we currently own a 2005 trailblazer with the tow hitch and wiring. I believe its only a 3.42 rear axle and it has the 4.2l I6 so the towing capacity is 5000 or 5200lbs. The boat is listed as 3150 dry weight. Is that just the boat or does that include the trailor as well. I'll only be towing it about 40 miles each way but I've never towed before so I am a little nervous about how it will affect the suv. Lease is up next summer so I plan on upgrading to a tahoe or avalanche or something larger, but do you guys think the trailblazer should be able to handle the weight? I looked through several posts about towing and no one had a trailblazer. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Morpheus]

dry weight = no gas/water and no gear in the boat as well. So you need to consider how much weight is added when you fill up with gas and put all your goodies in the boat.

It also doesn't include the trailer so you need to find the trailer weight as well.

I'm not an expert on towing so someone else will need to chime in and help you out but it seems to me you might be pushing your limit. I'd stay off an highways and not go over 45mph maybe just to be safe till you get a bigger tow vehical.

When you are considering a bigger tow vehical also consider if you might get the ich to get a bigger boat and what you might need to tow it that way you don't have to swich again on the tow vehical.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

http://www.trailerboats.com/towrating/

Go here and plug in the details on the Trailblazer and it will give your tow limit. I copied it.

2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT/Envoy XL 2WD 4.2L I6 5000
3.42 axle ratio

Boat 3150
Trailer 1000
Fuel 300

You won't have enough of a safety margin to pull that boat with the Trailblazer. It's time to up grade to a full size Tahoe or Pickup truck.

 

[Sea Ray 300]

Year Make Model Engine Tow Limit
2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT/Envoy XL 2WD 4.2L I6 5000
3.42 axle ratio

Year Make Model Engine Tow Limit
2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT/Envoy XL 4WD 4.2L I6 4800
3.42 axle ratio

The Trailblazer is too small, too underpowered, and doesn't have the braking capacity to tow much weight.
Not to mention that the fact that the Trailblazer is a short wheelbase vehicle, and subject to jackknifing in hard braking.

Any vehicle can move weight, but to safely pull on public roads requires the right vehicle.

You need a full size "Tow vehicle".

 

[SearayPaul]

Since this is a new purchase I bet the dealer would be glad to scale this rig for you if you ask nicely. That way all the guess work is eliminated.

Look at the chart Rich referenced and then you have your answer with out guessing. Since we all like to guess I would think you need to replace your truck. Good Luck and welcome to the board.

 

[flounder709]

Did a little research and some number crunching this afternoon, I can't get rid of trailblazer yet due to it being a lease, but I could get rid of my Magnum RT that I love and get a loaded Jeep commander that was rated well by trailerboats.com at 7200lbs and actually have a lower payment than I do now. Commander is considered mid-size I believe but seemed to do the best at towing a 6000lb setup in the 2006 trials. 7200lb should be enough for my setup right? Same as a 3.73 tahoe I believe.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

It does say factory tow package required so make sure it has it along with the larger engine package. :smt024