Towing with an LE5 5 speed
 

Anyone have a "realistic" towing weight for cars with this driveline spec?

I'm considering buying a popup camper, and I'm skeptical of the 1,000 pound towing limit that they put on the car...

I used to tow a medium sized popup with a 1986 bone stock 5 speed Saab 900 (roughly 116 horse.) it labored a bit, but made the 2 1/2 hour trip without skipping a beat.

With the LE5 making 170+ horse, and torque numbers that co-incide with this rating, I'm wondering if it's possible to do the same with this car. Before I do anything though, I want to make sure I'm not going to lunch the engine, flywheel or clutch.

Any thoughts guys?

I have hauled a 950 lb loaded box trailer for 4 hour trip, with my LT no issues 'cept the fuel mileage dropped , understandable

How much weight would you guestimate that you added to the trailer by loading it down? Or was that 950 LB the total weight fully loaded?

950 lb loaded = trailer and gear total, I rolled it over highway scales to check it out to confirm I would not tear my ride up

Yeah, I definitely don't want to do that. That's why I'm asking around. the 950 pound weight is definitely within factory recommended towing spec, so no surprise that she handled the weight well.

The challenge would be to find out if I can find a popup that would meet towing spec...a challenge in, and of itself.

Keep in mind that the Gross 1000 lb. limit is all inclusive of the added weight including anything added in the car and including the hitch and ball mount.
As I recall the weight limit starts with the car and driver only.
It seems to me to be a little confusing for most owners to actually get to the bottom of whats allowed and whats not to acct. for the 1000lb limit.

For me ... I'm close with my small boat but the weights can vary just by adding some extra boat fuel or a nice catch of 20lb salmon.
I drive a 2.4L with an automatic and use 91 octane fuel when I tow.

Personally .. I know how to drive trailers and am not too concerned with being a few pounds over.
I might be a little more concered if the outside temps were near or over 100 degrees and long hill pulls though.
Where I live, 70-75 degrees is a normal summer day.
Remember to treat your brakes with care when trailering as well.

SF

I used to tow with my L61 2.2l HHR with a 5-speed. It did fine, but didn't really like hills. With the larger 2.4l motor you should be fine. Somewhere around 1500lbs, and you start to fell the weight behind you. I wouldn't go much more than that. In my opinion it really would be a little sketchy.

Living Lite makes a couple of pop=ups that are under 1,000 pounds. I am thinkling about one of those. They are made of aluminum.

my trailer is all aluminum lite weight

Most I've towed with mine was a 38" riding mower on my 4x6 tilt trailer. Not sure of the total weight. But towed it with no problem.