the engine can pull 5000lbs but make sure and put a tranny cooler and add anything else to keep the engine from overheating. I think taking an ocasional weekend trip with no mountains (Texas is pretty flat) and fair weather (no wet roads) ( no heavy winds) you should be ok. your right about the emergency stop it would be hard to make any manuever but this goes for any car pulling any trailer semi trucks wreck and jacknife all the time. so the best advise with any trailer or tow is drive 5 miles below the speed limit and always give yourself lots of room to stop and always always be on guard. saying this the VX is only a temporary vehicle to tow with and I will probably upgrade to an FJ cruiser in a few years. also you should have trailer breaks and anything that you think would make it safer. I still don't know why you would not put on a weight distribution hitch and sway bars as that would make it safer to tow. :bgwg: