Towing with a VX

[tom4bren]

you mean like this?

I wouldn't go much more than 2000lbs since that's approaching the vehicle weight. You should be fine with your set up though.

[circmand]

the manual states the VX is not recomended for towing

[rowhard]

Just remember you have a short wheelbase so I guess it can get squirrelly, I'm NOT speaking from experience

[Riff Raff]

I haven't towed any boats/trailers with the VX, and I don't plan to because it is AWD and the added strain on the TOD system might cause TOD flucuations/issues.

My primary tow vehicle has always been my 1978 FJ-40. I've previously owned a 19' Bayliner Cuddy Cabin which had a single-axle trailer, and it was squirrelly as heck with massive sway (very scary). My current boat is a 19' MasterCraft ProStar 190 Tournament Ski Boat with a tandem axle and it tracks smooth as silk behind my FJ-40 with no issues and zero sway.

My advice-- No, I wouldn't tow anything behind the VX simply because of the tempermental TOD system. In addition; I would highly recommend a tandem axle boat trailer if available for your boat, as dual axle boat trailers track straight and true without any sway.

In my opinion, a trailer tow hitch should only be installed on a VX to serve as a primary mounting point for a "Rear Step Bumper" that fits into the square box receiver hitch (to protect the vunerable rear cladding). Examples of Rear Step Bumper's using square box trailer hitches can be viewed on the photo gallery's of MARLIN and MR. LARRY'S

[vt_maverick]

In my opinion, a trailer tow hitch should only be installed on a VX to serve as a primary mounting point for a "Rear Step Bumper" that fits into the square box receiver hitch (to protect the vunerable rear cladding). Examples of Rear Step Bumper's using square box trailer hitches can be viewed on the photo gallery's of MARLIN and MR. LARRY'S

Or this...

[Riff Raff]

Or this...

Yes, now that's different. I'd just be really worried about the "heat" possibly scorching/melting the plastic rear cladding. It would be the same as parking your VX really close to a open camp fire (not very wise). How 'bout you try it out first near your plastic rear cladding, then give us a product review (or an insurance incident report).

[vt_maverick]

Yes, now that's different. I'd just be really worried about the "heat" possibly scorching/melting the plastic rear cladding. It would be the same as parking your VX really close to a open camp fire (not very wise). How 'bout you try it out first near your plastic rear cladding, then give us a product review (or an insurance incident report).

Don't worry, I'm not that dumb, I had exactly the same thought when I first saw it. Apparently you can buy an accessory that extends the arm backwards another couple feet for safety. I guess the idea is that you haul it close to your vehicle then extend it out for cooking and cool-down.

[etlsport]

trying to decide if it would be ok to tow a trailer from philly to pittsburgh.. its about a 4hr drive some of it is a highway mountain pass.. not sure of weight.. it would be a 4x8 uhaul trailer with a dorm room worth of stuff

never towed anything before so any tips or input is appreciated

[JoFotoz]

Hey Tom..did ya strip yers down!!

I wouldn't go much more than 2000lbs since that's approaching the vehicle weight. You should be fine with your set up though.

WEIGHTS & CAPACITIES

Curb weight
3955 lbs

jo

[Canadian80]

Wow thanks for all the pics and info guys..
I think I'm going to continue to pursue the VX, as towing will be infrequent short trips.
Thanks again,
-Ryan

[tom4bren]

"Hey Tom..did ya strip yers down!!"

Thx Joe so VERY much for correcting me.

'Scuse my typo, I meant to say 3000lbs. My SeaDoo is prolly about 2000lbs and tows fine. The twin pack of SeaDoos is even less & tows even better with the wider stance (it's almost as wide at the VX with the offset from Hell).

I agree with Canadian, for short hauls to/from the lake, the VX is fine for towing. For long hauls, you should at least add a tranny cooler.

Canadian, the power mode switch can be your friend while towing. It is NOT recommended to use low range on the transfer case while on pavement (some have without incident but I never would).

Tom

[Joe_Black]

Follow the same towing guidelines as for the Isuzu Trooper RS which has the same wheelbase as the VX: 5000lbs tow and 500 tongue. I'm not certain why Isuzu chose not to include this in the VX manual and opted for the "towing not recommended" comment other than dealing with an overly-litiginous American society. But a survey of Isuzu's other 90-inch wheelbase vehicles will yield the same stats for the drivetrain. I regularly towed full loads with my 1993 Trooper RS and will all of my VX's too, you just have to be mindful of the short wheelbase.