Hi all! I've got a quick question for you. My mother-in-law just traded her buick Rendezvous for a Chevy HHR (yuck, I know right?). My main issue is that she towed a 16 foot smokercraft with a steel trailer and 40hp yamaha, 5hp kicker and bow mounted trolling motor and it worked out ok. The Buick had a V6, AWD and had a tow capacity of 3500#. Now the HHR has a 2.4L 4cyl, front wheel drive and a tow capacity of 1000#. Is she going to kill her car, or herself while trying to tow this boat? I can only guess that the weight of the boat package is around 1300# which isn't too much over the max weight. But, most of the landings in the area are steep, wet and not necessarily paved. I'm a bit worried. Help me out guys!

 

I wouldn't like to try.

 

She could probably get away with it but personally I would never tow over the manufacturers specs unless it is just on even pavement with no steep inclines or declines especially if she is pulling the boat in and out of the water with it. There is a reason they put the tow specs on vehicles. Better to be safe then sorry. The HHR was not really meant for towing anything though.

 

As far as towing it, i don't think there would be an issue. The steep un-paved landings is where she'll probably have the problems.

 

Not a good idea at all

 

Late to the party but I agree that it will be bad.

If she insists, make sure to post video of the thing sliding into the water backwards down the ramp.

 

towing isn't the issue, it is stopping it that is the issue.

 

Being around horses, I have seen some random bad ideas towing... We have a guy who tows his horse trailer with a GMC Envoy, and is under (barely) the factory tow ratings for it, but he does it limited amounts of time, and has an electronic brake controller to help stop, and not put all of the stopping power on the Envoy.. I would def. recommend not doing it, unless she absolutely has too... but as said before.. would love t see the video of said HHR sliding into the water (have seen such event from someone trying to put a boat in that was too heavy for tow vehicle)...

 

wouldnt reccomend it. but as stated id love to see a vid.
but if it were me and mine id have a big truck have a tow strap on me while i lowered and lifted the thing out of the water.

 

Did u say mother in-law?

 

towing is def the issue as well the transmissio cannt handle the extra weight that it will be accomodating with this boat behind it if u live somewhere flat it may stay together longer but transmission temps will get it in no time less than 2 years itl be gone id bet