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Anyone pull a boat (or other heavy loads) with V6 non-awd?

8K views 22 replies 7 participants last post by  bgandy 
#1 ·
I recently picked up a 2013 Sorento LX V6 with 32k miles for 18,500. Seemed like a decent price. Anyways it's not AWD and it will be used (maybe twice a week) to pull a 16.5ft ponton boat. We used to pull it with a V6 escape but it had AWD, so I'm not sure if it ever kicked in when pulling the boat out of the water. The launch is only a few miles away so I'm not worried about the trip, and the Sorento has 75hp more than our escape, so I'm guessing it should be fine? (Both have same tow rating)

Just seeing if anyone else here tows a boat or anything else pretty heavy with a NON-AWD model.
 
#2 ·
I have a 2011 V6 2wd that i pulled a 900 lb trailer to Las Vegas and then the trailer and a 1200 lb off road buggy back to anaheim CA. the kia power was plenty to climb any hill with out slowing at all. I drove 70 mph to Vegas and got 20 mpg. on the way back with 2,100 lbs i drove 65 mph and never slowed. the load did drop the mpg to 18. i did install a transmission cooler before the trip. now if the sorento had a smother ride. i am looking at the 2014 acura mdx. it gets 28 mpg on the hiway instead of 23 or 24 from the sorento.
 
#22 ·
I have a 2011 V6 2wd now if the sorento had a smother ride. i am looking at the 2014 acura mdx. it gets 28 mpg on the hiway instead of 23 or 24 from the sorento.
I have a 2011 V6 as well but mine is AWD. While I agree a smoother ride would be nice I prefer the tighter handling over a smooth ride. Also I cant believe you only get 24mpg highway as I get 27-28 easy with awd.
 
#3 ·
Two things--
--What is the total weight of the boat, trailer, & contents? Keep in mind that pulling the trailer is one thing. Controlling it in cross winds & emergency maneuvers, and emergency & downhill braking is another.
--Will you have traction on the ramp with the (nobody's-favorite) stock tires?
 
#4 ·
I literally will only be pulling the boat 4 miles. Top speed on the roads is 35. I'm just concerned about the power to pull the boat up and out of the water. I'm getting weight estimates anywhere from 2300 to 3500. I'm not worried about trans temp in our short distance. Any "trips" I would borrow a relatives truck.
 
#8 ·
You'll have plenty of horsepower to pull your boat trailer up the ramp and 2 wheel drive vehicles have been pulling trailers (boat or otherwise) for longer than there have been AWD vehicles.

I wouldn't worry about it.
 
#9 ·
Good to hear. Another question, our sorento has aluminum looking running boards and this is the only sorento I've seen with running boards built into the trim.... was this an option on the 13's or is this a fitted aftermarket part? (My wife doesn't like them because she has to step out and over them)
 
#10 · (Edited)
Another question, our sorento has aluminum looking running boards and this is the only sorento I've seen with running boards built into the trim.... was this an option on the 13's or is this a fitted aftermarket part? (My wife doesn't like them because she has to step out and over them)
Aftermarket. Some people just like the looks of them, but they're a double-edged sword. On one hand, they can help shorter people climb up into the cabin. On the other hand though, when they're wet, muddy or caked with dirty snow build-up it's too easy to get that schmutz on your pant legs when getting out.

You should be able to remove them easily enough. Like I said though, some people like them so you might consider posting them for sale in the For Sale / Trade board here on the forum. Some one might take them off your hands and you can use the money to take your lovely wife out to a nice dinner. :x

or use the money to pick up some other aftermarket goodies you would appreciate more. ;)
 
#11 ·
I'm getting weight estimates anywhere from 2300 to 3500.
Don't guess. There are scales at truck stops, feed stores, sand & gravel companies, landscape supply companies, garbage dumps, and some highway truck scales remain on when unattended. If the scale is the type where it weighs only one axle at a time, you need to weight all car & trailer axles when hitched, then weigh just the car axles when unhitched. Keep in mind that some states require trailer brakes for more than 3000#, and it is a smart thing to do. Surge brakes where the hitch coupler floats on the trailer tongue and applies the trailer's hydraulic brakes when the car is slowing more than the trailer works well.
 
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