Is a pop-up camper pullable?
#11
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Probably the best idea. I've towed with both Bonnevilles more than probably anyone here. I don't think I'd tow a pop-up camper. I do very short trips with my utility trailer only.
#12
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I've seen people pull pop-up campers with bonnies before. They didn't seem to be having issues cruising like 60ish mph down the freeway. The car did seem to be squatting a bit in the back, but thats kinda obvious. I don't know if I'd do it because I know how strong (or lack thereof) these trannies are and I'd be worried about that. However, pulling in 3rd, with a cooler, and not a LOT of hills and you shouldn't have an issue.
FWIW, my neighbors pull their 21ft. boat with thier '94 Bonnie SE....
FWIW, my neighbors pull their 21ft. boat with thier '94 Bonnie SE....
#13
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i'd say your bonnie would be able to tow, back in my cars youthful days when it was my parents, we used to tow our pop up all the time, numerous 150 mile trips and a few longer trips and the car had no problems, we used to tow our 17' boat with it too w/o any problems and now the camper gets towed a few times no prb...we've even towed our 3/4 ton conversion van over 10 miles one time when it broke down..haha, poor bonneville
#14
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take your parents tahoe...it wont even know the camper is back there.
Atleast you really couldn't tell when my dad pulled the UHaul trailer up to RIT, which was their 8*10 model filled, and I filled the back of the tahoe too. He said other than length you wouldn't have known it was back there.
Atleast you really couldn't tell when my dad pulled the UHaul trailer up to RIT, which was their 8*10 model filled, and I filled the back of the tahoe too. He said other than length you wouldn't have known it was back there.
#15
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Originally Posted by corvettecrazy
take your parents tahoe...it wont even know the camper is back there.
Atleast you really couldn't tell when my dad pulled the UHaul trailer up to RIT, which was their 8*10 model filled, and I filled the back of the tahoe too. He said other than length you wouldn't have known it was back there.
Atleast you really couldn't tell when my dad pulled the UHaul trailer up to RIT, which was their 8*10 model filled, and I filled the back of the tahoe too. He said other than length you wouldn't have known it was back there.
That being said, why even consider using the bonne when you have access to a Tahoe that you know would do the job perfectly fine with ease.
#16
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We used our 98 SE to pull a utility trailer to Oregon from Michigan, when we moved out their briefly. Bonneville was loaded and trailer about 1200-1500 lbs, I imagine. I boosted the rear springs a little. Otherwise I wouldn't drive it so low, based on other tows.
It was ok, but had to drop down out of overdrive constantly for hills , wind, and of course mountains. Dropped down to second and even first at times coming down the mountains to spare brakes. Gas mileage dropped by half, so I know we were pushing the engine.
I don't recommend it. We have a Ranger now with the 4.0 engine for hauling, and it barely notices any kind of load and/or trailer. Peak torque is at 3000 RPM instead of 5,000. Braking power is Huge! Even the "little" trucks are big boys now.
It was ok, but had to drop down out of overdrive constantly for hills , wind, and of course mountains. Dropped down to second and even first at times coming down the mountains to spare brakes. Gas mileage dropped by half, so I know we were pushing the engine.
I don't recommend it. We have a Ranger now with the 4.0 engine for hauling, and it barely notices any kind of load and/or trailer. Peak torque is at 3000 RPM instead of 5,000. Braking power is Huge! Even the "little" trucks are big boys now.
#18
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Agreed. Stay out of overdrive when you're towing.
As a credit to Bonnevilles, everything survived. (It may have helped that it was in December).
However, when you have a 40 mph tailwind in Nebraska and everyones going 85, you can safely use the overdrive.
As a credit to Bonnevilles, everything survived. (It may have helped that it was in December).
However, when you have a 40 mph tailwind in Nebraska and everyones going 85, you can safely use the overdrive.
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