What cars can tow 3500lbs?

[370Z]

Bit of an odd question, but are there any sporty sedans that can tow 3500lbs safely. Specifically asking about luxury sedans like an E550 or 5 series... Google says that Euro specs one but North American.

My search for a new sports sedan has gone from looking for fast to can it tow my 3000lb camper? Lol

[Kavy]

I looked for this a few years ago and all I found was the 5 series Gt and the Volvo S60.

I would however caution being at the tow limit of a vehicle. It’s not about getting it moving it’s about slowing it down, tongue weight and available payload after the tongue weight comes into play . Personally I would not tow a 3000lb camper with a vehicle with a 3500lb tow rating.

[370Z]

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I looked for this a few years ago and all I found was the 5 series Gt and the Volvo S60.

I would however caution being at the tow limit of a vehicle. It’s not about getting it moving it’s about slowing it down, tongue weight and available payload after the tongue weight comes into play . Personally I would not tow a 3000lb camper with a vehicle with a 3500lb tow rating.

Isn't that the point of trailer brakes though?

Forgive me, totally new to all this.

[90_Shelby]

I would base it off of what hitch you can get for the specific vehicle and make sure you don’t overload it by confirming tongue weight and trailer weight. As you mentioned trailer brakes will make sure you stop, ensure the rear suspension isn’t sagging unreasonably and pray your transmission survives with the extra load.

With that being said, this was only a class 1 hitch therefore I was limited with the weights and had to move stuff around so the tongue weight was low enough. The car handled the trailer extremely well, had loads of power and torque for towing up hills, suspension was stiff enough that I had no issues and I did not have trailer brakes but the car stopped fine.

[dirtsniffer]

Will greatly depend on what you put into the car as well. Full of people and gear you won't be towing anything

[370Z]

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I would base it off of what hitch you can get for the specific vehicle and make sure you don’t overload it by confirming tongue weight and trailer weight. As you mentioned trailer brakes will make sure you stop, ensure the rear suspension isn’t sagging unreasonably and pray your transmission survives with the extra load.

With that being said, this was only a class 1 hitch therefore I was limited with the weights and had to move stuff around so the tongue weight was low enough. The car handled the trailer extremely well, had loads of power and torque for towing up hills, suspension was stiff enough that I had no issues and I did not have trailer brakes but the car stopped fine.

Wow, a C30 hatch would be awesome. Unfortunately I'd have to convince my wife to give up the camper she's been frantically renovating the past week lol I don't think I could do a tent trailer though, I'd be wishing I got a hard side trailer the whole time.

As of now I'm towing a 2800 lb vintage trailer with a GLK350 but I would love to go down to a sedan to tow it.... maybe I'll look into those S60s.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

If you want to tow a reasonably sized trailer long distances comfortably, safely and with reasonable performance, you’re better off sticking to a SUV or truck imo.

[HiTempguy1]

What he said ^^^

Why are you looking at the cars you are, any specific reason? It sounds like a size issue.

Keep in mind, legally speaking, towing capacity means NOTHING. Its all about gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) and your axle capacities.

Of course, this comes with the caveat that while you can tow a lot more (legally) than you think (how do you think they get away with it in europe?), A major issue in any car or cuv is keeping rear squat to a minimum. I'd be running a coil air spring/load helper in any car I used to tow with semi-regularily.

[90_Shelby]

Most SUV’s are built on car chassis’s currently. I don’t see how it makes a huge difference whether the body of the vehicle is a car vs a station wagon vs a sedan.

If you’re looking at an S60, i’d also consider a V60 and look for a T6 R-Design for either, which will have more power and stiffer suspension.

[ShermanEF9]

Towing with a car is not the best idea. even if you find something that can (which in my research is really only the s80/90 volvos) you'll be hitting payload capacity real quick, so good luck hauling anything beyond the trailer itself legally and safely. save the headache, get an SUV.

[ExtraSlow]

Payload seems to be the limiting factor for virtually all tow scenarios. It's still an issue with most SUV's too.

Car and small trailer? Payload.
F350 and fifth wheel? Payload.

[ShermanEF9]

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Payload seems to be the limiting factor for virtually all tow scenarios. It's still an issue with most SUV's too.

Car and small trailer? Payload.
F350 and fifth wheel? Payload.

yup. too bad most people go "iF It fItS In tHe tRuNk iTs oKaY" and you see them towing a tent trailer with the assend of their rav 4s loaded with 3 kids, 2 dogs, grandma, and all their gear touching the ground on hwy 2.

[ExtraSlow]

I think half ton trucks are the worst offenders.

[90_Shelby]

Here is a comprehensive list from the UK that shows all cars with towing capacities up to 1800kg (3900lb).
http://www.towingcapacity.co.uk/weight-limits/1800kg/

A few notable cars include:
- Audi A3/4/5/6
- BMW 3/4/5
- Mazda 6
- Mercedes C/E
- Subaru Forester
- VW CC/Golf/Passat
- Volvo S60/S80/V60/V70/V90/XC70

The list for 1500kg (3300lbs) has a few interesting ones as well:
- BMW 1/2
- Chrysler Sebring Convertible
- Ford Focus
- Honda Accord/ Civic
- Lexus IS
- Mazda 3/626
- Mercedes A/B/CLA/CLK
- Mini Clubman
- Nissan Maxima
- Toyota Camry
- VW Jetta
- Volvo C30/ C70/ S40

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

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I think half ton trucks are the worst offenders.

Go big or go home. I use my 3/4 ton diesel to haul my hockey stick and skates around, tow mirrors extended to max always.

[ExtraSlow]

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Go big or go home. I use my 3/4 ton diesel to haul my hockey stick and skates around, tow mirrors extended to max always.

Accurate for Dodge owners.

[speedog]

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Go big or go home. I use my 3/4 ton diesel to haul my hockey stick and skates around, tow mirrors extended to max always.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

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I am the great Cornholio, I need TP for my bunghole!

[HiTempguy1]

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I think half ton trucks are the worst offenders.

All about how its loaded. 1/2 ton truck can legally tow up to 15k lbs at 10% tongue weight typically with two people in the truck.

Modern 1/2 ton weighs ~5500lbs, up almost 1500lbs since the early 90's and the same weight as 3/4 ton/1 ton trucks weighed at that time.

With far more capable everything. And even if you do all that, it doesn't mean the ass won't drag, especially lighter duty models, thats not a capability issue, thats simply a case use issue. Helper springs or airbags and you are good to go. The springs are kept soft in the lighter duty vehicles for comfort. Doesn't affect the towing performance in a way that isn't completely fixed by a stiffer spring.

[hampstor]

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I would base it off of what hitch you can get for the specific vehicle and make sure you don’t overload it by confirming tongue weight and trailer weight. As you mentioned trailer brakes will make sure you stop, ensure the rear suspension isn’t sagging unreasonably and pray your transmission survives with the extra load.

With that being said, this was only a class 1 hitch therefore I was limited with the weights and had to move stuff around so the tongue weight was low enough. The car handled the trailer extremely well, had loads of power and torque for towing up hills, suspension was stiff enough that I had no issues and I did not have trailer brakes but the car stopped fine.

You need to tow it with the wagon. Granted, those little tires on that tent trailer probably wouldn't last long.