towing on 2003 sunfire 5sp - Maintenance and Repair Forum

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towing on 2003 sunfire 5sp
Monday, April 07, 2008 3:28 PM
Just wonder if I am able to tow with my 2003 Sunfire 5speed. I found a 1000lb limit in the owners manual but it also saying do not pull with a 5speed. I did search this forum for any info and all I found was that it might burn out the clutch prematurely. This makes no sense as I have always pulled a trailer with a truck that had a manual tranny. Am I missing something here??

Re: towing on 2003 sunfire 5sp
Monday, April 07, 2008 3:36 PM
Your truck has more power and torque than your sunfire. Why not just tow with your truck?



Re: towing on 2003 sunfire 5sp
Monday, April 07, 2008 3:53 PM
Even if you could tow whit your car... It would not be the safest thingconsidering that the brking power of a cav/sun is not that great whit only the weight of the car.. what would i be whit a trailer
Re: towing on 2003 sunfire 5sp
Tuesday, April 08, 2008 1:16 PM
I was hoping just to tow a small utility trailer once in a while to take a load to the dump or do a home depot run etc.. It will not be towing a recreational trailer or anything like that. I sold my truck so can't use it anymore. I see many cars od similar size that do these so why would a sunfire not be able to handle it. The manual says it can tow up to 1000lbs but not a 5 speed. Anyone know why??
Re: towing on 2003 sunfire 5sp
Tuesday, April 08, 2008 9:42 PM
Quote:

I did search this forum for any info and all I found was that it might burn out the clutch prematurely.


That is why GM does not recommend towing w/ the 5spd. But, a util trailer with a small load should be fine. Just give extra stopping distance.

I've towed plenty of times (average haul of 300 lbs, max of 800+, I can't remember now, it was a buttload of lumber). Its no different to the drive train than having 3 adult passengers w/ you.









Re: towing on 2003 sunfire 5sp
Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:17 AM
I tow all the time with a 5 speed it is actually better with a 5 speed because you can use the gears to slow you down. Ive never had a problem towing and ive pulled all kinds of things ( boat, lawn tractor, 3 Couch's on a utility trailer, and a snow blower )
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