Previa

A very good friend of mine has asked me to co-drive on a long trip. Ft. Lauderdale to Vegas to Rawlins Wyoming and back. Towing a trailer back here with the carcasses of two wrecked Robinson R22 helicopters. Choppers weigh a bit under 1000 pounds each, trailer 1000 pounds. Owner of the company wants him to do this with a Toyota Previa. I think this is not an acceptable tow vehicle, considering both distance and weight, plus there are some hills involved. Am I being too cautious, or does the bossman have a death wish for my friend? I can just see being on the side of the road with a blown tranny in the middle of nowhere. Comments?

I can see it as a blown trans somewhere in Louisiana.......probably NAWLINS.

Previa's are 4 cylinders. Even the SC ones didn't have much grunt to them. I wouldn't want to do it. Blown trans or worse is my guess.

yeah, sounds like fly to location, rent truck and trailer, pick up stuff, drive home. oh, and:

Get to da choppah!

It does look like the Previa's where rated @ 3500lbs towing. It probably would make it fine if you go slow an all but I'd much rather make the trip in basically any 1/2 ton truck ever made with that kind of weight for those kind of miles.

His owners manual says (rwd) model is rated to tow 3500 pounds at a maximum speed of 45 mph. Tongue weight is said to be maximum 350 pounds but don't quote me on that. His passenger side sunvisor may have this printed on it, actually.

Trailer better have brakes, of course. 2 axle might help the tongue weight issue. His tranny better be fresh and have an additional big ass cooler. Engine cooling system better be perfect.

But really, if this is not for your buddy, but for his boss's business, this is a commercial load. Rent a truck to haul the trailer! It'll be cheaper than an engine or transmission replacement on an elderly Previa and you won't be getting the hairy eyeball from the DOT.

I just saw a clapped out Previa yesterday at the local mini-mart. I just can't picture towing a load like that with a Previa.

CGLockRacer wrote: Previa's are 4 cylinders. Even the SC ones didn't have much grunt to them.

Don't tell Dan Gurney that.

drainoil wrote: I just saw a clapped out Previa yesterday at the local mini-mart. I just can't picture towing a load like that with a Previa.

I have done environmental assessments on several convenience stores. It seems the Previa is the preferred owner/operator company vehicle. One was even an SC model.