Malibu Another long running GM name, the Malibu has overcome many changes to be one of the top mid size sedans heading into its eight generation.

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Malibu as Tow Vehicle

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Old December 31st, 2008, 4:17 PM
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Default Malibu as Tow Vehicle

Anybody know the tow capacity of a 2000 Malibu with a 3.1L V6 engine? The transmission fluid is run through the radiator to cool it, so I'm wondering if it would be a descent tow vehicle. I imagine I could only get a class II hitch on it, but itwould be nice to tow 3000to 3500 lbs. Any opinions?
Old December 31st, 2008, 7:22 PM
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Default RE: Malibu as Tow Vehicle

Well, the owners manual says the trailer should never be more than 1000 lbs. Thats not much of a trailer.
Old January 2nd, 2009, 11:10 AM
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Default RE: Malibu as Tow Vehicle

its a car not a truck or helleven a van... so in otherwords itwasnt made to tow
Old January 2nd, 2009, 12:24 PM
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Default RE: Malibu as Tow Vehicle

any car will be MAX 1000lbs,
Old May 4th, 2010, 3:31 PM
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etrailer has the needed hitch and wiring adaptor
My 03 owners manual states ONLY 1000 lbs.
you can get a trailer from Harbor Freight Tools that will carry 870 lbs. DOT approved
Not much but it will carry a small refrigerator and washer and drier when needed..
Old May 5th, 2010, 5:49 PM
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I wouldn't use anything uni-body to tow much more then a jetski or something...
Old May 5th, 2010, 10:08 PM
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Original post is over 1 year old.
Old May 8th, 2010, 12:49 PM
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got my order from etrailer online
I can tow 1000lbs acording to the owners manual
for 03 malibu
Old May 8th, 2010, 3:47 PM
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You can tow only 1000 lbs total. This is supposed to include the occupants. I had a impala 2003 that was supposed to tow only 1000 lbs and my trailer was weighting around 1500 lbs loaded. I had no problems towing it as long as it was on level roads.Also most of these small tent trailers dont comes with brakes ( mine was a flafstaff 176 ltd model that had no brakes. You realy have to watch your distances behind the front vehicles and be alert. It is highly recomended to have brakes on over 1000 lbs and even under 1000 lbs. We never went on hilly roads and never far from home. For the power I had a 3.4 liters and the car was not labouring at all to pull our flagstaff tent trailer..Make sure that you stay out of the overdrive and leave your shifter to 3 while towing to prevent the transmission to hunt constantly.
Old May 9th, 2010, 8:59 AM
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mine is a 4X4 open trailer weight about 200 lbs total
I will only have 600 to 800 lbs total on trailer
Small V6


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