Snoopy431

What is the largest boat you can tow with a Chevy HHR? Send pic with weights. thanks Snoopy 431

11BlueJ

Fiberglass, aluminum or Inflatable?
Ocean, lake or river?

badassbowtie

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/towing-boat-286/

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/do-you-think-hhr-could-handle-towing-4x8-u-haul-enclosed-trailer-28626/

and courtesy of IMPALAKID

firemangeorge

Before I'd worry about the size of the boat, I would want to know about the launch ramp you'd be using.
Won't matter if you can pull it if you can't launch and retrieve it safely.

I've pulled boats for years and seen many folks launch one then later can't pull it out. Usually a traction problem because the tow vehicle is too light.

843de

And to add onto George's thought, the HHR's 57/43 front to rear weight balance goes closer to 50/50 with a trailer, and you might find yourself stuck on a boat ramp with the front wheels spinning like mad.

Living near a large lake (Lake Norman in NC), I've seen many front wheel drive SUVs get helplessly stuck trying to haul a loaded boat trailer up a wet and slimy ramp.

It gives the locals some good "yuks" while they drag the SUV and trailer up the ramp with their 4X4's.

fastsuv

X2

Same thing here. Good entertainment to watch people panic when they think they are sliding backward and going into the drink!

Not only does the weight of the trailer shift the weight bias to the rear, when you back down the ramp the incline causes even more rear weight shift.

Technically the towing weight limit is 1000lbs for automatics, 0lbs for standards. However, you can probably exceed that a little for local towing where you are careful to avoid any full-throttle starts and slamming-brake stops.

Steve