They have unibody frames where the body of the vehicle is designed to carry and distribute loads, and they do not a frame as in a regular truck or SUV. These unibody designs are quite strong and they save weight, which helps these vehicles get better mileage.

Many CUVs also offer engines and transmissions that have plenty of power to tow, but again, it depends on the vehicle. What it boils down to is that not all CUVs make good tow vehicles. This means you will have to do more research to find one that will do the job you want.

The unibody design means that there is not a frame for a hitch to be attached. Instead, the unibody is engineered with specially strengthened mounting points to connect the hitch. Most CUVs can have a hitch attached but that doesn’t automatically mean that the vehicle can handle the same loads as a regular truck-based SUV. Using a CUV to tow a load in excess of the rated limits can cause serious damage to the hitch points of the CUV, and extremely expensive repairs.

LOTS OF CHOICES

CUVs come is almost a bewildering number of body styles, engine size and performance. There are over 60 different models from manufacturers. They range from light duty vehicles such as the Toyota Rav 4 and Honda CR-V, to sport-oriented CUVs like the Honda MDX and BWM X5, to some new larger CUVs like the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia.

CUVs have a lot going for them and that is why manufacturers are offering so many different versions. They typically get better mileage than truck-based SUVs, they drive and handle more car-like in everyday situations, and they have the interior space, and upright seating that many drivers prefer and enjoy in SUVs.

Many of the CUVs are also front wheel drivers that is unlike a typical truck-based SUV where the rear wheels drive the vehicle forward. Rear wheel drive is what most people are accustomed to for tow vehicles and rear drive has some advantages for towing, especially at boat ramps where the greater weight on the rear wheels helps with traction. Front wheel drive vehicles often have some trouble pulling boats up a ramp as the weight at the rear of the vehicle reduces traction at the front.

Even CUVs with all-wheel-drive have the drivetrain bias for front-wheel-drive in normal driving, only sending power to the rear wheels when slip is detected. There are some CUVs that are available with transmissions that engage the all-wheel-drive system on demand, such as the Honda Pilot.

What you should know is that before you choose a CUV and you have a boat to tow, you need to first be sure that you know the total weight of the boat, trailer and gear that you will be hauling. This figure will help you find a CUV that has the capacity, the horsepower and towing performance to the job.

GETTING INFORMATION

This is where your research will be critical. If you choose a vehicle just based upon size, fuel mileage and horsepower, you may not get what you need. Many CUVs are not rated by their manufacturers for towing trailers over 2,500 pounds. But there is a growing number that can.

Finding out what a CUV can tow begins with the information provided from the manufacturer. Don’t trust your dealer’s salesman to have the answer. The information for towing is also not often found on the manufacturer’s public website. This means you will need to see the owner’s manual, or research the information on towing from reviewers who list the information. But your best source will always be the owner’s manual for the vehicle you are looking at. Many times when you are looking at a new vehicle at the showroom or dealer’s lot, the owner’s manual is not inside the vehicle. Those are often put in the vehicle at the time of the sale. So, you may have to ask the salesman to get you a copy of the owner’s manual to examine.

Towing with a CUV that is properly outfitted will be much the same as any other tow vehicle. But getting CUV that is too light, even if it is rated to pull a heavy load, is also a problem that can occur. I have seen this with some lighter CUV tow vehicles that have strong engines, but while they have no trouble with pulling the load on the highway, their tracking is a frightening, white-knuckle experience where every gust of wind and passing truck has the vehicle struggling to stay on the road.

When selecting a CUV, keep in mind that the vehicle’s weight plays a role in the stability of the vehicle when towing. Don’t select a CUV that has a maximum rated towing capacity that is close to the weight of your boat and trailer. You will not see very good performance if you do so.

You should, however, select a CUV that has a towing capacity well in excess of the total weight of your boat and trailer, complete with gear and fuel. I also do not recommend towing a typical boat (17 to 19-feet) with any CUV with a four-cylinder engine.

The power requirements for towing usually requires an engine with enough torque to pull the boat up from the ramp and for towing down the highway without struggling. More torque is better the less torque. In this case, V6 engines are best for CUVs considered for towing. You should consider CUVs with horsepower ratings above 225 and torque rates above 200 as well.

You also should keep in mind that tow ratings by manufacturers reflect equipping vehicles with special towing packages that often include a bigger radiator, and coolers for the transmission as well as a larger alternator.  Just adding a trailer hitch after your purchase does not mean your CUV will be properly equipped for towing.

Some manufacturers, such as Honda and Acura, anticipate their vehicles will be used to tow and come complete from the factory with the necessary equipment for pulling a trailer. Other manufacturers add the towing package as an add-on item. I recommend that you choose your vehicle with the factory tow package whenever possible. Such packages represent the best choice and are designed to work well with your vehicle. The towing package is also often less expensive from the dealer than adding the necessary items afterward, and you get the benefit of the factory warranty.

NEW EXPERIENCES

Towing with a unibody vehicle introduces some other new experiences. Noise levels with the trailer attached are often higher. You will hear the hitch moving against the pin in receiver-type hitches, the road vibrations will also be higher in the cabin. This occurs because the hitch mounts directly to the body of the CUV instead of to the frame rails as on regular SUVs and pickups. There are some solutions to the increase in noise. You can purchase a hitch pin from an aftermarket supplier who makes “Quiet-Ride” hitch pins that will reduce the noise for any tow vehicle. (www.softride.com)

Obviously, towing is not a routine driving activity. Having the right vehicle for the job is a critical factor in safety, both for your boat, and for your family. Buying a CUV that is not up to the towing requirements will put you at risk.

When making a purchasing decision on a CUV that you plan to use to tow your boat, you should ask the dealer if you can test the vehicle out with your boat and trailer. Many CUVs do come with factory-install receiver hitches.

CUVs offer the advantage over most SUVs in daily use with better fuel mileage, handling and comfort, but they may not be a solution as a good tow vehicle, this is especially true for heavier boats. That is why knowing your boat and trailer’s weight is important before you buy. It may be that your best choice will remain with a full-size, ladder frame SUV such as a Ford Expedition, or Chevy Tahoe, or even a Dodge Durango, all of which have much greater towing ability than CUVs, and have more powerful, and torquey V8 engines.

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