Towing with a Scion xB

[Super Dee]

I was just looking through a thread here about towing and what type of mileage people are getting with the vehicles and noticed a few people mentioned their Scions. I was looking into picking one of the earlier ones up but decided against it because everywhere I looked it said not to tow anything with one. I checked out forums and people said they aren't any good for towing. Now that I've seen a few people are using them, I'm looking for some feedback. The most I'd ever be towing is a couple of standups on a small trailer (around 900 lbs I guess).

Any feedback for using a Scion xB to tow a couple skis?

 

[SuperJETT]

hitches: http://www.etrailer.com/products.asp?model=xB&category=hitch&year=2005&make=Scion&h=

 

[Super Dee]

That looks promising, knowing that hitches are available for them. It pretty hard to find info about Scions in Ontario. I think I can count the amount of Scions I've seen in Canada on one hand. There definitely aren't many around for sale.

 

[Mark44]

I have an 05 Scion xB with a manual transmission and I tow a single trailer converted to double for two standup skis and have no problem at all and still get great mileage while towing. When I pull one ski you can't even tell its hooked up. I also lowered the trailer and painted it to match the car. bling bling..........

I also have a Seapoo GTX that my kids use and it tows in fine although it it is alot more load than the standups but still pulls fine but you know the Seapoo is back there.

the new xB has more HP and less MPG.

Mark44

 

[Mouthfulloflake]

Hey Mark,

is there really anything to the windshield stress thing on the Scions?

Id like to have one, but I drive crap azz gravel, pot hole ridden roads a hundred miles a month.

 

[3wheelerdude]

I've blown 5th gear on a sentra while towing a pair of 3wheelers before.
Its not because they make a hitch for it that its safe and recommended.

 

[Mouthfulloflake]

never tow or otherwise lug the engine in 5th gear.

 

[3wheelerdude]

never tow or otherwise lug the engine in 5th gear.

Come on, I tow floats using pick up trucks everyday and use 5th gear.
But I agree that on a vehicle not intended for towing, you should not use overdrive or 5th gear for towing. I guess I learned the hard way.

 

[Mouthfulloflake]

IM not aware of very many vehicles with less than a 3/4 ton rating that state in the manual that its advisable to tow in OverDrive.

regardless though, any time you load and lug the engine in Overdrive, you will likely severly wear the bearings on the countershaft.

OD was designed for light load, no hills, fast speeds.

Not lugging climibing and pulling.

Come on, I tow floats using pick up trucks everyday and use 5th gear.
But I agree that on a vehicle not intended for towing, you should not use overdrive or 5th gear for towing. I guess I learned the hard way.

 

[Zerfman34]

oops i always tow in 5th haha...even with just one standup on a trailer is it cool? i mean, it's like having two fat chicks in your back seat.

 

[Gainera2582]

You can tow in fifth if your on the freeway. I generally keep mine in 4th most of the time if Im not traveling 50+

 

[3wheelerdude]

oops i always tow in 5th haha...even with just one standup on a trailer is it cool? i mean, it's like having two fat chicks in your back seat.

I dont think that any full size pick up will get any damage from towing 1 or 2 stand ups in 5th gear. But with compact and sub-compact cars nowadays you got to be carefull. What are you towing with?

 

[Mark44]

5th gear all the time on the HWY with out issues to the xB.

Mark44

 

[SuperJETT]

1991 Saturn SC 5-speed, towed for over 5 years with no issues.

2003 Honda Element 5-speed, towed over 2 years with no issues.

2000 Honda Accord auto 4-cylinder, 3 years now with no issues and ~150k miles now.

 

[JoeD]

1991 Saturn SC 5-speed, towed for over 5 years with no issues.

2003 Honda Element 5-speed, towed over 2 years with no issues.

2000 Honda Accord auto 4-cylinder, 3 years now with no issues and ~150k miles now.

How did you like the element? What kind of milleage while towing?

 

[SuperJETT]

The Element was awesome, loved it, just decided to dump some debt and get better mpg at the same time.

I'd get 22 city, 24 highway and towing might drop it 1 or 2mpg from that.

 

[WET BOX]

I would make sure to get a manual or a tranny cooler. The xB drivetrain was rated to tow 1000 lbs in the echo. Strongly recommend the manual tranny though. The car is geared very low. 5th gear at 80mph is 4000 rpm. My xB tows well when load is under 600 lbs.

later

 

[ski_crazy]

Look into the Element. I was doubtful till after yesterday. We towed a double trailer with my 96' Sxi and a 94' Sea Doo Xp. It did a great job. A lot better than I had expected. Plus with the Element there is more interior room and rated at 1500lbs towing. Sorry WET BOX your XB is still cool in my book. I don't know what the MPG is yet towing. I will find out this weekend when we head out of town.

 

[Mouthfulloflake]

I figured they must be geared pretty low with the engine I saw, its like 1.3 liter or someting?

neat little hoopty for sure.

even cooler, it gets good mileage at 4000rpm cruise speed?

I want one, that might be the replacement for my rusty old 4runner.

I would make sure to get a manual or a tranny cooler. The xB drivetrain was rated to tow 1000 lbs in the echo. Strongly recommend the manual tranny though. The car is geared very low. 5th gear at 80mph is 4000 rpm. My xB tows well when load is under 600 lbs.

later

 

[rrlc]

I have an Element and I absolutely love that thing. I tow my SJ and GPR on a double trailer without any problems. It's the EX with all wheel drive and automatic tranny so I have no problems on the boat ramps and off road. Probably gets between 20-25 MPG which isn't the best, but it's worth it due to the versatility. Oh yeah the best part is that it has a tailgate (my workbench).