Towing with an Isuzu Trooper

[jlinder]

I have an Isuzu Trooper and wondered if anyone else has any experience towing with this vehicle.<br /><br />Specs: <br /> Trooper: Manufacturer rated for 5000 lbs towing, 3.5L-215HP engine, 2WD, hitch rated for 5000 lbs.<br /> Boat/Trailer: 19' bowrider, about 4000 lbs (Boat - 2650 lbs, Trailer - 780 lbs, gear/gas/etc - 570)<br /><br />Had car when I got the boat. I really like how it tows. Handles well, engine has engine has enough power, etc. Even had a tire blow out on the trailer and had not problem doing an emergency stop in that condition.<br /><br />My concern is with the extra load towing puts on a vehicle. Is it reccomended that I do something? Add an oil cooler, transmission cooler, etc.<br /><br />There is just not that much written (that I can find) about this vehicle and towing. One thing I can say is that this is more of a scaled down truck than a scaled up car.<br /><br />I know there things can't hurt, but I don't want to just burn up money fixing something that is really not a problem. I'm looking for someone with experience with this model vehicle.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Towing with an Isuzu Trooper

You should follow the severe service schedule for one thing, I change the auto trans fluid, differential fluid, and transfer case fluid in my Jeep every 2 years. Also I use syn 75W-140 gear oil in the differentials, and syn auto trans fluid in the transfer case. Check the owners manual, it will probably have a whole section on that.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Towing with an Isuzu Trooper

I tow with an Isuzu Trooper, over here it's called the bighorn and mine is a diesel 2.8ltr manual gears. I've towed a 5m glass over ply boat all over the North Island for the last x7 years and have put 240,000km on the clock. So far I've only had regular services and maintanence to do.<br />I find the manual is better on the hills especially downhill as it helps keep the trailor under control without using the breaks altogeather, I just took a wee while comming to grips with it.<br />I have a steel head on my diesel and personally I think thats better for the pressure I put it under than the aluminium heads, which tend to warp earlier. My mechanic agrees. <br />Keep it up, its a great vehicle and you'll get plenty use out of it if you treat it right and keep to the strictest service routines.<br />Ross

 

[jlinder]

Re: Towing with an Isuzu Trooper

Basically I am going with the severe use schedule even though 80-90% of my driving is highway and pretty easy on the car.<br /><br />Oil every 3000 miles, doing transmission no at 45K (120 is normal), etc. <br /><br />One thing I have done is move to the synthetic oil. Really like it, swear I can even hear a difference in the engine.<br /><br />I really like the Trooper. 45K and aside from regular maintenance haven't done a thing to it yet, including being on the original brakes (just had it checked and still going strong)

 

[Realgun]

Re: Towing with an Isuzu Trooper

The trooper is a full frame vehicle I believe. You should change fluilds at the sever sevice intervals as stated by lou C. The boat should have brakes ffor safety. If this is an automatic then have a trany cooler installed. If it is a Manual not necessary.<br />Have fun.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Towing with an Isuzu Trooper

The trooper is a great little tow vehicle. You will find it underpowered but the rig from my experience is overbuilt so you shouldn't have a wear and tear issue. These things are tough as nails and the 3.5l is a good engine and you will have little problems pulling out of the ramp, just maintaining 65 on the interstate.<br /><br />Tranny cooler, as big as you can, and a good hitch, and you should have no problems. A truely underated vehicle if there ever was one. Do you have one with the monster moon roof?

 

[jlinder]

Re: Towing with an Isuzu Trooper

Yes, the moon roof is fantastic - I have it and love it. I think it may be the biggest one out there.<br /><br />A little underpowered. Here in Atlanta I have no problems with 65 unless I have a hill. More of an inconvience than a problem.<br /><br />Any reccomendations on transmission cooler? Idea on cost?

 

[Super_Dave]

Re: Towing with an Isuzu Trooper

I have a 2000 Trooper LTD 4x4. I love it too, you are right the moon roof is huge... one of the reasons I got it.<br /><br />I just bought an 18' Sea Ray for my first boat. I wanted a 21" but figured it would be too much to pull. Do you think it would have been OK??<br /><br />oh, also sorry for being a noobie and posting on a dead thread

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Towing with an Isuzu Trooper

Check out www.summitracing.com and look for a B&M Tranny cooler. Install it so the the fluid goes to the B&M cooler first and then the radiator cooler second. This will keep your fluid plenty cool in the summer and not overcool in those cold winters.