| davidcctx |
Looking to buy an '05-'07 Murano but cant decide whether I need AWD or should just stick with FWD. I live in south texas which has no snow and isnt particularly rainy.
The only time I think i may need AWD is on a boat ramp pulling out my seadoo boat (total weight is 2000 lbs including trailer fuel etc). The ramp is moderately steep concrete. Would traction control do the trick in this situation or do you guys think i should spring for AWD. Thanks for your help. |
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| njjoe |
davidcctx-
Welcome to the forum.
My first thought would be to go with the FWD. You can save a few dollars on the purchase price, save a few bucks at the pump, and have one less system (AWD) to concern yourself with.
I recall several members with FWD claiming their MOs were more than capable PWC haulers. The MO is a relatively heavy crossover, weighing in at 4,000 pounds, with a majority of that sitting over the front axle, so drive-wheel traction should not be a problem.
However, if your boat ramp is unusually slick and steep then AWD would most definitely come in handy.
Next time you at the ramp take notice of the tow vehicles. Are any of them FWD? If so, how are they handling the ramp?
-njjoe |
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| Corin |
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe
Next time you at the ramp take notice of the tow vehicles. Are any of them FWD? If so, how are they handling the ramp?
This is what I was going to suggest.
I don't think FWD would be a problem, especially with traction control. You're not talking about a very heavy boat, there, and I think it would have to be really steep and very wet for you to have a problem.
Will you slip a little bit sometimes? Sure. But it should be minimal.
Watch other people there, and ask around the docks. |
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| zebelkhan |
quote:
Originally posted by Corin
...it would have to be.....very wet for you to have a problem....
Yeah, like in a boat ramp.......:D |
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| MNMurray |
I would say save the money and opt for FWD
What do you pull the watercraft with now? do you find yourself using AWD (if it has it). Try it without AWD if you always use it and see if you need it.
I use the MO to pull my old man's 14 ft fishing boat, I assume the weight is pretty close, and i can't recall a time I needed to lock the AWD or it spun so much in engaged the AWD at the launch. |
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| davidcctx |
| I currently tow it with a 4wd Jeep Liberty. It never even spins a tire and i dont put it in 4wd. That beign said it is RWD so the boat/trailer tongue weight adds to traction, doesnt subtract from it. |
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| BikerJohn |
Towing around a trailer on flat grounds would be no problem for a FWD MO. However; keep in mind that when you are on the ramp pulling out the trailer that the weight of the trailer acting on the rear of the car will make the front wheels lighter as you pull out.
I use my MO for pulling my cargo tailer around and it weighs close to 2500 lbs with all my equipment in there. I've pulled it around through a lot of snow this year and I don't think that it ever kicked into AWD since there was no spin on the front tires.
I realize that there are some concerns with an AWD version; however there are many owners which whom have had no issues with the AWD MO (I for one-knock on wood).
If I were in your shoes (or boat:D ); I would really consider the AWD because it would really suck if you could not get up that ramp even if it was just once after you decided to buy the FWD. Besides; this might give you a reason to get a bigger boat :2: |
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| njjoe |
davidcctx-
Yeah, you are right, you can't compare the ramp towing abilities between a RWD and FWD car. That's not fair.
Hopefully the FWD MO can handle the task because it would be a shame to pay for the AWD if it is not needed.
-njjoe |
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| Corin |
quote:
Originally posted by zebelkhan
Yeah, like in a boat ramp.......:D
ppppppppppth! :p
I MEANT that some boat ramps drain well, so while damp they don't have big puddles. Some are crappy and have "dips" that puddle up and make it quite slick, particularly when boats/cars leak a bit of oil when getting in and out of the water.
By the time you really need the pulling power, bringing the boat up and out of the water, your tow-vehicle tires (particularly the fronts) should be on a relatively dry pavement. Damp, but not standing water.
Gotta remember, I'm in Seattle, so "dry" pavement to me is anything with less than 3" of standing water! :p |
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