Iwannago
Malta, NY
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Joined: 04/02/2004
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I'm looking at the 07 Vue with the V6 for flat towing.
If anyone has one let me know what kind of a vehicle are they and how easy to hook up.
I'm a little skeptical with them being out of business.
Thanks
Jim
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RetiredBob
Portage, MI
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Joined: 04/03/2005
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Jim, I recently bought an '07 Vue, but haven't towed it yet--still waiting for the MH. However, I'm very pleased with the Vue as a driver. Handles well, and the Honda V-6 provides plenty of power. Due to the plastic side panels, it's at least 800 ponds lighter than similar sized SUVs. Even though Saturn is out of business, GM still provides warranty coverage through their dealers. I installed a Blue Ox baseplate--not a big deal if you're relatively handy. You have to take off all the front grillwork, but it's fairly straight forward.
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chasfm11
Dallas/Ft Worth Areas
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Joined: 02/28/2004
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You are probably wise to be skeptical. We have an '05 Vue that we got before the GM mess finally collapsed. So far, I haven't had any problems getting parts but my success may be short lived. We had a '94 Saturn SL-1 and one of the reasons that I finally got rid of it was the parts availability issues. The fuel fuel had gone to a "factory only" part and they doubled the price when that happened.
The Vue is about 1200lbs heavier than our SL-1 so I can tell that it is back there more. I put on a Roadmaster baseplate myself and had to fuss with it. I just couldn't get mentally passed having to drill a hole in the frame that was a half of a hole distance off an existing hole. The Roadmaster Brakemaster installation was much easier than it had been on our SL-1 because of there is more room in the Vue's engine compartment to work. I also like how I was able to lay out all of the connections to make them almost invisible on the Vue's grill (wire connector, air line connector and breakaway connector).
I really like the Vue. It rides nice, handles very well and has a lot more room than our Sl-1. We only have a 4cyl but a buddy of mine has a '05 6cyl that he also tows without problems.
2000 Georgie Boy Landau 36'DP Cummins 5.9, Allison 1000 5sp
2005 Saturn Vue Toad, Falcon2 Towbar, BrakeMaster Toad Brake
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Two Jayhawks
lenexa ks
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Joined: 03/17/2003
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We have an 07 Vue (V6 front drive) and it's been a good vehicle. We have almost 90K on the clock plus about 30K towing. We had a transmission problem @ about 65K that resulted in a colosal service ordeal. GM covered it with a loaner so it was easy to take. We found out (on this BB) that many others have had the same problem. We were lucky but with Saturn gone would you be as lucky if you needed the same repair? I doubt it.
BTW the "problem" was a shudder between 1st and 2nd and if you search the internet you'll find more than you want to read on the subject- it affected many Saturns. It had nothing to do with towing.
2002 Safari Zanzibar
CAT C12 455/1550
Allison 4000
Saturn Vue w/ReadyBrake
FMCA# 390819
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tallyo
Fort Myers,Florida
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Joined: 06/12/2007
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we towed a 07 Vue for 3 years, no major problems. Now have a 2010 Equinox, built on same platform as Vue but much improved suspension... A lot better over all vehicle......
Tallyo
2012 Phaeton 40 QBH
Freightliner, 6 spd Allison
2010 Chevy Equinox 2LT w/ Brake Buddy Vantage
Drinks-6, Eats-4, Sleeps-2
Semper Fi
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JesseJ1826
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 03/08/2002
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In the Vue with the Honda drivetrain the transmission is the weak point. As a previous poster indicated it has nothing to do with towing but is due to software which allows the torque converter to lock up in fifth gear at too slow a speed which will eventually lead to TC failure, particularly if the vehicle is predominately used in city traffic. Test drive the vehicle on a level street, hold speed between 40 to 50 MPH, if the TC is bad that's when the shudder will come on. If it doesn't shudder you are good to go. Forget about Saturn's advice to change transmission fluid at 100,000 miles, do it every 25000 and you will have a happy transmission. Go to a Honda dealer and get their stuff, it's the best.
J J
2001 Four Winds Chateau 31N E450 V10
2006 Saturn Vue V6 AWD, drivetrain by Honda, body by Tupperware
Aventa II, Brake Buddy
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