Mazda determined that my car can safely tow 3500 pounds with a 350 pound tongue weight. I'm guessing that they know what they are talking about. I also have a class 3 hitch rated at 5000 pounds with a 500 pound tongue rating. 4 wheel disc brakes and new tires. The Mazda Weighs 3410 pounds while a regular cab 2005 Chevy pickup weighs 3,340 pounds. Witch part of that scares you?

Now I'm not really making fun of these guys, but I saw something similar to this at Tawakoni yesterday evening, only a bit more amusing. The boat was a very nice Xpress bass boat with a large outboard. The tow vehicle was a newer dually that had evidently been modded a bit. It sounded like one of those with gutted exhaust, and you could hear the turbo spooling quite well. They had the routine down well, the boat driver pulls up on the trailer, hooks up, then throttles up as the vehicle started up the ramp spinning the right rear tires. As outboard cleared the water it was turned off and the truck continued to struggle to get the boat up the hill.

All that money to mod that truck and no locker in the rear axle??????????

I think they just like to crank up the injection pump on the diesels so that they can dump smoke at every red light. They are more worried about impressing people with their smog than actually pulling any weight.

My earlier post (which I stand by 100%) was not directed at anyone specific, but since you took the trouble to do some research and edit a day later I will explain my position.

You earlier stated that your towing with front wheel drive which is notorious for being problematic for not only loosing traction control, steering and braking during load towing but is also murderous on the front transaxles of lightweight SUV's which are not rated for towing heavier loads. It looks like the suggestion from Mazda for a front wheel drive in your category is for light towing such as lightweight campers and jet-ski's < 2000 lbs as highlighted by the manufacturer spec's. It looks a though the 3500 lbs max rating is for the all wheel drive Mazda models where rear drive can temper the effects of loss of traction and braking historically experienced in front wheel drive towing of heavier loads, and Mazda even recommends caution in towing using this configuration.

I'm not suggesting you cant or shouldn't tow with front wheel drive, I'm just saying I wouldn't want to place myself in a position of disadvantage of towing a glass boat in inclement weather/road conditions with a front wheel drive vehicle. You call it fear if you like, I'll call it smart.

Thanks for all the input fellas. FYI...I won't be towing more than 20 miles one way, I only fish locally. Also, if needed I can avoid all highways to get to any of the spots I fish. Again, I appreciate the information.

Cliff