What is the Towing Capacity of a 2009 Chevy Malibu
Question:
What are the tow capabilities of my 2009 Malibu Ecotec 4 cyl. I want to pull a seadoo PWC, dry weight of 1010lbs +trailer. Can this be safely done? I have been told yes, but I should baby the car, and use the manual paddle shifters to keep the RPM up. Also that I should try to stay in 3rd gear to minimize shifting on the transmission. Thanks in advance.
asked by: Aaron
Expert Reply:
I checked an online copy of the owners manual for the 2009 Chevy Malibu and the vehicle is rated for 1,000 pounds. I cannot recommend towing anything heavier than that. I would take what you have been told with a grain of salt. What you should do is follow the procedures specified in the owners manual.
Paddle shifters on an automatic rarely work like you would want them to. Often times they result in a hard shift or delayed shift which can negatively affect ride quality plus it is one more thing to think about while driving.
When towing a trailer you would not drive the vehicle the same way as if you weren't towing a trailer. I don't know if babying it is the right terminology but take off nice and easy, leave plenty of space between you and vehicles in front of you, and give yourself plenty of room to slow down and stop.
If your Malibu has a 4-speed transmission then 3rd gear would not be so bad but you are going to lose some fuel efficiency. If you have the 6-speed transmission then staying in third gear would be a bad idea. I have included a link with tips on towing a trailer for you.
For a trailer hitch I recommend Curt model # C12051. For the correct ball mount use # C45522 with a compatible Pin and Clip # F-4. For a 1-7/8 inch ball use # 19256 and for a 2 inch ball use # 19258. For trailer wiring you can use # 118450.
Products Referenced in This Question
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Vehicle End Connector
- No Converter
- No Tow Package
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- Plug-In
- Visible
- Tekonsha
more information >
1-7/8" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long Shank - Chrome - 2,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 1-7/8 Inch Diameter Ball
- 1-9/16 Inch Shank Length
- 3/4 Inch Diameter Shank
- 2000 lbs GTW
- Class I
- Class II
- Draw-Tite
more information >
2" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long Shank - Chrome - 3,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 2 Inch Diameter Ball
- 1-9/16 Inch Shank Length
- 3/4 Inch Diameter Shank
- 3500 lbs GTW
- Class I
- Class II
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Curt Class II Drawbar - 3-1/8" Rise - 11-1/4" Long - 3,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Rise - 4 Inch
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- 3500 lbs GTW
- CURT
more information >
Curt Hitch Pin and Clip for 1-1/4" Hitches - 1/2" Diameter x 2" Span
- Hitch Pins and Clips
- Standard Hitch Pin
- 2-1/2 Inch Long
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- 1/2 Inch Diameter
- 2-1/2 Inch Span
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class II
- 300 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Concealed Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
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