The stock manual clutch should be able to handle full torque without 
slipping and causing heat. But the manual could overheat as gears do 
generate heat. Just feel the gearbox on a larger mower after mowing an 
acre. Automatic transmissions need to be watched for overheating, which 
may not be evident while driving. The tranny dipstick should be pulled 
and the oil examined for discoloration and burnt smell. If any question 
the tranny fluid and filter should be changed, and the oil pan examined 
for debris. Even heavier vehicles need some beefing up when trailer 
towing. Our Ford Bronco is rated for 6000 lb. trailer, and can easily 
pull that at over 70mph over any Interstate mountain highway, the slow, 
smooth shifts for comfort on normal driving allow the automatic's 
clutches to slip, creating heat and eventual failure. Replacing an 
inexpensive easy to do, pressure regulating part stiffens and makes 
quick shifts, not as comfortable, especially in cold weather, but lasts 
forever.

Dwayne Reid wrote:
> At 08:38 PM 5/7/2008, Herbert Graf wrote:
>
>   
>> Unfortunately most of North America has an incorrect opinion on
>> trailers. Most of us think that to tow ANYTHING you need a big truck
>> with a V8 engine.
>>
>> Fact is pretty much ANY car is capable of towing 1000-1500lbs. While
>> most cars do have a tow rating in the manual, most dealerships will
>> claim it's not a good idea. That's rubbish.
>>     
>
> I'm driving a 2005 Pontiac Sunfire.  Both my car owner's manual and 
> the dealership say that while the automatic transmission version of 
> that vehicle is OK for trailer towing, the manual transmission 
> version is NOT suitable for towing.  I truly wish I had known that 
> before I purchased the car - I wouldn't have.
>
> I'm assuming that the wussy little tiny clutch is the weak link in 
> the chain.  I simply plan to install one of the new ceramic-type 
> clutch assemblies if and when I really do have to install a trailer 
> hitch.  As it stands, this is the first vehicle I've owned where I 
> haven't installed a hitch.
>
> dwayne
>
>   
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