3500# tow rating

gstlouis

Recruit
Joined
Oct 8, 2004
Messages
1
Hello,<br /><br />I have a 97 nissan pick up. It is rated to tow 3500#. I am thinking about purchasing my first boat, 18ft bow rider. The boat should weigh between 1800-2000 pounds. I think the weight of boat + trailer + gear should be well below the 3500# limit. However the empty pick up sometimes strugles over the mountain passes. Does anyone have any thoughts on towing, or has towed with a similar vehicle?<br /><br />Greg
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,746
Re: 3500# tow rating

If it struggles empty, I sure wouldn't want to try it with a 2800#? steamroller pushing me down the canyon.<br />The 3500 rating includes the payload in the truck too (people and gear).<br /><br />I think you need a bigger truck.
 

KM2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 15, 2003
Messages
556
Re: 3500# tow rating

I agree with Roscoe. You have too things going against you. Mountains and the thin air robs power. If you don't have to tow much or far to your lake you can get by. <br />I would worry more about stopping on the hills then powering up them.
 

qaztwo

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 26, 2004
Messages
384
Re: 3500# tow rating

I pull a lot of equipment to job sites, and just because it won’t maintain speed going up does not mean that it won’t pull your trailer and boat. You need to look at the bigger picture, how much does your truck weight is the trailer going to push you around like roscoe said. What about when a semi passes on the other side, is it going to send you and your trailer all over the road. Is your truck a stick, are you leaving it od when going up steep inclines, try to plan ahead to avoid red lights and stoping on inclines, pick up some speed before going up hills. Remember just because the truck can doesn't mean that you are going to feel comfortable doing it. If your buying it from a dealer tell you want to take the boat and trailer out to see if your truck can handle it.
 

Winger Ed.

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
649
Re: 3500# tow rating

That 18' boat and all the stuff you'll end up putting in it is going to weigh a lot more than that.<br /><br />I had a Nissan truck with a auto/V-6. It was rated for 3500# too. But I don't think the guy that rated it ever pulled a drunk %%%ant out of a mud hole with it.<br /><br />I thought I was fearless, until I pulled a EMPTY! 16' flatbed trailer with it. That scared me a little. Then I pulled a 3,000 pound boat & trailer. I about had to scrape my skivies after 20 miles of doing that in city traffic.<br /><br />That sensation of hitting the brakes--- and nothing happens,,,,,,,,,, is something to behold. <br /><br /><br />Here's a option for ya to consider:<br /><br />Call down to the Nissan house and ask them what a transmission overhaul costs on your truck.<br /><br />Then, look around and see what a 20 yr. old Chevy or Ford 1/2 ton truck costs that needs a paint job and a little body work.<br /><br /><br />I'll bet its cheaper to buy a old American 1/2 ton truck- and pay $20 a month to store it someplace other than your driveway- a truck that will pull that boat up and down them mountains, and you won't know its back there,,,, than to have a trans. overhauled on the Nissan after you've broke down on the road, had to wait for the wrecker, and made your way back home....
 

ED21

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 26, 2003
Messages
829
Re: 3500# tow rating

If you use your Nissan truck get a trailer w/ brakes. <br />Upgrade transmission cooler.<br />It sounds like you are at your limit especially for towing in the mountain.<br />Maybe a lighter alum. boat would be a better choice in your situation.
 

POINTER94

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 12, 2003
Messages
5,031
Re: 3500# tow rating

I notice that you are in colorado. The manual will tell you to derate your hp and therefor towing capasity by 2% per 1000ft of elevation above sea level. Assuming you are at 5K you will lose a minimum of 10%.<br /><br />Something to think about.
 

Realgun

Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
2,484
Re: 3500# tow rating

It depends on a few things.<br />1. Is the truck rated to pull the load including all equipment in boat and truck? <br />Answer is a likey yes.<br />2. Do you need or have trailer brakes.<br />I highly suggest you get them for this light a truck and an almost capacity load.<br />3. If it is a manual tansmission you will be pulling hills at 50-60mph and 3rd or 4th gear not 5th. Hence no real issue with hills.<br /><br />IMHO you should be fine. You just need to take it easy and stay in the limits of the truck and yourself. It is the idiot that goes and buys a 24 foot cabin cuddy at 7,000lbs that wants to pull it with a yugo. Sure will do it as they are on wheels. BUT-is it safe? NWITW. <br /><br />My cousin has an Aluminum boat that weighs 2500lbs all said and done and he has a Nissan 4x4 4cyl 5 speed and he has no problems. However he is at 600ft altitude. I drive it here in Albuquerque (5200ft) and it was fine just seemed underpowered but then again I can spin tires at his altitude but not here. Same vehicle.
 

schud

Cadet
Joined
Jun 12, 2004
Messages
15
Re: 3500# tow rating

I have a Nissan Xterra V6 rated to pull 5000 lbs. It works really hard pulling my 18' FourWinns Horizon bowrider. I got so worried that it was working itself to death that I traded in my old Explorer on a Nissan Titan, with the Big Tow package, rated to pull 9500 lbs. <br /><br />Now, I have to look back to see if it's still there! :)
 
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