7000 lbs Towing Question

[RegalBoater]

I am going to pull a 1985 Century Meridian 28 footer who's iboats.com weight says 4500lbs displacement dry. Is it safe to assume this boat on a trailer is maybe in the 7000lbs range once fueled and stuff? <br /><br />also I have been pulling a 82 Regal Cruiser 25 footer maybe 6000lbs, all around the lake for the last 2 years with no probs. <br /><br />I guess my real question is my tow vehicle going to handle this ok?? This boat looks massive man! I just dont see it weighing dry at 4500lbs.. Here is what I tow with and I have an option to tow with.<br /><br />2003 Chevy Silverado 1500 Ex. Cab Shortbed 2WD<br />5.3L Vortec V8<br />Tow Package with 3:73 Locking Diff.<br />Factory Receiver Hitch<br /><br />Wife drives<br />2000 Ford Expedtition Eddie Bauer Ed. 4WD<br />5.4 V8 Auto trans<br />No receiver Hitch Yet but am going to buy Class IV<br /><br />Would I be better off using the Chevy or the Expedition to tow this boat with?? I know the 4WD will help on those wet ramps but anyone have any opinions to this. I belive both trucks have a 8500lb towing rating?. I think I am OK but I just want some good expert advice.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[craze1cars]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

Here's Chevy's 2006 towing ratings:<br /> http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/specifications/ <br /><br />If they're about right for your 2003 model, you're going to be RIGHT at the very max weight rating of either of these vehicles....that's only IF your 7,000 lb guess is even close to being correct. And remember for every passenger, suitcase, can of beer and option on the truck, their respective weights need to be deducted from the towing capacity. So even if Chevy says 8,000 lbs, you may only be able to have 7,000 of that on the trailer itself.<br /><br />This is too close for my comfort. And you're right to be suspicious of the laughable 4,500 lb rating. I honestly think 7,000 sounds low to me. You really need to actually weigh this rig. A 21 year old boat may have an awful lot of extra water soaked up in the wood & foam structure.<br /><br />If it is close to 7,000 lbs, you need some high quality trailer brakes, a full weight distribution hitch setup, transmission cooler, and expect to put some serious wear & tear on the truck you choose to tow with.<br /><br />The Expedition likely has a similar towing capacity to the Chevy, but I don't know Fords very well. Read both of your owners manuals very carefully.<br /><br />If I were in your shoes, I think I'd use nothing less than a 3/4 ton truck. But that's just me...

 

[tommays]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

i drive a 2003 Silverado and tow a 4000# boat i see the brakes as a REAL WEAK point with anything that big.<br /><br />I have owned a F-350 truck also and there is just a HUGE difference in the brakeing system as you go up in truck size<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[RegalBoater]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate your input.. I am taking into consideration that I do only live 1 mile from the boat ramp that I launch at. This boat will never travel any distance over that as long as I own it. The trailer is a 2002 Prestige model and is setup very well with the Torx Flex suspension and all the goodies. <br /><br />I guess I might consider a slip for the summer or look in the classifieds<br /><br />Thanks alot man

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

If a mile is the only distance you'll tow, seems to me the low range available in the transfer case is a real benefit with the 4WD setup on the Excursion. It would almost idle up the the ramp. Towing things is not the major issue (although a big one) its stopping in an emergency thats the problem. Whether a mile from home or 500 miles, accidents can and will happen.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

For a mile, it seems very reasonable. I would hate to drive that any distance. Of course, even for "just a mile" you need to make sure the trailer brakes work well and all the usual safety devices are used.

 

[KM2]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

I have an Exped and it's a great tow vehicle. The shorter wheel base is nice when in tight spots. The 5.4 has lots of torque. If your trailer has a lot of tongue weight the rear end will sag a little to much.

 

[JB]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

You can sit around and guess what the boat weighs ready to launch and what the vehicles will tow safely, or<br /><br />You can get the boat weighed and find out what your vehicles are equipped to tow.<br /><br />A wrong guess can destroy your vehicle and maybe the boat with it.<br /><br />With the info you have all we can do is guess with you. Bad idea.

 

[EyeSpy]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

Originally posted by RegalBoater:<br /> I am going to pull a 1985 Century Meridian 28 footer who's iboats.com weight says 4500lbs displacement dry. Is it safe to assume this boat on a trailer is maybe in the 7000lbs range once fueled and stuff? <br /><br />also I have been pulling a 82 Regal Cruiser 25 footer maybe 6000lbs, all around the lake for the last 2 years with no probs. <br /><br />I guess my real question is my tow vehicle going to handle this ok?? This boat looks massive man! I just dont see it weighing dry at 4500lbs.. Here is what I tow with and I have an option to tow with.<br /><br />2003 Chevy Silverado 1500 Ex. Cab Shortbed 2WD<br />5.3L Vortec V8<br />Tow Package with 3:73 Locking Diff.<br />Factory Receiver Hitch<br /><br />Wife drives<br />2000 Ford Expedtition Eddie Bauer Ed. 4WD<br />5.4 V8 Auto trans<br />No receiver Hitch Yet but am going to buy Class IV<br /><br />Would I be better off using the Chevy or the Expedition to tow this boat with?? I know the 4WD will help on those wet ramps but anyone have any opinions to this. I belive both trucks have a 8500lb towing rating?. I think I am OK but I just want some good expert advice.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[EyeSpy]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

I also have a 1985 Century Meridian 28 foot with tandem axle Venture trailer. I just had the boat completely repowered with a new 383 Mercruiser. I have found two different answers to the question of how much the boat weighs. Some sites say 4500 lbs and other sites say 7500 Lbs. I know the trailer weighs 1875 Lbs and can tell you this much. I have pulled trailers that I KNOW weigh in around 4-5000 Lbs and this boat is nowhere near that!!! If I start from a stop going up hill, it's all I can do to get it moving! I have a 2005 Ford Expidition with Class V trailer pkg. I would "Geustimate" that my total wieght, with full fressh water tank and full of fuel and equipment would be somewhere in the 9 - 10,000 Lb range. It's stilll in the marina getting the finishing touchs from the overhaul and whn I get it back this weekend I'll take it to the stone quarry and weigh it. No more guessing!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

Which ever of the two vehicles has the deepest rear axle gear ratio is best for this job. A slippery ramp definitely calls for the 4WD equipped vehicle.

 

[rwidman]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

I would use the vehicle with the tow package but I would also get the boat/trailer weighed. As long as you're close you will be OK for that two mile round trip. <br /><br />Any steep hills in Kansas?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 7000 lbs Towing Question

The answer to your question is as simple as.......... can a 7000lb vehicle handle a 7000lb load. Think about that, yes ford will spec it out to run @ that weight as will chevy or dodge. However you must take into consideration the type of driving conditions you are going to be doing. Aka if you r just pulling your boat 5-20 miles on dead stright roads with no curves hills or highwind area's you should be just fine, however if your going to be towing that much weight in hilly area's, windy roads or in high wind area's nothing short of a 3/4 truck will handle the weight safely. <br /><br />If there are any experience truckers in this forum they will tell you any vehicle can tow weight (pull it) but how many can stop it, contain it, or more fully said handle it.<br /><br /> I've sold trucks for too many years and have seen to many problem's occur and there results, with that said anything over 5000lbs you cant have to much truck............. Enough of that your expedition has a lot of wheel base and that is the key to your question, the longest widest wheel base and the strongest frame and brakes you can get............