Can I tow/launch a large boat with my SUV?

[gmerino702]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and new to boating. I came here to get some knowledge before I dive in to purchasing a boat.
My biggest concern is my SUV and whether or not I am capable of tow/launching a larger boat. I don't want to end up like the guys on YT who sink their trucks I have a 2018 GMC Yukon SLT (Non XL) with the trailer package my max weight is 8,500 LBS, the boat that I'm interested in is a 2005 29' Searay Sundancer 290 with a dry weight of 8,500 LBS like I said my main concern is towing and launching it, I plan to dry dock it at the marina which is only a few blocks from the launch so I won't be towing it far. Would i be able to safely launch a boat of this size/weight when I'm at my max capacity when not including the trailer and other added weight from fresh water/gasoline etc? any input would be very helpful as this is the only concern stopping me from grabbing this beauty! thanks!

 

[Scott Danforth]

your going to need a bigger truck. the dry weight of the boat alone is 8500

the trailer will be close to 1750#

add fuel, gear, fresh water, black water, electronics, clothing, bedding, anchors, etc which will be 700# of fuel, 225# of water, and about 250# of poo water and about 750# of stuff and your pushing 12000-12500

I suggest paying the marina to launch/retrieve it.

 

[dingbat]

Can you and should you are two different questions.

Depending on where you live, you may need a “wide load” permit to tow a boat that wide. Some States have strict enforcement, others do not

 

[gmerino702]

your going to need a bigger truck. the dry weight of the boat alone is 8500

the trailer will be close to 1750#

add fuel, gear, fresh water, black water, electronics, clothing, bedding, anchors, etc which will be 700# of fuel, 225# of water, and about 250# of poo water and about 750# of stuff and your pushing 12000-12500

I suggest paying the marina to launch/retrieve it.

Thanks for the info! as far as launching it and taking the chance surely it's not recommended but would my truck have the risk of sliding down the ramp and in to the water due to the weight of the boat? is that a for sure thing or would that happen only to a critical user error IE: not setting the E-Brake etc?

Can you and should you are two different questions.

Depending on where you live, you may need a “wide load” permit to tow a boat that wide. Some States have strict enforcement, others do not

I checked my local laws the load’s width that exceeds 8’6″ requires a wide-load permit I believe the Searay is 9'5" but that may only apply if you are travelling on public roadway the marina parking lot for the dry dock is privately owned, but I'm not 100% sure if that matters or not.

 

[ahicks]

I would think the marina where you plan on dry docking would be happy to launch your boat for you. As far as towing short distances, I'd give it a try, as long as it wasn't during rush hour or something like a blinding rain storm.

As far as your ability to launch/retrieve, hard telling. SO much would depend on the ramp design.

 

[harringtondav]

Same as ahicks above. You may be able to creep along a few blocks to get it to the marina. But I'd stop there and let the marina launch it. Same for retrieval in the fall if you need to pull it and winterize.

Before you try it check your SUV's GVWR and maximum tongue weight. Bone dry, empty boat and trailer will be around #1000. Up to 1200# if full of fuel, water etc per Scott D.

 

[jakwi]

Really this boils down to your risk tolerance. I have a toyota sequoia that I tow a 5800lb boat with. Add the trailer fuel, water, gear, and I'm almost certainly over my 6500 lb rated tow weight.

What are the risks?
1.burn up your transmission. - can be mitigated by going slow, or going short distances, or installing a tranny cooler.
2.wear out your shocks and brakes - Hard to mitigate
3.Poor fuel mileage - suck it up, or go slow
4.Allow your trailer to push your vehicle around (think jackknife)

So the only life and limb issue is the last one. Tractor trailers control this with the use of effective trailer brakes. as their loads are normally much heavier than the tractor.

So If you are going to overload your truck make sure you are ok with the first 3 risks, and ensure that your trailer brakes work really well to mitigate the last one.

If you are going to risk no trailer brakes, go slow, nearby ramp, no slippery conditions, no panic stops. Can it be done? sure, Should it be done? well that's up to your risk tolerance. Remember though when you are getting up to speed you will immediatly think "this isn't that bad" It's the folly of every new snow driver. Getting up to speed is always the easiest part.

At the ramp itself you risk sliding in, but that is true really with any vehicle. I really like 4x4 tow vehicles for this reason. If you have a RWD truck then keep those rear wheels on the dry pavement of the ramp. Ramps can get really slippery, and nothing ruins a day out more than sinking your truck.

 

[Scott Danforth]

more than sinking the truck, imagine hitting your brakes and you are at 150% of your towing capacity and the weight behind you pushes you into a pedestrian or another vehicle in traffic.

at limit or even a few % above no problem. at 50% over.... too much to risk

insurance will cover you sinking your truck. no one will sue you over sinking your truck, the EPA will fine you for contaminating the water, however you wont be sued.

your hitch on your truck most likely is a class 3 hitch with a max towing capacity of 6000# and a max tongue weight of 600#. unless you have a weight distributing hitch which will get you to 10,000#. your at 12,000#. you will need a class 4 WD or a class 5 hitch

As i said, I would have the marina launch and retrieve the boat, they even most likely have a service to come get it from where its at for a small fee.

 

[jakwi]

I can't argue with any of your points Scott. They are all very valid.

 

[briangcc]

I wouldn't even try it.

Beyond what Scott's listing as very valid points are the following...

Put that much weight on the rear end of the vehicle and you will dramatically affect the ability to steer said vehicle. Last I checked steering wasn't overrated.

When things break, they seem to find the weakest link which may or may not be your Transmission. It could be your transfer case, U joints in your drive shaft, axles, bearings, etc.


I'll leave you with a couple launches/retrievals I've witnessed first hand of severely overloaded vehicles....

First was a very nice cigarette style boat - probably 30' or so pulled by a F150. It had successfully launched the boat but it couldn't retrieve it. Don't get me wrong the boat was sitting on the trailer. But when the driver attempted to actually pull the boat out all he did was smoke his tires. They were all standing around trying to figure what to do as the truck was not up to the task.This was back in the mid '80's.

Next was a Chevy S10 pulling a 19' ski boat.It had just finished its day on the water and was loaded on the trailer. When the driver pulled the boat out, the single wheel peel produced a smoke cloud the US Marine Corps would be proud of. It was so bad in fact that when he managed to get the boat out and attach the straps to the transom the truck was still smoking. Then as I watched it exit the launch area, turn onto a street, sit at a traffic light, and then proceed to turn onto another street it was still smoking. There was literally a trail of smoke from the launch ramp to where the truck disappeared out of sight. I'd be amazed if he made it home.

 

[harringtondav]

I wouldn't even try it. I'll leave you with a couple launches/retrievals I've witnessed first hand of severely overloaded vehicles....

...since you brought it up... I watched a Chevy S10 Blazer back too much boat down a 60' long steep boat ramp. Good thing he got it lined up at the top. Once he started rolling back he locked his brakes and slid down until the boat splashed and the Blazer stopped in the nick of time.

I wasn't around to watch the retrieval, but I bet he called a pal who had enough truck.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Would i be able to safely launch a boat of this size/weight when I'm at my max capacity when not including the trailer and other added weight from fresh water/gasoline etc? any input would be very helpful as this is the only concern stopping me from grabbing this beauty! thanks!

The problem is that you will never launch that boat without the trailer and other added weight. Unless you also want to invest in an old F250/2500/etc....check into what others suggested and see if the marina will launch and retrieve for you.

 

[Tassie 1]

That's a LOT of boat for your first boat,
have you considered getting something smaller, at least untill you get used to hitting docks, jetties and other hard things,

that's also a lot of boat to tow around,
I've got a 30 ft flybridge cruiser which is around 6 - 6.5 tons and l wet myself every time it was put on a haul out trailer just in the boat club,

Couldn't imagine towing it on public roads at highway speeds

 

[Scott Danforth]

and l wet myself every time it was put on a haul out trailer just in the boat club,

I think there is a support group for that :lol::laugh::rofl:

 

[achris]

... new to boating. .... 29' Searay Sundancer 290 with a dry weight of 8,500 LBS ...

New to boating and considering a 29' boat. VERY VERY bad idea. Start with something smaller, much smaller. A good size for a first boat is around 15'-18'... it's big enough to be comfortable, and small enough to be handle-able by an inexperienced person...

I've seen way too many accidents because people buy boats far too big for what they can manage.

Chris......

 

[Reelnice]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and new to boating. I came here to get some knowledge before I dive in to purchasing a boat.
My biggest concern is my SUV and whether or not I am capable of tow/launching a larger boat. I don't want to end up like the guys on YT who sink their trucks I have a 2018 GMC Yukon SLT (Non XL) with the trailer package my max weight is 8,500 LBS, the boat that I'm interested in is a 2005 29' Searay Sundancer 290 with a dry weight of 8,500 LBS like I said my main concern is towing and launching it, I plan to dry dock it at the marina which is only a few blocks from the launch so I won't be towing it far. Would i be able to safely launch a boat of this size/weight when I'm at my max capacity when not including the trailer and other added weight from fresh water/gasoline etc? any input would be very helpful as this is the only concern stopping me from grabbing this beauty! thanks!

Sounds pretty sketchy. Think about it, the boat alone is at the make weight your truck can handle. There is zero room for error. It might be possible, but I wouldn't try it.

 

[Sprig]

Anyway you look at it , it is a bad bad idea. With the trailer and boat loaded with fuel and equipment you’ll be way over truck/weight tow max. It is dangerous. No offense but it’s a really dumb idea. If you want to risk your safety that’s up to you. But you’ll be risking other people’s safety and lives. When you can’t stop in time and run over a pedestrian or plow into a vehicle and injure or kill the passengers you’ll realize how bad an idea it is.
One other thing, that boat is way too much boat for a newbie first time boat buyer with no boating experience or knowledge. It will also be a dangerous situation for you and people around you. You need to rethink this whole thing.

 

[jakwi]

You know I hadn't really thought about the size of the boat in relation to it being a first boat. I know for me the 24 ft cabin cruiser had a very steep learning curve especially around the dock. Two years later I have it pretty much sorted, but end of the day I'm still learning. Starting off with a smaller boat would make a lot more sense. I didn't think of myself as a new boater because I had a 20 ft sailboat before this one, but let me tell you they are not the same animal at all.

Every day that I'm out on the water I think I need a bigger boat, every day when I prepping to go, or loading it back on the trailer I think a smaller boat would be a lot less stressful.

Also with regards to my earlier comments. Tongue weight is probably one of the main deciding factors on towing a load that is over your rated weight. If your tongue weight is within your rated range, and you have good trailer brakes you can tow a lot more gross weight than you think safely, but that won't help you on a slippery ramp if you can't get the boat out of the water. So All in all it's probably best to stick with a vehicle that is at least close to the appropriate.

As always there is a ton of good info from friendly people here.

 

[achris]

I grew up with boats, my father having built 4 of his own. The first boat I was really the skipper of was a 14' tinnie. 20hp Merc on the back, my brother and I thought we were kings of the river. He and I ran around in that boat for quite a few years. All that while dad had his own 20' Bertram, (exactly the same as the one I have now)...

I moved away from home, and a boat was on the shopping list. Didn't have a big car, so a small boat was ideal. A very old 15' Bertram became available, so I bought it. Had a 150hp Merc inline 6 (and was capable of around 55knots! ) on it for the first 6 months that I owned it before I put a more sensible 70hp on it (fresh out of the box too ), I kept that for about 2 years, and at the wife's insistence, bought the current boat in 1986... And going from 15 to 20 felt like a huge step... And that was after having been a skipper of smaller boats for over 10 years... I can't even conceive the idea of jumping straight into something 29' as a very first boat. Just crazy!

Anyway.... The OP hasn't returned. I suspect he's off finding a forum that will tell him what he wants to hear, not what he needs to hear.

Thanks everybody for your contributions.

Chris........
iboats mod team.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

My thoughts is no on your current tow rig

If I did the math right your going to be 12,000 pounds loaded or more fuel gear people more gear beer ice etc.

My new boat is roughly 11,500 most of the time More and 9’6” wide in 11’7’ tall as well.

The first tow rig I owned was a 2013 crew cab LWB duramax it handled it decent. Ive towed many regular trailers with a total GVW of 23,000 pounds and cross country but the boat in high winds tossed that truck around a little not a lot but a little. my new dually is 50% more stable in high winds and our boats are similar. And I really mean 50% more stable its a huge increase in stability I can run 70 in higher winds and keep it in line which is pretty important given how much road and lane we take up.

Most states 8.5 feet require a permit some states its an online thing here I can but a year for about $30 I do it just so that I’m not the one at fault from the start if things go wrong. You can get away with anything until things go wrong then if you dont have permits your guilty because your not legal regardless of what any one tells you about I tow my 10 ‘ wide boat without a permit all the time and its no problem. Its not a problem until you are having a problem then its a problem.