do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

[John_S]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

Debkeys,<br /><br />Not sure you would call them small SUVs, but they are equivelent size to Explorer. Look at Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder, both come with class III and 5K towing capacity. The pathfinder can go slightly higher, with weight distributing hitch (6K). I have a new 05 Pathfinder, but have only towed my 14' Starcraft, not the 20' bowrider. Towed the 14'er like it wasn't even there.

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

Saw a Mitshubishi pulling a way too big boat going down I-35. Just shook my head and kept on motivating. <br /> Some people have more money than brains. Some are alive simply because it is against the law to kill them. Others say for the grace of God their go I.

 

[debkeys]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

My Mako weighs 4000#, it has a big engine on it. My Ford salesperson and sales manager both insisted we would be able to upgrade the Class I/II hitch to a Class III/IV, no problem. I started to read the specs and realized they were wrong. I liked the Explorer and we are looking at a 2002 Eddie Bauer that has the Class III tow package on it. Any ideas on gas mileage around town its a V8.

 

[DJ]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

debkeys,<br /><br />

looking at a 2002 Eddie Bauer that has the Class III tow package on it. Any ideas on gas mileage around town its a V8.

It ALL depends on how you drive. High-18, low-12.<br /><br />The Explorer is a VERY stable tow vehicle, with the right equipment. The independent rear suspension makes ALL the difference.<br /><br />Don't believe anyone's claims that their vehicle gets better mileage with that kind of towing power.<br /><br />Actually, I think you'd be happier with an Expedition. The mileage is about the same, if driven reasonably.<br /><br />4,000 pounds, I'm guessing, is your "estimated" weight. I'll BET it's allot heavier.<br /><br />Remember, pulling and STOPPING are two different things.

 

[Tiger123245]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

When I bought my truck (2000 GMC Sonoma 4x4, 5 speed) after my husband died I didn't have a clue about towing capacity (never really thought about towing anything, just wanted something with more space for hauling stuff). So when I got to wanting a boat I looked around and started checking out the towing capacity of my truck (according to the manual it's rated for 4500 lbs). A woman put an ad in the paper for a 20' IMP boat, didn't say what kind or anything. Went to look at it, and looked at the papers for it, which had the weight of the boat ALONE at 4,000 lbs, not including the motor or trailer for that sucker (it was actually a 24' cuddy). Just looking at it I KNEW there was No Way In Hell my truck could pull THAT! Called my dad on the phone and told him and he actually ARGUED with me on the phone that my truck should be able to pull that "no problem". Yeah right... if I want to fork out big bucks in 2 months for a new transmission, brakes, engine problems, etc. After that I started paying attention and looking up on NADA guides for boat weights so I could estimate. I wound up getting a 23' pontoon. The weight of it, along with motor, trailer, gear, etc. leaves me with a worry free mind..... at least since I got my emergency brake fixed today! Found THAT one out at the boat ramp! That goodness I had wheel chocks with me!

 

[Mark42]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

My aunt used to pull a Sunfish sail boat and trailer with her 1965 VW Bug with 1200cc 40hp air cooled motor. Her husband swapped in the VW Bus clutch to handle a little more slip when getting it going.<br /><br />Not quite sure, but I think that car had a negative towing capacity.

 

[MrBill]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

Many of you have heard me say this before...it's not towing that is the issue, it's stopping!! Pulled my boat for the season last week, and on the way home a $%&^%%&%T woman ran a stop sign then came to a stop in the middle of the road in front of me. I literally stood on the brakes, the ABS kicked in and my 5000lb truck and 4000lb boat stopped 4 inches from the drivers side door. I got out, cussed her, then noticed how distressed she was...so I told her to go home and change her underwear.

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

I tow our 16' sea ray with outboard with our 99 Villager Mini van. Suprisingly the van is rated to tow 3500lbs.... Looks like a taller station wagon to me and even handles like a car. Pulls, stops, and handles that trailer with no problems. Most of the time I forget it's there. Figuring the combo is prolly about 2200lbs. I was very impressed with it and still am. Plus the FWD helps out at the ramps and theres room for the family of 5 plus 2.

 

[Triton II]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

...so I told her to go home and change her underwear.

LOL!

 

[bluewater19]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

Ok I used to be that Idiot you guys saw.<br /><br />I used to tow my 12' grumman fishing boat and 9.8hp merc with my 1995 honda civic.<br />I would load the boat with my camping gear pack the trunk with food and off to the sierra's my buddy and I would go.<br />Never ever had a problem towing stopping launching or retrieving. <br />I drove in 4th gear in the hills and still got 25 mpg.<br />I got plenty of strange looks thats for sure!

 

[DaveM]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

Earlier this summer I saw a 17' B-liner being towed by an old suburu thru heavy traffic. It was slow getting up hills and swerved all over when braking (no trailer brakes). I had to close my eyes and put the cruise control on until I passed that accident wanna-be.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: do you see BOATS being towed buy way-too-small tow cars?

Who ever puts a hitch on a vehicle should inform the customer what the limitations are with braking and the consequences.