Hello from GA!

[GATed73]

Hello all. I have just purchased a 2014 Suntracker 22 XP3 with the mercury 150hp four stroke. I should be picking it up by the end if next week and ready to hit the lake. Have to also admit - I'm new to this all.

I have a couple questions. The specs list two weights - approx weight (2840 lbs) and approx package weight (4631 lbs). I imagine the first is the dry weight of the boat, but what is the package weight? Boat on trailer? I'm trying to figure out what I need to tow this thing. I shouldn't have to tow it often, but when I do, I want it to be safe. I've found the motor is about 500-550 lbs, but can't find any data on the tracker 2 axle trailer.

I'm looking at the 2014 Acura MDX and the 2014 Audi Q7. The Acura has a towing capacity of 5500 lbs while the Audi is rated for 6600 lbs. I like the tech in the Acura, but I'm just concerned that the towing capacity and shorter wheel base would make for a bad tow. I do like the Audi, but still not sure if it's up to the task either.

Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[trout74]

Re: Hello from GA!

Hello all. I have just purchased a 2014 Suntracker 22 XP3 with the mercury 150hp four stroke. I should be picking it up by the end if next week and ready to hit the lake. Have to also admit - I'm new to this all.

I have a couple questions. The specs list two weights - approx weight (2840 lbs) and approx package weight (4631 lbs). I imagine the first is the dry weight of the boat, but what is the package weight? Boat on trailer? I'm trying to figure out what I need to tow this thing. I shouldn't have to tow it often, but when I do, I want it to be safe. I've found the motor is about 500-550 lbs, but can't find any data on the tracker 2 axle trailer.

I'm looking at the 2014 Acura MDX and the 2014 Audi Q7. The Acura has a towing capacity of 5500 lbs while the Audi is rated for 6600 lbs. I like the tech in the Acura, but I'm just concerned that the towing capacity and shorter wheel base would make for a bad tow. I do like the Audi, but still not sure if it's up to the task either.

Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Personally I think you will be fine either way. I have a 24 ft. Manitou tritoon with a 150 and a tandem axel trailer that weighs more than yours. I pull it with a GMC yukon XL that is more than capable at pulling this rig, HOWEVER I also have a 2012 Durango that is AWD and has the V6, and is rated at about 5500 or so, and I have pulled my boat with it two times for and hour each way, and it was fine too. It was more noticeable that it was back there than my big truck, but it was safe and easy to manage. I wouldn't worry about pulling your boat with either truck you mentioned. Just go the speed limit and hang out in the right lane and take er easy.

trout

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Hello from GA!

Most all of the modern SUV's will be pushing 300 hp, and that's sufficient horsepower to pull a 5000 pound boat. But remember that poor aerodynamics and sheer size of a pontoon boat make them pull like they're 2000 pounds heavier than they really are.

It's one thing to pull a heavy trailer, but it's another thing to have to stop it and haul it around curves and negotiating hills. There's just no replacing a good 1/2 ton V-8 or EcoBoost V-6 when it comes to towing a pontoon boat. (I have a diesel 3/4 ton.)

The Acura and Audi are fine people haulers, but they're not the best trailer towing vehicles on the retail market. If you're hauling all the way up to Lake Burton through the North GA mountains, more vehicle would be required. If you're just hauling 5 miles over to Lake Lanier, you'd be okay. But you wouldn't want to use such a vehicle to haul a tritoon all the way to Florida.

A new Tahoe or Escalade would better fill the bill.

 

[GATed73]

Re: Hello from GA!

I'll probably need to haul the boat a couple times per year. If there is a drought condition and the level at the dock gets too low, or when it's time to take the boat out of the water for winter. In these cases, it would a quick jump from the neighborhood's boat launch to my driveway, call it a quarter mile at best. About once a year, I would be taking it to Weiss Lake in Alabama, which is about a 2.5 hour drive.

Whatever vehicle I get will be my primary vehicle as well. Because of this, I haven't considered the Escalade or Tahoe too seriously as they're rather large and not really my thing. I did consider just getting myself a nice sedan, and then going to carmax for a used beast, but really, would prefer one vehicle.

 

[eavega]

Re: Hello from GA!

Since you are really only looking to haul the boat a couple of times a year, you think you might find a friend that would haul it for you. It is GA after all; if you don't own a large pickup truck, you usually have a friend that has a large pickup truck :thumb:

Seriously, I have a buddy that has a 24' pontoon on the lake, but no longer has a truck. I haul it to the lake for him from his winter storage, and haul it back after the boating season is over. In exchange (other than just doing it because I am a nice guy who doesn't mind helping his buddy out) he gets me a launch permit at his marina.

Otherwise, unless you are going to haul through the mountains, either one of those vehicles would suffice. I have personally towed said 24' pontoon with an old Jeep Cherokee, which has an inline-6 engine and a towing capacity of 5000 Lbs. I wouldn't want to haul that across the country, but for the 20 mile trip out to the lake on flat roads, it was fine.

Rgds

 

[dls322]

Re: Hello from GA!

I vote not hauling it with either and paying someone to do it or picking up a beater truck.
I would be worried putting such as strain on an expensive luxury vehicle. If you do decide to haul with them make sure you following the
owners manual as to what setting to put the transmission in and such. You can mess up your trans from towing in overdrive over long distances.
Also i assume neither vehicle comes with a brake controller. Does your new trailer have brakes? I would not want to haul with one of these rigs and have to rely on the suv's brake system alone. Something else to consider.

Both are sweet rides, but i personally would not want to tow with them. Good luck!

 

[GATed73]

Re: Hello from GA!

It is GA after all, and yes, I have friends with big ol' Denali's and F-350's. In fact, my buddy with the F350 will be the one towing the new boat from Bass Pro to the house when it's ready for pick up. However, for those trips to Weiss Lake, I can't rely on them.

I'm researching the brake controller question. Getting mixed answers on the Audi having one so will ask the dealer next time I talk to them. Will research the MDX as well, but I would guess that it does not. The Lexus GX460 has a brake controller, but they're impossible to find around here so I haven't put it in my top 3 candidates, and I'm not a fan of the swinging tailgate.

The trailer does have brakes.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[ahicks]

Re: Hello from GA!

If the vehicle you're considering has the rating, and a hitch to allow it to pull at that rating, installing a brake control is no big deal, plain and simple. Just a few minutes done by a pro (check out RV dealers), or an easy DIY project if you're into that kind of thing.

I'm with you. I'm not going to deal with something WAY bigger than I need for 99% of my driving, when it would be nice to have for 1%? I'll just temper that thought with the idea I'm not interested in driving anything dangerously overloaded either....

There are very few instances where the "capacity" police are going to mess with you. It's more about you being the judge, and/or answering any questions that might arise at the scene of an accident.....

 

[dls322]

Re: Hello from GA!

I would double check with the dealer that adding brake controller does not void anything on the warranty. Some OEM's are very particular about that stuff. Rather safe than sorry

 

[GATed73]

Re: Hello from GA!

Thanks for the replies. I checked with the dealer and the Audi Q7 does not have a brake controller. He did say I could install one but did not mention the warranty either way. I brought this up to my redneck friend. He advised me to leave off a brake controller since the trailer would have surge brakes. I'm trying to confirm that with Tracker.

The definite goal here is to have a vehicle that can safely tow the toon. I do really like the Q7 though. If the 6600 pound capacity isn't up to the task then I'll have to reassess.

Thanks again.

 

[ahicks]

Re: Hello from GA!

No brake control required for trailers equipped with surge brakes. That's one of their advantages! Controls required only if trailer brakes are electric.

 

[GATed73]

Re: Hello from GA!

Just got off the phone with Tracker. The trailer weighs in at 1113 lbs. It does have surge brakes. The tongue weight of the boat on the trailer is 375 lbs.

Assuming the boat dry is 2840. The trailer is 1113. The motor is 550. Various stuff in the boat at 200. I would have a total weight of 4703 lbs, so call it 5000 to include a fudge factor. The MDX has a towing capacity of 5500 lbs, which may be too close for comfort. The Q7 has a capacity of 6600 lbs. If I want to stay within 80% of the towing capacity, the MDX would have to pull 4400 lbs. The Q7 would have to pull 5280 lbs.

With this, I think the MDX would just about suffice, but the Q7 would be better.

Looks like the boat will be ready this weekend, but I won't be able to pick it up until late next week. The anticipation is killing me - this will be my first boat, and I'm dying to get it out on the lake.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Hello from GA!

That's going to be a very nice "first" boat. Looking forward to the pics. Good luck !!!

 

[eavega]

Re: Hello from GA!

So, which is going to be your main boating lake in GA? There is a bunch of us that will keep an eye out for you if you are in Lake Lanier, or Lake Allatoona, and I've seen a few who boat on Hartwell, Jackson, West Point.

I'm around the Lake Weiss area a bunch, but not for boating. We go rock climbing right around there.

Rgds

Eric

 

[GATed73]

Re: Hello from GA!

I will be on Lanier. I am in the process of getting a place a bit north of the lake on the Hooch, not far from Clark's Bridge.

I think I've been to the rock climbing place, the name escapes me. I didn't do any rock climbing, just walked around.

Thanks.

 

[eavega]

Re: Hello from GA!

I will be on Lanier. I am in the process of getting a place a bit north of the lake on the Hooch, not far from Clark's Bridge.

I think I've been to the rock climbing place, the name escapes me. I didn't do any rock climbing, just walked around.

Thanks.

Cherokee Rock Village, Sand Rock Alabama. We usually camp on the lake if we do two days of climbing.

There is a really great group of Lake Lanier boaters on Facebook. Be sure to look up the group, as they usually know where the party is at, or at least have a good idea of conditions.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

-E

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Hello from GA!

Just be careful when you go to Weiss Lake. It's infamous for tearing lower units out of bassboats with all the submerged stumps.

Lanier's not like that when it's got water--like now.