Help please

[emmitt240]

Ok I know this is a silly question to most of you. I am about to purchase a new boat and the only weight I can find on it is that the boat itself weighs 1750 lbs. The boat also has a 30 gal gas tank. I have no idea how much the trailer weighs nor what the extra weight of the fuel would be. I currently have a Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer with the 4.0 engine. At the rear of the SUV the hitch says max towing weight is 3500 lbs and tongue weight is 350 lbs. Do I have anything to worry about? If it helps the boat is a 2007 Stratos 486 SF. Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Help please

Is that a 19' bass boat? sorry don't recognize the model #. The tow capacity printed on the bumper cover is for a hitch ball bolted to the bumper. With a frame-mounted hitch receiver, you'll have at least 5000 lbs but don't take my word for it, check the owners' manual.

That weight probably excludes rigging and motor, if it's an outboard. Gasoline weighs 6.6 lbs per gallon. Add more for batteries and gear, decks, consoles, seats, hardware, yada yada yada. Don't pull it on the bumper, do get a receiver hitch - shouldn't be more than a couple hundred bucks. That truck will pull that boat no problem. Gas mileage will suck however.

I'd expect that rig to have a double-axle trailer with brakes.

 

[emmitt240]

Re: Help please

Music to my ears. The truck came with what they call a towing package so I already have the hitch. The boat is 18'6 in length. The trailer is only single axle but does come with brakes. Thank you very much for taking the time to reply.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Help please

The Towing Capacity should be stamped on the Hitch then, just ignore the Bumper stamp.

Music to my ears. The truck came with what they call a towing package so I already have the hitch.

 

[emmitt240]

Re: Help please

I apologize guys. The sticker is actually on the hitch itself that came mounted with the truck. I was wondering why you said do not tow it on the bumper. I just want to make sure I am not headed for disaster. Thanks.

 

[Pony]

Re: Help please

The Towing Capacity should be stamped on the Hitch then, just ignore the Bumper stamp.

I disagree.....suppose you took that receiver and mounted it to a camry. Does this now have the 5,000lb tow rating? Nope. The bumper sticker will give you the rating for that vehicle if towing with the bumper hitch. In the owners manual it should tell you what the towing capacity is with a given class hitch.

I tried looking up the specs on that vehicle, and every thing that I saw was 3,500lbs with the 4.0L. What your towing capacity is for certain with a Class III hitch will be in the owners manual. Towing capacity is limited by more than just the hitch, so just going off of that sticker isnt necessarily right either.........unless the hitch is what is limiting the towing capabilities.


I refuse to tow with a bumper hitch because I have seen a lot of bumpers bent up and rusted though. I just dont trust it. Also in my case the bumber is too high anyways and the trailer isnt level.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Help please

if it's an integrated hitch with a 1 1/4" reciever box, then you'll still want to think about adding a class III frame-mounted receiver (will have a 2" box) - bolts on to the frame under the bumper. check 'em out on www.etrailer.com

Explorer bumpers are rated at 3500 but you wouldn't want to get anywhere near that for fear of damaging the bumper. I wouldn't have the same concern with the integrated hitch. Your rig might or might not top 3500 - I think I'd go with the bigger hitch anyway.

I believe I'm right about Explorer towing capacity, but do check your owners' manual, just to be sure.

sounds like an awesome boat.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Help please

The bumper sticker will give you the rating for that vehicle if towing with the bumper hitch. In the owners manual it should tell you what the towing capacity is with a given class hitch.

I disagree, what if you take that bumper and install it on a Honda Civic?
Does that allow the Civic to haul the capacities on the bumper sticker?
What if I peel the bumper sticker off and.....................

In the owners manual it should tell you what the towing capacity is with a given class hitch.

But this covers all.

Just being a wiseguy, don't get riled up.

 

[emmitt240]

Re: Help please

It is without a doubt rated for 3500 lbs. The mount itself which is bolted to the frame is where the 3500 lb limit sticker is. It is also a 1 1/4 receiver. The receiver also has the 3500 lb limit sticker and also states it is a Type II. With the boat being 1750 lbs. surely I will not go over the 3500 lb limit. That is taking into account trailer, fuel, and fishing supplies. I am figuring at most I might end up around 3000 lbs total. Thanks for all the feedback thus far.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Help please

Sounds about right. seriously though, if the 1750 is a "dry hull weight", it could be close to 1000 lbs heavier with all the rigging, carpet, windshields, batteries, electronics, plus a Yahama V6 4-stroke weighs close to 600 lbs......see where I'm going - just to encourage you to maybe load it down & get it weighed like at a rock yard or something - the class II hitch can be replaced by a class III, in case you decide to. Just something to think about.

Any case, have fun, and don't forget the drain plug!

 

[emmitt240]

Re: Help please

Great advice J. The motor is a Yamaha 150 V-Max. Why the heck don't they tell you what the boat, trailer, and motor weigh together? Plus with a full tank of gas. Been driving myself nuts trying to find something like that on the internet with no luck. Also not sure if the Type III would do me any good. With my engine the owners manual says 3500 lbs is the limit. I am getting a new truck in a few months and can eliminate all of this. However, I would still like to have my boat when I get my truck. Know what I mean!

 

[jtexas]

Re: Help please

I sure was wrong about that engine - I was thinking all the explorers had more towing cap than that..............you'd think a boat dealer would have a pretty darn good idea of the total package weight........go figure

 

[emmitt240]

Re: Help please

Well keep in mind it is the smaller engine. With the price of fuel and no thoughts of needing to pull something like a boat is was the logical choice at the time. I think the 4.3 L engine is rated for 5800 lbs if I am not mistaken. I called the dealer and they figure the most I would ever have is 3000 lbs. However, I wanted to see what some experienced people thought.