How much can I really tow...

[JB]

Hi, Jeff.<br /><br />You have a wise wife. The Toyota people are looking out for your safety as well as any legal risks. Take their advice.<br /><br />If you want that boat, get a vehicle rated for over 5,000# to tow it. . . better 7500#.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[bayman]

Re: How much can I really tow...

Mostly for your safety and those around you I would recommend against it. You would be held liable if anything went wrong and towing something too heavy could cause damage to the van.<br /><br />What about the options for trading the van for another vehicle? There are many great used vehicles to bad had for a fairly low price that could easily tow 4,000lbs.

 

[cuzner]

Re: How much can I really tow...

Hey Jeff towing capacity is based on a lot of things. Auto companies do build in a margin of error.I would contact a toyota dealer and see if they can suggest a cheap way to modify your van(new rear springs etc) to give you added capacity.I was in the same situation as you a year ago.I ended up buying a smaller boat than I wanted, and a Durango to pull it. When I was young and foolish I used an s-10 to pull a 2500 lb boat (over 3000 with trailer and fluids)and luckily never had a problem..... Maybe Santa will leave a new s.u.v. under the tree this year.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: How much can I really tow...

3500 dry on the boat, you'll be well over 4000 with a trailer, gas, oil, cooler, gear, etc, etc. Don't kid yourself. They put a 3500 pound limit on that vehicle for a reason, they will publish the highest number they possibly can because it will sell more vechiles potentially, so if it says 3500 max it's 3500 max. <br /><br />It's your call, but I wouldn't do it.

 

[mrfizban]

How much can I really tow...

I'm in a debate with my wife. Our 1998 Toyota Sienna van is stated as towing a max weight of 3,500lbs. We want to upgrade to a 21' Sea Ray that is 3,400lb dry and with trailer and gas might get upwards around 4,000lbs. My wife won't go for it but I think the tandem axle will take most of the tongue weight and a transmission cooler will keep that cool for any long trips, but the Toyota people still recommend against it (for obvious legal reasons). Are there any experienced boaters that can give me some advise on the matter? Thanks. <br /><br />Jeff

 

[neumanns]

Re: How much can I really tow...

I gotta go with these guys on this one...Just cause it can pull it don't mean it can stop or control it. extremly short distances a couple times a year maybe but not on a regular basis.

 

[rwidman]

Re: How much can I really tow...

I'm in a debate with my wife.

First of all, you cannot win a debate with your wife. You might think you won but in the long run .......... <br /><br />

21' Sea Ray that is 3,400lb dry and with trailer and gas might get upwards around 4,000lbs

That boat will weigh much more than 4,000 lb with trailer, gas, food, drinks, and ice, etc. The only way to know for sure is to have it weighed and you don't have it yet. You can get the weight of the trailer from the manufacturer or if you have access to the trailer it will be on a plate attached to the trailer (subtract the capacity from the GVWR). Assuming that the boat doesn't overload the trailer, the GVWR should not exceed the tow rating of the tow vehicle. Now if you're only towing the boat to the local community ramp you might be OK but if you're taking trips on the highway you should really stay within the tow vehicle's tow rating. The number of axles on the trailer is irrelevant.

 

[mrfizban]

Re: How much can I really tow...

Thanks for all the replies. I suppose the two boat dealers I've talked to say some similar stuff to "It's OK for five miles, but not for a 100 mile trip". The other dealer I talked to said he tows a 10,000lb boat with his suburban which is pushing his just above it's weight limit and he said you just have to try it and see how comfortable it feels.<br /><br />I will also reply that the trailer is a top-of-the-line one with the tandem axles and surge brakes (and 4 disc brakes) so braking and toungue weight and suspension issues are ruled out, so I was figuring the only obstacles would be 3500 generic tow limit on my van which would only really affect the strain on my receiver hitch, and the 7800 overall limit listed which I’m assuming is just for taxing an engine and transmission. That’s why I was hoping for some support to put in a transmission cooler and the overall weight of 8000-8500lbs wouldn’t be too terrible. But it sounds like unanimous answers against my thoughts. I guess it’s just too bad since the van is new to us and not an option to update, and the big reason I want it is because the boat is a like-new $40,000 Sea Ray with under 150 hours on it and every option available for under $20,000. So I could get it for more than $6,000 less than everyone else is selling them for and it’s very difficult to pass up that type of deal all over some auto engineer saying my van can’t tow a few hundred extra pounds. Just hurts a little. Thanks again for all the advice guys.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[Mark42]

Re: How much can I really tow...

I'm sure you can find a custom shop that will install larger brakes, coolers (both engine and trans), lower gears, larger springs, shocks, ball joints, tie rods, spring perches, pahhard rod(s), wheels and tires and it would work and be safe. <br /><br />But it will cost you big $$$.<br /><br />Better off putting the money into something that was build to haul that load right from the start. THEN you add bigger brakes, wheels, tires, shocks, coolers and come cool graphics just for kicks.

 

[jlinder]

Re: How much can I really tow...

mrfizban,<br /><br />I agree that you should not try this with your van. I suspect the trailer is in the 800-1000 lbs range, and with gas and misc you will be closer to 5,000 lbs. total.<br /><br />If the boat i a great buy, what about picking up an older truck to pull it? You might be able to pick one up for a cheap enough price and get your boat too.

 

[garycinn]

Re: How much can I really tow...

I had a very similar situation. I have a Dodge Grand Caravan with 3.8L that is rated for 3800 lbs. I bought a 2750 lb dry boat (used, a steal and can't pass it up) with single axle trailer and hauled it home 100 miles on flat interstate. It was not fun.<br /><br />Immediately started looking for a tow vehicle. I found an immaculate Durango with 5.9L and tow package that is rated for > 7000 lbs towing.<br /><br />BTW, I weighed that 2750 dry boat on the single axle trailer and all wet with toys it is ~4000 lbs. You would be well over 4000 with a bigger boat to begin with and the added weight of the second axle.<br /><br />The other thing to consider is pulling your boat out of the water on the ramp. I see minivans at the ramps spinning front tires trying to pull their boats out of the water. The tongue weight and the angle of the ramp takes the traction away from the front wheels and it isn't pretty.<br /><br />Keep the Sienna and find a used full frame vehicle with a big 6 or small V8 to tow with all that money you are saving on that special boat deal. The older Durangos depreciate fast. Find someone that has kept the maintenance up.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: How much can I really tow...

Sounds like your wife is pushing for a new ride, so go for it! That kind off deal don't come along very often!!!

 

[garycinn]

Re: How much can I really tow...

Originally posted by mrfizban:<br />I suppose the two boat dealers I've talked to say some similar stuff to "It's OK for five miles, but not for a 100 mile trip". The other dealer I talked to said he tows a 10,000lb boat with his suburban which is pushing his just above it's weight limit and he said you just have to try it and see how comfortable it feels.

All that is salesman talk to get you to buy. They only care if you can haul it off their lot. They know you will have to get a different tow vehicle, but it will be after they sell you the boat.

 

[roscoe]

Re: How much can I really tow...

Also remember that the tow rating includes the weight of all cargo and passengers in the MINI van. That could easily be 800-1400 pounds more.

 

[Realgun]

Re: How much can I really tow...

Remember that your Van is a unibody unit no real frame so a slight twich and the van is tweeked. <br />My wife has a Kia van that actually has a frame and it weighs 200 lbs mor than my SuperCrew F-150.<br />But it can tow 3500 Lbs and thats it. Also it must have trailer brake no matter the weight. I have seen FWD vans pull a boat out on a steep ramp its not real pretty! Seems they almost alway have to spin a tire to get started and are slow at the ramp. For a few grand you can get an older used truck and have no issues. Good luck, Happy Boating.

 

[gutshot grouper]

Re: How much can I really tow...

Front wheel drive vehicles are not well suited to towing much of anything, in addition to the overall high gear ratio, you do not have any startability which is a function of the gear ratio in the rear end, in this case, the front end. Numerically lower gear ratios in the final drive line, such as 3.73 to 1 are superior to higher ratios such as 3.55 to 1, from a startability point of view, which runs counter to fuel economy consideration, due to higher operating rpm's. You can't have both so it may not be possible to reconcile the two functions for the vehicle. Good Luck

 

[mrfizban]

Re: How much can I really tow...

OK. So one last item. If I go out and just buy a 17 foot boat that only weighs 2000lbs, would I still have to worry about spinning my tires? Or at that point are we talking about 2000lbs less and not even an issue? Thanks again.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[gutshot grouper]

Re: How much can I really tow...

Sounds as if you have scaled down the boat to suit the vehicle, if the mfr. rates the vehicle to tow 3500 lbs. you should be ok to tow a ton. However there is always the poss of wheel spin when pulling out, depending on ramp angle, water present on concrete, etc. I have never had trouble pulling out my 5000 lb. boat and trailer with a 6cyl 2 wheel drive jeep, although I have experienced being pulled backwards with all wheels locked, never launched the car, however. If you start from a dead stop and pretend you are not in any hurry to get up to say20 mph,you will preserve your auto tranny. When stopping, anticipate the stop by riding softly on the brakes and you will help the pad/shoe life

 

[garycinn]

Re: How much can I really tow...

I would think you would be ok with something in the 2K range. Remember that the trailer and fuel and toys is going to be close to 1000 lbs. You will be close to or right on your limit. You will not want to tow over mountain passes or long trips with this setup, just to the local lake or on level longer trips. Take your time, don't tow in OD, drive about 55 (to cut down on wind resistance / drivetrain stress), and absolutely get a tranny cooler if your unit does not have an external cooler (look on the front of the AC condenser which is in front of the radiator for a small cooler).<br /><br />For that kind of weight, personally, I would look at something like this:<br /><br /> http://www.glastron.com/pages/Models/MX175.html <br /><br />Try to get it with power steering if they offer it. They offer some good deals on this boat/trailer package at the winter boat shows.<br /><br />Here is another option (it is also offered as a OB package as 300 lbs less).<br /><br /> http://www.searay.com/online_brochu...y.com/online_brochure.asp?modelid=43694&tab=1

 

[rwidman]

Re: How much can I really tow...

Personally, my choice would be to get the boat I want and then a vehicle to tow it, not compromise on a boat that can be towed with the current vehicle. You will probably replace vehicles more often than boats and you will take less of a financial loss on the vehicle than on the boat.