New to boating with towing questions...

[Raypex]

Re: New to boating with towing questions...

Brand new to iboats.com. I've enjoyed reading this thread and another thread about what cars people use to tow their boats.

I have finally talked my husband into getting into boating, having been raised in a boating family. It only took 5 years! My question is, would the '08 or '09 Ford Explorer 4.0L V6 4x4 have enough towing capacity for a 21' bowrider? I've seen somewhere online that it has a towing capacity of 5300 lbs. Or, would I need the V8 (which I've seen online has a towing capacity of 7200 lbs)?

I'm hoping the V6 will do. The V8 seems like overkill and is out of my price range unless I go a couple years older. Either one is an upgrade from my '04 Trailblazer V6 4x2. If my Trailblazer were a 4x4 I would probably use it for the job.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Welcome to I boats,
I am no veteran here but I think you should've posted a new thread. My reply applies to original post as well.
My response and personal experience is this...
I have an 89 searay 22' cuddy (3500lb dry weight). Bought it last year. I own a '98 Full size Two door Tahoe with the 350 engine. Don't know the actual rating, but I'm sure it's rated enough.
The real key IMO is the size, weight, and wheelbase of the tow vehicle. My first time out taught me several things...
1: The Tahoe had plenty of power to pull.
2: The trailer brakes MUST be working.
3: Highway speeds were quite uncomfortable ("tail starts to wag the dog")
I am not new to towing. I tow a 5,000 lb work trailer most days of the week and a 24' enclosed snowmobile trailer every winter. But this is with my F 350 crew diesel.(TOW MONSTER!)
I wanted to not use my stinky, dirty work truck for boating, but safety MUST come first!
Please don't be afraid to over-do your tow vehicle! Your safety is obviously first priorty.
Although My full-size Tahoe "can" pull my boat, The lives of the occupants and others on the road makes me recommend the larger tow vehicle option!
Best of luck
Happy Boating
Enjoy your Iboats resource (prices and selection at store are great too!)
Ray