Novice question

[okcbubba]

We are considering purchasing a Four Winns Horizon 200, tandem axel trailer with hydraulic brakes. Dry weight is about 3200#. We plan to pull it with a Toyota 4-Runner V6. Toyota specs say the tow limit is 5,000#. We live in Oklahoma (so the terrain is fairly flat) and most destination lakes are within 125 miles. Rear axel ratio is 4.10. The truck has an oil cooler & I intend to have a transmission cooler added. The model year is 1998, but it has less than 60k miles. <br /><br />Is this boat too near the vehicle’s limit? We really like the boat but don’t want to overload the truck. Thanks.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Novice question

You're only overloaded when you get to 5001 pounds. All vehicles can safely tow slightly more than they are rated for, because the manufactureres know alot of people will do it regardless of the rating. Just be careful, that's alot of weight for any small truck.

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Novice question

If I remember correctly it is a little under powered but I would think for you purposes it would suffice. The biggest thing is cooling and trailering <br />stiffness(trailering package). Rocky Mountains over worked. Oklahoma should be fine. Sounds like you will be prepared.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Novice question

I think you're going to get a lot of folk telling you it's fine and a lot telling you it's not. I go with the rule that you should include passengers in the truck as tow weight. That being said, you've got a long way to go till you get to 5000#.<br /><br />The safest thing to do would be to take the boat loaded with gear to a truck scale and see what it really weighs.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[NathanY]

Re: Novice question

Just one question, what is the "ready to go to the lake weight of the boat"?<br /><br />Boat 2970lbs<br />Trailer 500-700 lbs<br />fuel 6.216 lbs per gallon X 30 gallons = 186.48<br />Battery 40 lbs<br />Dad 180 lbs<br />Mom 130 lbs<br />Cooler 30 lbs<br />Misc Crap that everyone has in boat 100lbs<br /><br />All this equals up to about 4300 lbs of weight, well within you vehicle's capabilities. Since the trailer has brakes on it, I would have to say go for it.

 

[okcbubba]

Re: Novice question

Thanks for your input regarding the Toyota tow vehicle. It's my first powerboat purchase after 10+ years of sailing, so I'm at a bit of a loss. We started out looking for an 18ft/3.0L runabout. We're about to buy a 20ft Four Winns 5.0L EFI. Man, this "two footitis" thing must be epidemic!

 

[KM2]

Re: Novice question

I'm guessing fully loaded that you are close to the 5k limit. I think some of Nate's estimates are a little low but close. I don't think you will have much acceleration but with the trailer brakes you should be able to stop safely. <br /><br />I think you will be ok but you should get a little bigger truck and a V8 next time.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Novice question

The big problem with heavy loads is stopping them. Keep up with the trailer brakes, and you should be fine.<br /><br />If the truck has a auto. trans. put the biggest cooler on it you can find, keep it out of overdrive, and don't use the A/C while towing. Keep a eye on the fluid, change it every year, and anytime it isn't pink or smells burnt. That might save you haveing to get it overhauled--- and on that truck, it might cost about 2 grand.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Novice question

In addition to what everyone said, one more thing to check is the tire/wheel size. If it is the factory wheel/tire size you are OK. If you have put some larger wheels/tires on it you may be stressing the motor. It has a 4:10 rear ratio for a reason, they want that motor to run in the upper RPM range. Larger diameter tires will negate that.<br /><br />Mark