Tin Rig Tow Vehicle

[LMBguy05]

Looking to buy a 17' aluminum fishing boat. Best guess is I'll end up towing between 2,000-2,500# total. Single axle trailer from manufacturer does not have brakes. It's not even a factory option.

Curious what those of you pulling similar weight with an unbraked trailer are using safely and successfully?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Check towing capacity. Most vehicles require trailer brakes for weights above 1000 or 2000# unless you get into a truck or full sized SUV

 

[Alumarine]

As Scott says, also some jurisdictions require brakes over a certain weight.

 

[LMBguy05]

As Scott says, also some jurisdictions require brakes over a certain weight.

Good on that. 3,000lbs statewide.

 

[briangcc]

Uncle tows his Sylvan with an AWD Traverse.

Cousin tows his Sylvan with an AWD Highlander.

Both are sitting on roller trailers, single axle, no brakes - standard 4 pin wiring plugs.

IF it were me, I'd be looking at mid sized SUV - Durango (with tow package), Pathfinder, 4Runner, Highlander, Pilot (requires dealer installed cooling package), Traverse OR mid sized pickup - Ranger, Tacoma, Frontier, Colorado, Canyon.

You *might* get away with an older V6 Sienna (tows 3500) or Chrysler Pacifica (think this is in the 3500 class).

 

[Scott Danforth]

Here is a list of SUVs with 5000# towing or more

Make/Model	Engine	Max. Towing Cap.	Starting Price*
Acura MDX	3.5L V6	5,000 lbs. (SH-AWD)	$51,272 (SH-AWD)
Audi Q7 (55 TFSI)	3.0L Turbo V6	7,700 lbs.	$63,945 (Premium 55 TFSI)
Audi SQ7	4.0L Twin-Turbo V8	7,700 lbs.	$89,840 (Premium Plus)
Audi Q8	3.0L Turbo V6	7,700 lbs.	$72,145 (Premium)
Audi SQ8	4.0L Twin-Turbo V8	7,700 lbs.	$94,395 (Premium Plus)
Audi RS Q8	4.0L Twin-Turbo V8	7,700 lbs.	$121,745​
BMW X5	3.0L Turbo I6	7,200 lbs.	$59,950 (sDrive40i)
BMW X6	3.0L Turbo I6	7,200 lbs.	$67,900 (xDrive40i)
Buick Enclave	3.6L V6	5,000 lbs.	$46,640 (Essence AWD)
Chevrolet Traverse	3.6L V6	5,000 lbs.	$36,895 (LS AWD)
Dodge Durango	3.6L V6/5.7L V8/6.4L V8/	6,200+ lbs.	$35,752 (SXT, ’21)
6.2L S/C V8	(Tow N Go/392/Hellcat: 8,700)
Ford Explorer	2.3L I-4/3.3L V6 Hybrid/	5,300 lbs.	$34,715 (Base, ’21)
3.0L Turbo V6	(Hybrid: 5,000/ST: 5,600)
Honda Passport	3.5L V6	5,000 lbs.	$36,399 (Sport AWD)
Honda Pilot	3.5.L V6	5,000 lbs.	$42,669 (EX-L AWD)
Hyundai Palisade	3.8L V6	5,000 lbs.	$36,510 (SE AWD)
Infiniti QX60	3.5L V6	5,000 lbs.	$47,875 (Pure AWD)
(Sensory AWD/Autograph: 6,000)
Jeep Grand Cherokee	3.6L V6/5.7L V8/	6,200 lbs.	TBA (2022 MY pricing
2.0L Turbo Hybrid	(5.7L: 7,200/4xe: 6,000)	not yet released)
Jeep Grand Cherokee L	3.6L V6/5.7L V8	6,200 lbs.	$41,425 (Laredo 4×2)
(5.7L: 7,200)
Kia Telluride	3.8L V6	5,000 lbs.	$34,490 (LX)
Land Rover Defender	2.0L I-4/3.0L I-6	7,716 lbs.	$52,525 (Base 110)
Land Rover Discovery	2.0L I-4	6,613 lbs.	$55,925 (S P300)
LR Range Rover	3.0L I6	7,716 lbs.	$94,050 (Range Rover P360)
LR Range Rover Sport	3.0L I6	7,716 lbs.	$71,550 (SE P360)
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class	2.0L Turbo I4	7,700 lbs.	$58,875 (GLE 350 4MATIC)
Nissan Pathfinder	3.5L V6	6,000 lbs.	$37,160 (S 4WD)
Porsche Cayenne	3.0L Turbo V6	7,700 lbs.	$71,010 (Cayenne)
Rivian R1S	Electric	7,700 lbs.	$70,000 (Explore Package)
Subaru Ascent	2.4L Turbo H4	5,000 lbs.	$33,970 (Base)
Tesla Model X	Electric	5,000 lbs.	$99,990 (Long Range)
Toyota 4Runner	4.0L V6	5,000 lbs.	$38,020 (SR5 2WD)
Toyota Highlander	3.5L V6	5,000 lbs.	$38,599 (L V6 AWD)
Volkswagen Atlas	3.6L V6	5,000 lbs.	$42,490 (SE V6 w/ Tech, 4Motion)
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport	3.6L V6	5,000 lbs.	$42,185 (SE V6 w/ Tech, 4Motion)
Volvo XC90	2.0L Turbo I4	5,000 lbs.	$54,965 (T5 Momentum AWD)

 

[roscoe]

Dodge Grand Caravan 2011-2020 tows 3500#, but says you need brakes if over 1500#. And trust me, you WILL want them.

I made one trip, traveling through a small town along the lake shore. Coming down a hill at 25 mph and could not stop.

Ordered up a set of brakes when I got home.
The best $600 I spent in a long time.

You won't find a trailer rated for under 3000# that has brakes.
But many have the flanges on the axle so brakes can be added.

So check out the trailer on the rig you want to buy, and see if the dealer will install brakes for you.
Or install them yourself.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Dodge Grand Caravan 2011-2020 tows 3500#, but says you need brakes if over 1500#. And trust me, you WILL want them.

that is where the term "stand on the brakes" comes from. when you put both feet on the brake pedal and pull yourself off the seat trying to get more brake pressure.

 

[BrettNC]

Any v6 and a lot of 4 cyls will get it done if towing locally.

 

[Sprig]

What are you planning to tow with? Doesn’t really matter what we are towing with, need to know what you plan to tow with.

 

[jimmbo]

I tow with Cars
Buick has a 5000 lb Factory Tow Option
Cadillac has a 7000 lb Factory Tow Option

 

[TechSgt]

Ive got a 2012 Dodge Durango with the 3.6L and have towed 4400 no brakes and it did fine, just leave extra space for the extra stopping distance.

 

[JimS123]

I tow with Cars
Buick has a 5000 lb Factory Tow Option
Cadillac has a 7000 lb Factory Tow Option

OMG, you must be the only guy left. (except for me)

One day I pulled the boat into the ramp and got in the car. A bunch of millennials came over and said they were waiting to see what that old car could possibly pull. One minute of winching and the rig was in the lot. They shut up quick.

 

[jimmbo]

That looks like a Pontiac. I doubt it's Tow Rating is for more than 1000lbs.
My Buick and Cadillac came from the Factory with the Towing Option, with Heavy Duty Suspension, Heavy Duty Brakes, Larger Capacity Cooling System with Mechanical and Electric Fans, Two Transmission Coolers, Modified Transmission and Shift Programing, and Larger Rear Axle Assembly. The Cadillac even came with a 5 Connector Wiring Harness already wired, and stored in a pouch between the Rear Fender and Trunk Liner. Both Cars have the Second Gen LT1, and are capable of towing at speeds well above 75mph.
A lot of clowns don't realize that a few decades back, most tow vehicles were cars. And the Trucks of the Day were a more realistic size than the Hideous things sold today. I have launched and retrieved my boat from gravel and dirt ramps that had 4x4s digging themselves stuck.

 

[JimS123]

That looks like a Pontiac. I doubt it's Tow Rating is for more than 1000lbs.
My Buick and Cadillac came from the Factory with the Towing Option, with Heavy Duty Suspension, Heavy Duty Brakes, Larger Capacity Cooling System with Mechanical and Electric Fans, Two Transmission Coolers, Modified Transmission and Shift Programing, and Larger Rear Axle Assembly. The Cadillac even came with a 5 Connector Wiring Harness already wired, and stored in a pouch between the Rear Fender and Trunk Liner. Both Cars have the Second Gen LT1, and are capable of towing at speeds well above 75mph.
A lot of clowns don't realize that a few decades back, most tow vehicles were cars. And the Trucks of the Day were a more realistic size than the Hideous things sold today. I have launched and retrieved my boat from gravel and dirt ramps that had 4x4s digging themselves stuck.

It's a 1980 Bonneville. It is equipped with the factory towing package with most of the things you itemized. Factory specs list a 4500# towing capacity with the package.

 

[Scott06]

OMG, you must be the only guy left. (except for me)

One day I pulled the boat into the ramp and got in the car. A bunch of millennials came over and said they were waiting to see what that old car could possibly pull. One minute of winching and the rig was in the lot. They shut up quick.

You two aren't the only guys left...

used to tow my dads 22 ft Catalina swing keel and my sea ray 170 with a honda accord coupe ... Also used a Volvo 240 wagon and a Taurus over the years ...

 

[JimS123]

You two aren't the only guys left...

used to tow my dads 22 ft Catalina swing keel and my sea ray 170 with a honda accord coupe ... Also used a Volvo 240 wagon and a Taurus over the years ...

My first towcar was a 1961 Mercury Comet with a 144 cid 85 HP inline 6, 3 on the tree. The boat was only about maybe 1000#. Never had an issue with it.

 

[jimmbo]

It's a 1980 Bonneville. It is equipped with the factory towing package with most of the things you itemized. Factory specs list a 4500# towing capacity with the package.

I wasn't aware of Pontiac offing a Tow Package Option, of course I will admit to not knowing much about any Pontiac. I know a lot about Olds, Buick, and Cadillac, mainly because those are the Brands I have owned, 2 Olds, 3 Buicks, and 5 Cadillacs. Current ownership, licensed, insured and on the road, are 1 Buick, and 2 Cadillacs

 

[jimmbo]

Looks like a 1965 40hp Lark

 

[JimS123]

It's a 1968 Lark Selectric. Most troublesome motor I ever owned. Traded it in on a Triumph and had similar shifting problems. Finally sold that one for a Johnson Stinger. THAT was the best 2-stroke I ever owned.