Tow Help!

[stevegarlett]

Furloughs a comin'!<br /><br />I currently have a 20' Aluminum Deckboat in the 2500 lb range that I tow with an '01 Expedition which I love. SUV has to go and boat may also. This means an older, heavier, smaller fiberglass boat.<br /><br />What are the tow ratings of you older Explorers, Jimmy's, Pathfinder's, etc. Any suggestions?<br /><br />Thanks<br />Steve

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tow Help!

Well....if you are looking for towing capacities they vary greatly with vehicles. First you should look for an automatic transmission. Auto tranny's have a torque multipling effect and are more efficient for boaters. <br /><br />When you shop you will see that manual trans trucks (in the catagories you described) all will tow around 3500 max and with autos that jumps to 5000 lbs.<br /><br />Personally, I like to tow with my full size truck and working trailer brakes. I have towed with smaller trucks with 5 speeds but never had the control and power I needed.<br /><br />Go with an older full size 1/2 ton vehicle with an automatic trans. Equip it with a transmission cooler and have fun.<br /><br />Bob

 

[ndemge]

Re: Tow Help!

How far do you usually go to get to your water?<br /><br />If you don't have very far to go, you can get away with going with an older vehicle to save the cash ....maybe even save the deck boat? <br /><br />Around here you can get a pretty reliable truck for around $1k<br />Ain't gonna be pretty, but they work quite well.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Tow Help!

All of your alternative tow vehicles listed would tow your deck boat or a little bigger/heavier with proper equipment like FACTORY TOW PACKAGES and trailer brakes on the trailer. Stay away from 4 cylinders. Automatics are much easier on the ramps too.

 

[Arnold96]

Re: Tow Help!

The Explorer with V-8 is rated 2WD at nearly 6900# and the V-6 w/tow package is about 5900#. Either of these would easily pull what you are looking at. Pulled quite a few miles with an Explorer/camper rig.

 

[Alrobot]

Re: Tow Help!

I used to tow with an Explorer, but thankfully I moved up to a real truck (BRONCO). Bronco's make great tow vehicles, I have plenty of power to spare, it gets truck like mileage, but it is built on a full size truck frame, and I don't worry about my wife getting killed in a accident anymore...