towing and hauling question

[mikeyzx2]

Hey there ya'll! I got two questions....<br /><br />I have a 1996 Ford Ranger with 2.3L four cyl. It's a 5-speed manual standard cab, standard 6 foot bed.<br /><br />I'm looking to buy a new Alumacraft 1236 (12 foot, 36" floor) jon boat. It only weighs 125#, so weight's not the issue. Will I have any problem taking it to the river in the bed of the truck?<br /><br />My other question is I have a 17 foot '80 model Astroglass Cheater SX bass boat w/85hp Evinrude. I've pulled it around with not much problem, although I can tell I'm pulling something. I've only launched it one time but it was after rain, and the river was up near the top of boat launch so I never actually had to pull it up ramp. I need opinions on using my truck with this boat. <br /><br />I don't foresee a big issue with it, me and a buddy pulled his 14-15 foot bass boat a handful of times with an '88 Mazda B2000 5-speed several years back. <br /><br />Mike

 

[Silvertip]

Re: towing and hauling question

Towing a six foot jon boat with your truck will not be a problem. Towing a 17 foot glass boat will certainly tax the little four-banger but that's not the real problem. Stopping the load in an emergency is another matter. Two wheel drive, standard transmissions and snotty boat ramps generally result in traction problems -- especially with the 17 footer.

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: towing and hauling question

I agree......I'm at the fork in the road, to the left is the bigger tow vehicle that'll tow the Astro or equivalent, to the right is a smaller more manageable boat and I can keep my Ranger.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: towing and hauling question

How far do you haul, and how is the traffic en-route, and how is the ramp typically? Take the trailer and boat to a truck stop and get a weight on her and compare it to the vehicles max towing limits. Best way really to find out. Cost you about $10.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: towing and hauling question

put brakes on the trailer!

 

[ST]

Re: towing and hauling question

Let's see Mike,<br />You're buying a 12 ft of Jon boat, and you want to haul it on the Ranger's truck bed; which I think is only 6 ft long bed? Ok, add another 1.5 feet or so for the open tail gate; that's still leave you with about 4.5 feet of boat sticking out from the truck's bed? I am confused!

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: towing and hauling question

Well yeah that does leave about four feet sticking out the back, but since I haven't thrown a twelve foot boat in the back of my truck before, I thought I'd find out if that's not much of a problem once I hit the road.

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: towing and hauling question

I closest place I go is about 10 minutes away, but sometimes heavier traffic. Furthest is about 35-45 minutes, again traffic can be heavy. I won't tow that boat in traffic around here. Too many idiots. Ramps are typical, in good shape for their age. The motor weighs about 300, the boat's with trailer is probably close to 2000. Which is why it's sitting in the storage lot over here at my apartment. I got a good deal on it, otherwise I wouldn't have it. Lookin' like a spring sale.

 

[JB]

Re: towing and hauling question

Mikey,<br /><br />A 2.3l, 5 speed, 4X2 Ranger is about as puny a pickup as you can find for towing or hauling anything. All of the ricers in that class have been discontinued, and for good reason. Consider it a subcompact with a bed.<br /><br />Hauling your 12 footer should be okay if you extend it over the cab. There are hitch extenders that will clamp to the transom and raise it up to that level. Then you still have the bed for fishing gear, outboard and fuel tank. Don't haul it in the bed (or half in the bed).<br /><br />I wouldn't tow anything over about 1,000lb with that truck.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: towing and hauling question

Yeah I know, the only thing it's good for is gas to me. Still don't know how we managed to pull a boat around with that old B2000. A coworker and I pulled a nearly identical boat with his '99 S-10, extended cab, four banger with automatic. Of course it didn't seem to like it too well. <br /><br />I can always borrow my dad's '79 F-150 4X4 with the 351M/400, if it don't pull the trailer out from under the boat.