Towing problem

[Chum Slick]

Re: Towing problem

I have to put my two cents in on this one. As mentioned in earlier replies some states require brakes on certain trailers, that's the legal part. The most important issue is being to get your boat to and from the ramp safely. I have trailer three different boats ranging from a 24 ft Mako to a 18 ft Thunderbird ski boat. I play on the water in southern and eastern Maryland. The ramps here are slick as owl wampum because of the vegitation and sand deposits because of tidal currents. If I didn't have a full size GMC 4X4 I couldn't launch a john boat from some of the ramps on the Potomac and Patuxent rivers. I have a full size Bronco V8 4/4 that will tow just about anything but because of the short wheel base my 24 ft Mako would make the thing get really squirrely running down hill and on quick stops. I bought the full size GMC just to pull that beast. You can never have TOO MUCH vehicle when it comes to getting your boat out of the water and home safely. If you want to see a really pathetic look on someone's face, watch the guy who has his boat halfway launched and just remembered that he forgot to put his plug in, has a boat with about a thousand gallons of water in it and don't have to vehicle to get it back out of the water.<br /><br />Keep the bait in the slick....

 

[hodgejr]

Re: Towing problem

I guess it's like they say, livin n learnin. It was a $13,500 mistake, but on the good side the SUV has been a great car to put the groceries in! <br /><br />I am already lookin for an alternative truck. Being from s. florida, unfortunately it's pretty unlikely i will find even an 1980's 4x4 for less than $2000 in decent shape, unlike you folks further up north. Better start savin them pennies... <br /><br />About the smaller boat suggestion, 16ft is small enough as it is!<br /><br />Again, thanks for the feedback, i never would've imagined getin this much in the first place!!!

 

[fone_man]

Re: Towing problem

Right on-line.......<br /><br /><br />Towing Capacity(lb)<br /> <br />I4 2.0L <br />1000 <br /><br />V6 3.0L <br />2000 (3500 with towing package) <br /><br />The $2-4K you thought you saved by not getting V6 w/4x4 is going to cost you that plus some extra $$$.<br /><br />Tribute <br /><br />Now check not only exclusions on your warranty but check for the same on insurance policy!!!<br /><br />But I do not think you have been the only one that has bought a vehicle & then found out it would not work for thier intended use. If you had explained this to the dealer & they still pushed you to Base Model then you have a way out but if you were shopping price with no regards to thier suggestions, then it was your mistake. Cheaper to take it back & try to work trade w/dealer in question... Go straight to New Car Manager/GSM to discuss & work out a resolution. The reason for this is because... "you might be able to pull it" BUT "can you stop it in an emergency situation"!!!<br /><br />"WWWWHHHOOOOAAAAAAAAAA, NELLIE!!!!!!!!"<br /><br />

 

[hodgejr]

Re: Towing problem

hmmm....that got me thinkin...however, i've already got 700mi and they sure wouldn't let me trade it back without adding the devaluation. I think in the long run the ol'truck alternative is what will work for me. Until then, I will have to cut back on my boating i guess...<br /><br />As pissed as i was about all this, all i can do is look forward you know, it'll work out some day for sure.

 

[crazyray2]

Re: Towing problem

well 1st make sure to stay under factory recs....if you are a cheaper way to lower gear ratio to make pulling it out is to get a pair of rims to fit your suv and mount the smallest profile tire you can on them this will be lots cheaper than changing transaxle gears and if you want to change them back for everyday driving you can......just be sure that your load rating on tires is up to your loading of rig.....most SUV's have tall profile tires for ground clearance and that big truck look.Shoul;d be able to make big difference.....your speedometer will be wrong unless you change the gear in trans axle......also manually shift your tranny while pulling holding gears a bit longer so that tranny is working at a higher pressure will go a long ways to making tranny live...and by all means don't use over drive

 

[hodgejr]

Re: Towing problem

ok, here's the latest... I got my tribute traded in for a Ranger! A V6 Ranger XLT, with automatic. No, i didn't cave in to peer pressure (but that's part of it ) but rather i didn't get the loan i needed on the tribute and settled for the year-old ranger. Talk about luck!!! It's fully loaded, too. <br /><br />Ok, i hear some of you sayin it ain't a real truck, i know it's not a 1/2 ton Chevy for sure, but comon, to pull my lil 16 footer, it's plenty. Don't plan to upgrade to a 23 ftr so soon either, so I think i'm in good shape for now.<br /><br />I'll let you know how it does, after this weekend... <br /><br />Later, folx

 

[kev_79]

Re: Towing problem

Ford's suck, just kidding. It should be more than enough for your boat. Have fun, and keep the hammer down

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: Towing problem

be glad it's not a chevy!!!!!!hehehehe j/k!! the ranger outta pull it fine.......jim

 

[hodgejr]

Re: Towing problem

oh boy, now this has turned into a nasty chevy/ford debate!!! <br /><br />Truth be told, though, i prefer chevys myself...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Towing problem

Congrats on the new tow vehicle best of luck with it. Don't tow in overdrive it will kill the tranny. Well since we all berated you into buying a new vehicle you might want to consider the following:<br /><br />A Real tow hitch don't bother with the bumper.<br /><br />A transmission cooler.<br /><br />oh and a laptop computer to get advice from all of us while you are on vacation <br /><br />Good luck, Bob

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: Towing problem

nah no nasty debate here, i've had'em both............that's why i bought a toyota!!!!!!

 

[JB]

Re: Towing problem

Good show, Hodge! Had several Rangers. Good trucks. Good tow vehicles up to about 3000#. Had a couple of Toyotas, too. Also good trucks, but the old Hi-Lux was short on shoulders at the ramp. <br /><br />Well, now we can stop worrying about Hodge and his wanna-be tow truck and get on with other issues.<br /><br />Have fun at Sanibel!<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[clanton]

Re: Towing problem

I dont drive a Ford, but if you keep oil and water in the engine it will last a long time, a very tough engine.

 

[hitechillbilly]

Re: Towing problem

Hello hodgejr<br /><br />I very seldom post to this forum but I read a lot of the posts and they have help a lot with my first boat. For that I say thanks to all the experts here. <br /><br />I can speak with some experience when it comes to towing and winching. Having towed many thousands of miles there is one item that is almost never mentioned and I feel it should be a factory item. That is a transmission temperature guage. That is the only way you will ever know just what is going on in the tranny. The best 80 to 100 $ I have ever invested in. My 150 has a tow rating of 7800 lbs. While towing about 6000 lbs. over the mts. in the Smokies it stared overheating (the tranny) so I knew it was time to pull over and give it a break. You say that you will not be pulling over the mts. Maybe not but another experience was when I had the tranny rebuilt. Within a few miles it started getting hot. So I took it back to get the problem corrected. I would have never known without the temp gauge.<br /><br />There is no substitute for the proper tow vehicle.<br /><br />Also have a 9000 lb winch on the front of the truck and I can say that is not the way to go.<br /><br />By the way where in S. Fl. do you live I'm in Lake Worth.

 

[hodgejr]

Re: Towing problem

hey lake worth, howz it goin? I live in Fort Lauderdale, and just got back from another trip boating; great weather today. I live on oakland park and I-95. Hey, now that i got the right vehicle, maybe i'll visit ya! Good boatin up there?<br /><br />Thanx for the extra advice on the gauge, right now it won't fit the budget, but perhaps before sanibel (that's a long trip actually). <br /><br />Somebody said forget the bumper hitch...well, I agree, but for now it'll have to do, at leat till 'im outta the red. But for sure a real hitch would be a lot better (I'd know, i've already installed 2 in the last 3 weeks!!!)<br /><br />Thanx again for all your input! Is there a section in this site for skiing? I might go tubing tomorrow...

 

[fishthebay]

Re: Towing problem

Go on E-Bay and buy an 87-88 Audi 5000s Quattro, which is permanent 4 wheel drive with the options to lock the differentials. It will run you about $1500.00 I have had 2 and can pull a 17' boat accross the country and pull out of ramp better than any truck in the marina. No wheels a spinnin and no clutch a burnin. The best overlooked car by far.