Towing short distances

[amirm]

Hello everyone. Have a question. We are getting a new 23' boat that weighs about 4800lb without trailer. I figure with the trailer I am tipping the scale at 6300lb.<br /><br />We have an Acura MDX SUV with a towing package that is rated at 4500lbs. Needless to say, there is a pretty big discrepency between the rating and the load. However, we are keeping the trailer+boat in the marina that has a boat ramp. We would simply be putting the boat in the water and pulling it back out. The ramp doesn't seem too steep either (it is a very wide boat ramp in Oak Harbour, Washington).<br /><br />We would just be loading and unloading the boat a few times per season (rest of time it would be resting on a buoy).<br /><br />What do you think? Can the MDX handle a dozen or so load/unloads without damage to transmission? Would I have trouble pulling the beast out of water (the SUV is all-wheel drive)?<br /><br />Thanks in advance. Hoping I don't have to buy another car/truck to go with the already expensive boat .<br /><br />Amir

 

[Mark42]

Re: Towing short distances

How much did you spend on the new boat, trailer and accessories? Is it worth taking the risk? From reading posts like this in the past, most experienced folks will tell you to do what you want, but they won't condone towing with mis-matched tow vehicle and load.

 

[tommays]

Re: Towing short distances

i think it could be a real problem trying to get it back out again <br /><br /><br />and stoping when you want to backing in could get real fun if theres anything on the ramp like water<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Towing short distances

If you don't mind being the talk of the launch ramp, give it a go! It's insured, right?

 

[amirm]

Re: Towing short distances

You guys are either very cruel or work for car dealerships . Seriously, thanks for the gentle hints. I guess I will be shopping for a new tow vehicle....<br /><br />Amir

 

[JB]

Re: Towing short distances

Does the MDX have AWD and a low range in the transfer case?<br /><br />If so, use it. If not, don't risk your Acura. It's too nice a vehicle and too large an investment to break playing yard mule.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Towing short distances

There are other potential problems besides just pulling the boat. At 6300 pounds gross, there will be approximately 500 - 600 pounds on the hitch. I don't know what kind of hitch is installed on the Acura, but its attachment, capacity, and the ability of the suspension on the vehicle to handle that weight are all rather serious concerns. Have three of your 200 pound buddies stand on the back bumper and see how bad it squats.

 

[QC]

Re: Towing short distances

I'm with JB on this. If it is 4x4 with a low range and all you do is launch and retrieve, I would at least try it.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Towing short distances

Here's a thought for you. If all you're going to do is launch and retrieve a few times per season, why not rent something just for that purpose?<br /><br />The larger UHaul trucks have class III hitches on them. I know their 24' truck can tow just about anything you can trailer.<br /><br />What is it, $29/day for their largest truck? You could also check their 17' truck. I think it can handle that load as well.<br /><br />Rent the truck for the launches and retrievals, then turn it back in. Save your fancy SUV for family fun. It's too much of a risk to overload it that much.

 

[SMF]

Re: Towing short distances

I don't think you have to worry about the lanches and loads. The road traveling would be my worries. The ratings on your Acura are limits of the suspension, brakes, axles, springs, bearings, trany, engine, ect. Also in emergancy situations that boat would throw your Acura all over the place. Tail waging the dog. Easy in and out of the water, I don't see the harm. On the road is dangerous, you could kill someone or be killed. I bought a 5th wheel, then explained to my wife why I had to get a bigger truck to pull it. Now I have my dream truck.(hee hee)

 

[amirm]

Re: Towing short distances

Thanks everyone for the continued comments and suggestions. I had thought about renting a truck but was not looking forward to doing the paperwork, reservations, etc. every time we decide to take the boat in and out. But financially, it sure makes more sense than buying a new car.<br /><br />Answering earlier questions, the MDX does have a reasonably high torque engine (0 to 60 in 7.6 seconds) with full-time all-wheel drive. So straight line pulling should be OK. But it does not have a low range transfer case and I am not sure how it will behave on the ramp, pulling this load. <br /><br />I have never towed anything before (our last boat was a 32 footer and was permanently moored). If I do get a beefy SUV, how reasonable is lug this heavy load around the state to various lakes? Is it going to be challenging even in the best circumstances?<br /><br />Thanks again,<br />Amir

 

[tommays]

Re: Towing short distances

with the right tow vehicle with a nice 3.90 or 4.10 rear it would not be a problem<br /><br />you just have to drive like you got something BIG back there and give yourself a lot of stoping options<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[SeaTrek]

Re: Towing short distances

Quote:I have never towed anything before (our last boat was a 32 footer and was permanently moored). If I do get a beefy SUV, how reasonable is lug this heavy load around the state to various lakes? Is it going to be challenging even in the best circumstances?<br /><br />SUV's are inherently unstable by themselves, never mind towing a heavy boat.<br /><br />Get a real truck!

 

[QC]

Re: Towing short distances

I would tow that boat across the continent with my 2003 5.4 Expedition.<br /><br />I plan on getting blasted for this: if we are talking just the launching and retreiving part, I would still try your rig as it is now. It will be all about the torque converter. When the OEM mechanics test these things they often do a stall test. Basically, they apply the brakes and run the engine in gear to WOT. The speed at which the engine stops increasing in RPM is, I believe, called the stall speed and is a reference point for torque converter selection for an automatic trans. My point is that you could basically do the same thing on the ramp for a few seconds. They do it to test them, you should be able to get away with it infrequently too. If your load causes full stall and it won't move . . . then back to the drawing board. And of course you will need somebody to standby with another vehicle to help tow you out. <br /><br />I am defintiely NOT about abusing vehicles, but IMHO you can use them up to their maximum specs and even a little bit over if you are a) not an idiot and b) you are only doing it for short bursts.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Towing short distances

I'd highly recommind nothing less than a full sized, full frame, 1/2 ton truck for towing something this big. Suburban, Silverado, Tahoe, Avalanche, Expedition, Excursion, F150s, Ram 1500 trucks, Titan, Tundra, (what have I missed?) would be adequate. Even better for actually towing any significant distance would be a 3/4 ton truck, which limits you to the big 3 domestics.<br /><br />That's just my opinion, but I wouldn't recommend anything smaller. Better too big than too small.

 

[QC]

Re: Towing short distances

Oh Crazyone, My commnents are only directed at his original question which was something like; "can I use this only to launch and retrieve?" So I still would act irresponsibly <br /><br />I totally agree about 3/4 ton for any distance towing.

 

[amirm]

Re: Towing short distances

Thanks again folks. We have a family of 5 so using a truck is out of the question for the most part (I looked at many but nothing that would keep the family happy in the back -- my yougest is 14). I also take out clients in the car often so need to have something the at least looks expensive .<br /><br />Believe it or not, I went out and bought a new SUV today. I had gotten stuck in snow a couple of times in my standard sedan so I was kind of looking forward to an all-wheel drive vehicle. I was going to wait a while to get one though but the boat and this thread ( ) pushed me over the limit (the MDX is my wife's car). Per above, I needed something fancy and comfortable so looked at the Lexus GX 470 and Land Rover LR3. Went with the latter. The salesman is an avid boater and claims to be pulling a 9000lb Fountain 32' with it across the country! <br /><br />The LR3 is spec'ed at 7700 pounds tow rating. It has a modified ladder frame and feels quite substantial (weight: 5800lb). The Jaguar/Ford engine is a 4.4L V8, with 300hp @ 315 lb/ft of torque. I am not sure it holds a candle to heavier trucks mentioned above with Diesels and higher displacements. But with two-speed transfer case and air suspension, I am hoping she will do well. At least I hope so given the fortune it cost me!<br /><br />Amir

 

[SeaTrek]

Re: Towing short distances

Per above, I needed something fancy and comfortable so looked at the Lexus GX 470 and Land Rover LR3. Went with the latter. The salesman is an avid boater and claims to be pulling a 9000lb Fountain 32' with it across the country! "<br /><br />Jeez! For that kind of money, you could have bought a crew cab diesel instead of the death trap. <br />

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Towing short distances

Land Rover is a good choice, in my opinion. Much better than your Acura, that's for sure. Now you're safely within your tow rating AND happy! Congrats on the new purchase.

 

[QC]

Re: Towing short distances

Yes, congrats. Definitely better than my torque converter destruction test plan . . .