Trailering and Weight

[Jfels]

I have a 2001 Four Winns 215 Sundowner with factory trailer. We are currently about to have twins and already have a 1-1/2 year old. The wife wants a minivan but I need to make sure it can tow the boat. NADA Guides claims the boat is 3,700 lbs but I do not know if that includes the trailer. I found the Honda Odyssey tows up to 3,500. Any advice on where I can find the correct information to haul the boat safely??

 

[Horigan]

You really need 5000 lbs towing capability and I don't think there are any minivans that can do this. I switched from a Sienna to a Highlander for this very reason. You'll need something with a 3.5L V6 minimum with a towing package (larger radiator, transmission cooling, etc).

 

[Alumarine]

You're going to have to weigh the boat with trailer and gear and fuel to find out.
Nada may or not be right about the boat weight but it will not include the trailer.

I use a highway weigh scale.
A scrap metal dealer will probably weigh you for a small fee.

 

[roscoe]

Any weight listed on Nada or elsewhere, is just the boat, dry weight.
You need to add the weight of fuel, batteries, gear, trailer, spare tire(s), etc.
And if it is an outboard powered boat, you need to add the weight of the motor.

So your rig is likely well over 5000#.
You should load it up and go weigh it.
For a few $ you can get it done on a truck stop scale, or a scrap yard or feed mill.

FYI, a vehicle's listed tow rating is based on an tow vehicle that is otherwise empty.
You add passengers, gas, cargo, luggage, coolers, toolbox, etc, and you need to subtract all that weight from the listed tow capacity.

So, bottom line, you aren't gonna tow it with a mini van.
You need to be looking at a tow vehicle with a 6,000# rating.

Also, most all wheel drive vehicles usually have a lower tow rating than their counterparts.
And a front wheel drive isn't going to do very well on the ramp with a boat that heavy.

 

[ahicks]

If the thought is to go with a tow vehicle that's on the light side of your needs, I think you need to consider how often you'll be towing, what shape the boat landings are in, and the terrain in the area you expect to be towing in. Getting away with a mini-van may be do-able if you're just hauling 20 minutes to get to a nice launch facility a few times a season. On the other hand, if you'll be taking the boat with you on vacations all over the countryside, you need to be prepared for worse case scenarios, that will likely show a need for a much heavier vehicle.

 

[kenny nunez]

I have a 2014 FORD EXPLORER with the tow package. We used it to tow a 24' Campbell on a all steel heavy duty trailer. I am not a fan of front wheel drive but I must say it had no problem pulling it out of the water and we towed it all the way to Nevada from here in the New Orleans area with no problems other than using a lot of gas it surprised me how well it did.

 

[briangcc]

IF you are going new, the Nissan Pathfinder AWD will tow 6200lbs and has a 3rd row seat. The plus with this is that you can lock the transfer case into 4x4. Alternately, the Dodge Durango AWD V6 will tow 6200lbs with the V6 and tow package. Step up to the Hemi V8 and you're at 7400lbs. Again, 3rd row seating.


I'm not aware of any minivan that will tow anywhere near 5000lbs - most are neutered to 3500lbs or less.