Trailering info

[debkeys]

Anyone towing with a mini van or small SUV?<br /><br />We have a 20' Mako with a 225. We need to buy a vehicle that can manage 4000#. Gas prices so high we would like a smaller SUV or mini van that would tow well and carry 6/7 parents and kids around. <br /><br />Any suggestions or help understanding the tow specs-dealers around here are clueless and 100 miles away would be a help.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Trailering info

First a big WELCOME!!<br /><br />You are going to have to think a bigger vehicle or a smaller load - sorry.<br /><br />For example I pulled my 23'er with a Ford Explorer and it was marginal from a safety perspective with just two people. If we had more people then we would take more vehicles.<br /><br />I finally swapped the Explorer for a Yukon which does the job nicely. If you must carry 6/7 and kids plus pull a 20'er with a 225 + gas + coolers + toys - - - you are going to need a vehicle on the order of a full size F150 or F250+ van.<br /><br />Safety is lots more important than the cost of gas.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailering info

Some mini-vans are rated 3500# max but most generally fall into the 2000# range. The only minivan that will tow that load is a Chevy/GMS Astro/Safari. They make great tow vehicles, and even with all wheel drive mileage is still better than most pickups. I had one and it was in great shape and used not one drop of oil at 150,000 miles. AWD makes it a super winter vehicle if you need to contend with snow, ice, and/or slick ramps.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Trailering info

First, get the factory tow package and limited slip rear end (for the ramp).<br /><br />Second, the tow rating is generally figured with only the driver and a tank of gas so you need to deduct the weight of passengers and cargo.<br /><br />Third, published boat weights can be wildly inaccurate so you really need to take the boat, fueled and ready to go, to a public scale and weigh it.<br /><br />If it's within the factory tow rating, you'll be fine.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Trailering info

I use an Explorer to pull an 18 foot Glastron with a 140 hp outboard. The Explorer does OK, but I would not think about pulling a boat larger than mine. Also, the motor in the Explorer works hard to pull the boat, so I have lost most of the gas effeciency of a smaller motor. Once the boat is removed it is nice to have the milage of an Explorer over an Expedition for regular driving.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Trailering info

Deb,<br /><br />Many a car salesman will tell you their mini van will handle your boat. Even with all the right manufactures towing equipment, putting a 4000 lb. rig on the back of a mid sized mini van would ibe compromising your family's and perhaps other motorists safety.<br /><br />I have a 20 ft. Polar which is very similar in size and weight and pull it with a Chev. Silverado 2500 HD Diesel which is rated for over 9500 lbs. Although I feel my tow vehicle is adequate, there are times (such as hitting a pavement joint at interstate speed) I probably would of lost total controll with anything less.<br /><br />With these days gas prices, Many folks are unloading their big power vehicles for something smaller and economical. As per the law of supply and demand, I would guess you can probably pick up a vehicle exclusively for towing fairly inexpensive and still have another car to meet your every day transportation demands.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailering info

Buy a mini van for the passengers, and an old truck to be used as a tow vehicle.<br />Be safe. Make sure the vehicle is equipt to handle the load. Stopping is much harder than pulling. Make sure your have functional trailer brakes with a load that heavy.

 

[JB]

Re: Trailering info

Trailers and towing topic