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

 

[KM2]

Re: Trailering info

The difference between a full size and a mid size SUV is maybe 3 MPG. At 15k per year it would cost less than $400 more per year. To me that $400 isn't worth the towing ability, space, people room and most importantly safety. <br /><br /><br />Depending on how much you tow, I think the explorer would be a good choice if equipped as mentioned already. It does have a v8 option, and I bet you can get a good deal on one right now. If you tow a lot of miles get an expedition. <br /><br />The only mini to consider is the astro. the others won't handle that big of load.

 

[6 balls]

Re: Trailering info

i have a 18ft boat with a 3ltr that i pull with a Ford Freestar minivan i only tow 6 miles round trip to the boat launch the van is rated at 3500 and with gear and fuel i am close to that no way would i pull anything larger then this boat, also if i had to pull any further then i do now i would be getting another vehicle but for the limited distance i tow the van is fine if i were you i would go larger.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Trailering info

I two a similar boat and a mini van is out and a mid-size SUV is marginal to say the least. <br /><br />I had 1997 Jeep grand with a V8 and it pulled OK but I was pushed through a traffic light more than once. The last time it had been raining and I went to stop at a light and the trailer brakes locked up. The weigh of the trailer just pushed the truck out into the middle of the intersection. I was fortunate that everyone saw what was happening so I didn’t hit anyone but that was enough for me to go out and buy a truck that didn't let the tail wag the dog. <br /><br />I now pull with a Tahoe and it's a much better fit. The boat is now at the mercy of the truck other than vice versa.

 

[debkeys]

Re: Trailering info

WOW thanks for the info- we were rapidly coming to the same conclusions; too small is not safe and the dealer will say anything to make the sale. We think we found a 2002 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x4 Crew Cab truck that might work. Here are the specs: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating-5150#; Curb Weight-4063#; Front/Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating-2800/2700. Payload is 1067#; Maximum Trailer Rate-5200#; Max Trailer tongue Weight-9500#. Will this pull a 20" Mako with a 225HP and gear??

 

[Solittle]

Re: Trailering info

I don't know the Sonoma but the Max trailer weight of 5200# is about right for you. I'm sure the tongue weight of 9500# is wrong though.<br /><br />Where did you decide to put the 6/7 parents and kids?

 

[Mr. Grumps]

Re: Trailering info

My 03 Expedition is rated to tow 9,000lbs.<br />Gas mileage pulling my 18ft Mariah loaded with<br />gas and all the toys and 4 people in the vehicle is 15 to 16 mpg. Nice and big with all the comforts. By the way the mileage without the boat is 15 to 16 mpg. Doesn't matter one bit and<br />hardly even notice the difference while towing.