Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

[emmaharrison]

We have just purchased a 2005 Four Winns Horizon 180 with a 220hp Mercruiser engine with trailer. We own a Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5L 4D Wagon which I have found out can tow a maximum of 1500kg. Are we going to be able to tow the boat and trailer???

Many thanks

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

NADA lists the dry weight of the 1994 18' Four Winns Horizon at 2620 lbs. They list a 19' in the 1995 model year at 2570. About the same either way. So with a trailer, fuel and stuff, your towing weight will be about 3500lbs. The Subaru Outback max tow capacity is 2700lbs. That's way more than your Outback can handle.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

Not safely. You will be well over the tow capacity of the Suby. Pulling it won't be a problem - stopping it will. Good luck and be safe.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

In this case, at least, you can forget NADA and go right to the source. That boat and motor combination weighs 1130 kg / 2500 lbs KG 'dry'.

http://www.fourwinns.com/past_product/specs

I agree- once you factor in weight of the trailer, fuel and 'stuff' you'll be overloaded.

My .02

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

Factoring in EVERYTHING (hull, motor, fuel, gear, trailer, etc.) I might expect that fully-loaded rig to go as high as 3750-4000 lbs. Your vehicle, as well as being severely overloaded and unable to safely stop that rig, will have a hard time pulling it over 35-40 mph.

IN MY OPINION you need something the size of a full-sized truck (e.g., F-150) with a V-8...ideally, the bigger V8 (e.g., 5.4L vs 4.6L)...to safely handle that rig.

 

[jkust]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

I towed my 4000lb trailer weight Chaparral with a minivan rated at 3500lbs tow capacity for a whole season. It was stupid especially when you add in the weight of the passengers and gear but the van handled it ok only because of the air bag suspension and the length and weight of the van. I'd never consider it in a million years with your vehicle. What I will say is the engine wasn't the limiting factor. The van has 180hp/220tq (and had over 100,000 miles) and was ok on takeoff and believe it or not much more than I needed to get out of the water. I learned it doesn't take much engine or rpm's to yank out of the water but the car frame is a no no as was the FWD (completely ignoring the wear and tear it puts on the van). I don't think you need a v8 and a robust 6 cylinder will be just fine as I presume that is the minimum that would be mated with an appropriate tow vehicle. I think it boils down to if you are going to be a trailer boat owner, you will need an appropriate tow vehicle but it may take you a bit to discover that. After the excitement of buying the boat wore off a little, and I towed a few thousand miles with the van, my common sense kicked in and a truck based suv with a V8 was quickly purchased. Now I can upgrade to any sized trailer boat appropriate for our lakes with no though of whether my tow vehicle can handle it or not.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

Are we going to be able to tow the boat and trailer???

Not even close. You need a regular sized SUV minumum to tow that rig.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

We have just purchased a 2005 Four Winns Horizon 180 with a 220hp Mercruiser engine with trailer. We own a Subaru Outback 2.5i 2.5L 4D Wagon which I have found out can tow a maximum of 1500kg. Are we going to be able to tow the boat and trailer???

Many thanks

No.
Borrow a friend's full sized truck, take the boat/trailer to a certified scale and get an accurate weight. Then and ONLY then can you make an educated decision about how much of a tow vehicle you'll need.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

Trailblazer / Envoy size SUV or above would be my recommendation.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

IN MY OPINION you need something the size of a full-sized truck (e.g., F-150) with a V-8...ideally, the bigger V8 (e.g., 5.4L vs 4.6L)...to safely handle that rig.

I own a 3 liter Ranger with 2wd and AT. It is adequate for my needs and has done everything I've ever asked of it. That being said, I wish I had thought bigger when I bought it. I am at its limits with my present load. It'll pull the boat at highway speeds and seems to stop OK although I haven't tried an emergency stop.

But I wish I'd bought a 4wd with a bigger engine. When the 2" disease strikes, I'm going to have to get a bigger truck. That F150 looks pretty good.

 

[Treager]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

No. Not only is it unsafe, you would kill the tranny/engine in your car... Too much work for a small engine...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

When you go shopping, with the good advice above, I think you can do fine with a smaller SUV, but you have ot be mindful that the shorter the wheel base, the harder to tow (affects stopping and backing).
I do not think 4wd matters when you are towing within the weight limits; it can help on a slick ramp, though.

A lot depends, too, on your typical use: a few miles or 100, a few times a year or every weekend, flat or hills, heavy traffic or open range. These are not a consideration for the safety factor, but for the wear and tear on the vehicle, so you have to get in the safe range first. after that, you can cheat on the performance aspect some if you tow short distances infrequently.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

I've towed my Bayliner Capri 1952 with my '07 Forester N/A manual trans. I've pulled it 75 mph. Would I do it again? No. It certainly wasn't idea for safety and the longevity of my Subaru. Burned the clutched plenty of times trying to get it up ramps before I got my ideal tow vehicle.

I would definitely not suggest using the Outback. I believe an H6 Outback is rated for 3500 lbs and would do it "okay". Next time upgrade to a Tribeca and I'm pretty certain you'd be plenty safe

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

I pulled my 1976 ski boat with a 302 Merc with my 1989 Jeep Charokee for two seasons. It pulled it just fine, just wouldn't stop it

Steve

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Weight and towing query - any advice appreciated.

I don't foresee the OP returning. I know how much we all love a little car pulling a big boat thread but maybe it's time to let this one slide back into obscurity.