Which vehicle should I tow with?

[whisperstart]

I'm considering a 1983 sea ray subdancer 245 for an end of season deal. Ive got an AWD Mercury Mountaineer v6 with class 2 hitch but can upgrade the hitch, or I've got a Ford 15 Passenger van Clubwagon with an inline 6 motor. Has class 3 hitch. It's a 96 and the mountaineer is an 03.

I only plan to have to tow twice a year as I would keep the boat in a slip during the season. My concern is just launching and taking it out. I have 2 options for storing it in winter. I can store for free on my family farm but it's about 50 miles away. Or I can take it to this underground storage in Ky for about 100 a month. Perks of underground storage is that it's close to marina, and the temperate NEVER drops below 60 degrees, no exposure to elements and wouldn't have to winterized. Con would be it would cost about 500-600 total to store it for winter, but again, wouldn't have to trailer it 50 miles to my family farm and expose it to elements and leave it unattended.

The last vehicle option without asking strangers would be my Dad has a 4x4 Chevy Avalanche and I'm sure it's a v8. Would like to avoid that though as I can Imagine his face if I asked to tow a 25 foot boat. Haha I'm 27, law enforcement major, never had accident or even speeding ticket, have hauled a large trailer all over country for music, but he probably would say no.

So any advice would be helpful. It's also possible I might move in Spring and have room to store boat at my house, which would be close to boat marina still. Just trying to weigh everything.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

I would not pull that boat with any of the above listed vehicles over that distance. Look up the weight of the boat add 20% for fuel and gear then compare to the tow capacity of those trucks. The storage sounds like the best option but your still going to have trouble at the ramp if its steep. The avalanche would probably be the best bet there.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

That's a large boat to tow, IMO, and would almost certainly call for a V8. To be sure, calculate the weight of a "typical" loaded boat (boat, gas, gear), engine and trailer and compare that to your vehicle towing capacity. My tow rig is a F150, V8 with tow package and transmission cooler. Good Luck

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

for your size boat you have three ok (at best) options,

The mountaineer I'm pretty sure is out, I think you are over the tow rating for it

The Van probably has the tow rating but not enough motor

The Avalanche may have the tow rating and may have the motor but has the Old Mans curse to it....

Maybe sell the Mountaineer and van and get a 3/4 ton truck with a V8?

 

[jkust]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

You are 27 and still in undergraduate school or grad school? Ignoring your dad's truck the van to me would be the winner. That said if you are at all concerned about money, I feel a 1983 boat is going to at minimum nickel and dime you under the best case.

 

[MJG24]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

The Avalance is the only one to even consider. I am fairly certain that that boat weight will exceed the towing capacity of the Mountaineer and van.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

+1 on the Avalanche . . . the other mentioned vehicles are probably rated to tow about 5,000 lbs. You would be looking for something in the 7,000 lb capacity rating range.

A V8 AWD Explorer with towing package would do the trick, but not the V6.

 

[jkust]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

Just a quick internet check and the Club Wagon tow capacity is much lower than I thought on the bottom end being a low of 3900 and a high of 6600. I'm confused as even a basic minivan of the same era would be rated at 3500 with tow package. I'd have thought that even with a base 4.2 liter 6 cylinder, the full frame would get you 5000lbs of towing on the bottom end. The tow package it seems was optional as well.

 

[whisperstart]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

You are 27 and still in undergraduate school or grad school? Ignoring your dad's truck the van to me would be the winner. That said if you are at all concerned about money, I feel a 1983 boat is going to at minimum nickel and dime you under the best case.

I spent my post high school years touring the country playing music. Money's not a huge concern. I've been boating for 3 years. Boat I'm looking at is in surprisingly great shape. Interior is dated but immaculate. Remanufactured motor and outdrive in 2010. I agree about the Mountaineer, I pretty much knew that was out of question. I think the van would get it to storage but out of water is another story. Anyway, thanks for the advice so far.

 

[whisperstart]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

Just a quick internet check and the Club Wagon tow capacity is much lower than I thought on the bottom end being a low of 3900 and a high of 6600. I'm confused as even a basic minivan of the same era would be rated at 3500 with tow package. I'd have thought that even with a base 4.2 liter 6 cylinder, the full frame would get you 5000lbs of towing on the bottom end. The tow package it seems was optional as well.

Yeah, looking up the van was confusing me too. Didn't seem to add up.

 

[MJG24]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

A quick search on that boat says weight is pushing 5,000 without trailer, fuel, water, gear, etc. It is easily over 6,000 total.

 

[emoney]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

The van had a few different rear-end options when it was new and that's why there's such a range in it's towing capacity. Plus, that number goes down based on passenger load. You would really need to thoroughly investigate what the capacities are on your specific wagon. I think I'm more surprised that it's a V6 than anything. Not a lot of those 15pass vans where built with a 6 cylinder, as I believe it's on at least a 3/4ton chassis if not a 1ton chassis. You could swap that motor out for a big V8 and that would solve your problem.

Otherwise, you need to borrow pop's Avalanche, and it too needs to be confirmed it has the capacity to pull it. The ramp isn't the only concern, as stopping and the ability to corner safely is just as much of a problem. Accidents happen closest to home, don't forget, and I'm sure there's many accident stories that started with "But I was only pulling it a mile from the ramp.......".

You might want to also look into that underground storage facility a little more. Some of those places even offer a "retrival/launch" service and if it's not too much, may be the best way to go. Might not be an "advertised service", so you'll have to ask someone.

Of course, the correct answer is that the boat is a perfect opportunity to trade both vehicles for a new 4x4 truck!!!! Congrats on your new-to-you boat and best of luck in school.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

While the van is not the ideal choice, keep in mind the 300 CI six cylinder engine has plenty of low end stump pulling torque. In years gone by I towed a 6000# travel trailer with a 305 CI V8 in a full size GMC van and was never in anyones way and that engine was not known for its torque. A twice a year 50 mile trip on relatively flat roads is not going to be an issue since you do have towing experience. Add some rear tires with a grippy tread pattern and it should not have a ramp issue either. A multitude of rear axle ratios was available as well so a change there would help with any lack of power. A limited slip diff would help as well so do both at the same time. It all depends on what the van is used for. It is used daily for long commutes or work, a set of deep gears would affect fuel economy so that is a consideration.

 

[jkust]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

While the van is not the ideal choice, keep in mind the 300 CI six cylinder engine has plenty of low end stump pulling torque. In years gone by I towed a 6000# travel trailer with a 305 CI V8 in a full size GMC van and was never in anyones way and that engine was not known for its torque. A twice a year 50 mile trip on relatively flat roads is not going to be an issue since you do have towing experience. Add some rear tires with a grippy tread pattern and it should not have a ramp issue either. A multitude of rear axle ratios was available as well so a change there would help with any lack of power. A limited slip diff would help as well so do both at the same time. It all depends on what the van is used for. It is used daily for long commutes or work, a set of deep gears would affect fuel economy so that is a consideration.

I've never paid attention to vans before this but it looks like that I6 has only 200HP and 250lbs of tq which is low by today's 6 cylinder numbers. I would have suggested you put the vin number of the van into a vin search tool that will tell you the exact equipment from the rear end ration to whether or not it has an open differential, etc but I'm not sure there is still one operating. Tires do make a huge difference at a ramp. None the less, I was always under the impression those cargo vans were more capable tow wise.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

X2 If indeed it's a 300ci, those motors were work horses. It will have at least a 3/4 ton frame. A guy that bought my 24' Crestliner towed it from the very northern reaches of WI to IL with a 15 passenger van. At least an 8hr trip. He had no issues. However, I don't remember what motor was in it.. I wouldn't think towing it 50 miles would be an issue as long as you're not trying to break any land speed records.... I guess I wouldn't hesitate to tow it with that van a couple times a year.... That's just my opinion, but, I wont be behind the wheel.

Edit: Given jkust's post maybe the numbers have dropped.....

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

My thoughts exactly MUSKY, I always thought those passenger vans were studs but I guess that doesn't include towing...

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

I think the low tow rating on the van is due to the increased static weight due to seats and extra frame and sheet metal. They are heavy beasts.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

For just 2 days a year, borrow a buddies truck, or hire someone from the marina.
Guys love to show off their big strong trucks.
Throw him $100 and a tank of gas, and he'll probably tow it all the way to the Mississippi.

Saves all the headaches and what ifs'.
Or what it..... my transmission overheats?
Or what if.... I need to make an evasive move or panic stop on the highway?
Or what if.... I can't pull it up the ramp?

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

The van with a 300 straight 6 will pull it OK. If your worried about the ramp use the mountianeer in 4 low at the ramp then hook it up to the van for the road pull. A pain, but it would be once a year when your pulling it out of the water. The van would drop it in the water fine.

 

[whisperstart]

Re: Which vehicle should I tow with?

The van with a 300 straight 6 will pull it OK. If your worried about the ramp use the mountianeer in 4 low at the ramp then hook it up to the van for the road pull. A pain, but it would be once a year when your pulling it out of the water. The van would drop it in the water fine.

That's not a bad idea. And thanks to all the great advice!! This is a great little community so I will start posting more often.