Will this work?

[Paulz01]

Been looking for a boat for a while now and found that my neighbor has one that he wants to get rid of. I dont know the name of it but its a 20'. When he bought his, he bought 2 and this one just sits there. This is his boat.

Now, it has no trailer, whats the best places to find one and how much am I looking $ wise?

Also, my tow vehicle is a 2000 Nissan Quest. It has a V6 and has been towing bikes and jet skis no problem. I know that this is a different league and thats why I was wondering. I am about 2min. away from a launched and it would be put in, in the spring and pulled in the fall. Would I be okay or would I have to go some other route?

 

[DJ]

Re: Will this work?

The issue with your Quest is traction. Trailers "unload" the front wheels when backing down a ramp.

It may do OK, depending on the ramp.

Suitable trailers will go from $500.00 (used) to around $1,500.00 (new). Check for trailer brake requirements, in your state.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Will this work?

agree

 

[Paulz01]

Re: Will this work?

So what should I do? Go ahead, buy the trailer and tow it? Or should I pay to have it put in and out?

 

[DJ]

Re: Will this work?

So what should I do? Go ahead, buy the trailer and tow it? Or should I pay to have it put in and out?

That is completely up to you. We can't make that decision for you.

 

[Paulz01]

Re: Will this work?

Well, what would you do?

 

[DJ]

Re: Will this work?

If you have a place to store it, I'd go trailer. That also doesn't limit your options for other locales.

 

[Paulz01]

Re: Will this work?

I also have a '99 Subaru Forester. Its AWD but a 4cylinder

 

[JB]

Re: Will this work?

Put it on a trailer, Paul.

When you put her in in the Spring and out in the Fall borrow or rent a suitable tow vehicle rated for that weight. Don't use the Quest or the Forester.

 

[waterdog85170]

Re: Will this work?

a friend uses a mercury villager (same as quest) to tow a 17ft invader and seems to pull up the ramp just fine. i'd do it if i were you. just my two cents worth

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Will this work?

If you are just a short distance from the ramp the Qwest will be ok but no long distance travel should be attempted with that load. As was mentioned, a wet ramp might cause some traction problems pulling out. Going in should not be an issue. Just make sure your parking brake works well.

 

[maxturbo]

Re: Will this work?

Do you know how big the gas tank is, the motor? Try to get a rough estimate on how much everything weighs.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: Will this work?

I you are awd or 4wd make sure it is on...if you are 4wd you should have a 4 wheel low...I would defenitly use low with that...are you standard or auto trans? The traction is a factor pulling up the ramp but if your standard trans you'll be burning your clutch pretty good to get going. You could probably find an equilizer hitch and if you have some welding skills you could install that to the trailer. That will take the some of the weight off of the rear end but you can not turn sharp with that so it would be a pain at the ramp. If I was going to trailer with that setup I would go with an air shock on the rear...you should be able to find some suitable for you application. Run the air inlet to the rear by the bumper. Pump up when trailering and down when normal. This will help keep the front down and rear up. Will help with towing and pulling the ramp. Most vehicles today have enough power...problems come in with braking and suspension. We pulled a three horse slant with a half ton chevy for many years with air shocks...did fine as long as we had plenty of air...350 had plenty of power and trailer brakes for stopping. Not the best setup but worked. If you could find a set I would go with air shocks for your rig...they are very nice to have. I don't know much about small suv's you may not even have shocks..but its a thought. As stated before check regulations on trailer brakes...and check you gvwr before going down any highways. Just my two cents..lol

 

[Paulz01]

Re: Will this work?

Alright, I will get the trailer and just drop the boat in. When it comes time to pull it out, I will see if some one can help me out.

Ive been seriously thinking about getting a Tacoma for a while now and this is just another reason why i could use one. I want the 4x4 V6. Do you guys think that that truck would have any problems with it? I know you don't have the weight or anything, but just an average 20'?

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: Will this work?

there again you have pleanty of pull...just make sure you have enough brakes. those are peppy trucks...you just want to be able to stop. lol. I've been lucky...we've pulled lots of cattle many miles without trailer brakes...not a good idea...if I had a compact to midsize truck and a boat over 17ft. I would try to have some sort of trailer brake...and you'll want to make sure when loaded that your trailer is level..not pointed downward..I see this WAY to much...it'll cause a trailer to sway worse...not to mention losing the jack. good luck.

 

[buckstop108]

Re: Will this work?

All the above was good advise. The picture looks a lot like my area in NJ. Here we have a good tidal drop. If you have spent any time at the ramp watching I'm sure at one point or another you have seen something like the incident I have in mind. The guy with the nice 21 ft Mako center console and the 4x4 toyota. He was warned about backing to far down the ramp and it was suggested that if he could wait for high tide he would be better. His reply was I have four wheel drive won't be a problem. Well he backed down loaded the boat that was a bit too much boat for the truck and he couldn't get back up the ramp. What he didn't realize was that the weight of the boat lifted the front end of the truck up enough where his four wheel drive wasn't doing any good. As pointed out earlier a good trailer , I like a tandum axle with brakes. Address any suspension issues that you may have with a set of helper springs or air bags will go a long way in helping a smaller tow vehicle perform better.