will my car pull this boat????

[CadillacMan]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

Alot depends on how far you plan on pulling this boat. The vehicle has a 1g towing capacity. You will definitely need to allow a little more space for stopping. And might also add a tranny cooler. I wish ya luck.

 

[fsds123]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

Actually Andy Thompson of Can Am Rv did just that, although with a full size Airstream Travel Trailer. He compared a Freestar minivan and Chrysler 300 with a 2500 Truck. The truck had the longest stopping distance, both with and without the trailer brakes being on.

He also compared emergency lane change speeds using a Jaguar, a Chrysler 300, a Ford Freestar, a Buick Rendevous, A VW Jetta, a Surburban.and two crew cab pick-up trucks...a GMC 1500HD and a GMC 2500HD Diesel.

The suburban and 2 trucks finished last.

Where do you get the idea that a vehicle that already has lousy brakes and handling is all the sudden going to get better when adding a trailer to it? Look the numbers up yourself. Trucks have significantly longer braking distances than cars, and handle significantly worse. Most trucks, while weighing twice as much as cars, only have rotors slightly larger, or even the same size, as cars.

What gets people killed is stubborn ignorance.

 

[dave11]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

You can tow anything. If you are overweight, you better not get into an accident. If you do, guess who will be at fault driving an illegal combination.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

Actually Andy Thompson of Can Am Rv did just that, although with a full size Airstream Travel Trailer. He compared a Freestar minivan and Chrysler 300 with a 2500 Truck. The truck had the longest stopping distance, both with and without the trailer brakes being on.

He also compared emergency lane change speeds using a Jaguar, a Chrysler 300, a Ford Freestar, a Buick Rendevous, A VW Jetta, a Surburban.and two crew cab pick-up trucks...a GMC 1500HD and a GMC 2500HD Diesel.

The suburban and 2 trucks finished last.

Where do you get the idea that a vehicle that already has lousy brakes and handling is all the sudden going to get better when adding a trailer to it? Look the numbers up yourself. Trucks have significantly longer braking distances than cars, and handle significantly worse. Most trucks, while weighing twice as much as cars, only have rotors slightly larger, or even the same size, as cars.

What gets people killed is stubborn ignorance.

So this guy tested a VW hooked to a Travel Trailer and it handled and stopped better than a 2500 HD Chevy.. SURE!!!
I'm afraid i would have to see that to believe it.
Having driven trucks for over 25 years and almost 2 million miles i have seen it all...
My Ram 3500 has huge brakes and stops my 14000 pound car hauler very well.No car would do that.
Anyway...i'm done arguing about it...

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

What gets people killed is stubborn ignorance.

Well. That's one part of your post I can agree with.

As to the rest of it, do you have a link to the tests?

 

[fsds123]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

So this guy tested a VW hooked to a Travel Trailer and it handled and stopped better than a 2500 HD Chevy.. SURE!!!
I'm afraid i would have to see that to believe it.
Having driven trucks for over 25 years and almost 2 million miles i have seen it all...
My Ram 3500 has huge brakes and stops my 14000 pound car hauler very well.No car would do that.
Anyway...i'm done arguing about it...

Your Ram 3500's brakes are 13 inches...only an inch bigger than what is stock on most vw's. And your Ram 3500 easily weighs twice as much. 10% bigger brakes on a 100% heavier vehicle...wow, i'm impressed.

As for links...i'll have to dig them up when I have more time. Here is one talking about the results...I'll dig up the actual test later. (am going to Jamaica tomorrow)

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463/tv-emergency-handling-lane-switch-slalom-37858.html

Do a search for Andrew T on that forum for the tests...they were printed in http://www.rvlifemag.com/hitchhints.html but require you to buy back issues. (the results were shown on some rv forum...maybe rv.net or airforums.com)

 

[Titanium48]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

... Yes, you may be able to add brakes (assuming full sized hubs on the trailer) but that would likely mean bigger axles to support the brakes. I've never seen brakes in the smaller sized wheels. Usually 15". The picture of the Sunfire above looks like 12" wheels to me and I doubt you would find brakes for them. ...

Yes, you can get brakes for a 2000 lb axle with 12 inch wheels. They use 7 inch ID drums and most 10 inch and larger wheels will fit over them. They are a bit rare and installing them usually requires a new axle as well because most 2000 lb axles are manufactured without brake flanges, but they do exist.

The next size up are 10 inch ID drums. These are very common. They require a 3500 lb axle and minimum 13 inch wheels, but even that is are still not too big for many small boat trailers.

 

[Lakester]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

I have been towing my boat for 2 years now. It has 300,000 km on it. It weights approx. 1000lbs with boat and motor, fuel,battery, fishing or duck hunting gear. I do need to launch at good concrete ramp. But has worked great for me so far.

hello,
nice foto, system looks good.
regards
lakester

 

[Nandy]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

Going back to the OP question. Yes, you can pull it.
Now, should you? I think not if your towing rating is lower that what your actual towing load will be. The problem I see is not much how long your tranny will last, but how good will you be able to stop in an emergency if you really need it.
Most have stand against it, just because it could be done, or it is being done, it means it is safe to do.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jojo999]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

Why not just try to put the boat on top of the car and carry the outboard in the trunk? Though the outboard may be a bit too heavy.

You can find some good trailer information at Argo Boat Trailer FAQ

 

[Tredeb]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

Actually Andy Thompson of Can Am Rv did just that, although with a full size Airstream Travel Trailer. He compared a Freestar minivan and Chrysler 300 with a 2500 Truck. The truck had the longest stopping distance, both with and without the trailer brakes being on.

He also compared emergency lane change speeds using a Jaguar, a Chrysler 300, a Ford Freestar, a Buick Rendevous, A VW Jetta, a Surburban.and two crew cab pick-up trucks...a GMC 1500HD and a GMC 2500HD Diesel.

The suburban and 2 trucks finished last.

Where do you get the idea that a vehicle that already has lousy brakes and handling is all the sudden going to get better when adding a trailer to it? Look the numbers up yourself. Trucks have significantly longer braking distances than cars, and handle significantly worse. Most trucks, while weighing twice as much as cars, only have rotors slightly larger, or even the same size, as cars.

What gets people killed is stubborn ignorance.

I would not want to be in any of those smaller vehicles while towing. Talk about the tail wagging the dog!

 

[timdan94]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

I have an 08 subaru legacy that I tow my 15 ft mfb caprice runabout with an 85 hp force on it and have no problem stopping.

 

[Hitech]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

...there is a legal way to tell. In your manual there should be a guide on how much weight your vehicle is allowed to have on a trailer. In some states, you can get pulled over and your vehicle checked. If you are over the limit, you can be forced to leave the trailer, face citation, and have to find a tow.

I read similary things hundreds of times, but I've never seen anyone post the actual law. Do you know what the actual law (any state), and can you post a link to it?

 

[timdan94]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

check this site...
http://www.campinglife.com/output.cfm?id=1047259

 

[rcmickey]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

WAWAWA.....I pull a Sport-Craft 1500 Sprint(15.6') with a 94 Mazda Protoge and I"ve never had issue. If you take into account how much a person weighs, now put 4 adults into your and your pushing 6 or 700 pounds. Your boat is not that much more. My boat weighs 1150 without an engine, add a 90hp Yamaha, 18 gallons of gas and equipment and Im pushing 1300Ib. My Mazda has no trouble starting, stopping or pulling the boat up a ramp. PS My wife drives 2000 model Pontiac Sunfire and when we use her car its even better. Go enjoy your boat.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

...My boat weighs 1150 without an engine, add a 90hp Yamaha, 18 gallons of gas and equipment and Im pushing 1300Ib....

Is that 90 a 4 stroke? If so, it alone weighs about 400 lbs dry. Add that gas, gear, and of course, the trailer and I'll bet you're on the backside of 2000...

Believe me, I'm not in the Duramax or die camp for even modest loads but I've surprised myself at how much all that stuff hanging out behind adds up. I was stunned to learn my plain jane single axle trailer for the Scout weighs over 500 pounds. I'd have sworn it was well under 300 if guessing.

 

[mcbroomsear]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

Here's a tip:

Don't go out and buy a cabin cruiser with a stroker if you've only got a ford taurus to pull it with.

Accept your vehicles limitations when seeking a boat and you won't have to worry about whether or not your car/truck can tow your boat.

Also don't go getting all high and mighty just because you've got umpteen million dollars to go out and buy an F-750 horse hauler to tow your 12 foot John Boat.

As for Laws, where I'm at in NC, we don't have any regularly enforced statutes concerning whether your tounge is over loaded or your boat is too heavy for your vehicle. All we have is our registration process that says unless you paid the extra money for the weight of the boat your not allowed to tow it. If you go try to tow your 50 foot houseboat with a Ford Pinto and you kill someone, you go to jail. If you just impede traffic or get into a wreck, you'll get cited for Careless and Reckless driving.

Different states have different laws so it's imperative that you check up on them before getting a receiver welded to your frame. The standard rules always apply to towing.

Always make sure your hitch load is within the limits of your hitch and reciever.

Always make sure your chains are fastened securly and properly.

Inspect and test your lights before heading out.

While on the road, accept your limitations and provide additional turning and stopping room.

Double your following distance and signal at least 1/3 earlier than you would when not towing.


Another thing worth noting:

If you do decide to tow said boat with said car, go find a hill somewhere that is at least 5% steeper than your steepest boat ramp and park on it. Then, try to start up the hill. If it goes just fine, chances are, you'll be moderately OK most of the time provided you follow the rules above.

I recently got stuck waiting to get my boat out because some numb skull's Ford Ranger was too small to get his 24' boat out of the water. It was his first time and "he wasn't expecting the launch to be so steep." A quick hook of the tow rope to his front hooks and he was out of the way!

 

[dono16]

Re: will my car pull this boat????

Yeah it will pull it , try it out and see how safe u feel stopping? , I pull my 16ft jon boat with 25 horse, floor and gear with my 07 ford focus, I have no clue what my weight is but its fine, im in and out of sandy, dirt ramps every week were i fish and hunt , keep tire chains with me never had to use them yet, seems to stop fine, i ve never had to panic stop , but then again when im pulling my boat i drive very defensively ,,,

Hey think about this,,,,, how well you think some of those older trucks at the ramps stop on those old rear drum brakes??????? I think im ok with my new 4 discs stopping me ,,,cant wait to hear how foolish i am !!!!