Can my truck pull my boat?

[Miguel847]

So I have a 2008 Chevy Colorado crew cab, 3.7 L 5 cylinder 2x4, and my question is would I be able to tow a 1984 chaparral 178? It was a great deal from a friend, $500 with trailer and an overhauled 120 mercruiser. All it really needs is a little TLC for the interior

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

So I have a 2008 Chevy Colorado crew cab, 3.7 L 5 cylinder 2x4, and my question is would I be able to tow a 1984 chaparral 178? It was a great deal from a friend, $500 with trailer and an overhauled 120 mercruiser. All it really needs is a little TLC for the interior

Should be OK but check your owners handbook to see just what it is rated for. Go from there. Remember you have to add all your fuel and gear to the towing weight. Look also at the gross vevicle weight limit as well.
Welcome to iboats and good luck with everything. How about posting some photos of the new boat. Inside, outside, motor, trailer etc. We love photos !!!

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Clamp it on and go...

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

here she is. the carpet on the inside has been removed already. Looking at re-doing the intrior. I also have to make a new doghouse for the motor, is seems to be broken. anyone ever do this? The trailer also needs a little TLC. This will be my project during the winter in my garage.

 

[emoney]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

If your truck can't tow it, then stop calling it a truck! Kidding, of course, but seriously you can tow that and load the bed with 1000lbs and still be ok, lol. Remember, stopping is the key so make sure your brakes are kept up to spec. It would be nice if the trailer had brakes. Read up a lot in the "resto" forum as there's tons of great threads currently going and others that are finished. They'll show you how to check for rot in the transom, stringers, etc. Good looking boat, so enjoy it! Oh, and welcome to iboats.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

here she is. the carpet on the inside has been removed already. Looking at re-doing the intrior. I also have to make a new doghouse for the motor, is seems to be broken. anyone ever do this? The trailer also needs a little TLC. This will be my project during the winter in my garage.

Looks nice,should be a fairly easy project for the winter. Take a close look at the transom for rot or softness. Your truck will pull it just fine. The most important criteria of towing is the DRIVER....drive responsible and always be aware of the dynamics behind you. Welcome to iboats,there are many good knowledgeable folks on this forum.

 

[jkust]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Looks like the boat has a replacement/modern outdrive on it.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Looks like the boat has a replacement/modern outdrive on it.

Alpha One came out in 83 - no reason it wouldn't be original.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Thanks for the photos. Good Luck with it and check for soft floor and transom before investing any significant money or time.

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Thanks for the photos. Good Luck with it and check for soft floor and transom before investing any significant money or time.

I did check the floor and noticed that for the majority of the deck is pretty sturdy, but I did find one small soft spot aft starboard side, approx 8"x12". Should I rip that portion out and redo the entire aft deck?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

I did check the floor and noticed that for the majority of the deck is pretty sturdy, but I did find one small soft spot aft starboard side, approx 8"x12". Should I rip that portion out and redo the entire aft deck?

pretty good odds you just found a can of worms, figuratively speaking... One soft spot usually means there are all kinds of other things rotted out down below, and the foam is waterlogged.

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Looks like the boat has a replacement/modern outdrive on it.

really? how can you tell? is it a good thing/bad thing?

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Do you think I would have to replace the entire deck? how much do you think it would be if i did it myself? i have done it before with my dad on his boat, but i never new the price.

 

[jkust]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Alpha One came out in 83 - no reason it wouldn't be original.

I could be all wet but the decals look like the newer version.

really? how can you tell? is it a good thing/bad thing?

I may be wrong...if it was newer it would presumably be a good thing.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

If you post the serial numbers off the upper and lower units - that will tell the year (range)

 

[eddyjas]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Modernization of technological advantages can do any thing!!!

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

The floor is the last thing to get wet and rot so by the time the floor gets soft everything underneath is usually toast. You're other option is to only invest what you need to run it for a couple of seasons and then get rid of it for something better.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Trailer Life towing guide for 2008 shows your truck has a 5500 lb tow rating with your engine and the 3.73 axle ratio, so you should be good to go with that boat. As far as the soft spot, what the other posters said is usually the case- ie, a deck soft spot indicates further rotting in the stringers and support members under the deck, and perhaps the transom. You should open up the soft spot at a minimum, and see what your find- if you see soaked foam floation and rotted stringers, you won't really know how safe the boat is to run. On the other hand, many people have repaired this kind of damage without having to have boatwright or master carpenter skills. It's not rocket science, just dusty work. There are many stories in the Restoration section of these forums. Here are two good one's to start on:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=528400

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=454460

From the pics, your boat doesn't look like it's had a lot of weathering- gel coat looks nice and shiny, upholstery and rugs look pretty good, so it's certainly worth spending some time on to get it running well and safely.

 

[Miguel847]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

Thank you so much for the info, and the references! As soon as I start working on my boat I'll be sure to post pictures and the status of my remodeling.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Can my truck pull my boat?

My first boat was the same thing you have. Chaparral 178! I replaced all the wood and foam in the boat, rebuilt the doghouse, new carpet, electronics, the whole nine. The only thing I didnt do was work on the engine. That 3.0 mercruiser is a beast. I had to set the points a few times and replace a belt, change the oil, that's it. I had it for 5 years, never changed the impeller, plugs, wires, anything. I never even winterized it! As you can tell, I also didnt know too much about boat maintenence back then.

I pulled it with a 2000 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0 V6 2WD. Of course, there are other things that will pull it better, but I think your truck will do just fine.

Enjoy the boat!!