Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

[Chris-R]

I have a 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4X4. It's 1/2 truck and 1/2 SUV. It has a 6 cyl engine, tow package and is rated to tow up to 5,100 Lbs. I'm looking at a new Stingray 215LR. It weighs in at 3705 Lbs. The dealer can order an aluminum 2 axle trailer which will be about 1,000 Lbs. Once I add fuel and gear, I'm right there at 5,100 Lbs. if not over by 100 Lbs or so. We typically travel no more than 45 minutes to any of our favorite boat ramps. I'm just a little concerned that I'm right at the high end of the tow ratings, especially considering that the truck will typically have at least 4 people in it. What do you think? Should I be okay or am I going to blow the transmission or worse?

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

I think that you are going to get a lot of positive and negative answers to your question. That you are concerned is good. That you are considering towing it anyway is bad.
That truck is not designed to tow a boat that big, a regular full size crew cab 1/2 ton would be a much better choice.
It would also be similar in fuel economy, during the regular times that your not towing the boat.
Gm, makes a Heavy-half ton truck that is geared lower for this kind of towing, but has the room to handle 5 adults.
In my opinion, the tow vehicle should always be rated significantly higher that the actual weight of the item being towed.

So, in other words, yes this boat is too much for your explorer. The engine will use much more fuel that it does now, will have greatly reduced life span, and will likely wind up costing you the price of a newer larger truck in the long run anyway.
Being that your gonna find that its no fun to tow that size boat with such a small truck

 

[wanttofly]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

Also stopping ability and pulling the boat out of the water on the ramp are two more things to consider.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

Also add the weight of the passengers and gear in the truck.
That and all the gear in the boat,anchor,fishing gear,tools,coolers,ect....
I feel it will be well over the limit.

 

[dave11]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

My boat weighs nearly as much as yours does. I have a tandem axel trailer with disc brakes on both axels. I tow it with a Super Duty F250 with the V10 engine. I don't have any trouble, but I can sure tell it is back there. I would rent a truck before I would pull your boat with your truck. If my boat weighed any more, I would have to use a weight distribution hitch.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

Agree with that last post,My boat is a 21 1/2 footer and my Chevy Tahoe sure knows it is back there.I would no way go with a smaller SUV.
Mine is rated to tow 7500 lbs.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

Your truck would probably be ok if you were to tow that size boat once in a while and use only really nice boat ramps.

Your biggest issue is retrieving the boat at the ramp and stopping it in a panic situation. Neither will be much fun.

With some common sense and know how you could probably do fine on flat road but it sure won't do you truck any favors. The transmissions in those things also don't hold up very well towing big loads either.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

Your gross weight includes passengers as well so take that into account. If over the tow limit then either reduce the weight somehow or consider either a lighter boat or a heavier tow vehicle. When towing more than 2/3 the limit for your vehicle stay out of overdrive and fit a decent tranny cooler. You can't over cool a transmission. From my own experiences with Ford transmissions and that of several people I know I think you are asking for trouble with the set up you would have. Could also be an issue when recovering the boat at the ramp.
Just my personal opinion though and I stand as usual to be corrected.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

You need a bigger truck. I tow a 3500lb boat with my Frontier rated at 5000 lbs & it's definitely the max I'd feel comfortable with. Looking for a 1/2 ton truck now with something closer to 10000lb rating.

 

[642mx]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

Your biggest problem will be the mirrors on the Explorer not being wide enough. Use your head, fill the boats tank near the ramp... not at home, drop it in 4-low on the ramp and you'll be fine. If you don't have a tranny cooler, get one and have the fluid flushed every 20K miles.

 

[kobe24]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

i tow my 18' with a 2002 toyota 4runner

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

You already own the Explorer so it will be easy to test it on one of those 45 minute trips and see what you think.

Personally I think that you need a bigger truck; but so much depends on the sort of roads that you're going to drive on. Are there any elevation changes? Out west here we have 7% grades that last for miles and miles. My F150 (4.6) really struggles on those. On flat terrain it's more than enough.

If you're ready to trade anyway I would definitely get a bigger truck. But if the $$$ aren't available to do that; do a test run and make your decision.

Reading the comments above; I question why people think that you'll have trouble at the ramps, You have a 4x4 after all; I think at the ramps you'll be fine. It's the braking and hill-climbing that will be your point of contention.

Chuck

 

[Chris-R]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

Thanks for the replies. My truck already has a transmission cooler. It also has 4X4 low and 4X4 high so I don't see why I would have trouble at a ramp. It has 4 tires just like most 3/4 ton and one ton trucks. Right now I'm pulling a 2,200 Lb. boat and my Sport Trac doesn't know it's there. I go no faster than 65 and usually 60 on the highway. The grades here are minimal. I like the idea of taking a test ride with a boat of similar weight. I also like the idea of filling up the gas tank near my destination. I want to thank everyone for their input. Anyone else who wants to chime in, please do so. Now I'm off to find someone with a boat and trailer of similar weight to do a test drive.

 

[skargo]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

With gear and fuel you will be over. Think about this, if you lose control, and kill someone, you will be sued silly.

It's not worth it, like MOST have said here be safe and get something that will tow it safely. The distance you tow has no bearing on this whatsoever, accidents can happen anywhere, even in a ramp parking lot.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

Thanks for the replies. My truck already has a transmission cooler.

Additional cooler or the one it came from the factory with ???? If the one from the factory I suggest an additional one.
Our Trailblazer has the factory tow package and a tranny cooler from the factory. As we are in the process of getting a travel trailer I am having an additional tranny cooler fitted early next week. As I said earlier. You can not over cool a transmission.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

Right now I'm pulling a 2,200 Lb. boat and my Sport Trac doesn't know it's there.

Pulling similar weight with our boat and the Trailblazer. You will however notice a huge difference when you pass 70% or so capacity weight behind you.
I have a feeling that with the 2,200lb behind you that you must notice it compared to not having 2,200lb behind you to a certain extent.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

I think you are being really generous with your weight calculations for a 21ft boat. I dont see this 21LR listed on their site, but remember most Stingray's are on the light weight side for their size/ class.

I'd run it the way it is, and probably wouldnt think twice as long as you have the Ford Class 3 tow package (larger hitch) not the little one, I think you'll be find.

A new tandom axle trailer with brakes will stop great, the 2010 trailer I bought stops itself, it feels like no extra burdon on our truck IMO.

The 4.0L will struggle some, but as long as you lock out Overdrive and take your time I think it will satisfy.

Ramps should be the easiest with 4wd.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

I think it'll depend on the type of driving you do. I had a '93 Explorer 4.0 l v-6, rated for towing 5600 lbs. For a while I pulled a 16' house trailer that was dry weighted at 4900 lbs. With our stuff in it and some water in the tanks, I'm sure it was right around 5500 lbs. Had pretty good electric brakes on it. The rig was fine on level, straight roads, but if I got into curves and hills, it was very uncomfortable to drive. I felt I was on the edge of safety, and wasn't sure I could handle any emergency maneuvers. I ended up getting a chev 2500HD Duramax diesel rated for 9500 lbs, and I pull both my boat (around 4000 lbs), and a 7000 lb 25' travel trailer very easily and comfortably. I put disc brakes on both trailers, and they are like night and day compared to the drum brakes that were originally on the trailers.

So, will your explorer pull the new boat? Yeah, and I'd probably try it for a while first, making the trips close and working up to winding, hilly roads. See how comfortable you feel. I'd for sure have disc brakes on the boat trailer. And I agree wholeheartedly with people who feel much safer pulling a trailer with a tow vehicle that isn't close to it's max capacity.

 

[dave11]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

Pulling similar weight with our boat and the Trailblazer. You will however notice a huge difference when you pass 70% or so capacity weight behind you.
I have a feeling that with the 2,200lb behind you that you must notice it compared to not having 2,200lb behind you to a certain extent.

My little 16 ft Alumaweld, trailer, etc weighs around 23-2400#. I can tell it is back there also. My highway mileage drops from just over 15MPG to just under 12MPG towing the boat. That is based on over 3000 miles. My trucks towing limit is over 10,000#.

 

[109jb]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

You are going to be over the tow limit of the truck. No question in my mind about it. The tow rating is for the vehicle and a driver and a full tank of gas that is all. Anything more you put in the vehicle has to be subtracted from the allowable towing capacity. You said 4 people would be in the truck which I assume includes the driver. The weight of the other 3 has to be subtracted from the towing capacity. If you use the US average adult weight of 170 pounds that is 510 pounds off of the towing capacity which brings it down to 4590 pounds. This is already below what you estimate for the boat and trailer alone not including gear and fuel.