New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

[mahicks]

Hate to ask a question on my first post, but I have a issue I have never had in boating. I have always lived in South Alabama and owned a home with a couple of boat lifts. I've lived around boats most of my life and owned several larger boats that have always been in the lift or water there entire life.

Now that I have moved to Tallahassee, Fl, I found a steal on a perfect condition 94 Bayliner Capri 17.5' I/O (Mercruiser 3) that I absolutely could not pass up and bought it on the spot. I told them I would be back this Sunday to pick it up.

Upon driving home in my 3.0l 2wd 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander that doesn't have a trailer hitch, I realized this boat could not be pulled by this boat (1750lbs boat weight + trailer + gear............ Mitsu. owners manual confirmed it. Vehicle only rated for 2000lbs and that is with a trailer braking system.)

I also own a 1999 Dodge Ram V6 2WD with a 2" ball on the bumper. My owners manual states the hitch is a class III attached to the bumper and the vehicle can have a trailer capacity of 3200LB. This seems fine on paper, but I wanted some real world responses to a few questions:

1. Will this work? It is a 2WD V6 Automatic and has a ball on the bumper.
2. IF it will work, would it work better and safer with a receiver hitch?
3. Anyone else with a similar boat/tow vehicle setup? (Hitch not important as I will change in heartbeat if needed.)
4. If it will work with this or any type of hitch, do you foresee any problems at the ramp pulling the boat out?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but as stated before, owned lots of boats in the past that were a lot larger, but have never, ever trailered a boat.

 

[Phantom_II]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

The bumper hitch will do in a pinch. At least you can tow your new money pit... errrr, I mean recreational godsend home. Florida is not known for its mountainous terrain so you aren't likely to get any excess loads on a short trip.

But most folks, myself included, don't put a lot of faith into the structural reliability of the typical bumper hitch.

It might work forever, but considering the price of a receiver hitch, and the cost of a bumper hitch busting loose, why take the chance.

Tow the boat home with your bumper hitch, but get a receiver hitch at the earliest possible moment. They're not terribly expensive, they're very easy to install, and the peace of mind will be immeasurable.

And for what it's worth, I pull my boat, which in size and weight is quite similar to yours, with a 2WD Ford Ranger 4.0 liter V6 automatic transmission and a receiver hitch in California, which IS known for it's mountainous terrain.

No problems at all.

 

[mahicks]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

The bumper hitch will do in a pinch. At least you can tow your new money pit... errrr, I mean recreational godsend home. Florida is not known for its mountainous terrain so you aren't likely to get any excess loads on a short trip.

But most folks, myself included, don't put a lot of faith into the structural reliability of the typical bumper hitch.

It might work forever, but considering the price of a receiver hitch, and the cost of a bumper hitch busting loose, why take the chance.

Tow the boat home with your bumper hitch, but get a receiver hitch at the earliest possible moment. They're not terribly expensive, they're very easy to install, and the peace of mind will be immeasurable.

And for what it's worth, I pull my boat, which in size and weight is quite similar to yours, with a 2WD Ford Ranger 4.0 liter V6 automatic transmission and a receiver hitch in California, which IS known for it's mountainous terrain.

No problems at all.

Your post gives me a lot of encouragement! what year is your truck? any problem with slipping at the ram on boat retrieval?

 

[Phantom_II]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

Your post gives me a lot of encouragement! what year is your truck? any problem with slipping at the ram on boat retrieval?

My truck is a '96 and generally, I have nothing whatsoever in the bed of the truck when pulling out so the rear end, end therefor the drive wheels, are very light. Once in a while, if the ramp is really wet it'll break loose when I start to pull out, but I just back off the gas, and pull a bit more slowly starting out. Haven't had to yell for help so far.

I suppose if it came down to it, I could unload the miscellany from the boat and put it in the bed of the truck. Not the most 'ramp friendly' solution but better than spinning wheels. I've never had to resort to that. The slow pull has worked every time.

One thing I probably should mention though, is that my truck has a locking rear end.
It makes a difference.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

I suppose if it came down to it, I could unload the miscellany from the boat and put it in the bed of the truck. Not the most 'ramp friendly' solution but better than spinning wheels.

Shifting into 2nd gear also slves the problem when wheels start slipping. I've have seen numerous people smoking their tires pulling up a steep, slippery ramp when simply shifting into 2nd would allow them to pull out just fine.

 

[slydog75]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

One thing I probably should mention though, is that my truck has a locking rear end.
It makes a difference.

Pay attention to this last comment, it most certainly makes a difference! I have trouble pulling my 19' out of the water with my '99 Jeep Cherokee if it's not in 4WD as I don't have a locking rear end.

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

youll be fine I have a 07 silverado rwd and never had a spin or problem. I do have a locking diff though, 4 wheele drive is better but alot more expense and problems. Not one wood I would have a problem after I right this. Worst part if you get stuck have a couple people stand in the back of the truck

 

[slydog75]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

So I guess the question is, do you have a locking differential (locking rear end) on your Ram?

 

[mahicks]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

So I guess the question is, do you have a locking differential (locking rear end) on your Ram?

Not sure. How would I even tell?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

quit worrying you will be fine. if it spins, get the guys at the ramp to stand on your bumper, for added weight. the trick is slow pressure on the accelerator, do just goose it. use you left foot on brake, then easy the brake up.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

get a hitch and stop yer worrying--enjoy

 

[45Auto]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

Shifting into 2nd gear also slves the problem when wheels start slipping.

What kind of transmission do you have? I've seen very few stock automatics that will start out in 2nd gear. Putting it in 2nd just keeps it from shifting to higher gears. It still starts out in first.

An aftermarket valve body (or shift kit) will let you control it just like a standard.

 

[J JACKSON]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

Shifting into 2nd gear also slves the problem when wheels start slipping. I've have seen numerous people smoking their tires pulling up a steep, slippery ramp when simply shifting into 2nd would allow them to pull out just fine.

this is only on ford automatics as far as i know

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

Get a real hitch in my opinion. As far as getting it up the ramp you should be just fine. Just take it gently as previously stated and at a pinch get some weight in the back of the truck.
Happy boating.

 

[slydog75]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

Not sure. How would I even tell?

I'm sure there's a better way but if you get in some gravel and spin the tires if they both spin at the same time you have either a locking rear or a limited slip, either is good.

 

[Capt Ron]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

Let's see, a 1,750# boat and a 2,000# towing capacity...I must be missing something here. A Dodge Ram with a step bumper rated for 3,200#, I highly doubt that you will tear the bumper off with that boat. My god if that was the case the truck builders would be facing a lot of liability cases.

First thing to do is quit reading the paperwork about towing capacities, it's well known and documented that this has more to do about performance of the vehicle than even stopping distances. For you Chevy owners this is even in the fine print of your manual in the towing section.

The dealer that I worked for in the mid 70's used a Toyota Hi-Lux truck to tow boats. I hauled 100's of boats on the step bumper including a 24' beast with a 6 cylinder Buda diesel. Pulling isn't the problem, it's the stopping and this one had no trailer brakes....actually nothing I pulled back then had trailer brakes.

As far as the ramp, no sweat. Use the parking brake just enough to trick the rear axle into powering both wheels. Keep your left foot on the parking brake pedal and the release pulled so that you can modulate the pedal as needed.
Be easy on the throttle and the truck will come right out. This works great on my F-350 diesel dually. It can get stuck on wet grass I just set the parking brake on the first notch, it's a 6spd manual so it's a little harder.

Also a note on retrieving a heavy boat, I've had the rear of the Toyota get light enough and begin to slide down the ramp while I was winching away.
Being behind the truck while it's sliding down the ramp is a real eye opening experience. Thereafter we always had someone in the truck to hold the brakes. Losing the entire rig in front of a customer wasn't in the best interest of a possible sale.
Of course now everyone just drives the boat on the trailer.

Capt Ron

 

[mahicks]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

Let's see, a 1,750# boat and a 2,000# towing capacity...I must be missing something here. A Dodge Ram with a step bumper rated for 3,200#, I highly doubt that you will tear the bumper off with that boat. My god if that was the case the truck builders would be facing a lot of liability cases.

First thing to do is quit reading the paperwork about towing capacities, it's well known and documented that this has more to do about performance of the vehicle than even stopping distances. For you Chevy owners this is even in the fine print of your manual in the towing section.

The dealer that I worked for in the mid 70's used a Toyota Hi-Lux truck to tow boats. I hauled 100's of boats on the step bumper including a 24' beast with a 6 cylinder Buda diesel. Pulling isn't the problem, it's the stopping and this one had no trailer brakes....actually nothing I pulled back then had trailer brakes.

As far as the ramp, no sweat. Use the parking brake just enough to trick the rear axle into powering both wheels. Keep your left foot on the parking brake pedal and the release pulled so that you can modulate the pedal as needed.
Be easy on the throttle and the truck will come right out. This works great on my F-350 diesel dually. It can get stuck on wet grass I just set the parking brake on the first notch, it's a 6spd manual so it's a little harder.

Also a note on retrieving a heavy boat, I've had the rear of the Toyota get light enough and begin to slide down the ramp while I was winching away.
Being behind the truck while it's sliding down the ramp is a real eye opening experience. Thereafter we always had someone in the truck to hold the brakes. Losing the entire rig in front of a customer wasn't in the best interest of a possible sale.
Of course now everyone just drives the boat on the trailer.

Capt Ron

Thanks for the response! The Mitsu has only 2K lbs towing capacity. The Ram has 3200 lbs. Actually I was wrong. The ram has close to 3900K towing.

As far as the braking part, I am sort of a "Safety Steve" and if the trailer has the square flanges; I plan on installing a surge brake system like the Tie Down 7" drum system.

As far as the truck goes, I purchased a Curt receiver hitch for my truck and if all goes well, I should be able to install it myself without drilling. I also bought a 2" drop by 3/4" rise Curt ball hitch with a factory mounted 2" ball.

I also had new Uniroyal liberator LT 235/75/R16's installed today, and had the Automatic tranmission flushed and filled with a new filter, a front end alignment, and a fuel injector service completed. (Old Truck, needs love.)

I think I am ready to go. I am going to wait for the receiver to come in and install it before picking up the boat. Anything else you can think of that I need?

 

[Varago]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

mahicks sounds like your in great shape.

The question I have is for Capt Ron when some one takes your advice and does NOT read the "the paperwork about towing capacities" and kills someone are YOU going to be there to back up your words?

Dave

 

[Capt Ron]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

What? No transmission oil cooler?

Brakes on a 1750# trailer is a little overkill in my book and once you dunk them in salt water a few times you'll start thinking that way too. Fact is that all the brakes in the world can't make up for making good decisions while towing.
As I said earlier we didn't worry about trailer brakes, even hauling boats commercially across country and I hauled 3-4 boats at a time with a tandem axle trailer and a bed rack.

But if all this prep makes You feel good then go for it.

There's a lot of salesmen out there that will sell you dog crap in a bag if they thought that they could convince you into believing you need it.

About the Curt hitch...bolts to the frame just like the bumper hitch. What part of a step bumper hitch makes it not a real hitch. Only time I've seen one fail is when Sanford and Son grossly overloaded a single axle trailer with 5 tons of gravel. It snapped the rear bolts on the 1969 Chev 1/2 ton and the bumper folded straight down.

BTW, What size is the coupler on the trailer?

Capt Ron

 

[Capt Ron]

Re: New to Trailering a boat, will this work?

mahicks sounds like your in great shape.

The question I have is for Capt Ron when some one takes your advice and does NOT read the "the paperwork about towing capacities" and kills someone are YOU going to be there to back up your words?

Dave

Not when the actual vehicle manufacturer has printed the information that everyone seems to ignore. Trust me it's there, that's why the rear axle ratio and tranmission are determining factors in the towing capacity. Look it up, it's online in the Chevy Trucks website under the towing guides in small print.
They are listed as GUIDLINES to allow for acceptable performance while accelerating and merging onto limited access roads with a trailer.
Next time that you see a Hot-Shot rig tooling down the interstate with four cars on a trailer towed by a Ford, Chevy or Dodge four door one ton dually ask yourself "Is that legal?" It's a lot of weight and far above the manufacturer's recomended towing GVWR... it is legal and these guys pass through state mandated scales all the time. As long as they are not over the REGISTERED weight of the plate issued by the DMV and the taxes paid.
I can register my truck for 80,000# if I want to pay the $1,600/yr taxes.

The RV forums are full of all kinds of this misinformation, some people try to tell others that they need a class 7 truck to pull a camper...
The problem is that people read the book in the glove compartment and take it as the law...IT IS NOT!!! That's why towing capacities aren't listed on the VIN sticker on the door jamb.

I'm just passing along what I know is fact, here's another fact, most towing accidents happen because some driver isn't paying attention. These accidents happen regardless of their knowledge of the vehicles towing guidelines.

One last thing to consider, The opinions voiced on any forum are those of the person posting such information and anyone who uses that information does so at their own risk. This disclaimer is part of the agreement that was presented when you signed up....You did read that didn't you?
Case closed.

Capt Ron