Newbie Trailer Question

[Adamf24]

Hey everybody,

I'm looking to purchase my first boat sometime this month and I've decided to tow it (instead of docking it which would cost atleast 350 a month). Unfortunately I don't own a vehicle with sufficient towing power, and I'm looking to trade-in my little V6 sedan for something more adequate.

The boat I'm looking to buy is a used 24 ft Hurricane SunDeck 240 OB. The boat's dry weight is 3700lbs and has a fuel capacity of 58 gallons (although I suppose I'll never be towing it with a fuel tank). I'm not sure what the weight of the trailer would be either as well.

With that in mind, what kind of tow rating should I look for to adequately tow the 3700lb 24 ft boat? There are plenty of options in SUV/Trucks that have a tow rating around 5000lbs, but I'm worried that with the weight of the trailer, gas, and gear, that I'll be cutting it too close.

If this is the case, then would a Grand Cherokee V8 with 6500lbs tow rating suffice? Thanks for any help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Newbie Trailer Question

There are plenty of options in SUV/Trucks that have a tow rating around 5000lbs, but I'm worried that with the weight of the trailer, gas, and gear, that I'll be cutting it too close.

Ayuh,.... I think you're Right,....

I like to have Atleast a 20% Higher Rating than the highest anticipated loads....

 

[JB]

Re: Newbie Trailer Question

I think a pro tow driver would need at least 6500-8000# tow rating. I would put the GC at the bottom of that list.

I think we amatuer tow drivers need to stay at about 70% of the rated load. I would look at a 3/4 ton vehicle like a big Suburban, F250, 3/4 ton GM truck or an Expidition with a 10,000# tow rating.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Newbie Trailer Question

Depends on how far you want to tow it. If the ramp is 10 miles and you don't need to go 70 and you're careful, you could possibly get by with what you've got.

The Mountaineer (w/ 4.6l) has towed this >6000lb rig thousands of miles.

 

[Adamf24]

Re: Newbie Trailer Question

Depends on how far you want to tow it. If the ramp is 10 miles and you don't need to go 70 and you're careful, you could possibly get by with what you've got.

For the most part, I'd be towing it to local marinas that at most are 20 miles away. And I'm fine with going under 70 (I'll probably go 35 the first time towing it )... I just wanted to make sure that something like a Grand Cherokee with a V8 will suffice.

I know there are better options out there, but I'm not interested in trading in my daily driver for a Duallie Truck or anything massive like that.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Newbie Trailer Question

Hey everybody,
The boat I'm looking to buy is a used 24 ft Hurricane SunDeck 240 OB. The boat's dry weight is 3700lbs and has a fuel capacity of 58 gallons (although I suppose I'll never be towing it with a fuel tank). I'm not sure what the weight of the trailer would be either as well.

I would rethink that statement. Rather than pay an extra dollar or 2 a gallon I always fill up at the gas station then drive to the launch. That means I tow my 30 gallons. You also tend to go with a full cooler of drinks, etc.

Dry weights are always off from reality. Be honest when you estimate.

 

[Adamf24]

Re: Newbie Trailer Question

I would rethink that statement. Rather than pay an extra dollar or 2 a gallon I always fill up at the gas station then drive to the launch. That means I tow my 30 gallons. You also tend to go with a full cooler of drinks, etc.

Dry weights are always off from reality. Be honest when you estimate.

Good point, I hadn't considered the fuel costs being higher at the marina.

So I'm looking at a boat that is 3700lbs dry,400lbs of gasoline, 200lbs of gear (it's only a leisure boat, there won't be any real heavy stuff like fishing/scuba gear),and a 750lb trailer (newbie estimate based on my research) that adds up to 5060lbs.

So is a 6500lb tow rating sufficient?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Newbie Trailer Question

That tailer will weigh in the neighborhood of 1000# and don't forget that the listed weight for an outboard powered boat does NOT include the engine weight. The reason for that is the boat manufacturer has no idea what engine will be installed. I disagree that you need a 2500 series (3/4 ton) vehicle to tow that rig but you would be seriously pushing the limit with the Jeep. The V8 is not what makes a capable tow vehicle although it is one of the factors. Handling and braking ability and gross combined weight rating are the key factors. You also need to understand that whatever you put inside the vehicle including people also subtracts from the tow rating.

 

[lkempf]

Re: Newbie Trailer Question

I think a Grand Cherokee could handle it. The 5.7 engine would obviously do better than the 4.7 though. I assume the trailer has brakes.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Newbie Trailer Question

A Jeep SUV'S power is enough but the vihicle could be under some strain if you plan on keeping it for that purpose if the trailer does have a braking system it will take some of the stress off the vehicle. But my advice would be to find a good 3/4 to or a stout 1/2 ton with good brakes and power plant.