Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

[pgrider]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Do they even sell a class III/5000 lb hitch for a Santa Fe? Not saying it can't be done. We have the same car in the XL with the bigger V6 and I think its a good way to kill that tiny transmission.

I think some of you missed the part about casual towing. It will be maybe 6 times a year. My truck will be towing at other times this post was about boat weight not vehicle if I am in ib towing spec and the tranny packs it in I get a new tranny. If I said I tow a 37 foot 5th wheel with a single wheel 3500 dodge diesel that probably weighs 12k loaded. I am sure some will say my truck is to small.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

I'm not 100% but if you exceed the defined weight limits on your tow vehicle, you will most likely not be covered if/when an accident occurs. Insurance companies look for ways to not pay claims. You will also void your vehicle warranty and put lots of wear and tear on your vehicle. The biggest concern is not "if" it can tow it, it could do that, but try stopping safe and you will learn that this really isn't a good plan.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

PGRIDER you asked a question and you don't like the answer...... We aren't beating up on you but your question is along the lines of "which square peg best fits this round hole"... they don't make a boat that is safely/legally towable with that car AND well suited for the use you described.... something has to give..... bigger tow vehicle.... lighter big boat/ less water sports ability...... fewer people in the smaller boat at one time.....

6 times/year or 600 times makes no difference..... a bad combination is always a bad combination

Nothing wrong with a 37' 5er behind a 1 ton truck..... MAYBE you could step out of the box and pick up a cheap 3rd vehicle... something like an older suburban for occasional towing duty and future kid use.

I completely understand REALLY WANTING your existing vehicle to work out but it just doesn't...... Imagine how you'd feel when you are headed to the lake towing the 5er and the wife is following you... You have to stand on the brakes because someone pull out in front of you and she loses control and crashes into the back of the camper or rolls off the road with possible dire results....

Always hope for the best but PLAN for the worst.

 

[pgrider]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

PGRIDER you asked a question and you don't like the answer...... We aren't beating up on you but your question is along the lines of "which square peg best fits this round hole"... they don't make a boat that is safely/legally towable with that car AND well suited for the use you described.... something has to give..... bigger tow vehicle.... lighter big boat/ less water sports ability...... fewer people in the smaller boat at one time.....

6 times/year or 600 times makes no difference..... a bad combination is always a bad combination

Nothing wrong with a 37' 5er behind a 1 ton truck..... MAYBE you could step out of the box and pick up a cheap 3rd vehicle... something like an older suburban for occasional towing duty and future kid use.

I completely understand REALLY WANTING your existing vehicle to work out but it just doesn't...... Imagine how you'd feel when you are headed to the lake towing the 5er and the wife is following you... You have to stand on the brakes because someone pull out in front of you and she loses control and crashes into the back of the camper or rolls off the road with possible dire results....

Always hope for the best but PLAN for the worst.

I am not saying I do not like the answer I am saying that the vehicle is rated for 3500 that is the manufactures specifications. There will be no gear in the boat and I can burn fuel real quick so I would be at 3000 pounds. And the trailer will have brakes. Of course you have to plan and drive according to roads. But where I live not alot of traffic northern British Columbia. When I pull my 5th wheel I am always in the middle lane or in the lane to avoid side streets and vehicles shooting out. What kills transmissions is heat with a tranny temp gauge and taking time I believe it will be fine. If not then we trade for a new tow vehicle after the year is up.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Do they even sell a class III/5000 lb hitch for a Santa Fe? Not saying it can't be done. We have the same car in the XL with the bigger V6 and I think its a good way to kill that tiny transmission.

The Weight Distribution hitch will not affect the transmission in any way, it simply distributes the weight forward off the rear axle. Consult the owners manual as Hyundai may not recommend due to the uni-body construction. (some do- some dont).

I think a 18-19ft bowrider on the lightweight side will do what you are looking for. I wouldnt hesitate to tow my Stingray with a Santa Fe. My trailer brakes are awesome (disc) and total package is under 3,500lbs.

 

[pgrider]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

The Weight Distribution hitch will not affect the transmission in any way, it simply distributes the weight forward off the rear axle. Consult the owners manual as Hyundai may not recommend due to the uni-body construction. (some do- some dont).

I think a 18-19ft bowrider on the lightweight side will do what you are looking for. I wouldnt hesitate to tow my Stingray with a Santa Fe. My trailer brakes are awesome (disc) and total package is under 3,500lbs.

That is correct the hitch will do nothing for the tranny. I am mechanic I know how vehicles work. And how to make them last. As I said I was looking for ideas on boats. My kids will always be in tow. For the most part. I am not going to drive to the middle of a lake and sit there. Not my style.

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

I have a 1989 19 foot rienell boat with a 4.3. It holds 6 people comfortably and pulls skiers, wakeboards and tubes very well. With a full tank of fuel, all my normal boat gear, and the trailer it weighs 3,200 pounds. You can get a boat that will do ok for what you want and have it be under 3,500 pounds. I also have a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 6 cylinder (275 horse) AWD. I never pulled with it. I have 230 pounds of tongue weight and I can't see the Hyundai frame holding up well to that beating or handling a 30 MPH cross wind very well with a rig on the back that only weighs 500 to 1000 pounds less than the Santa Fe. My Santa Fe weighs 4,000 pounds. If it is legal in your area I would think hooking the boat to the 5er and letting the dodge handle both might be better.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

The Weight Distribution hitch will not affect the transmission in any way, it simply distributes the weight forward off the rear axle. Consult the owners manual as Hyundai may not recommend due to the uni-body construction. (some do- some dont).

I think a 18-19ft bowrider on the lightweight side will do what you are looking for. I wouldnt hesitate to tow my Stingray with a Santa Fe. My trailer brakes are awesome (disc) and total package is under 3,500lbs.

Who said that?
I've been a mechanic for over 20 years, and I've seen a lot of cooked trannys. I don't think he will cook the trans, although the potential is there, I think he will grenade that tiny set of planetary gears.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

That is correct the hitch will do nothing for the tranny. I am mechanic I know how vehicles work. And how to make them last. As I said I was looking for ideas on boats. My kids will always be in tow. For the most part. I am not going to drive to the middle of a lake and sit there. Not my style.

As a fellow tech you must understand how small the components are in your powertrain. I also tow with an SRW one ton. And I know it was built for big loads. Our new Hyundai Santa Fe XL? Not so much.
Can it be done? Sure. I see people towing all kinds of huge loads with tiny cars. Doesn't make it the right thing to do though.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

That boat should suit your needs just fine.

 

[pgrider]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

As a fellow tech you must understand how small the components are in your powertrain. I also tow with an SRW one ton. And I know it was built for big loads. Our new Hyundai Santa Fe XL? Not so much.
Can it be done? Sure. I see people towing all kinds of huge loads with tiny cars. Doesn't make it the right thing to do though.

I understand how small the components are in my vehicle. I also understand warranty and how it works. We have decided to see how it tows and if the wife does not like it than we will get a new tow vehicle for the 2015 season have already discussed it.

 

[pgrider]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

That boat should suit your needs just fine. View attachment 219313

I myself don't mind it but my wife is not wanting an outboard.