So I want to buy my first boat but....

[jolio55]

First I have some questions... The boat I am looking at is a 24' Slickcraft Cuddy with two 140 Chevy engines with a tandem axle trailer. I've looked it up and that boat's net weight is 3,650lbs. I have no idea how much the trailer weighs. My question is, will my 97 Toyota 4Runner with a V6 and 2wd safely tow this boat after it's fueled and ready to go to the lake? I know the 4Runner's tow capacity is 5,000lbs. but don't really know how much this boat and trailer will weigh after it's ready for the lake. This boat is a great deal and is just what i've been looking for but obviously I don't want to buy it and keep it as a lawn ornament...

Oh and by the way this is my first post so hi to everyone out there and thanks for the help!!! I've already learned so much from you guys on this site!!

 

[asm_]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Well, you are off to a good start. You know the towing capacity of your car is 5000#. If the boat weights 3650# empty, you are most likely going to be under 5000# after fuel and trailer. Most trailer doesn't weight more then 500#. Gasoline weights about 6# per gallon. With all the said, the only way to be sure is to take the rig to your local weight station.

Now, if the 4Running is a front wheel drive, you may have problem pulling that much weight out of water if the ramp is steep. It's always nice to have a 4wheel drive or rear wheel drive when pulling a boat out of water.

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Yeah it is a rear wheel drive vehicle. Hmm but what if I am over that 5,000 limit?? I won't be able to just take the boat back to the guy and say, "sorry I can't tow this." ya know??? I want to be safe that's why I want to be sure my 4Runner can handle this boat safely before I purchase. Trailers are really that light? Even a tandem axle trailer?

 

[tphoyt]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Hi will the seller of the boat let you take it for a test drive. The boat and trailer that is? My quess is if you don't plan on taking the boat on a major road trip you should be OK. How far do you plan on traveling to the ramp?

 

[JimKW]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Personally, and this is just my opinion and I'm no expert, I would not want to tow that big a boat and trailer with a 2WD 6 cyl 4Runner. But I always want my truck rated at least 1,000 lbs more than what I'm actually towing.

My boat and trailer probably go around 3500 lbs and I want a truck rated at about 5,000 lbs to tow it. If I was towing 5,000 lbs I would look for a bigger vehichle to tow with. I think the V8 4Runner with 4WD is rated at about 6,000 if I remember correctly.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Find out what the brand is on the trailer and then maybe you can find the specs.

First off, there is no way that a twin axle is going to weigh 500lbs

Lets say that it is a Karavan 2 axle for a 21-23 ft boat. That would put it at 930 lbs.
http://www.karavantrailers.com/spec_sheet.cfm?photo=kk_bunk.jpg

 

[barman84]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Lets make it easy what is the tongue weight of the trailer and the tongue weight your vehicle can handle? If it is more then the answer is simple NO. If the boat gased and on the trailer is under the tow weight and the tongue what is the gross vehicle tow weight. It will be in your owners manual. I use a vehicle to pull my H203 with that is almost at its limit and no your pain. I just don't need another 40+ gallon gas tank on a truck. My GMC Canyon with 4 wheel drive gets the job done in town.

 

[bekosh]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Welcome aboard!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that boat is going to be over 5k on the trailer. 3650 dry, add 6lb per gallon of gas (50gal?=300lb), 8lb per gallon of water (?), 50lb per battery (1 or 2?), 1000lb for a trailer and another couple hundred for coolers, anchors and assorted gear. It all adds up quick.

If you are set on towing with the 4Runner, you should probably be looking for something more in the 20-21ft range. For example, my Wellcraft Eclipse (dry weight 3300lb) is 4800lb fully loaded on the trailer. Before this year I towed it with a 6 cyl Chevy Trailblazer rated for 5200lb.

 

[OldNBold51]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

The 97 4runner will be struggling with that load, unless you've got some really low gears in it. It'll work if you're not going far and your at low altitude and not terribly hilly. Working trailer brakes would be a must.

I'd ask if you can latch onto it and tow it some to get a feel.

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Yeah I will have to ask him if he would allow me to take is for a test tow, but honestly ever since I saw the boat I thought it would probably be too heavy At this point in time I am pretty set on using my 4Runner as my tow vehicle, unfortunately I just can't afford a new vehicle at this time. I live in Tucson, AZ and I plan on taking the boat mostly to Roosevelt, Pleasant and Apache but would like to be able to make it to Havasu and Powell maybe once a year... It helps to know what a tandem axle trailer should weigh though, thank you!! My owners manual says tongue weight should be 9-11% of the gross trailer weight so max tongue would be 550lbs. and yes my 4Runner is all stock

Bekosh, I think I agree with you I should probably stick to the 20-21ft range. Is your Wellcraft Eclipse a Cuddy? Also is the 4800lb including your trailer? Is your trailer a tandem axle??

Will most boats in the 20-21ft range have a tandem axle trailer?

Thank you guys for the replies and the help!!

 

[tswiczko]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

If you like the boat and it's in sound shape, Buy It and upgrade the tow vehicle I wouldnt want to see you settle for on a boat that was your second choice,

Thats like being in love with someone and marrying the girls sister

HI and welcome, I hope you like this place as much as I do

 

[cwhite6]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Look for an older full size truck with a V8 you get for cheap. Use it to tow it. That is, if you are set on that boat. I try to stick to not using more than 80% of my tow rating. I learned that towing RV's and it works for me. You may be able to find a perfectly suitable truck pretty dang cheap right now. I have seen full size F-150's here from the mid 90's with V8's going for around $1000. Look around.

 

[bekosh]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Bekosh, I think I agree with you I should probably stick to the 20-21ft range. Is your Wellcraft Eclipse a Cuddy?

Yes it is. For the size range, it has one of the longer cuddies. I'm about 5' 11" and can stretch out without a problem. A lot of 20-21ft cuddies had more room in the cockpit, but the cuddy was to short for me to lay down in.

Also is the 4800lb including your trailer? Is your trailer a tandem axle??

Yes & yes

Will most boats in the 20-21ft range have a tandem axle trailer?

Maybe. I see a lot with single axles but personally I wouldn't want that. It's right at the limit for a single axle.

Look for an older full size truck with a V8 you get for cheap. Use it to tow it. That is, if you are set on that boat. I try to stick to not using more than 80% of my tow rating. I learned that towing RV's and it works for me. You may be able to find a perfectly suitable truck pretty dang cheap right now. I have seen full size F-150's here from the mid 90's with V8's going for around $1000. Look around.

This isn't a bad idea. Over the winter I picked up a '94 Ford F250 for pretty cheap ($2500) after my Trailblazer got totaled. Needed some repairs, new tires and has a little rust, but it made an amazing difference when towing. The TB was OK for towing but you had to be on your toes at times. High crosswinds were always an adventure. The F250 just makes it effortless.

 

[JimKW]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

When I bought my boat I had a 98 Volvo V70 with a tow rating of around 3300 lbs, and I really liked the car. When I saw the boat I bought (the one in my signature) I knew it was a little more than I could tow. So I went and found smaller/lighter boats and trailers, but I kept thinking about this boat.

Then I started looking at trucks that could tow it and everything I really liked made the price of the boat and truck way more than I could afford. Finally I sold the Volvo for $3600 and bought the Envoy for $3500 and got the boat. I was lucky the boat was still available. The Envoy tows great and it serves it's purpose until I get a tow vehicle that I really like.

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Yeah the main things I like about this boat is the cuddy cabin, the condition of the boat (it has two new motors and the seats are currenty being reupholstered) and the price is really nice too!!! But I'm sure I can find all of these things in a 20-21ft boat that my truck can tow safely!!

I really don't want to be spending money right now on a tow vehicle. More than likely after I get a boat and have it a year or so I will be able to start looking around at another vehicle but right now I just can't

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

97 Toyota 4Runner + V6 + 2wd + heavy boat + steep ramp = new transmission soon

You could regear the rear end for a couple of hundred bucks and have more torque. It may kill your daily driving gas mileage depending on the ratio chosen.

ME:
2003 F150 5.4 Screw 2wd
35" BGF AT
4.56 Gears
Super Chip
Jeep and Boat Towing depending on the season

4.11 gears would have worked and provided better gas mileage.

 

[drrpm]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

That boat at 3650 lb with a tandem axle trailer (probably well over 1,000 lb)
with gas, coolers, gear etc will be well over 5,000 lb. The 4runner will probably pull it but may get pushed around by such a heavy load. It sounds like you either need a smaller boat or a bigger tow vehicle.

 

[phxvalkry]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Hi I'm from Phoenix and my opinion is going to some of the lakes you listed here in Az. in the summer, that boat and trailer combo will eat your 4Runner for lunch. The heat here is brutal on tow vehicles, and having very little margin with the weight will be a major factor.
Good Luck Phxvalkry

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Yeah I am planning on getting to a lake or two before I purchase a boat. I would like to watch and learn from people at a lake! I was talking to a guy at work he was saying being that my 4Runner is only 2wd that I would have problems getting the boat back out of the water at the ramp, wheels spinning and such. What do you guys think? Is there a solution to this problem, other than buying a new tow vehicle?

Phxvalkry, being that you live in AZ what needs to be done as far as paperwork (title and such) purchasing a boat and trailer here in Arizona??

 

[180shabah]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

FWIW - my single axle trailer (for an 18' boat) weighs over 800lbs

You will be well over 5k ready to go. Also, your tow rating is reduced by ANYTHING inside the 4runner, including passengers, pets and your mandatory cup of coffee.....

Also, you need to sea trial this boat. Sounds like a lot of mass for 200+/-php