Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

[Linc33]

Hello iBoats,

I am looking for suggestions for a used tow vehicle that will also fit my family:

Me, wife, 3 kids (ages 6, 3, 1). We will be towing a 18' boat that weighs approx. 1900 pounds.

Vans would be first choice, I appreciate any and all shared experience and suggestions.

-Linc

 

[jtexas]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Not a Toyota Sienna van - they don't have enough ground clearance for a receiver.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

1500 Suburban with 305 or 350 will be about perfect for yall.
I see a couple odysees at the ramps occaisionally. The trailers look like they are for 17 - 18 foot fiberglass boats. Apperently it is possible, but I wouldn't do it personally.

 

[KM2]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

I don't know when they quit making the Chevy astro or GMC safari vans but that would be the only non full size van I can think of that makes a decent tow vehicle.

If you don't want a full size vehicle the Ford explorer after 03 has a 3rd seat option, relatively inexpensive and is a pretty darn good tow vehicle. My wife drives one and we tow our 3500# pound boat with it occasionaly and it does the job pretty well even with the v6.

If you are really towing less then 2500# total then a mini van could suffice. I cringe every time I see a mini van towing a 3000# plus boat, sometimes without trailer brakes. Yikes!

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

I don't know when they quit making the Chevy astro or GMC safari vans but that would be the only non full size van I can think of that makes a decent tow vehicle.

If you don't want a full size vehicle the Ford explorer after 03 has a 3rd seat option, relatively inexpensive and is a pretty darn good tow vehicle. My wife drives one and we tow our 3500# pound boat with it occasionaly and it does the job pretty well even with the v6.

If you are really towing less then 2500# total then a mini van could suffice. I cringe every time I see a mini van towing a 3000# plus boat, sometimes without trailer brakes. Yikes!

Those third row seats are REALLY uncomfortable for any sized person in the Explorers, Tahoes, Pilots etc. The only vehicles the third rows are practical in is the full size vehicles, and minivans.

 

[shipoffools]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

I think your best bet would be a late model SUV with a third row seat. Your kids are still young enough that the tight back seat shouldn't be a big issue. I tow roughly 2,000 lbs with an Explorer 4.0 with no problems. I would be wary of a mini van, Ive owned a few and they don't seem very strong under a load. The transmissions seem to be a weak link, no matter who makes it, and it would probably eat brakes up pretty fast.

 

[bowhuntrrl]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Get a Chev Tahoe. My 1998 gives me about 17-19 mpg on the highway and 15-16 around town. Towing a 21' cuddy, it drops to a bit over 10. The '98 was one of the last 350 (5.7 Vortec) that they made and also pretty well refined. It has ample power to pull my heavy 21' where my Dodge with a 318 did not. Plenty of creature comforts too !!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Our 97 Mercury Mountaneer w/5.0 v8 and all wheel drive can tow up to 3500 lbs on a bumper hitch and comes standard with the tow options.

Anyway, the Mountaneer tows my 14ft 1965 MFG Niagara runabout (see signature for details) loaded with bicycles and coolers, etc, pushing the weight to about 1800 lbs fully loaded and it tows very well. You don't know its there when crusing.

Its when you hit the brakes or want to change lanes that the trailer makes itslef known. Longer stops, harder turns to change lanes. That is normal. The Mountaneer handles it easilly.

The 1997 Mercury Mountaneer weighs in at about 4000lbs all by itself. We now have 208K miles, with very few problems, maybe $3000 over the 208K mile life, including two catalitic converters at about #600 pair at 150K, both front whee drive hubs, one at 90K, the other at 207K. Alternator, hoses, radiator, block, heads, transmission, axles, diffs, etc. are all original.

Toughest "truck" I ever owned. It gets 15mpg average towing the boat at a steady 65mph.

My Lincoln Town Car (4.6v8) gets 16 mpg at a steady 60mph, and 19mpg at 55mph. The Town Car is rated for 2000 lbs towing. The car weighs 4000 lbs and with a 3.55 rear and posi traction, can pull the boat and trailer up a wet ramp with no problem. Have had it up to 75mph with no problems. Ford Crown Vic with similiar options should be the same.



Car vs Truck, you decide.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

we're on our 2nd surburban, 1992, and now have a 1999. tow 4500lbs boat. super vehicle. and we make so long trips with it and the boat.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Toyota Sienna. It is a great tow vehicles (as long as you stay within its limits). They all come standard with everything required to tow (tranny cooler, etc) except the hitch and the light harness. The max tow weight is 3500lbs.

Yes the receiver hangs low on any minivan, but that has never been a problem for us.


My other vehicle is a honda pilot. It does an excellet job of towing as well. It has a greater towing capacity (pilot = 4500lb for a boat) than the Sienna, but the interior space is not as versatile.

I have towed with mini-vans for many years. First was a ford windstar, next was a chevy venture and now a Sienna. The sienna is, by far, the most capable of the vans that I have owned. The chevy was garbage and I hated that thing. The biggest benefit is good mileage around town during the other 6 days of the week.

Most manuals will state that trailer brakes are required for trailers over 1000 or 1500 lbs. Having done it with and without, I highly recommend the trailer brakes. They are easy to install and make a huge difference.

Dan

 

[Linc33]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Thanks for all the great suggestions and replies. I really appreciate it. Gives me a good start on what to look for.

The whole gas mileage and usability while it's NOT towing the boat is a major consideration for us. I can't really justify (afford) having a 3rd vehicle to primarily just tow the boat.

I'll look into the suggestions to see what I can get a 1997-1999 version and insure it for.

Thanks again.

-Linc

 

[ferrellb]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

You may reconsider that idea. We typically drive smaller imports that we both wanted to keep. I found a decent condition Isuzu Rodeo last winter for under $2K. It is very reliable, has a Class III hitch, and tows my boat and gear (approx 2K#) very well. Trailerboats.com puts its tow rating at 4500#. We were able to keep our more fun, more economical Acuras. It would pain me to have had to buy extra gas year round for a vehicle I only wanted to tow a boat with. I also am WAY less concerned about throwing wet inflatables and gear in a $1500 SUV! I am not suggesting any brand but there are a lot of 4WD and 2WD SUVS available for peanuts. After some postings and help from this site, I towed the boat over 500 miles recently without a problem. I would do it again without a thought.

After the other postings mostly against Toyota trucks, I am almost afraid to admit we drive Acuras!!!

 

[Rusty Boater]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

We use a GMC Envoy to tow our 18 Bayliner. Tows great and is a comfortable ride with a thrid row for the kiddies

 

[jtexas]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

dan, glad you've had good luck towing with the sienna - it's a great car - but our first camping trip after we got it, I had it loaded down with camping gear, hitched up the boat (less than 2000 lbs), loaded up the kids, then noticed, the bottom of the recieiver was (I am *not* exagerating) about 2" off the street..........we made the trip anyway, without incident......but with a few bags of groceries, or a couple cases of beer, or a couple of adults in the back seat, that receiver kept hitting bottom on speed bumps, some parking lot entries, and my own driveway unless we enter/exit at an extreme angle........finally just took the hitch off the van - she never liked me to take it fishing anyway, and she won't let the dog ride in it.....so now we just take 2 vehicles camping..........

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

If you're thinking minivan I would definitely suggest a Chevy or GMC with the 4.3L. That motor makes a great boat puller.

Another good option would be a Dodge or Chrysler with the 3.5L v6. Strong motors and comfortable rides. My brother owns a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country and it was the primary puller for our 19.5' I/O (3000+ lb) for a couple years.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

IMO a Chevy Trailblazer, or the GMC Envoy, should make a sturdy, comfy SUV/Tow vehicle.

 

[jddenham]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Air shocks or air bags in the coils makes a big difference in that type of vehicle.

dan, glad you've had good luck towing with the sienna - it's a great car - but our first camping trip after we got it, I had it loaded down with camping gear, hitched up the boat (less than 2000 lbs), loaded up the kids, then noticed, the bottom of the recieiver was (I am *not* exagerating) about 2" off the street..........we made the trip anyway, without incident......but with a few bags of groceries, or a couple cases of beer, or a couple of adults in the back seat, that receiver kept hitting bottom on speed bumps, some parking lot entries, and my own driveway unless we enter/exit at an extreme angle........finally just took the hitch off the van - she never liked me to take it fishing anyway, and she won't let the dog ride in it.....so now we just take 2 vehicles camping..........

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Gotta suggest a full size Blazer or Suburban, early or late. Personally I prefer the earlier live front axle pre-92's but the later ones do ride much better. V8 torque is a real plus with boats of that weight or more.

 

[chaparral442]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

I have towed boats and travel trailers for 35 years my 2 cents is that I always look for a vehicle built on a truck frame Many SUV s and mini vans are built on car frames. I also do not like pulling a trailer that is 70% or more of the towing capacity. Unless you are using a junker to pull your boat you have a big investment in your tow vehicle as well as your boat. If money is an object find a junker to pull the boat* then if the tranny craps out you will not have a heart attack--

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

02+ Mountaineer/Explorer with the 4.6L V8 option (standard towing package)
7300# capacity, tranny cooler half the size of the radiator, avalible 3rd row fold down seat (which is fine for kids up to around 12), and BETTER fuel mileage than the V6 version.

We have the 4.6L AWD version and my wife averages ~15mpg around town and we see 21-22mpg on the highway @ 75mph on road trips with 4 adults and luggage aboard. I'm NEVER towing anything with a minivan again, I wouldn't trust any minivan for over 1500# period unless its an Astro or Aerostar (frame built, not Unibody)