Towing question

[Purecarnagge]

Thinking of getting a 18 to 21ft boat. Just for cruising around the lake and stuff, but I would have to trade in my maxima.

What are some SUVs that are not as large as say a navigator or something that I would be able to look at that would handle towing a boat just locally (longest drive 15 minutes on average, maybe 2x a year a 1 hour adventure to an other lake).

Will a regular SUV be able to handle a 21 ft boat behind it?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Towing question

Depends on the weight of the boat/trailer. There is a wide range of weights in that length of boat.

As an example, my 19ft on the trailer full of fuel weighs under 3K. We towed it with a 2003 Kia Sorrento for a couple years and it worked well, even on long trips. Some Sorrentos are rated for 5K, ours is rated at 3500

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Towing question

Yeah, lots of small SUVs will tow 3500 with ease. Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox come to mind.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Towing question

I would not be so concerned about the size the SUV since you intend to use it so infrequently. Therefore a large SUV (Taho/Suburban/Yukon/Expedition/etc) are some of the best buys on the planet at this time and will easily handle the boat and anything you put into it. Some of the midsize V6/V8 SUVs would also do the job. As was pointed out, your range of boats can have a wide range of weights. Don't forget that the trailer counts as weight as well as the boat, gas, gear and anything else you tend to toss in. Mid size SUVs will be uncomfortable with anything approaching 5000#. Over that you are in in large SUV country. Small SUVs can tug a pretty fair load but then you are not in the same price point that you would be with a 10 year old "real truck".

 

[642mx]

Re: Towing question

A 4 Runner would be a nice choice too.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Towing question

Here is a website I found that gives tow rating back to 1999:

http://www.racetrack-rv.com/rv_towing.htm

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Towing question

lots of help guys. No more responses are needed. Thanks for the quick answers.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Towing question

For what it's worth, we've been looking at cuddies in the 21' range and a that size you're looking at around 4500# including trailer, etc. My Frontier is rated for 5000#, so it's pushing what I'd be willing to tow. Newer Frontiers and Tacoma are rated for 6200 & 6500# respectively, so that's an attractive option to a full-sized truck.

 

[jkust]

Re: Towing question

Thinking of getting a 18 to 21ft boat. Just for cruising around the lake and stuff, but I would have to trade in my maxima.

What are some SUVs that are not as large as say a navigator or something that I would be able to look at that would handle towing a boat just locally (longest drive 15 minutes on average, maybe 2x a year a 1 hour adventure to an other lake).

Will a regular SUV be able to handle a 21 ft boat behind it?

I saw a newer Maxima towing a newer 19 foot, full featured, large engine fishing boat at the ramp this weekend.

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: Towing question

We got a dodge nitro 4x2. It has rear wheel drive for ramp traction and anti-sway braking for towing. Also got the towing package. All for around 23,000.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Towing question

Just towed for the first time with our new to us (2007) Trailblazer around 300 miles each way.
Outfit as in my signature and around 2,500 lb loaded with all our stuff. Loved it It has the 4.2 litre 6 cylinder. Rated for 6,200lb. With our load on it there were no issues whatsoever.
Very happy.