towing suggestions

[Cptkid570]

Hey everyone,
Just got my new to me boat running.. 26' 1985 Searay Sundancer. On a dual axle trailer. NADA says the boat weighs 5150 pounds...which I think seems kinda light...

Anyway, don't laugh, but I intend on pulling it with a 1996 Chevy Blazer, 4 wheel drive, with a 4.3 liter V6 engine.

I towed the boat home with it (about 40 miles) with no problems. I live in Florida, so there are no hills, and I didn't try to break any speed records.

My concern is whether or not the Blazer will pull the boat up the ramp. I'm not even sure if my 4 wheel drive works or not.

2 questions:
1. What are your opinions of whether or not you think the car will get the boat up the ramp.

2. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do to help the car get it up the ramp? I've already thought that I can have someone in the boat put the boat in drive and help push me up the ramp with the boat motor. But, I don't want to have to do that.

I'm also thinking that I could get a spare rim for the Blazer and put a big knobby tire on it to help give better traction at the ramp...and just use this rim/tire for days that I take the boat out. If it keeps me from having to buy a bigger car to tow this thing with, it would be worth it.

Any opinions??

 

[dbric36]

Re: towing suggestions

I pity that Blazer

 

[JB]

Re: towing suggestions

NO WAY would I tow that boat with a short wheelbase vehicle like a Blazer.

I would call a long whelbase vehicle with 7000# tow rating bare minimum and I would be dang sure that the trailer brakes work well.

I intend to die in bed or on a great fishing lake, not on the road.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: towing suggestions

2. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do to help the car get it up the ramp? I've already thought that I can have someone in the boat put the boat in drive and help push me up the ramp with the boat motor. But, I don't want to have to do that.


I watched a couple do that on a ramp as his truck only had one wheel drive. It looked absolutely scary! I wouldn't recomend it to anyone.
At most of the ramps around here it would also get you a ticket due to prop wash off the end of the ramp.

 

[Windykid]

Re: towing suggestions

Being that your boat out weighs your vehicle more than likely, not a safe move. you probably have street tires which wont work. I have a 2005 chevrolet 2500 duramax deisel 4X4 and had to change the tires to all tarrain tires to get traction on the wet ramp. My boat is an Astro quick fire 18SC. I wouldnt be suprized if your boat doesnt drag you down the ramp.:redface:

 

[CATransplant]

Re: towing suggestions

Well, you might get away with it for a while. And then again, you might end up as a photo here on our Stupid Human Tricks section.

Plus, when you come up on a stop light and rear end someone because you couldnt' stop, your insurance company will be very, very unamused.

Trade your Blazer for a big 3/4 ton pickup or a Chevy Suburban. The Blazer's not worth a lot, so you'll have to settle for an older truck. You may love your Blazer, but you won't love it so much when the boat hauls it down the ramp and into the water.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: towing suggestions

i have a boat that size we tow with a 99' 1500 surburban, 5.7L heavy tow package, trailer brakes, 8 foot long tongue, from bow stop to hitch, which gets the boat in the water on relatively gentle slope ramps, without wetting the truck. don't even try it on a steep ramp.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: towing suggestions

The storage facility where I keep the boat is only 2 miles with 1 stop light in between. I understand everything you guys are saying.. and no, I'm not all that attached to the Blazer, it's a 2nd vehicle that I don't use very much.

I guess I'm just looking for ways to make it work.. I'm mostly concerned about going up the ramp.

On a side note, I used to tow a 24' boat with a jeep wrangler.. that was 15 miles to the ramp and the boat would at times pull the jeep down the ramp.. that wasn't fun... but, it worked fine and I kept a real good stopping distance. Realistically, although it sounds bad, I wouldn't leave the boat latched to the trailer, I'd tie it to the dock.. boat would only pull me down the ramp until it started to float, then all was good.

With gas prices the way they are, I doubt a 4x4 truck with a V8 would cost too much right now.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: towing suggestions

Being that your boat out weighs your vehicle more than likely, not a safe move. you probably have street tires which wont work. I have a 2005 chevrolet 2500 duramax deisel 4X4 and had to change the tires to all tarrain tires to get traction on the wet ramp. My boat is an Astro quick fire 18SC. I wouldnt be suprized if your boat doesnt drag you down the ramp.:redface:

Windykid - that's a lot of truck for an 18' boat.. You must use some slippery ramps... My blazer has never slipped or needed 4 wheel drive to pull my 19' boat up any ramp.. and I've used some scary looking ramps with it...

 

[Windykid]

Re: towing suggestions

CPTKID I need the truck for other stuff. But I havent needed to use 4X4 on the ramp, but the steep lake ramps around here the factory tires would just slide when wet. Heck even corners were tense when it rains with those tires.

Sorry to get off subject:redface:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: towing suggestions

I used a 2000 Blazer to tow a 20 foot boat once. Not sure I would do it again though. It wasn't the power that was the problem but the weight of the vehicle getting pushed around.

I would think it could pull your boat up the ramp as long as the ramp was in good shape and the concrete was grooved.

With only 2 miles, I think you would be fine if it is flat and you don't go over 30 MPH.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: towing suggestions

all you can do is give it a try, and have a friend with a 4 wheel drive stand by. also you could pick up some fat chicks to stand on the rear bumper. when you pull out, i mean drive up the ramp.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: towing suggestions

Does the Blazer have a limited slip differential?

 

[valkyr]

Re: towing suggestions

Another option, find a well used, beater truck with 4wd - Anything I mean, rusted out whatever. Anything that has a solid power plant and towing ability...Let friends drive a diff vehicle and meet you at the lake.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Bindernut]

Re: towing suggestions

That's a lot of boat for a little Blazer. I'd look for a bigger tow rig...even just a beater as valkyr suggests.

A friend of mine has a 19' Silverline I/O and a Jeep Cherokee (the little square one) and it's got it's hands full on a steep ramp. I've pulled it with my 90 Nissan and it's got it's hands full too. Low range and good tires are your friend, but you still might find yourself sliding down the ramp with your setup.

Not to mention the lack of safety on the road...

 

[Captain Paul]

Re: towing suggestions

Whoa. Mega boat...Mini tow rig. UNTIL you can afford a different tow ride, here is an old tow truck driving trip. With boat loaded on trailer, before you try to pull up the ramp, keep your foot on the brake while your GENTLY apply throttle, slowly release brake and as you start to move forward, GENTLY apply more throttle and release brake gradually. And please, go easy. Don't spin the wheels. I think you are the image of the tail wagging the dog.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: towing suggestions

Thank you for the insights everyone... It will definitely be interesting to see how this all works out. I'm not opposed to buying an ugly truck with a strong motor to tow it with... The ramp that I'm going to be using isn't very steep and is pretty short (especially at high tide)... and is grooved.. I don't think I can recall seeing anyone ever having issues pulling their boats out there.

We'll see how it goes.. I tested my 4 wheel drive last night and confirmed that it does work.. I'm sure that will help.

When I brought the boat home, I think the fastest I went was 45 or 50, but I don't plan on going more than 30 when towing to the ramp..

Believe it or not, I do want to be safe... haha

 

[Windykid]

Re: towing suggestions

Good luck and let us know how it turns out

 

[skibug]

Re: towing suggestions

Please have bystander have video camera handy. And even at 30mph, I would hate to see you have to slam on the brakes for something or try and avoid something and make a sudden move. That is way too much for that truck. And remember, that NADA weight is the dry weight without the trailer, gas, gear, etc... Your probably looking at 6500# minimum that your towing. Way to much.

 

[DaveM]

Re: towing suggestions

Words cannot express how happy I am that you are in Florida--I feel safe here in Seattle. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near this rig.