what do you tow your boat with?

[relocyo]

forgive me if this is a repeat thread, but being a new boat owner my car wont tow my boat (go figure) so now being that me owning a boat is a lifestyle changer, im looking into (and going to get) a truck or SUV for taking my boat to and fro the launch... what do you guys use? im looking at a 2002 chevy silverado or a 2001 dodge durango r/t with tow package... what do you guys use? any bits of knowledge would be great!! thanks guys!!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

what kind of boat? makes ALL the difference! (yes, you can tow with a car, but again, depending on the boat)

 

[shout]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

There are a lot of variables
- how heavy is the boat
- how far will you tow it
- what are the ramps like, steep and slippery?

Having said that, I tow my boat, approx 3500 lbs total, with trailer, with a 1/2 ton short bed GMC. 2 wheel drive,with limited slip, 305 V8

Also, you may have more luck in the "Trailers and Towing " forum

- Shout

 

[oldjeep]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

The older Durangos generally suck for towing unless you use an equalizing hitch. The rear springs are too soft and they squat a lot.

I use a 2009 Ram Hemi CrewCab, which gets pretty decent milage and holds the whole family and their stuff.

 

[ftl900]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

Most recently, a Kawasaki 1100 jetski... got us all the way back to the dock, about a 10 minute tow.

 

[spudshaft]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

gmc jimmy (full size) and an f-150, depending on which has gas in it at the time

 

[jack gardner]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

the silverado should pull most boats . u use a silverado or a 96 tahoe my boat and trailer is about 3500 no issue 4 either tahoe is a v8 silverado is a diesel both r 4wd so piece o cake good luck and have fun on the water

 

[Lrider]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

I am crazy, I tow my friends boat ~2800 loaded - with my 2001 Jeep Wrangler,

 

[JimKW]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

Last year when I bought my boat I almost ended up spending way too much for a tow vehicle so I would not be able to buy the boat I got. I really wanted this boat, but my 98 Volvo V70 would not tow it and neither would either one of my other Volvos. So I bought a 97 GMC Envoy for $3500 and sold the V70 for $3600.

It tows my 3500 lb boat and trailer great. I can hardly believe how good it tows and I have had several tow vehicles including two big old Jeep Wagoneers, a full size Ford Van, a 4Runner and a Suburban. The two jeeps had fantastice towing power, but the Suburban was the best, but with this boat the Envoy does a great job. Especially since I got it for less than I sold the Volvo for! I used the Suburban for Travel Trailers.

 

[relocyo]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

thanks for the input guys... i know my little car wont tow my boat.. car has 1000 lb towing cap and boat is closer to 2000 lb... but the boat is a 1977 glastron gt-150 keep em comin guys! since now after boat shopping i am now car shopping for something to tow it! lol... thanks yall...

 

[URDADDY]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

Try this...

Cant buy anything better for the family plus tow.

EDIT: Photos must be 640X480 or smaller

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

I'm still in the "boat purchase process" but I flat towed a lifted Jeep CJ7 weighing in around 2500 lbs with a Dodge Durango 5.9 4x4. All it took was one 3 hour trip to the desert...came home...sold it..bought a 2003 F150 5.4 Super Crew and it tows like a dream. The SCREW will tow my boat also.

Basically the Durango did the job..but i definitely knew it was back there...but the F150 has a longer wheel base and wider stance so it's more stable.

(is "more stable" even a term?)

Sam

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

i have a 06 nissan xterra and my boat loaded has to be right around the max tow weight of 5000lbs. regardless, the xterra tows it quite well. no problems on any ramps, and no problems as far as acceleration or braking, the only thing i would say is that the stability is not as good as with a heavy duty v8 or diesel truck.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

See signature. Great tow vehicle, especially since I am pulling less than 5,000 lbs total and it is rated for more than twice that weight. So, I am all set when 5 footitus sets in!

 

[grahamh]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

What do I tow my boat with? Anything that will move it forward and have at least a fighting chance of stopping it.

In my particular case, a Ford Bronco.

 

[URDADDY]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

ok will try to trim the photo down a bit, was a nice pic though.

 

[Ocean Airbrush]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

Durangos are great tow vehicles but for daily driving they will cost you a mint (I have a 99). I would recommend the silerado, better mileage, longer wheelbase (makes for more stable towing). The durango does have the advantage of AWD however and on a steep slippery ramp it could come in handy. Of course the durango will also blow the doors off that silverado and still not have to make three point turn into a parking spot.
I guess what I am saying is "flip a coin" you can;t go wrong with either choice.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

I've towed my boat with 3 different vehicles. I had a 99 F150 when I bought the boat, not a very good tow vehicle only because I would lose traction on the ramp. I tire spinning on a slippery ramp don't get it. We bought my son a 2000 5.9L Dodge Durango as his first car, I used it some as a tow vehicle (imagine Dad having to ask his son to borrow the car). It did a fair job but not great on the highway and the mileage was horrific. Now I have a 2008 Silverado crew cab, as a tow vehicle it blows the doors off either the Durango or the F150. The wife has a Grand Cherokee which I imagine would tow about like the Durango but I have never towed with it.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

1972 Searay SRV 180 with a 2002 Ford Ranger 4x4 with tow package and 4.0 motor. But I don't tow more than about 100 miles most of the time.

I tow the sailboat with the Volvo all the time.

 

[642mx]

Re: what do you tow your boat with?

A Tundra! 5.7L's have 381 horse & 401 foot lbs of torque. Tundra's have 6 speed automatics with 4.30 gears & a 10.5" ring gear in the rear end... I don't see how any gasser could pull better.