What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

[InMotion]

Expanding upon what northface posed regarding towing a 16' boat behind a Corolla would work, I was curious to know what others are using to tow their tinnies. I found an old thread for what people use to tow --- bug most of the entries were for towing pretty large glassers.

If there is a thread for tinny towers... then Ez please close this thread and point out the thread link.

I tow with a 2007 Chevy Malibu LT V6. It tows a 16' Jupiter fairly well. Biggest issues - trailer tongue gets pretty low when the car is loaded and scrapes here and there. Other issue is that all I see in the rear view mirror is the boat! Stopping and going are fine. At some point I will likely get something a little larger like a mini ute for the ground clearance and general design that is more trailer friendly! I should also say I get about 25 MPH towing. At over $5 a gallon here it helps!

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

I use a 09 Chevy 1500 with the 6 speed transmission...one word of advice if anyone is buying a truck- no 6 speeds! It thinks my Jet is a heavy load!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

I tow my Nassau with a '98 Jeep Cherokee 2WD automatic. Light tow and no probs. The SC fills up the rear view mirror pretty good too.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

With my 2006 Nissan Frontier..270hp V6..
Great tow rig

 

[dozerII]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

6 Liter 3/4 ton 4X4 GMC Sierra gas gussling pig. But i love it.
Glen

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

Started towing my Jupiter with a '00 Buick Regal. It towed it ok but not great and the hitch often bottomed out. The worst part was being lower to the ground, I couldn't back the boat as far into the water as I would have liked when launching and retrieving. After one particularly difficult day at the ramp, I said to my wife "this is BS we need a truck or SUV". Picked up a 1990 Chevy K1500 from a little old man. That tows the SS like it's not even there. We also now have an '06 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the HEMI! for towing when we also need to haul people and/or stuff. I actually haven't towed with that yet as we just got it. It replaced an '05 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 that towed well but you definitely knew it was back there. If it's just me or me and my son going out and we're staying pretty local, I still prefer to use the old truck more than anything else.

 

[rheagler]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

From home to the ramp I use my '01 Jeep Cherokee. The Starchief really fills up the back window. It's only about 1/4 mile to the ramp. If I go farther I use my '06 K1500 Sierra. I prefer the Jeep though because with the short wheelbase it's easier to maneuver around.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

I tow with a severely underpowered 2004 Dodge Durango with a V6. I truely hate this vehicle. Even though it's got a powerband simmilar to a 1982 Chevette going uphill it tows the boat like it's not even there.

And yes, I have owned a 1982 Chevette and I'd prefer to drive it over the Durango...

 

[bunker108]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

We tow with a 2008 Nissan Xterra. It is an awesome tow vehicle but thirsty. We bought it new and it has been a great vehicle. It is my wifes daily driver and we hope to get her something a little easier on fuel and retire the Xterra to permanent towing duties. While you might be ok with a V6 and front drive, I wouldn't use it unless I was super close to a ramp. We have long tows down here and having the right vehicle makes things much easier on everyone.
These boats are light but by the time you fill them full of fuel, coolers, tackle and tools it adds up quickly!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

What I really would LOVE to have as a tow rig...

Or

 

[InMotion]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

Sweeeeeet ride...

 

[barato2]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

Kev, you think Bunker's Xterra slurps the petrol? if i built one like that, i'd want a direct inj'd turbodiesel drivetrain for 20+mpg and 400+ ft lbs. while we're dreamin............

prev owner of my Starchief used a 74 Westy. i'm dying to get my Westy done to see how it will pull the 'chief. for now, it's the 4x4 Taco de Pescado with 2.7/5spd....only 165 ft lbs so i'm down to 2d by top of mt passes and some of the deeper NM canyons, but gets 15 mpg with the Starchief in tow. also tows our 25' sailboat fine even coming down an 8% downgrade w/o surge brakes

 

[Gibbles]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

I tow with a 03 S10 Blazer (4.3l V6)

I had the exhaust done, intake, and installed a B&M shift + (trans programming on these things sucked!)
tows my FIL's 18ft fiberglass boat pretty good, and not even phased by the Jet when going up the steepest canyon

140k on it now, I bought it with just under 40k

 

[gfbiii51]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

2005 Silverado, 5 speed, 6 cylinder, only 105,000 miles

 

[holiday for me]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

I tow my 18' holiday with a 08 silverado v6. i can't even tell it's there...... nope still there :redface:

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

2001 dodge 4x4 quad cab diesel, approx 300hp, 5 speed manual.
8' camper on the back and behind is the 21' Cheif.
Loaded to the coast I am at 17,800 lbs; get 12 mpg.

 

[sschefer]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?



Ford F350 Super Duty, 6.4l Twin Turbo Diesel, 350 hp/650 torque, 8" Fabtech Lift w/35 Procomp M/T's on 20" Procomp wheels. 10.8mpg on winter fuel.

 

[DiscoBerry]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

I tow my 16'' 78 SS with my 2011 ram 1500 2wd mainly but also tow it alot with my parents 2005 buick rendevous AWD only issue with it is i had to install a 4 inch drop hitch backwards so the trailer jack wheel wouldnt rub. I tow my 19 ft sylvan off shore (like a chieftan/islander) with the ram above only does fine.

 

[65starcraft]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

2000 dodge dakota. I live in the flat lands and i don't have to go very far to hit water.

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: What is everyone using to tow their tinnies?

Heres how I've been doing it this spring... :facepalm: Weee DOGGIEZ!