what vehicle would you recommend?

[indiana324]

what vehicle would you recommend to pull my 19 foot rinker captiva runabout? I was pulling it with my minivan. But my wife totaled it and now we need something. We need at least a 4 or 5 person capicity. Would a saturn vue pull a boat? or a ford escape? just lookin for some input from others who own boats.

thanks,
mike

 

[marine4003]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

Find the boat weight....look up the tow capacity of any car/truck at NADA. there you go........

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

a 4 banger is not going to handle it well.

 

[JB]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

You are going to need a vehicle with tow package that is rated at least 3,500# or better. I would go for 5,000#. That excludes most of the "gas sippers" you mention.

If a new vehicle is possible, take a look at the Toyota Highlander hybrid or the Ford Edge. I would go for AWD, but they do use more fuel.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

Match a vehicle to the weight you want to tow. Leave some capacity in reserve for the "extra things" that we all end up taking.

 

[octane]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

If a new vehicle is possible, take a look at the Toyota Highlander hybrid or the Ford Edge. I would go for AWD, but they do use more fuel.

the highlander hybrid only tows 3500# compared to the 5000# of the regular highlander.

if 3500# is all that is needed, the Rav4 with V6 could also be on the list, it's pretty close to a 4 banger in terms of fuel economy, and with 270hp I never have a problem pulling my boat on hills.

 

[indiana324]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

i know my boat and trailer are around 3500 so yes ill need a biiger vehicle, i was just looking for other opioions on what they have....il probaly get a used few years old since you save alot of money that way...any other suggestions??

Thanks!!

Mike

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

Just to get a little more towing capacity than you think you need. You will be amazed what the family will want to bring with them !!!!

 

[indiana324]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

What about a jeep liberty...looks like a low miles used one is pretty cheap...any thoughts on the Liberty folks??

 

[markhunting4032]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

Myself I do not like the liberty jeeps. I test drove one and ended up w/ a commander V-8. It isn't the greatest on gas but it has 3rd row seating and could move a house. Personal opinion

 

[KETELS]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

The Jeep Liberty will do it just fine with a V6. If you can find one with a Diesel
that would be great. The Diesel did have a few problems . We had a Liberty and it was a great vehicle, NO problems with it. It has the power to do the job but it is a short vehicle. Dont know how it will do towing in a cross wind.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

The Honda Pilot is rated to tow 4,500 lbs (as long as it is a boat, 3,500 otherwise). It also has 3 rows of seating.

 

[Fu-Inator]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

What about a jeep liberty...looks like a low miles used one is pretty cheap...any thoughts on the Liberty folks??

That is what I was thinking...lol. My wife has a Liberty and I just happen to read an article in a boating magazine that gave it high marks for loads below 5000#. We kind of joked around about putting a hitch on it for my 19" I/O and it turned out to be a good vehicle for towing it.

 

[KM2]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

You can get a lightly used mid sized suv for dirt cheap right now. I wouldn't buy anything rated to only 3500# considering your boat. I would be looking at the jeeps (liberty,grand cherokee or commander), ford explorer (mercury mountaineer), chevy trailblazer/gmc envoy or dodge durango. The fuel mileage isn't great but it will be 15-20k less than a new pilot, edge, highlander or acadia (crossovers). The money you save will buy a helluva lot of gas.

You should be able to find a nice SUV with under 25k miles and spend less the 15k.

My wife drives a v6 explorer and it tows our 3500# boat rather wells plus has the third row fold in floor seat which comes in handy somtimes. We had a jeep grand cherokee and it was ok with the 6 but I would recommend the v8.

 

[IES99]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

I tow a similar size and weight boat quite well with my Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.7 liter V6. The other thing (or even more important) to always consider is the braking power of the vehicle. Longer wheelbases help with towing as well.

 

[Captain Paul]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

The 4.2 straight six in the Trailblazer is a nice tourqe engine. Pulls very nice. With no trailer attached an honest 20-21 mpg is possible if your not driving 75 mph. This is not our main tow vehicle, we also have a Sub, but we have used it to tow a loaded 17'5 Lund with a 150. Tow's nice. I would look for the 3.73 gears instead of 3.42 (I think those numbers are close)

 

[10 FOOT INVADER]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

Find a good used 1990-96 lincoln t car. Pulls 5k and has a lot of room.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

You might want to consider an ext. cab pickup. Whatever brand you prefer with a V-8. With fuel costs the way they are, it's a buyer's market for pickups. There's some great deals that can be had, just be ready to haggle. Forget towing that Rinker with V-6. But if you do, install a tranny cooler.

 

[jljue]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

With gas prices these days, a great deal can also be had on a crew cab 1/2 ton pickup. Minimally, I would get a Trailblazer, Explorer, 4-Runner, or Pathfinder rated for 5000 lbs or so. Sometime you never know what you'll pull next. A Titan with Big Tow is overkill for my 18' bass boat, but it did come in handy for a buddy's dump trailer for a demolition project. I also feel safer pulling a trailer or other large load at longer distances at highway speeds with a fullsize than I do with a midsize.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what vehicle would you recommend?

i have a 85 chevy astro van, 4.3 fi V6 for local tows, and a '99 surburban, for long tows.