Can my truck pull this boat?????

[Bunnerrabbit]

Ok I dont know how much the boat weights. I just know its an older 17 foot v-hull with a 4cyl. I need to pull the boat ASAP and about 400 miles. I dont have a reese hitch just the bumper on my truck. Will the bumper be ok doing this or is it not recomended? Anyway its a 01 dakota V8

 

[Specks n Reds]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

 

[Bunnerrabbit]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

Not sure not my boat. Also the bumper is rated at 2000lbs I just dont want to rist damaging the bumper.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

If you are going to pull it on pavement you'll be alright. you usually bend the bumper when they get in a bind. Got a 98 Dakota myself and pulled with bumper about two years without trouble then put on receiver hitch

 

[Gunny77]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

A 17' with a 4 cyl is about 2000 lbs dry weight, add a few hundred more for fluids and equipment and you have exceeded your bumper weight capacity.<br /><br />I wouldnt.....

 

[45_red]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

Got to be a truck scale near you that will wiegh it for you. Sand and gravel outfit, maybe or call your state motor vehicle department.

 

[magster65]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

I agree it's probably rated too heavy for continuous pulling but it's close so for a one way trip I'd go for it and drive easy.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

Pulled my StarCraft 16' aluminum boat to John Kerr reservoir for three years with my S-10. Dry weight of boat is 1200lbs. Then add motor (50hp) and gear. Beat me to death. After third trip, went to full size pick up. Happy Camper now.

 

[chris in va]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

I wouldn't pull a darn thing with a bumper. Those things are flimsy. Get a hitch.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

my uncle pulled the SEA CRAFT with a bumper hitch, full size pickup now, but hey, 2 tons of boat and nothing happened, and that was with the surge brakes out ... <br /><br />of course, I put a class III reciever on, bolted it on with aircraft quality bolts THEN had it welded (aircraft DO crash, lol)<br /><br />but I tend to over do, uncle under does, lol<br /><br />youll be ok, but get a hitch if you are going to be towing a lot, just for your own piece of mind ... accidents happen, and a class three is not going to budge when that bumper is torn like aluminum foil in a wreck

 

[farginicehole]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

Just trade that Dakota up for a Cummins equipped Ram and never even think about it again!

 

[dhud64]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

Poor soul- first of all, scrap the dodge and buy a Chevy! All kiding aside, even if it pulls the boat, will it stop the boat?<br />I used to pull a 1600 pound boat behind a small pick up. It pulled fine and stopped fine..... until it rains! The lake I usually go to is less than 10 miles away and I personally will not pull that size of boat with a small pick up again. Luckily no major events, just soiled shorts!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

If the trailer is the right one for the boat or if it is too much trailer for the boat you will be fine.Can you lift the trailer easily at the tongue???If you can then no problem. I have towed a 17ft. Make with a Honda accord many times with no problem.My trailer is set up correct so there is not too much weight at the hitch. Charlie

 

[trumpetbucks]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

I agree with dhud64. The bigger problem is going to be stopping. If you do it, allow plenty of stopping room and take it easy.<br /><br />Hope you're a praying man..........

 

[cddfamily]

Re: Can my truck pull this boat?????

With that distance, size load and truck, you are talking 55MPH max = close to 7-1/2 hr trip! How much braking do you think you will do in 7 to 8 hrs?<br /><br />Boat, trailer, motor, + extras will put you over 2500#; not including any payload in the truck and cab. The trailer is going to push you a lot unless it has well tuned surge brakes. If it does have them, it will still push you, assuming your bumper holds.<br /><br />Can you rent a truck with the right tow capacity? It would only need to slightly larger than the Dakota, but have the mass, brakes, and bumper to be safe.