How can I tow this?

[njrextreme]

Re: How can I tow this?

Or find a friend with a truck that likes to go boating.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How can I tow this?

My take on this is that the OP has three vehicles. A mini car, a van and a truck. For towing the mini bucket is of no use. Depending on the boat, either the van or the truck would work (to a point). So the next step is to determine what each vehicle is currently used for and how much. I take it the mini bucket is used to get to and from work. It can't possibly be a pleasure cruiser which is where the van becomes the family truckster. Then there is the truck which seems to have no particular use since it apparently can't be trusted for anything. So down the road goes the truck and a new/used vehicle replaces both of them. That new/used vehicle can be a crew cab truck to hold the family and much more stuff in the bed with a cover or topper than the van ever would. Mileage on the new vehicle would not be significantly different than the van but a heck of a lot more useful since it now tows, hauls people and stuff for which you needed three vehicles before. You have one less vehicle to insure and your neighbors no longer have to look at the crappy truck and instead have a boat and a nice new/used pickup to look at. Or, any of the 4.0 Mopar vans would tow a good sized boat. People so often make the mistake of buying a boat before they think about what they can tow it with so fortunately that issue has been addressed. You really have two options. 1) buy a boat you can get buy with and tow with what you have or 2) buy the boat you need and then buy a suitable tow vehicle. Paying someone to truck it around for you is an absolutely horrible idea unless you have deep pockets and simply don't want to be bothered.

 

[Bucky3343]

Re: How can I tow this?

My take on this is that the OP has three vehicles. A mini car, a van and a truck. For towing the mini bucket is of no use. Depending on the boat, either the van or the truck would work (to a point). So the next step is to determine what each vehicle is currently used for and how much. I take it the mini bucket is used to get to and from work. It can't possibly be a pleasure cruiser which is where the van becomes the family truckster. Then there is the truck which seems to have no particular use since it apparently can't be trusted for anything. So down the road goes the truck and a new/used vehicle replaces both of them. That new/used vehicle can be a crew cab truck to hold the family and much more stuff in the bed with a cover or topper than the van ever would. Mileage on the new vehicle would not be significantly different than the van but a heck of a lot more useful since it now tows, hauls people and stuff for which you needed three vehicles before. You have one less vehicle to insure and your neighbors no longer have to look at the crappy truck and instead have a boat and a nice new/used pickup to look at. Or, any of the 4.0 Mopar vans would tow a good sized boat. People so often make the mistake of buying a boat before they think about what they can tow it with so fortunately that issue has been addressed. You really have two options. 1) buy a boat you can get buy with and tow with what you have or 2) buy the boat you need and then buy a suitable tow vehicle. Paying someone to truck it around for you is an absolutely horrible idea unless you have deep pockets and simply don't want to be bothered.

Wow I never thought of that. I could just sell the truck and buy a boat maybe. I only use the truck 6 or 7 times a year. I wouldn't get much money for the truck though. And to the guy that asked where I live... Northeast Ohio. And hour south of Cleveland

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: How can I tow this?

even a gen 1 dakota can have a towing capacity up to 5500#, however not knowing which engine/gear ratio, etc. we wont have the ability to determine the actual towing capacity.

so, in a nutshell to answer this

Ok so a Dakota would be able to tow a boat?

YES. remember anything over 2000# and you need a real hitch vs a bumper hitch

based on the OP's comments I am assuming the following - Civic is daily driver, Odyssey is family truckster and the durango is used for lumber and yard waste (only used 6 times a year). since the Dakota is considered a "rattle trap" lets assume the body is in rough shape, and the mechanics are not far behind. I would keep the civic for daily driving, sell the odyssey and dakota and get a dual-duty family truckster/tow vehicle.

 

[lncoop]

Re: How can I tow this?

even a gen 1 dakota can have a towing capacity up to 5500#, however not knowing which engine/gear ratio, etc. we wont have the ability to determine the actual towing capacity.

so, in a nutshell to answer this

YES. remember anything over 2000# and you need a real hitch vs a bumper hitch

based on the OP's comments I am assuming the following - Civic is daily driver, Odyssey is family truckster and the durango is used for lumber and yard waste (only used 6 times a year). since the Dakota is considered a "rattle trap" lets assume the body is in rough shape, and the mechanics are not far behind. I would keep the civic for daily driving, sell the odyssey and dakota and get a dual-duty family truckster/tow vehicle.

I agree, but with one caveat; Bucky has a lot to learn before he can safely tow and operate a boat.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: How can I tow this?

What size boat are you looking at? You need to answer that then arrange your tow vehicle accordingly.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: How can I tow this?

... And to the guy that asked where I live... Northeast Ohio. And hour south of Cleveland

More logistics. "Nearest Lake is and hour away" and "I live... Northeast Ohio. And hour south of Cleveland."

I am in Lorain county. 20 minutes West of Cleveland.
If your lake of choice (My choice BTW) is lake Erie, Your Wakeboarding opportunities are going to be limited and an 18+ footer would be recommended.
Tubing is more viable, but skiing and Wakeboarding require flat water.
Your next choices are West Branch (1 Hour), Sandusky Bay (1.5 Hours), or Alum Creek (1.5 hours).
The couple of small lakes near Mansfield would have you running out of lake in 3 minutes at Wakeboard speed.
95% of Ohio Lakes have a 20hp limit. and most of the unlimited hp lakes are south of Columbus.

Pick your water, Find a boat that fits the lake, get a truck that pulls the boat.

You are making good decisions so far.
Thinking this through before buying anything is a super good move.

If you would like to experience Lake Erie boating, PM me!

 

[louiefl]

Re: How can I tow this?

We have a 2006 Honda Odyssey as our tow vehicle and it works well for our 17'5" center console. Dry weight of boat and motor is 1,850 lbs, trailer is 550 lb, fuel and gear, let's call it another 300 lb or 2,700 lbs all-in. This meets the 3,500 lb towing capacity. Next I checked the Combined Gross Vehicle rating which is 8,210 lbs - this is the weight of van, trailer, gear, people, everything in motion. I deduct the Gross Vehicle weight 4,480 lb and the boat 2,700 lb and have 1,030 lb that I can put in the van - usually 550 lb of people leaving 4,80 lbs of gear in the van. Trailer has new wheels, tires, and bearings, all rated for a minimum of 3,400 lb, so I'm good there.

With the math out of the way, how does it perform? I haven't driven over 55 mph, and it seems fine up to that speed, just don't drive on highways. When I go over uneven pavement, you can feel it back there, but no stability problems. Concerning braking, it stops adequately but you need to leave some additional room as you would with any tow vehicle. I've had to do a panic stop (idiot pulled out in front of me doing 45 - guess he would rather have me up his bumper than get stuck behind me for 2 miles) and we were just fine.

The Odyssey does have a history of transmision problems (mostly 2004 and before) and I do a 3.5 qt transmission drain and refill as recommended by Honda every other oil change. 105,000 miles and no issues. Honda recommends the addition of a transmission cooler for towing, you can either use theirs or go aftermarket. We did aftermarket hitch - hangs lower than Honda's but it was less than $200 including lighting harness adapter and only took 30 minutes to install both. Trans cooler is a slightly longer job.

 

[eng208]

Re: How can I tow this?

Just wanted to add. I can only assume you are married. Having an affair with a woman that had a truck would be cheaper than trying to hire someone to haul your boat to and from the lake an hour away.

Sell the truck and get an old S10 or a Ranger with either the 4.3 V6 or the 4.0 V6(Ranger), buy you a bowrider in the 19 ft range and enjoy. The old S10 and Rangers were pretty solid vehicles and parts are cheap. They also have a pretty generous towing capability in comparison to minivans and cars. Just make sure you don't get a 3.0 V6 Ranger. I had one that wouldn't tow a string out of an elephant's butt.

 

[gmorgan]

Re: How can I tow this?

Rent a car/truck from Enterprise $20. A DAY

 

[eng208]

Re: How can I tow this?

Rent a car/truck from Enterprise $20. A DAY

Last time I checked they did not allow towing.

 

[jkust]

Re: How can I tow this?

Last time I checked they did not allow towing.

Towing is not allowed by rental companies. I once needed to tow something and the only place that would allow it was Wrent a Wreck.

 

[Lakes84]

Re: How can I tow this?

Towing is not allowed by rental companies. I once needed to tow something and the only place that would allow it was Wrent a Wreck.

True, but their trucks and suburbans come with the receivers

 

[jkust]

Re: How can I tow this?

True, but their trucks and suburbans come with the receivers

Sure but so does liability and loss of your assets in a scenario. Uhaul allows pulling trailers.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: How can I tow this?

I agree, but with one caveat; Bucky has a lot to learn before he can safely tow and operate a boat.

I agree LN..
Uhaul or Hertz or any of the larger rental companies should have a vehicle capable of towing.. I have rented a uhaul truck and trailer for towing vehicles. You need to make sure that the ball size is correct and the lights all work.

Might want to think about a boater safety course while you are at it.

 

[gmorgan]

Re: How can I tow this?

I work for Penske they allow towing just let them know when you rent the truck for the ins.

 

[Solittle]

Re: How can I tow this?

This may have already been mentioned but here in Miami you can rent a truck for $19.99 per day. Say 10 trips per summer season = $200.00. Hell of a lot cheaper that buying -

 

[PWH1]

Re: How can I tow this?

I tow my 16' GS Glastron with a Toyota Sienna without any issues. The vehicle performs exceptionally well with that size boat and trailer combination. I take it easy when going up steep hills and never push the vehicle to the point where I sense its laboring. I did add air bags to beef up the rear suspension while fully loaded for long trips into Canada. I tow in 4th gear at 65 MPH max speed in the slow lane (you simply cant go 55 on the QEW or you will get run over!). Returned from a week long stay in the land of lakes yesterday with the average temp at 97 degrees, the Sienna handled a 7.5 hour haul without issue.

Also, I live in between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario... We boat weekly on the Niagara river only venturing into the mouth of lake Erie as we pass from the Canadian side of the river back over to the US side. If you are boating exclusively on Lake Erie, you will need a bigger boat than 16 - 17' A small boat on Lake Erie can be very dangerous with number and size of the boats out there in addition to the general characteristics of the lake (swells/chop). The wake these larger boats throw can bury your boat if you don't understand how to manage whats rolling towards your boat.

 

[NYBo]

Re: How can I tow this?

Did the OP ever get back to us with the specifics about the Odyssesy and Dakota?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: How can I tow this?

Did the OP ever get back to us with the specifics about the Odyssesy and Dakota?

Nope!
Haven't heard from him since Post #23!

We are all just preaching to the choir.