Max Towing Weight

[smithp32]

I am about to buy a Maxum 2400. Fully loaded with trailer it is about 6,500 pounds. This seems high to me compared to similar sized boats. I have a 2002 Toyota Sequoia V8 4WD. It is rated at 6,500 pounds. Is this pushing it?<br /><br />My Toyota mechanic says it can pull more than rated. <br />I don't intend to do any distance towing. Just 2-5 miles from home to launch ramp. I'm most concerned about pulling the boat out of the water on the steep launch ramps. Boat dealer says just lock in 4wd low and I'll have no problem.<br /><br />I would like to hear from some with experience on this. phillip.smith@cibc.com

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Max Towing Weight

6500lbs sounds about right. my buddy has a 22' stingray that maxes at 5500 with trailer. your truck will be fine towing if you truly keep it to a few miles per trip. just go slow and easy on the acceleration and turn off the overdrive. you'll also have no problem at the ramp using 4 wheel drive and going slow. with all that said, if you plan to do longer trips and need to conquer hills, i highly recommend a higher rated vehicle with actual tow package (not just a hitch). good luck-

 

[DJ]

Re: Max Towing Weight

smithp32,<br /><br />You may or may not be pushing it-depends.<br /><br />1. What is the tongue weight? <br /><br />2. What is your hitch rated for-probably 5000 # pull and 500# tongue weight.<br /><br />How does the rear suspension handle the load? 4X4 is not going to do you any good if your front wheels are off of the ground on a steep ramp.<br /><br />I would hook it up on a level area and see how it does.<br /><br />If you exceed the capacity of the vehicle, and have an accident, you are AUTOMATICALLY at fault.

 

[smithp32]

Re: Max Towing Weight

Thanks for the info.<br />The tongue weight rating is 650 pounds. The GCWR is 12,000. The vehicle is 5080 pounds.<br /><br />I haven't had the boat hooked up to test it out. The boat is about 400 miles away and I wanted a pretty good sense of whether it was doable before I took the trip.<br /><br />I bought the car with the "towing package" but later found out it does not include a transmission cooler.

 

[JB]

Re: Max Towing Weight

I agree that the Sequoia has the grunt to pull the package. <br /><br />But I am reserved on braking and emergency maneuver control.<br /><br />I have a Teutonic attitude on engineering issues: Never approach, much less match, rated capacity on anything.<br /><br />I would go buy a rusty old 3/4 ton with great brakes, 4X4, auto, 2 speed transfer case and a 400+ci engine just for that short run to the ramp.<br /><br />Just one opinion, of course, but I have outlived the immortality age.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Max Towing Weight

I've got one for sale

 

[suzukidave]

Re: Max Towing Weight

Are you pushing it Smith? I'm suspicious that your estimate comes in at your towing capacity. Are you being honest about the weight of fuel, anchor, etc... or are you making the shoe fit? Have you put it on a scale to see?<br /><br />You may be barely legal and will no doubt be ok under normal driving conditions, but at that weight you will be running hot, wearing every mechanical component on your Sequoia at about 5 times the normal rate when towing and you will not have any margin for error in adverse conditions. If this is a longterm boat, you should find a better longterm towing arrangement.<br /><br />As for launching, putting a big 24' in off a ramp is always nasty. I would see if you can find a monorail or a tender truck at a local marina --they will probably drop it in for $20.

 

[DJ]

Re: Max Towing Weight

smithp32,<br /><br />650 #'s tongue weight!!! <br /><br />Your hitch IS NOT designed for that. Nor is the rear suspension of the vehicle without serious help, such as equalizer bars.

 

[Beaux]

Re: Max Towing Weight

smithp32-<br />If you are going to pull it with your sequoia then I would do two things.... first recheck your maximum tongue weight allowed for your hitch/vehicle. Then I would adjust the boat on the trailer by either moving it forward or backwards to get proper tongue weight. I have experience pulling a 24'searay cuddy that was a little exciting to get off a steep ramp with the boat. ( I only had two wheel drive). THe main thing is if you are going to be that close to your limits... you have to drive EXTREMELY carefully and slow... your stopping distance will be greatly increased and if its raining- you will NOT stop quickly no matter what so be careful. A add-on transmission cooler would be put on if were me.... Good luck

 

[magster65]

Re: Max Towing Weight

You didn't mention the trailer set-up but I have an 83 22.5 SeaRay which is likely heavier than the Maxum. It has a tandem trailer with surge brakes. I tow it with a 94 Ford 1/2 ton 4x4 with a 5.8 auto. and it's no problem at all... you should be fine. The trailer has brakes right!?

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Max Towing Weight

If you got the 'towing package' and it didn't include a cooler...Tayota figured you didn't need one. They're probably right, unless used in extreme mountains or desert. They have some pretty good experience with the Land Cruiser to fall back on. I love it when manufactures give you a 6500# rating with a Class III hitch (5000#). I'll open this up for discussion...the only thing I see different on Class IV is a solid reciever vs hollow. I have a Escalade that rated for 8600# and tow 7700# with out a problem. I'd start with 500# on the tongue, because that is what the ball probably says...if the rig isn't swaying, I'd stay there. Generally, if the rig is swaying you need more weight on the tongue. You might have to work with the dealer to get the balance right...it's worth the effort once. This has been my experience over the last 20 years. All rigs are different. It's important to get it right, but the vehicle should be no problem. As an aside I towed my rig with a Land Rover for a couple months...it towed great and was stable and all that; but it wasn't a rocket on the hills or starting up. Brakes were great. What do you want from 182 HP vs the 345 HP now!

 

[smithp32]

Re: Max Towing Weight

This is good info and will help me make a decision on whether to buy this boat. Here is some additional info to address some of your questions.<br /><br />djohns19 - the 650# tongue weight is the rating for the Sequoia. I asked the dealer yesterday to get me the tongue weight of the rig.<br /><br />suzukidave - I got the weight estimate of 6200 from a website and threw in 300# for fuel, etc. so they could be off. I've asked the dealer to give me an accurate weight.<br /><br />magster65 - The trailer is a dual axle with brakes. The boat is really a 22' open bow with a 2' swim platform. It's got the base engine and no extras.<br /><br />Its a great deal on the boat but I'll pass if I can't tow it.

 

[Beaux]

Re: Max Towing Weight

smith- dont worry about it ...if it is a great DEAL then I would get it.... like you said, you only have to deal with 5 miles each way and seem more than intelligent enough to compensate for the decreased braking/handling. At worst, I would pay someone to haul ti the 400 miles to your house so you didnt have to amke that long trip on your car. Then you will have no problems. Just a tip, you may find that playing with the tongue weight can really make your specific car handle better... your car being in 4 LOW will easily pull the boat out... Good Luck

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Max Towing Weight

Is that a duel axle with brakes on BOTH axles? It should be!

 

[DJ]

Re: Max Towing Weight

Smithp32,<br /><br />The only reason I asked about the tongue weight of the trailer was: backing down a ramp. If it's real heavy, and your rear suspension can't handle it, guess what, you're going swimming-truck and all.<br /><br />Backing down the ramp tends to "unload" the front wheels. This is not good. If you are well within the mfg's stated hitch weight, you should be OK.<br /><br />Take it from someone that's been through it-not fun to skid uncontrollably down a ramp. Never lost a vehicle-but close.