Minimum to tow a 19' bowrider

[R055]

I have a 2003 maxum 1900sr. Loaded Boat + trailer is 4000 pounds. Last year I towed it with a jeep wrangler unlimited that's was only rated for 3500. I only towed with it in the city and each trip was less than 25 miles each way. Kept my distance and all was fine.
This year I got a dodge 3500 dually(for my business I'm trying to start) but it'll do great towing anything.

The jeep wrangler unlimited is a weird one in the sense that it's capped at 3500 in the US but same exact one in Europe and every where else on the work is rated for 5000.

Also as far as getting denied my insurance because you were towing over the limit is something I've never heard of or read of auctally happening and strongly doubt insurance will deny you.

 

[Silvertip]

If you are considering a Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, or GMC Acadia for towing in the 2500 - 5000# range you absolutely need the factory trailer package. Without that package you are limited to 2000#. You cannot just tack on a hitch receiver and expect to keep the factory warranty if you exceed the 2000# limit. You know the vehicle has the "factory" tow package if there is a button in the center stack with the "trailer" icon on it. That's the tow/haul mode switch. If you buy a new vehicle it will also come with the harness for an electric brake controller.

 

[boatman37]

I tow my 20 foot BR with a 2010 jeep wrangler unlimited Sahara no problem.

not to hijack but my daughter has a 2016 sahara unlimited automatic. she was considering buying a boat and i told her she could not tow it with her jeep. it has the tow package and she tows a small trailer with her quad on it but the factory tow rating with 3.21 gears is 1500lbs. i think with 3.733's it is 3500lbs. but she had a 4" lift and 35" tires installed and also 4.88 gears. i guess technically she would be at the 3500lb capacity (at least) but legally her jeep is still rated at 1500lbs? she was thinking about a 19-21' bow rider. the point may be moot now as she bought a 27' camper yesterday and her boyfriend will be pulling it with his Ford Raptor but she said she may buy an older 3/4 ton for pulling her toys.

the tow capacity has had me thinking for awhile so thought i would mention it here. does it go up to the max for her model since she changed the gear ratio or would it still go by what is on the door sticker?

 

[bigdee]

Too many variables to give a finite answer. If you already have a tow vehicle I would hook it up and give it a test tow and judge from how it feels. OEM tow ratings are grossly underrated for vehicles sold in the U.S. I towed a 18.5' HEAVY bow rider with a 4.3 S-10 Blazer and a 3.7 Grand Cherokee with no problems what-so-ever. The most important factor is the person who is driving. You can also modify your SUV to increase the towing capacity..... add a weight distributing hitch, HD shocks,etc.

 

[Stingrayaxe]

I'd be careful trying to increase the towing capacity of a vehicle. There really isn't much that can be done except improve the ride. HD shocks don't add capacity. They only do a better job controlling the bumps. Bigger springs can add a little but mostly just keep the load from creating sag. Weight distribution system just reduces tongue weight and helps with sway. Tough to make work with surge breaks. It a combination of everything that determines capacity. Brakes,diff,trans,frame,cooling,trans cooling are just a few factors.

Yes an insurance company will deny a claim if you are exceeding capacity. Get your load weighed and find a vehicle with a capacity of at least 10% more than the max you plan to tow.

 

[Slager]

Insurance doesn't deny claims for negligence. As long as your not towing over weight with the intention of it causing an accident you're fine. But it would likely void any warranty on the vehicle and reduce its expected life, and require more maintenance.

 

[boatman37]

oh i already warned her about the warranty issues...lol. technically that vehicle is safe for 3500lbs as that is the rating for the 3.73 option. brakes and axles are the same with 3.73's or 3.21's. i would think the manufacturer would have to provide an addendum or something to be 100% legal? or if you ever had to go to court get a statement from Jeep that the limitation was performance related and not safety?

at this point it is more of a curiosity thing

 

[thumpar]

Even 3500lbs is too low for a decent 18-19'. Most will weight around 3000lbs dry with no trailer. Add gear, trailer, fuel, food/drink and you are already way past 3500lbs. You also have to count the weight that you add to the vehicle in the form of people and gear too.

 

[Slager]

oh i already warned her about the warranty issues...lol. technically that vehicle is safe for 3500lbs as that is the rating for the 3.73 option. brakes and axles are the same with 3.73's or 3.21's. i would think the manufacturer would have to provide an addendum or something to be 100% legal? or if you ever had to go to court get a statement from Jeep that the limitation was performance related and not safety?

at this point it is more of a curiosity thing

I'm not a lawyer and can't give legal advice, but as far as I know there aren't any laws making it illegal to tow over the manufacturer recommended amount except for comercial vehicles. My real concern would be the 4" jack. That would raise the tow vehicles center of gravity which would reduce stability. If the oversized tires also raise it up, it could be a real roll over risk with a heavy trailer pushing it around.

 

[bigdee]

OEM tow ratings are somewhat underrated for vehicles sold in the U.S. They are based on S.A.E. J2807 which includes testing on a 11 mile 7% grade maintaining a minimum speed of 45mph. Also starting and stopping on a 12% grade. Those are extreme conditions that don't exist in my local, I towed a 18.5' HEAVY bow rider with a 4.3 S-10 Blazer and a 3.7 Grand Cherokee with no problems what-so-ever.
Like I said the best answer is to saddle up and give it a test run. If you live in a hilly,high traffic and long distance towing I would rethink this and go with a more capable vehicle. I have seen more accidents with oversized 4x4s because people feel too complacent when they can't feel the load behind them.

 

[SkaterRace]

Even 3500lbs is too low for a decent 18-19'. Most will weight around 3000lbs dry with no trailer. Add gear, trailer, fuel, food/drink and you are already way past 3500lbs. You also have to count the weight that you add to the vehicle in the form of people and gear too.

That is exactly what prompted me to write this question, I did some math and it just was not working unless I went with the lowest weight of each option and even then I was close.