Need help picking tow vehicle

[John_S]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

OK, deleted and took discussion off line.

 

[KM2]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

I think the escape would be a good choice. My sister has a CRV an older one and I wouldn't tow anything with it. Doesn't seem to be nearly as solid as the escape.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

We faced the same situation you've got a couple years ago.

Our boat is a 14' SeaRayder jet boat, according to the manuals about 800#. With 16 gal fuel, trailer, etc we're still well under 1200#. The CRV is rated for a maximum 1500# towing, so we're just within the 80% guideline. If I had brakes on the trailer, towing capacity is a lot more.

We bought an 07 Honda CRV and have used it to tow the boat with no problem. Yeah, our mileage goes from mid-to-high twenties to mid-teens when we're towing, but that's a fact of life. Overall economy and comfort were important to us, too. That's why we didn't go with a bigger vehicle. Since the majority of use is off-season non-towing, be sure to get a vehicle you're comfortable driving / riding in. 4-Wheel drive when launching our boat was a critical requirement, since our lake has only a sand launch point. Most of our towing is 1/2 mile from our cottage to the launch point, with occasional visits to other nearby lakes.

Buy your hitch on-line and install it yourself. I got a 2" Valley hitch through etrailer.com; the only reason it took me 30 minutes to install it was I stopped to take photos of the installation process and my neighbor stopped by to chat.

If it's ok with the moderators, I'd suggest you visit "www.hondasuv.com/members" -- you don't have to join to look around, but that is also a very friendly group and can answer a lot of your questions. Search there on hitch installation and you'll find several step-by-step photos for both the hitch and wiring harness for CRVs.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

I also live in upstate NY, and have to add Toyota Sienna to the mix - if you are considering minivans.

My Sienna has 266 hp, and 245 lbs of foot torque with a 3.5 liter engine. It has a GCVWR of 8,700 lbs, and a curb weight of 4,400 lbs - so, in theory, you can tow up to the vehicle's max of 3,500 lbs even with 800 lbs of payload in the van. You can also get the Sienna with AWD. So far, I love mine.

 

[kyle f]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

Find you an Old Ranger or S10 thats 4 wheel Drive.

I think a lot of people forget about the frotn wheels to help get out of a slippery ramp. I see all kinds of videos on youtube where people cant even get a Jet Ski out. You dont always need it, but its there if you do.

Also, it adds and balances weight. Makes it much better for stopping.

You can get you a good one for under $5K, they get decent gas milage, and if its not good enough, you can afford to buy whatever Ecnobox you wish to commute in.

 

[mchin]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

I have a 2005 toyota sienna, and am now having to use it for towing. My boat weights in between 1550 and 1700 lbs, I know it can tow it, but I am concerned about how it will behave at the ramp. I plan on getting a friend to spot me, he has a full size pickup. But I often fish alone and I jut wanna make sure I can pull my boat back out. I live and boat in Jacksonville, Fl and the ramps for the most part are well kept and not too steep. Anyone have any experience with this van and ramps?

 

[Hondo65]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

Another thing to keep in mind is that some v6's will do nearly as well in the mpg department as a 4. All things being equal the 6 does not have to work as hard to move the vehicle. Either way the six can be close in MPG and have a definite advantage over nearly any 4 for doing extra work

Hondo

 

[njlarry]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

I towed more than that with a Buick LeSabre for years with no problems. Barely could tell it was even back there. IMHO, I would rule out any SUVs such as the Pilot that do not have an opening rear window which is a real blessing when launching or even just loading with the trailer already attached.
Whatever you pick, please remember to chock a front wheel when on the ramp.

 

[DJ]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

You should have no issues whatsoever.

With this disclaimer:

-Your towed load is really what you state it is. Boats tend to gain weight. Weigh it to set your mind at ease.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

I think the big issue is how far the tow will be as that's a small easy boat to tow.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

The boat pictured is the boat I need to tow. It is a circa 1963 15 foot sea sprite, it is fiberglass. The trailer is probably less than 200lbs, and I can pull the trailer out of my garage with the the boat on it.

As it is the middle of winter here in NY I can't easily weigh it, and I have no idea what the tounge weight is on this boat, I know it is light.

I am looking at buying a new vehicle and am not sure if a 4 cyl small suv will haul it. I'm looking at the honda crv, the ford escape and the toyota rav4 . All of which are easy to find in 4cyl. the Rav4 only came 6cyl in 2006 and beyond. As I'll drive the car year round, and only tow in summer, I want a vehicle with better MPG than the big SUV's.

Any help is appreciated, suggestions on other vehicles to consider also welcome.

Thanks in advance for your help

Kramer

If you want to know what tows a small light weight trailer look at what are pulling the lawn mowers around your area. Small pickups, astro's and even jeeps. With the fuel and maintenance costs the way they are these guys know their vehicles.

I like the CRV, but you still have to make out of the water and up the ramp. That is why the old dogs of iboat talk about 75 or 80% of ratings. Midrange suv's can do it. My old explorer, bronco II, datsun (nissan), courier and dakota trucks all could tow 1500#. If your suv has a pickup cousin then it should tow.

You cannot put the best basketball player on the offensive line in football and visa versa. CRV are made real light, with alloys and other light weight materials. Honda shaved off anything they could to make them one one the best 4 passenger small suv. Towing is only mentioned by salesmen wanting to make a sale. Rav4 and any other small suv were not designed to tow.

 

[chaddemler1980]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

the first reply is correct if your only towing to your local ramp than pretty much any of those vehicles will do the job, all have four wheel so there will be no prob in getting out of the water, and that boat is pretty light. i have seen sedan cars hauling that that much, as long as its not to great a distance you should have no problems with any of your choices. if your going for longer trips or hauling that boat quite a bit "more than once a wekend" than you may want to do the cheaper version that most boaters do who cant afford a new 4x4 big truck to pull there 30,000 dollar boat.... buy an old chevy pickup or fullsize blazer and use that for your tow rig. they are a dime a dozen and pretty cheap come summer time. however i really dont think you will have any problems with whatever vehicle you choose. look for the best in tow capacity and also braking power "larger rotors usually means more braking power"

 

[chaddemler1980]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

if it is front wheel than you should not have to many problems. if it is rear wheel then i would be careful... once those tires hit that water and slime forget about the traction you are gonna have.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

i have seen sedan cars hauling that that much, as long as its not to great a distance you should have no problems with any of your choices.

http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-v/specifications.aspx?group=all

Read the Honda CRV specs, I still hold it is not a good choice for even pulling a boat out of the water.

I have seen sedans pulling boats out of the water, but unless it is a Civic, they aren't as small. CRV's are spec'd at 166 hp with 161 #'s torque with 1500# towing capacity. If you use a CRV for towing this boat, with trapped water, wet gear, fuel, a battery, a cooler and other boating items, you will most likely exceed or come real close to the 1500# towing capacity. It is possible, but not desirable up a ramp even in 4 wheel drive and probably not legal on the road.

800# 15' boat (my 15' Marlin weight)
200# trailer (kramer44's estimate)
212# guess (johnson 30hp with tiller)
===
1212# without wet vest, gas, battery and little boy bow ornament

 

[NHMike]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

Hi Kramer44,

Just adding my $0.02 of tow experience. I own a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. Has a transmission cooler and is rated for 3500lbs towing (with the towing package that includes the cooler, beefier radiator). I stuck an after-market hitch on it also rated for 3500lbs. The boat is a Stingray 185lx (around 2150lbs by itself) and I believe boat+trailer+stuff weighs in anywhere from 2500-2900lbs depending on the definition of the word "stuff". The Santa Fe does a fine job towing and I have no complaints. Santa Fe engine is a 3.3L V6 and it somehow normally gets 21-23 mpg (with no boat attached). Hyundai also stuck in a third row of "hidden" seats like all the other automakers are now doing which comes in handy for us with 3 kids. It seems to be pretty similar to the Honda Pilot, though the Pilot is a little bigger. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[WanabeBoater]

Re: Need help picking tow vehicle

Jeep Liberty...Nuf said