Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

[lemaysanch]

Hello Everyone, I am relatively new to the whole towing and boat ownership world so I will need your advise. I will be purchasing very soon a 2001 WellCraft 24ft WalkAround with 220 Mercury Engine. Now, I don't have the luxury of owning a car/truck just for towing the boat, so I will be selling my sedan to purchase a vehicle I can use both for regular driving to work... and for towing the boat. One thing to consider, I live in MIAMI, FL and most of the ramps are a little steep.

Please help me choose, give me advise on the following vehicles. If you can recommend another within the this price range/year that I haven't considered please let me know:

Options:
- 1999 to 2001 GMC Yukon
- 2001 to 2003 Ford F-150
- 1999 to 2002 For Expedition
- 2000 to 2001 Chevy Tahoe
- 2000 to 2001 Dodge Ram 1500

Thank you!

 

[flingus]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

Depends a lot on what that boat weighs, with your trailer.

I just bought a tow vehicle and did TONS of research on trucks, vans, and suv's. Thats a large boat so, I would imagine you're going to want a pickup truck, with a tow package and a V8.

F-150 or F-250 would be a good choice. I would really, really, really recommend something with a tow package. From my understanding, trucks that come with a tow package have better geared rear ends, and the tow receivier & wiring already installed. If you're lucky, they'll also have a trans cooler and some of those nice side view mirrors with the fish eye lense.

Before you make a real choice, find out the total weight of your boat, with gas, and the trailer, and go from there. Towing capacities can be a pain to find out but, do the research. It will be well worth it.

Also, I drive about 90 miles a day to work and back so I couldn't afford to sell my primary vehicle so I could tow my boat.. So, I bought a used 1993 Silverado for $2900 and its done the job great. It works hard on the weekend and then sits all week. But, its paid for and no fault on it is $40 a month. (And I have two tickets on my driving record) Just an idea.. It may be cheaper than buying a truck to tow and drive to work and back with.

Good luck!

Flingus

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

Nothing on your list should be used to pull that boat. I have a dually I use for boats that size, a 3/4 ton conversion van I use for mid size boats (20' or under) and a minivan I pull jon boats with. The issue is not whether you can pull it. The issue is can you handle stopping it in a panic situation. You need the heavier chassis to offset the inertia of the boat. Picture trying to stop your boat if you were pulling it with a Miata.Take your boat information to the auto dealer and ask what they will warranty.

If you haven't done much towing; this would be a dangerous load to learn with. Check with your local tech schools or community colleges to find out if they offer or can recommend a source for trailering training. Don't die for your hobby.

BTW - the new Ford trucks offer an integrated trailer baking package that works really well. We have one on our '09 F350 SWR and it has handled my 21' split tilt equipment trailer flawlessly. Never depend entirely on the trailer brakes. They don't work every time. I almost lost a backhoe on the interstate because the trailer brakes failed. Fortunately, the dump truck was heavy enough to control the sliding trailer and I was able to keep it on the road without hurting anyone.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

I think the 150 or the ram would be able to pull it, as long as the truck is set up for trailer brakes.

 

[JB]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

Unless you are professionally trained to drive tow vehicles you should limit yourself to towing 70% or less of the capacity of the tow vehicle.

You need to find out what your tow will weigh ready to launch. Just for example I will guess that it will be around 3500# and that the trailer has good brakes.

3500# is 70% of 5000#, so you would need a tow rating of at least 5,000#.

There are several mid size and full size utes and pickups that have a 5,000# rating. All pretty good machines.

I suppose most folks know my affection for late 90s Mercedes MLs, but most grown-ups have their favorite brand and model.

 

[RollingWanderer]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

lemaysanch - A few more details about your situation would be helpful. How much does the boat actually weigh (I looked on the Wellcraft website but couldn't find an exact match)? How about the trailer? What is the price range for tow vehicles you are looking at?

I'm gonna guess a little on the heavy side and say that your boat trailer combo weighs 6500#. It's possible that one or more of the vehicles that you have listed would handle the load just fine, but we need to know more about the powertrain each is equipped with, tow packages, 4x4, etc. A properly equipped, newer 1/2 ton or older 3/4 ton, would be fine for towing as long as you aren't planning on any cross country trips.

dbkerley- No offense here man, but you need to step away from the diesel fumes. A big duelly, while doing a great job, would be way overkill for ~6500# of combined weight. Even a 3/4 ton is bordering overkill for this unless you are making long drives with lots of elevation changes. The latest crop of 1/2 ton pickups are quite capable tow vehicles. While I don't think any of them should be towing their max capacity (something like 10,000# on the new F150) they are fine for 60-70% of their capacity especially if the towing is local/regional with little elevation change. Also, as far as warranty, as long as you stay within recommendations, there is no reason the manufacterer should deny to cover your vehicle. Notice I said should and not would...warranty claims can be a hassle whether you've towed anything or not. YMMV

-RW

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

I bet it weighs more than 3500#'s. Id say it's probably closer to 6K fully loaded with trailer, an F150 should be able to handle it just fine, you will need trailer brakes and the tow package though. My 98 F150 was rated for around 7,500-8K I believe. No reason a 1/2 can't tow that, there's absolutely no reason to need a 3/4 ton for that load. 3/4 ton's are needed once you get to the 8-9K+ range.

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

I pull interstate and Ozarks quite a bit. I like something that I know has the stability to handle the load on a downhill curve. I wasn't stating that those vehicles aren't capable of pulling that boat under short term relatively flat ideal towing conditions. I'm saying those are not ideal vehicle for towing that boat under all conditions. If I am buying a dedicated tow vehicle it just doesn't make sense to shoot under the mark.

Since the OP is obviously intending to buy used, the warranty point is rather moot anyway and was intended to steer him/her to a source of reputable information.

Manufacturers recommendations are generally fairly generous compared to the actual abilities of the vehicle.

My dually operates annually for nearly the same per mile cost as the minivan. Why buy small? We use the 3/4 ton conversion van for pulling through the mountains and average 14mpg with the OD turned off, AC and TV on. I have always gone for overkill and in the case of limited experience - as I feel may the case here - I think overkill is warranted.

 

[RollingWanderer]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

db- All very good points and I definately agree with more tow vehicle is definately better than less tow vehicle. There's nothing like a steep downhill curve or emergency stop to let you know you have too much trailer and not enough truck.

I just didn't want the poster to think he was going to have to start commuting in Miami traffic driving a dually. You, or maybe it was someone else, also made the good point about trailering experience.

So lemay... Are you planning on staying local with this boat? Do you have any trailering experience?

 

[bowman316]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

you will want 4WD too, for the steep ramps.

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

I just didn't want the poster to think he was going to have to start commuting in Miami traffic driving a dually.

Have you ever heard a set of train horns from realllllllllly close behind you. Believe me they can clear some traffic.

Now introducing the MULE!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

I would not consider the Tahoe/Yukon. The others woul dwork but would be on the upper end of the rating depending on how equipped. I tow my 24' cuddy cabin boat with both a F-150 and a Chevy Siverado 1/2 ton. Both can do it but woul dactually prefer a 3/4T.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

3500# dry weight, plus batteries, fuel, water, gear, coolers, anchors, trailer, and the weight of the fuel, passengers, and gear in the truck.

That puts it easily over the 5600# mark.

Find yourself a 4x4 truck that can tow 7000#

 

[RollingWanderer]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

Have you ever heard a set of train horns from realllllllllly close behind you. Believe me they can clear some traffic.

Now introducing the MULE!

LMAO...I need a set of those for the wonderful people who are too busy eating and talking on their cell phones to realize they are going 55 in the left lane of the highway where the speed limit is 65.

 

[Floatsum]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

While not on your list, but if it was, I'd go with a 2500 Dodge Ram Diesel. 4X4 would be nice. But could live with a tow pkg. and locking rear.

I own 2 Chevies. Both 2004, one a trail blazer, the other a Silverado.
I'll never buy anouther! BRAKES ARE HORRIBLE! Fine normally, but for towing,, scarry.

Second choice (vs. Dodge) is a Ford truck for sure.
I'll be parting ways with the Silverado soon for something that can stop a 3500# load.
It has new breaks. Was told by dealer that Chevy's breaks are really are not that good with loads. I believe it because I hear complaints from others all the time too.

Opinions vary,, this is just mine (and several others that I spoken with).

 

[bowman316]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

not sure about chevy, But i know fords have good brakes. They will stop ok.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

Actually Ford trucks were built specifically for towing boats, and look very nice doing!


Heh..j/k. Actually that version of F150 doesn't have as much towing capacity as the 2004-present trucks. They have a bit more frame flex and such. To choose we'd have to know what the towing capacities of all the trucks you have listed. My 20' bow rider weighs in at 3000# + gas/trailer/equipment. So I'd say you're boat is pushing the 6k mark. So you're looking for a tow vehicle with a tow rating of 8K+...for comfort. Keep in mind even the type of rims on the truck have a drastic effect on tow rating (as much as 2000# when going from 18" steel rims to 20" aluminum rims). So take all this into account when looking for a tow specific vehicle.

Ian

 

[bowman316]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

I'm guessing the bigger rims will take away towing capacity?

 

[JB]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

All of the above advice, including mine, is purely speculative. None of it matters until and unless you have an accurate weight for your tow, ready to launch.

One thing that is not speculative: Unless you are professionally trained to drive a tow vehicle, limit yourself to 70% or less of the rated tow capacity.

If your dealer cannot tell you the weight, ready to launch, get a different dealer.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Please Help Me Choose a Towing Vehicle For...

That Wellcraft should weigh very close to what my Grady weighs which is #6300 on the trailer.
I
pull the Grady with a 2002 Tahoe with a 5.3 V8, 3.73 rear and auto ride level control. The Tahoe will pull Grady down the highway at 70 miles an hour hours on end get between 10-11 mpg when pulling the boat. Stopping isn?t an issue either. The Tahoe has 4 wheel discs brakes as does the trailer.

Having said that, the next tow vehicle I?m getting is a ? ton Diesel pick-up. I pull anywhere from 5000-8000 miles a year and the increased fuel mileage makes the diesel attractive