retirement gift - now how to pull

[stoney4619]

I received a 16ft landau bass boat with a 25 horse 4 stroke mercury over a bear trailer. Supposedly the whole thing weighs around 1500-1600 pounds. I have a 1997 toyota avalon xls sedan that i'd love to put a hitch on to use for towing. Would this car pull the boat ok and should i expect any issues? thanks

 

[JB]

Re: retirement gift - now how to pull

First, Stoney, contact your Toyota dealer and ask for the tow rating for your Avalon, as equipped. Really nice car, but I question whether it is rated to tow anything at all.

If I am right, I suggest a beater pickup or SUV.

 

[tmyers921]

Re: retirement gift - now how to pull

Also remember,,,,,,boat ramps are wet most of the time. Think about the wieght of your gear your taking along too! I would say a Avalon would pull the boat fine,,,,but stopping,,,think about that to.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: retirement gift - now how to pull

i doubt it weighs that much, if it is only pushed by a 25 hp. go to nada boats and look up the weight of boat and motor.

 

[captharv]

Re: retirement gift - now how to pull

Welcome to the zoo.
I wanted an acurate weight for my rig, so I took it to a public scale at the landfill transfer station. They did not charge me for it.
Next, look around for a well used pickup truck. Use it just for towing. Insure it as a recreational vehicle.
Then, without the boat, go to a launch ramp. bring some soft drinks and a sandwitch. Watch the others launch and retreive. Take nots, for you will get to see what works and what don't. Besides, rates very high on the entertainment scale.

 

[stoney4619]

Re: retirement gift - now how to pull

toyota rates the avalon at being able to tow 2000 pounds which i think is more than enough to pull the boat. I was just a little concerned about breaking, turning, and clearance issues. I would love to keep the car since its a gem so unless I hear otherwise I'll abstain from pickups or suv's .

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: retirement gift - now how to pull

you can diy your hitch, simple. http://www.hidden-hitch.com/results.aspx?category=hitch&year=1997&make=Toyota&model=Avalon and get the wiring harness plug and play adapter.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: retirement gift - now how to pull

Congratulations Stoney! Both on your retirement and the gift of your boat. As mentioned your Avalon will do fine towing that rig. Also, I agree with TD on the hidden hitch. Put one of them on a Honda I used to own and it tucked up beautifully out of the way and handled my rig fine. Also I bought some auto paint to match my Honda and painted the hitch for a little extra protection and it blended in really nice. Also, captharv made some good points about launching. Again, welcome and good luck.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: retirement gift - now how to pull

Wo, congrats on making retirement and on getting such a nice gift. ( Sure beats teh snot out of a watch!)
That car should be more than adaquate to tow that boat. The only reason you might want something bigger would be if you were routinely towing for long periods/over mountains. Just invest in a good aftermarket bolt on hitch and wireing harness and your ready to start teh good life. Takce care!

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: retirement gift - now how to pull

WoW, congrats on making retirement and on getting such a nice gift. ( Sure beats the snot out of a watch!)
That car should be more than adaquate to tow that boat. I've towed more with considerably less. The only reason you might want something bigger would be if you were routinely towing for long periods/over mountains. Just invest in a good aftermarket bolt on hitch and wireing harness and your ready to start teh good life. Takce care!

 

[mattkenton]

Re: retirement gift - now how to pull

Im in the same boat(no pun intended) with my 91 Lincoln Towncar. Granted it has a 4.5L V8. It would still look funny towing my Sea Sprite. Thank God for friends with trucks. Congrats on the retirement! Hope the honey-do list is short!