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Towing tips for SUVs
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Comments
I have a 19.5 ft boat that weighs 3300 lbs. It came with a single axle trailer with no trailer brakes. I am considering buying a Toyota 4runner V8 to tow this boat.
Is this enough vehicle to tow this boat, and do I need a double axle trailer with brakes, or am I o.k. with the trailer it came with?
Thanks,
John
-mike
99% of Car Towing Capacity Lost Since 1970s
I always found a small tent hauled in my minivan more versatile myself, especially for those times when you want to walk 5 minutes into the woods to get away from the RVer's running their noisy generators so the occupants can watch the latest episode of The Simpsons. :P
-mike
Usually camp on gravel bars anyway and go places where there aren't any picnic tables around for umpteen miles.
It would be nice to have a hitch for hauling the occasional load of mulch or straw to the ranchette.
-mike
people :surprise: . am I right? or is there something i'm missing out on.
Gdog6
Payload Max - Tounge weight - passengers - gear in vehicle = Payload balance
So if the payload is 1000lbs
1000
-500 lb tounge weight
-500 lb passengers
-200 lb gear
= 200 lbs over payload
Trailer weight is not subtraced from the Payload however.
Most people (including myself) don't always follow this rule.
I am glad to say the Armada which is rated at 9100lbs towing has successfully been towing my 9100lb performance boat so far this summer.
-mike
do not know they are damaging their SUV
-mike
-mike
-mike
I am currently considering purchasing an '07 Jeep Unlimited 4x4 with tow package for a tow capacity of 3,500 lbs.
We would be towing a boat/trailer dry of 2,000 lb.s
First question - I really would like this Jeep to be manual, but my husband says we are nuts to tow with a manual. He definitely wants it to be an automatic. I am curious to know what other more "seasoned" towers would say - stick with an automatic only? Or, are there any benefits to towing with a manual?
Second question - the sales person said a manual would give you more "torque" for towing - is this true?
And last, anyone have input or opinion to the '07 Jeep Unlimited for towing - good or bad??
Thanks for any and all input on any of the above questions - I am all ears.
Better to stick with automatic??? or, manual ????
Again - I am all ears to opinions, experiences, recommendations, etc, etc...... ???
ASAP if at all possible. Looking to buy/order an '07 Jeep Unlimited very, very soon here. Just don't know which to choose - if either?? Thanks!!!
The next question is how heavy will the trailer be as towed. (Fuel in the boat, coolers, gear, etc) and how much gear will go in the vehicle itself? The Wrangler is a good vehicle, but not a good tow vehicle though. I'd want to only tow about 75% of whatever the max towing is. So if the max is 3500 you are looking at around 2500 as your max useable towing at 75% of the rated level.
I'd look at something different if towing was what I was planning for the vehicle. How often and how far will also effect how good the Jeep would be for your application. Is it 5-10 miles to the lake? or is it 250 miles to the lake? etc.
-mike
We are actually looking to tow a Seadoo Sportster which total package (boat & trailer) weights 2,000 lb.'s dry.
Most driving would be close to home, but there would be occasional distant driving to further lakes here in Washington state - thus, some uphill grades.
Based on what you wrote, and what I have read else where (same rule of thumb of 75% max. towing) it sounds like we should be fine with the tow package put on - and knowing we might have to take it slow on the uphill grades.
And, it sounds like you definitely recommend staying with an automatic. Bummer for me, but good for my husband.
He hates the manual at the boat ramp and wishes he had gotten the automatic.
-mike
Steve, how well does your canoe pull a wakeboarder? I just hate to be polluting the lake if I don't have to.
I know, it's old and all but you sent me here.
Have I got the deal for you:
Banshee Riverboards
No boat, no gas, but lots of towing. :shades:
-mike
However, your insurance carrier for the boat, will not cover you in the event of an accident. They clearly state in most boat policies that they will only cover your boat in an trailer accident if the tow vehicle is rated from the manufacturer to tow it.
I have this issue with my armada right now, my triple axle baja performance boat trailer is about 10,500-11,000 and I'm rated at 9100lbs.
So from a practical point, yes you can tow it.
From a legal standpoint, nope.
-mike
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host
Utility Trailers are Dangerous
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host