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Posts: 425
Location: Elkhart, IN | I'm looking at getting an SUV for towing a boat, I'm wondering what you think would be the smallest vehicle you get away with for towing a boat? My boat stays in my lake most of the year, but would like to visit surrounding lakes a few times a year, but all within 20-30 miles, but would only be a few times a year. With gas prices the way they are I want to stay with as small a motor as possible. I've looked at Trailblazer, Escape, Rendeszvous, and while the Trailblazer is my frontrunner here the other two get better gas mileage. Anybody have any of these vehicles or others that might work well for what I'm wanting? |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | We have a Ford Escape and it tows this just fine. m
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | depends on much big and how much your boat weights.
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Posts: 1086
| Yes...it depends on how big of a boat we're talking about here. If it's a little 14 foot aluminum mid-v fishing boat that weighs next to nothing...you could get away with a smaller SUV than those you have mentioned. Of course those that you have mentioned would work just fine as well.
Without knowing the size/weight/type of boat you have...it's hard to say.
I can fill you in on this though, my wife and I have an '02 Trailblazer to pull our Crestliner 1750. Not a huge boat by any means...but much larger and much heavier than my old 14 alum. fishing boat we used to have. I don't trailer my boat very often, maybe only 2 or 3 weekends a month, but when we do, it's no less than 300 miles round trip. The Trailblazer really is terrible on gas. Terrible. But...what SUV isn't? Choose your battles. Our Trailblazer has plenty of HP and TQ to pull our boat anywhere at anytime. SUVs were not made to be fuel efficient.
But if you're only trailering 20-30 miles a couple of times a year...it won't be any issue for you.
It's the price you pay to play. |
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| Mikie, Is that one of those NEW RIVER RAT trolling rig's that everybody has been raving about??? Where is the 50" live well and cup holder located? 
Way to funny man.... |
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| Since you asked for advice I add that you may want to focus your attention more on wheelbase and stopping power than gas mileage. If the vehicle is too short for your boat, you will be in for a awful ride and potentially a dangerous one. Same goes for stopping power. Lots of little vehicles can get a boat moving, stopping it in an emergency is another story. We have all expereienced stale green lights and that infamous group of people that think boats in tow represent an easy opportunity to cut you off. I wouldn't want to be in a little vehicle when this happens. Also, keep in mind that the marketing groups appear to be responsible for writing up the towing capacity on SUV's not the engineering department. There have been several law suits about smaller SUV's and trucks overstating tow capacities and related tranny and rear end failures. |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | jonnysled and i went to canada this summer, and used this to beat the high gas prices!!
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Posts: 4266
| I'm still pulling my rig with a 1994 Isuzu Trooper.
It has done a great job, but there were times that I wish I had more engine.
I would buy another one tomorrow, because of the durability of the vehicle, but I'm going to make sure and
have more than 175 hp next time.
Beav |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | Sorry, I guess that was my point, no info in the initial post about what boat and trailer is being towed.
Best to check the SUV's mfg. specs on tow weight limits and stick to those as guidelines.
If you don't know the weight of your rig, take it to the local farm bureau scales, fully loaded with gas and tackle.
With our Escape, I can tow my Basstracker, but not my Gambler. The Gambler needs my V-8 Dakota.
Remember, too, the boat you own now may not be the one you own when your SUV payments expire, going bigger than you need now will cost in gas but save in wear and tear if you get a bigger boat and strain your tow vehicle.
And, the rig I posted has the whole river for it's livewell (remember 'stringers'?). all my best, m |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | skip the escape for sure... not a tow vehicle based on the rear axel... the Rendesvous is a front drive vehicle i'd skip it too.. looking at the trailblazer, if you get one with the I-6 you will be setup better I think then either of those two, plus if possible get one with factory installed tow package, that way no worried on trans coolers and such.. You have seen what I tow with, jeep cherokee with I-6.. not the best tow vehicle out there, but at least built to be able to tow.. Those other trucks you mentioned are not built to tow, might be able to, but not built for it, the trailblazer with I-6 is.. the ones with the v-8 are also good but most likely much worse on gas |
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Posts: 1245
Location: Madtown, WI | I tried to bring this one back from Italy about 3 years ago...but it fell out of my pocket going through customs....Was going to be the perfect match for my tuffy...
Cory
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| Don't ask me
I have a Silverado 2500 HD 4x4
8.1L/Allison trans/Eaton locking Differential/HD Tow package
It's rated to tow 12,000 lbs.
In my defense, I bought it before I realized that I didn't want one of those stupid giant speed-yachts, and when gas was under $1
The good news:
It will tow anything, effortlessly, with minimal drop in gas mileage
The bad news:
9 MPG around town
Yeah, I said 9
Love my truck, though  |
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| I've been pulling my Crestliner 1850 with a Mazda Tribute (4 wheel drive) for the last 3 years and have not had problems, even with quick stops. However, I do have brakes on the trailer. The rig has always been stable. Gas mileage still is poor. You can watch the gauge go down as you drive. The only time I've had a problem is trying to pull it out on a ramp that was mostly gravel. It did not have enough oomph to do that. Since the Crestliner sits up so high visibility behind and around it is also poor, although it does make it easy to back it down the ramp.
S. Landsman |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | Cory you had a lot more hair three years ago.  |
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Posts: 425
Location: Elkhart, IN | Wow, I never expected that much response. The boat I have now is a plain old speedboat that I fish out of, but am hoping to get a fishing boat in the near future. I'm not for sure what boat I'll end up with but am figuring it'll be something like a Tuffy in the 16-17.5' range. The reason I asked is the Escape, and the Rendesvous are rated to pull 3,500#, which I assume most of these fishing boats are under that weight? Anyway thanks for all the input. |
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| I have a 97 pathfinder and a tuffy esox magnum 1700t. It tows the boat pretty well. The only time i notice it is on hills. I have towed it 6 hours one way a few times and it did pretty well. My next truck will probably by a v8 simply for the extra power. I had a nitro that was alot heavier and really noticed it when i had to make a quick stop ( or attempted to make a qucik stop that is). A trailer with brakes make a huge difference. |
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Posts: 4266
| I have a Ranger 237T, which is basically a Crestliner hull and a Ranger interior.
My Trooper has a 5,000 pound towing capacity, and can handle the rig very well.
My mileage has gone from 18 mpg when towing the boat when it was new down to 14 mpg.
More horsepower is a must for me next time. Also 4 wheel drive and a manual transmission.
175 hp just isn't enough to make me feel good about towing in all conditions.
Beav |
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Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I have a 17ft. Tuffy Deep V which is pretty heavy. I pulled it last year with my 1999 Ford Ranger with the 3.0L V-6 and it wasn't enough. It was a total dog on the highway and could barely even go 55mph. I bought a Toyota Tundra with the 4.7 V-8 and it tows it really good, with gas milage between 10-12 mpg on the highway. The Ford Escape has the same 3.0L V-6 as the Ranger and it would definately not do the job for you. |
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Posts: 1438
| 2001 Tuffy 1700 Esox Deep V towed with a 2WD 1998 Dodge Quad Cab with 5.9L/360. Towing is no problem, but I wish I got better gas mileage. I guess 15mpg without the trailer and 12-14 with isn't horrible though.
Whatever you buy, remember to be reasonable with your decision. Look at what you're towing and what you're towing it with. Be honest with yourself and if it looks strange or just doesn't seem "right", find something else. Some of the tow combinations I've seen out there in the last couple years are just plain scary.
I saw a crash last year with an older couple that was towing a near 6000lb mobile home with a V6 Ranger. A gust of wind caught them and blew them all over the highway before he went off the road and flipped it like a pancake. When I talked to the driver about the truck/trailer package he said "but the salesman said it could tow it". My take on the tow ratings is "it may be ABLE to tow that much, but will it tow it SAFELY". Anytime you get to the point where the trailer/load approaches or exceeds the weight of the towing vehicle, it can get really unsafe in a hurry.
This applies to the trailer and not the tow vehicle but something to think about, especially if going to a smaller tow vehicle. From Wisconsin Statutes:
347.35(3)(a) Except as provided in par. (am), no person shall operate on a highway any trailer, semitrailer or other towed vehicle having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more and manufactured after January 1, 1942 unless such vehicle is equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold it.
347.35(3)(am) A motor vehicle may be towed without being equipped with brakes as provided in par. (a) if the gross weight of the towed vehicle is not more than 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle and the brakes on the towing vehicle are capable of bringing the combination of towing vehicle and towed vehicle to a stop as provided in s. 347.36 (1).
Scott
Edited by theedz155 1/26/2006 5:48 AM
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Posts: 1207
Location: Pigeon Forge TN. | One time I wanted to go fishing so bad that I took my Fiat bertone x-19 ( a med engine two seater and a four cylynder engine) and towed my Sisters 14 foot fiberglass to the lake and launched it. Don't have a picture of it though ( wish I did) If you were following me down the road all you would have seen was the boat as it was bigger and wider than the car. Got the fishing done and the boat back without a hitch though people thought I was crazy.
I probably was, but I really wanted to fish that day.
Now my tow vehicle is bigger than my boat. 3/4 ton 4x4. and a 14 foot boat.
Edited by Stan Durst 1 1/26/2006 7:02 AM
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Posts: 26
Location: Chanhassen, MN | I'm with Kevin skip the Escape... the 3.0 V6 just won't cut it unless you're pulling a 14 footer. The bottom line is how big and how much weight you're going to pull. The 4.3 Vortec V6 Chevy offers has great torqe. Personally I'll stick with my F250, 5.4 liter V8.
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Posts: 199
Location: Anchorage | I tow an old 16' Lund deep-v, package weight about 1800lbs with my 4.3L Vortec Blazer. Any GM w/ the Vortec heads will give you plenty of power. I was very impressed, climbs hills w/no hesitation and still gives me 16 on the highway. I'd be comfy pulling a rig much heavier with that power if the vehicle itself were heavier. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I have no trouble towing a 2000ish lb boat (no brakes) with a 3300 lb vehicle. I have towed more weight and its rated at 5,000 lbs. I have a Jeep Cherokee I-6 and an Alumacraft MV Tex Special. Trailblazer is probobly a pretty good tow vehicles. I would think the escape would be OK possibly. Just a little rough due to the short wheel base.
Edited by Schuler 1/28/2006 8:09 PM
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| We are looking at buying a new vehicle also and we found out that the Pacifica generates 250 HP and, is heavier. wider and longer than the Rendevous. 17/23 for gas mileage. Regardless of what vehicle you get you should get the towing package of which the transmisson cooler is the most important.
I checked the weights for the boat you are interested in and got this info- Tuffy 1760- 1600#, 36 gal of gas about 220#,Yamaha 90HP 4 stroke 369 # so roughly you are at 2200#'s.
Couple common sense tips- try to tow with as little gas in your boat tank as possible (50 gal full tanks add over 300 #) and don't use the boat as a trailer to put coolers full of ice and other heavy objects. If you have to use the boat space for luggage put large volume lighter weight objects in there. |
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Posts: 9
Location: Indianapolis, IN | Go with the Honda Pilot. Great vehicle and pulls up to 4500 lbs. I have had my Pilot for 2 years and I still love it. It has 3 rows of seats and seats 7-8 people. |
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Posts: 10
| Go with the jeep liberty crd (diesel). 5000 lbs towing capacity, Great gas mileage, and you could make your own boi diesel at home for pennies on the dollar! |
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| Go with a diesel. I have a 2500 hd with the duramax. I fish out of a 17ft boat fully loaded and usuall get 22 mpg pulling the boat and get 26 with out the boat. Plus I have all the power you could want and since it is a 2500 it stops nice to. |
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Posts: 326
Location: Plainfield IL | All-
There is a pullout on Towing in the new February issue of Bass and Walleye boats that is excellent. The pullout discusses the following:
1. Tow Vehicles
2 Towing Equipment
3. Leveling Loading and Driving
4. Trailer Wiring
5. Trailer Hitches
6. Launching and Retreiving
7. Safety Checlist
8. Towing Laws for all 50 states |
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Posts: 10
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Over the last few years I've logged TONS of miles towing.
Most were with about 6,000lbs of Camaro that we competed in SCCA events, a 2,000lb trailer, and misc equipment.
I towed that mess with two different trucks. A 97 Z71 w/5.7 Vortec, 3.73's factory tow package with oil and trans coolers, hitch with sway control, electric brakes, etc,etc.
The thing pinged like mad under a load, (most of the time under these conditions). TERRIBLE BRAKES. Poor fuel mileage, and just a general not safe/stable platform.
Trucks moved us around during gusts, poor stopping, poor acceleration, and generally bad handling. Note that this was a HEAVY duty 1/2 ton with all the right equipment for doing the job.
Traded that in on an 05 Duramax/Allison Chevy. Aside from the fact acceleration is amazing, braking is great, and I don't have to worry about the trans like the older trucks 4l60e, it is also MUCH more stable, and solid feeling. Set it at 70mph and hit the cruise.
Point. By all means buy something that gives you plenty of reserve. This thing is rated to pull 12,000lbs or 15,000 as a fifth wheel. My new boat with camping equipment will never reach what the car/trailer combo weighed. I have plenty of reserve.
BTW fuel mileage unloaded at 55-60 for extended periods is 21mpg plus. Drops as speed goes up obviously, as you are into the boost as RPM climb.
Spending the extra isn't for everyone and if I didn't have the car and trailer to lug around I probably wouldn't have. But I'm delivering that car this weekend to the buyer, and am trading SCCA events for fishing again. And I wouldn't trade that reserve capacity for anything. Even if it is a HELLACIOUS payment.
BTW whipping up a batch of bio isn't as easy as doing it at home. Plus ALL manufacturers will flat out deny ALL warranty claims on VERY expensive injectors and pumps on a vehicle that exceeds the factory recommended mix of BIO. Which for the Duramax is only five percent.
And retail BIO is more expensive than the petro diesel.
Also note that most diesel trucks right now are rated around 300hp and 600tq. And with just a few hundred dollars you can safely make 350-375hp and close to 800lbs torque.
You can make WAY more even, but your stock tranny will tell you otherwise.
Buy bigger than you need.
In fact I'd even consider buying an older cheap 3/4ton truck to tow with, and various other truck duties. It doesn't have to be a great truck as you aren't venturing far from home.
Then buy what ever you want to drive everyday. As long as it's a GM/Ford/Chrysler product.
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