Looking to buy a boat... Whats the biggest you can tow with our trucks
#1
#3
I pull an 18ft Aluminum Bass Tracker with 50 Merc on the back occasionally and my truck pulls fine. Drops the gas mileage drastically. So if you go get a fiberglass boat, whcih is heavier, then you can still pull it, but gas mileage goes out of the window.
What kind of boat you looking for-bass boat, ski boat, etc
What kind of boat you looking for-bass boat, ski boat, etc
#4
#5
I pull an 18ft Aluminum Bass Tracker with 50 Merc on the back occasionally and my truck pulls fine. Drops the gas mileage drastically. So if you go get a fiberglass boat, whcih is heavier, then you can still pull it, but gas mileage goes out of the window.
What kind of boat you looking for-bass boat, ski boat, etc
What kind of boat you looking for-bass boat, ski boat, etc
#7
2wd + 3.0L + boat = not a great idea in my opinion.
How well do you think that little truck with 225s is going to pull a boat up a wet slimy boat ramp? I wouldn't want to join the ranks of drowned trucks while trying to retrieve a boat. But if you're crazy enough to try, manual or automatic trans makes a big difference in the tow capacity.
How well do you think that little truck with 225s is going to pull a boat up a wet slimy boat ramp? I wouldn't want to join the ranks of drowned trucks while trying to retrieve a boat. But if you're crazy enough to try, manual or automatic trans makes a big difference in the tow capacity.
#8
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2wd + 3.0L + boat = not a great idea in my opinion.
How well do you think that little truck with 225s is going to pull a boat up a wet slimy boat ramp? I wouldn't want to join the ranks of drowned trucks while trying to retrieve a boat. But if you're crazy enough to try, manual or automatic trans makes a big difference in the tow capacity.
How well do you think that little truck with 225s is going to pull a boat up a wet slimy boat ramp? I wouldn't want to join the ranks of drowned trucks while trying to retrieve a boat. But if you're crazy enough to try, manual or automatic trans makes a big difference in the tow capacity.
#11
My 2WD 3.0L 4.10 Open Diff pulls my double jet ski trailer OK, but not the greatest. It takes about 20 minutes to get to 45 mph and 3 days to stop. The trailer weighs about 2100-2200 lbs. Each ski weighs like 950 lbs each.
A 3.0 can do a little, but hopefully you'll have a trans cooler and won't have to tow it very far.
A 3.0 can do a little, but hopefully you'll have a trans cooler and won't have to tow it very far.
#12
Thanks for the input guys and the pics.
#13
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#19
I tow a 21' Rinker V205 Cuddy. Total weight (40 gal. fuel, plenty fishing gear and all supplies) is around 3,500 ish...maybe more w/ the trailer. It tows pretty good, you certainly feel it behind you and can't be in too big of a hurry. If I slam the brakes at about 15 mph I can break my tires loose. The trailer does have surge brakes so that helps a lot. I would definitely be careful at the ramp because I always use 4 low, mainly because its easier on the clutch and of course traction. Wouldn't recommend towing it w/ a 3.0 or a 2wd, my 4 liter does okay... and wouldn't try getting out of the ramp w/o low.
#22
I'm still wondering what I can do with my Ranger. I've got a 2wd XLT with the 3.0 liter engine and automatic transmission. I live at the beach with the marina I'd be using about a mile or so from the house. No hills, speed limit's 35 mph.
The thought of having to get rid of the truck just to get a boat is unacceptable. I'd rather just get a smaller boat. Mostly all I want to do is take a few passengers (2-3) for joy rides in the Intracoastal Waterway. I doubt I'll pull water skiers although I might want to fish from it.
So the question remains, how much boat can my truck handle under those circumstances?
I saw three Rangers today with boat trailers parked at the marina today but the boats and their owners were apparently out on the water. One of them was a XLT too. Sure makes me curious...
The thought of having to get rid of the truck just to get a boat is unacceptable. I'd rather just get a smaller boat. Mostly all I want to do is take a few passengers (2-3) for joy rides in the Intracoastal Waterway. I doubt I'll pull water skiers although I might want to fish from it.
So the question remains, how much boat can my truck handle under those circumstances?
I saw three Rangers today with boat trailers parked at the marina today but the boats and their owners were apparently out on the water. One of them was a XLT too. Sure makes me curious...
Last edited by Jay Hanig; 06-21-2010 at 06:57 PM.