Towing Rigs???

powder19 · Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 20 City: Redmond

Hey I'm about 20 years old and I was planning on possibly getting a wakeboard boat maybe the summer after this one, I was just curious, to tow something like a Moomba or Tige or any of the mainstream wakeboard boats, how big of a truck or suv do i need? basically am I going to have to move up to a fullsize truck or V8 powered SUV? please let me know about how much towing capacity I need because gas is costly enough for the boat, and I'd rather have something a little bit easier on gas thats pullin it...thanks

powder19 · Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 20 City: Redmond

would an S10 blazer with a vortec V6 be able to tow it? I'm guessin not, but any input is helpful

gvb · Posted: May 03, 2004 3:28 pm Post subject:

yup. a mastercraft sales person that I know tows all mastercraft boats with his 6cyl blazer.

-gvb

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

powder19, while it would be better to tow with a full-size, most compacts with a V6 can tow 3500 to 5000 lbs - and I am fairly sure your Blazer is rated at 5000. As long as you are talking 20-21ft boats, you should probably be within your towing capacity.

Make sure your Blazer can handle the tongue weight of the trailer as well. Ask a local dealer for all the specs on the boat you are going to tow or when you narrow the choices down ask around on here - someone is sure to have an idea of what the boat/trailer weighs.

wakeskier · Addict Joined: 16 Mar 2004 Posts: 593 City: Leominster, MA

I tow with a regular Jeep Cherokee Classic w/6 cyl.
It actually tows just fine, only negative is that it weighs less than my boat and trailer together, so I have to be very careful backing down steep ramps.

I'll eventually upgrade to a Grand Cherokee with the V8.
It gets just as good gas mileage as my cherokee, and it's rated for 6500lbs towing.

Partyb · Posted: May 03, 2004 4:06 pm Post subject:

It really depends on "how" you are going to be towing. Short, far, uphills, etc. You can do a search here and on numerous towing/trailer related websites. You can also do some research on your own instead of asking simple questions.

You should easily be able to determine that an inboard typically weighs 3K, and a trailer 1K, thats 4K of towing weight approx. Obviously, you need a vehicle with a towing capacity of at least that. For short flat trips almost any reasonable vehicle will do like your 6cyl S10. For longer trips and more frequent towing a good all around vehicle for some decent towing would be like an f150, chevy 1500, etc. rated vehicle. You should have a v8 and tranny cooler if you are consistently towing. These vehicles will also have adequate brakes. If you are out west going up and down hills for long distances to different lakes, i would want an f250 minimum rated vehicle.

FatBoy · Outlaw Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 143

Here is my new tow rig. Pulls my SV-211 like it ain't even back there.

dschock · Outlaw Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 135 City: Bellevue

My '95 V6 Blazer seems to handle our Tige 21V just fine. Haven't done extensive pulling, as my boat is a fairly recent purchase, but I was surprised how well it seemed to handle.

Tige makes a heavy boat (3500+ lbs.) and I had no problem starting on an incline. However, I don't plan on pulling it over the pass up here in Washington for our annual family trip to eastern Washington. For that we'll definitely be using the Expedition with a V8 Triton.

MrBlean · Posted: May 03, 2004 10:36 pm Post subject: Towing vehicle

On road towing isn't the problem. Having sufficient vehicle weight to manouvre/handle the boat on the slip/launch way is the real challenge.

Brit Rider · Posted: May 03, 2004 11:02 pm Post subject:

yeah.. looking bback i remember the first few days well.
My dad used to run a C class mercedes... we had an 18-footer. when he reveresed down the slopes and put the brakes on it used to lock up and carry on skidding down the slip! Those were some sketchy launchings!
on recovery we used to get wheelspin up the slip...

You have to remember that the boat we had was within the towing capacity... so even if the truck says it will pull it.. maybe best to find out how well it will before investing!

Doug · Posted: May 04, 2004 2:32 am Post subject:

If you'r towing with a midsize SUV, make sure you have 4 wheel drive. This will help at the launch.

Dees · Posted: May 04, 2004 7:25 am Post subject:

A friend of mine pulls his 03 Super Air with a 02 Toyota 4Runner (V6). It does an alright job.

Millertyme · Posted: May 04, 2004 9:27 am Post subject:

my tow rig gets the boat to the lake ok. Thats all you need right?

powder19 · Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 20 City: Redmond

hey thanks for all the input, I do live out west in washington and I would really be likin to drive it over the pass to eastern washington cuz they've got some nice, uncrowded lakes, so thanks for all the input

coreym · Outlaw Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 190 City: Eagan, MN

Remember folks, towing is much more about braking than the ability to pull. The ratings have more to do with how much your vehicle can stop. A geo metro could in theory pull your boats but if you ever have to stop fast you'll get run over. A good rule of thumb is to pull half of what you're rated at, not because you'll be able to pull it but you'll be able to stop it. Most towing packages on trucks/SUVS have upgraded brakes.

BTW, when I got my Xstar (4500lbs with trailer) I traded in the Jeep Grand Cherokee (rated @ 5000) and bought a Tahoe (rated @ 7500)

salmon_tacos · Posted: May 05, 2004 8:32 am Post subject:

Millertyme,

You should paint your bumper blue to match the flames. I think the design would be more unified that way.

DCdave56 · Posted: May 05, 2004 8:45 am Post subject:

Remeber that towing over hills is no joke. I used to pull my buddies Super Air Nautique with my Full Sized Bronco and we struggled over the Cuesta Ridge on the way to Nacimiento...and my Bronco is a pulling son of a gun.

dubers · Outlaw Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 129 City: Santa Cruz

DCdave56, that same pass gave my old fullsize Blazer one hell of a hard time, now that I have a Sierra 1500HD I can't even tell the boat is there

DCdave56 · Posted: May 05, 2004 11:45 am Post subject:

No doubt.

darty · Addict Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 522 City: Lexington

I pull with a V6 Sport Trac and it does just fine...I have another friends that has always used Explorers to pull (V6 aswell). Just like many have said, look for something w/ a 6 cyl engine and 4 wheel drive.

STPHNSN23 · Guest

my tow rig this spring:
'66 Chevy Pickup w/ I6
pulled our ski nautique up to the lake 35 miles away.

http://photos.wakeboarder.com/showphoto.php?photo=3804&password=&sort=7&thecat=500

http://photos.wakeboarder.com/showphoto.php?photo=3805&password=&sort=7&thecat=500

http://photos.wakeboarder.com/showphoto.php?photo=3806&password=&sort=7&thecat=500

Bruky · Guest

my parent's 03 g wagon with a 6 cylinder tows, brakes, and pulls up the ramp just fine with our 04 super air. my '00 f-350 doesnt even feel the boat behind it. backing down the ramp is a breeze though with 4 door, long bed truck...so much easier to counterstear than the twitchy suv.

siuski · Posted: May 05, 2004 5:38 pm Post subject:

I've got an 02 blazer 2dr. and it pull a 19' SN just fine. It has the 4 discs so it stops just fine (with trailer brakes). The 4 wheel drive is nice, but I've only used to pull the boat out on a rock-ramp. I've got the limited slip diff, and have never had a problem on ANY concrete or ashault ramp. A buddy of mine pulls a 21V with a 2dr explorer, don't know how well, but he does it. The short wheel base makes manuvering very easy. If you want to pull a lager boat, I'd get a full size with at least a 5.3L. Good Luck.

salmon_tacos · Posted: May 05, 2004 5:46 pm Post subject:

Wakeupdude,

Do you live outside the U.S.? Unless I'm mistaken, the G-Class has only been offered in the U.S. with one engine choice (unless you went with the AMG): a 292hp V8.

Pumpkin Head · Outlaw Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Posts: 127 City: Oregon

I pull my boat with an AWD Chevy Astro. It has a 4.3L Vortec V6. We cross over the Cascades to east Oregon from time to time with no problems. Most of our towing is relatively flat and it does an awsome job.

midwesty · Posted: May 05, 2004 6:37 pm Post subject:

diesel powered is the only way to go...especially if its a Cummins Colorful

Bruky · Guest

we dont have an amg salmon tacos...and we live in california just to let ya know. believe it or not though, that thing is torquey as sin

Bruky · Guest

and also, amg's were on limited production here in california because of our treehugger emission standards, but maybe they got that cleared up in 04. i know there were a lot of "concerns" from the huggers here about emmisions and economy in a lot of european cars over here.

salmon_tacos · Posted: May 05, 2004 8:40 pm Post subject:

Wakeupdude,

If it's not an AMG, you have a 5.0L 24-valve V-8 with 292 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque...you still get crappy gas mileage though. Anyway, with a 7000 lb. towing capacity, it seems perfectly adequate to tow your boat.

Bruky · Guest

eek, i guess... Rolling Eyes

ive only been in the thing twice.

fatboy, just noticed your front liscence plate! we took a test today for AP Gov. and i got 100/95, and fell into the far end of the libertarian party Laughing

Bruky · Guest

oh yeah, and how do you like the new model diesel engine in that thing fatboy? i have the old style one in my truck, but it tows good, i only get 13 mpg with the lift and such on it though.

midwesty · Posted: May 05, 2004 10:10 pm Post subject:

"huggers" bwaaaahhhh

Ridn9high · Outlaw Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 140 City: Livermore

We have 3 tow vehicles. 2003 Suburban, 2002 Chevy 1500, and a 2004 4 dr powerstroke. They all tow real well but the Powerstroke out performs the other 2 hands down. Then it goes the suburban and then my truck.

wakehype · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 460 City: Fresno

My old 1993 Ford Explorer (6cylinder) with 150k miles on it, I used to use sometimes to pull my VLX when my dad was at work with his tahoe or whatever.

mcfatty · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 725 City: Cookeville

Check out this P.O.S. tow vehicle. I bet he hates a wet ramp. Laughing