towing question

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

I am looking at buying an 06 Moomba LSV (3,900 lbs). Does anyone know what the trailer weighs?

My tow vehicle is a 2001 Dodge Dakota, 3.9 V6 175 HP, 225 lb torque. It has a towing capacity of 4,900 lbs. I already have a class III hitch, and tow my 19 ft Bayliner with absolutlely no trouble.

I am just trying to make sure I am ok with my current tow vehicle. I tow only to my local lake, which is about 5 miles away, relatively flat roads.

Thank you for any input.

SouthWaker · Posted: Jan 10, 2006 9:03 am Post subject:

If it is only 5 miles away I say don't worry about it, even though I believe you are ok. Is there any reason that between the lake and your house you would have to reach accessive speeds?

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

no, not at all. So hard braking will not be an issue either. It is a small 2 lane road, and I always give myself plenty of space.

The hardest part I guess would be backing down the launch ramp.

Thanks

Bambamski · Posted: Jan 10, 2006 9:22 am Post subject:

5 miles I wouldn't worry about it. If you tow the boat a lot I would upgrade the truck for sure. I'd never want to be pushing the towing limit of the truck. I have a buddy who says you never want to go over 75% of the towing limit. Not only is it dangerous but your trucks drive train can't handle the weight as well. You would be replacing tranny's and diffs every other year.

With the boat weighing as much as it does, I would think you'll be getting a tandem axle trailer as well? They'll weigh around 1100 pounds or so.

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

OK, yes, it is a tandem axle. Thanks, that is what I was looking for.
I will be keeping the truck probably for another year or two, but will be upgradign to a V8 4 wheel drive for sure then.

Thanks guys, sounds like I would do fine with the distances and paths travelled.

Geoff Standish · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 843 City: Calgary

Vampyre, I had a single axle Moomba Mobius...My grandpa has that truck with the same engine and I used it to pull that boat a couple times. It handled that weight fine. I'm sure even with the tandem and v-drive it will be able to pull that the 5 miles no problem.

Like Bambamski said...if you're going to be doing road trips and distances other than just your 5 miles upgrade the truck.

Iman · Outlaw Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 116

Vampyre, I agree, you should be fine, the ramp will probably be your biggest problem but if you use good technique on a good ramp it wont be a problem.

I have a V6 4Runner that I use to occasionally tow a slightly lighter inboard with a single axle trailer. I beefed up the rear suspension by adding an extra leaf spring which you hear ups the towing capacity by around 500lbs. That size vehicle still gets whipped around by that much boat weight, probably even moreso since I have a single axle but then again as far as just weight goes I've always counted a single axle as weighing 800lbs vs 1200 for a dual axle. Some duals even get up to about 1500lbs I believe.

If you ever start going to lakes further away, just make sure your wakeboarding partner has a good sized truck!

wesgardner · Posted: Jan 10, 2006 10:53 am Post subject:

Hey Vampyre,

I guess others have hinted, pulling back up out of the water might be an issue if there's slime on the ramp...no 4WD?

I second the larger truck if you do start going anywhere...

Wes

CP3 · Outlaw Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 219 City: SC

The trailer should weight about 1,000 lbs. That depends on who makes that trailer and what it is made out of.

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

Ok, Thanks everyone. My buddy has a F-150 with 4 wheel drive, and the larger Triton engine.. so anything further we will use his truck.

Yeah, the toughest part really is pulling the boat out of the launch ramp, although to date I have not had any issues at all with my current boat. The 2 ramps that I go to are a very gradual slope, with no algae. There are 2 others nearby that are slick and steep.. I just avoid those now anyhow (no 2 wheel drive)