towing question

[Holty]

My X is listed in my sig. I need to know how big of a boat I can tow. I'm looking at maybe buying one, but I want to make sure the X can tow it. Mostly short distances, but it would be nice to take a trip once or twice a year pulling the boat. So far I found one that is 23ft. long with a dual axle trailer.

 

[RiverRat]

I would suggest finding out how much your trailer and boat weigh and looking in the owners manual for max gcvwr, etc.

My trailer and boat weigh 4200 without fuel. I feel comfortable with that load. I tow long distances (1000 mles), up mountain passes (8000'), and in 115F weather so your conditions may be different.

 

[section525]

You could probably pull any tournament boat (especially if it has brakes). What type of boat are you looking at?

 

[Holty]

Here are a couple of boats i'm looking at to give you an idea of what i'm looking for. I live in western PA so there are alot of hills around. If I do end up getting a boat i will become a boat club member and have dock space so the only time i would trailer it then is to go to trips up to lake Erie and down to Cheat lake and Deep Creek maryland etc.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2413838934&category=31271


http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/8/8/46992588.htm

 

[SplashMan]

Power should not be a factor with your setup, but with something that big you are going to have some control issues... I suggest trailer brakes,adjustable "helper leaf", a aux tranny cooler and filter, oil cooler and look into a weigh distributing hitch with sway control.

 

[Sebago]

I agree with SplashMan.

I have a '97 with 5.0 and trailer towing package. I just bought a Cobalt 262 that is 4700lbs dry plus trailer. I just upgraded from a boat/trailer combo that went about 3500lbs (20' boat with single axle trailer.

Even with the 3500lb combo. I was very happy that I had brakes on the trailer (surge brakes not electric). When you step on the brakes, 1/2 second later, the trailer brakes are engaged and you slow normally (as if the trailer was not really there).

Anything over 3500lbs is recommended to use a weigh distributing hitch with sway control. When you go by a truck (or a truck goes by you), you will be happy you have the sway control. That is on a calm day. If there is wind or hills, you want to try to keep it as true as possible back there. With a 23' boat, you don't have a long wheel base to steady you compaired to a trailer length that will be about 28'.

I'm not sure if I will use my X to pull the new boat. I am looking for a ClassIV with weigh distributing hitch with sway control. I have a dual axel trailer with brakes on both axels (as required by law here).

One of the other things to remember is that you may need a low gear to get the boat out of the water depending on the ramp that you are loading from.

I looked at the stingray web site and a 23' sport boat with that engine may weigh 3700lbs dry + trailer about 1300lbs = 5000lbs. Add gas and gear and you should be OK.

 

[Holty]

thanks for the help everyone. i decided to hold off on the boat for now.