Towing?

[GreenpondEd]

I am considering buying a 210 cc after selling one or both of my current boats in the spring. I tow my 18' Parker cc with a 2000 Toyota 4runner, 6 cylinder. It is rated for 5000 lbs. Will this work for highway speeds (stopping)? What do you guys use?
Thanks :?

[Fishin' DC's]

Ed,
I'd check with the dealer/manufacturer to be safe. My first thought is it sounds a little light. I tow with a Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 5.4L engine. It's rated at 12,000lb and has no trouble pulling it. I think you'd be looking at:

boat(dry wt) 2200lb
motor 500 (will depend on 2 or 4 stroke)
fuel 420 (70 gal x 6lb/gal...I think this is right)
trailer 1200 (pure guess)
gear 200
people 500+- (S-M-L-XL,...)
-------
Total 5020 total estimated lbs.

[NCangler]

I too have a Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 w/5.4l. It pulls my 210 fine but I wouldn't want any less. Sometimes I wish I had a 250 diesel. But I love the F150 for our family. The 210 with the EZ Load trailer is easy to handle at the ramp by myself when necessary.

[Fishin' DC's]

You can back down the weight estimate by 500lbs for the people I listed. Folks would be in the truck, not in the boat during the haul. ops: Probably looking around 4500lbs.

[GreenpondEd]

Even at 4500 lbs, it looks like the 4runner is too light. I have heard guys say that 70% of rated weight is appropriate. What do you think? :cry: That would put me at about 3500 lbs. Maybe I stick with my 18' Parker:

Hull: 2000
115 motor 400
gas (40x6) 240
trailer 600 (single axle)
battery/gear 200

Total 3440

But then I just looked up load rite v-bunk single axle trailers with brakes, 20-22ft, 3,600 lbs, which weighs in at 750 lbs. That would make a 210 with trailer about 4000 lbs. What do you think? :roll:

[Fishahn]

I've hauled mine a few times on some long road trips (250 miles) last summer with my folks Chevy Trail Blazer. It worked ok, but if you are planning on doing a lot of towing with it I would go larger. It's the wear and tear on things like the breaks etc . Plus I think the 5000 lbs is a bit close.

[k9reno]

Last year I used a 2001 ford explorer sport trac with a 4 ltr engine to tow my 210 to NC and Naples FL and several trips to Lake Erie. The trips to Erie were no problem at all the vehicle handled it fine. On the trip to NC totaled about 1700 miles (round trip) The only time the vehicle seemed to struggle was in the mountains when Stupid me forgot to turn off the OD. The trip to Naples about 2500 miles (round trip) also went good with the exception of the long grade in Tenn. The truck got though it ok but really had to work. I checked the Oil and Tranny fluid each time I stopped for gas and everthing looked ok, but the Tranny fluid was very hot and some steam came out of the dip stick tube, but the fluid did not discolor. I decided that even though the truck did ok that it would not have the service life I wanted since this would be the only vehicle I own for a while, then it would turn into my boat towing vehicle only. This yr I moved up to a ford f150 supercrew with the 5.4. I took a trip to Dauphin Island in april for the triumph owners get together and the truck towed it like it wasnt even there. I even had to do some hard braking and evasive steering. Thank goodness for my surge brakes.

Dick

[Cincinnati]

This is turning into a Ford thread...

I've got the F150 4X4 5.4L SuperCrew. Overkill, but worth it.

My wife's Mountaineer 4.6L is rated at 7,500 and did fine towing the boat until I bought the F150 this summer. Anything less would be dangerous if you're going on an extended trip.

[GreenpondEd]

Yeah, I just might wait until I upgrade the tow vehicle to an F150 before I go for the 210cc. thanks guys! :wink:

[Codfish]

Just a note for you all. I have weighed my '04 210 w 140 Suzuki 4S, full gas and light gear load on trailer. It weighed 4,150 on a state certified scale.

I tow with a Dodge 2500 HO Diesel, don't even know the boat is back there.

codfish