tow rig questions/suggestions appreciated

[Bobby]

My current tow rig is about to get sold off so that I can get something better and serve as a better work truck. I have an '88 GMC Jimmy K5. It served me well for 6 years and for only $2500 but no a/c, constant maintenance, and a nauseating exhaust problem that won't go away no matter what I do is making me get rid of it.

Anyway I'm looking for a pickup in the $3-4.5k that will tow my boat comfortably and double as a work truck. Nothing flashy, just something reliable that is also capable. My boat is a 96 Sport that sits on a Dorsey tandem axle trailer with the trailer brakes disconnected (bought it that way and never had the motivation to hook them up).

Now to the questions -

Will an early-mid 90's 1/4 ton truck have the suspension to handle towing long range or do I need something larger?
Will a Ford truck with a 4.6 or 5.0 have enough power to pull my boat over hills at medium speed (50mph)? Dodge 5.2? Chevy 5.3?
What have your experiences been with the sort of truck I'm after?
I prefer Ford but am open to most anything with a V8 and 4 wheel drive and bigger than a regular cab with a short bed.

Thanks for any input

[hondaprlud]

Any of those should be fine. You should be able to find the recommended tow capacity for any truck online, in the owners manual or it may even be on the sticker inside the drivers door. Just pay attention to to the options (engine, axle ratio, trans, tow package) Most of the ones you mentioned probably are rated about 5000 lbs for the common options. I think my 96 Sport was about about 4000lbs with a single axle, so you'll be ok.

[mcbridek]

I towed my 99 sport for 5 years with a 6 cyl Dakota (3.9) and the only complaint was highway speed hills. But even the smaller 8 cyl. should be fine and the 4WD low range for the boat ramp - perfect. I don't think it is possible in NC to find a 4WD truck for $4.5k that was reliable.

[74green]

My friend has a like an early 90's F150 standard tranny with an Inline6 4wd and a/c. He pulls his boat down to mexico a couple times a year and his truck tows like a champ.

[MattieK27]

Dont ask this question over at wakeworld, they will tell you that you need an F250 with a diesel. Seriously, its crazy reading the threads over there about what they "think" they need to tow a boat that weighs less than 5000lbs.

I like towing with the Grand Cherokee (V-8, 2000) I use, the only issue I see is fuel economy.

[Bobby]

i recently pulled my boat with my 01 explorer with a 4.0 V6. it pulled the boat just fine except for the fact that the rear suspension was dragging considerably, and by that I mean low-riding. i'd rather put my money into fun things than repairing a worn out suspension.

i did look at getting an old diesel but couldnt find one i liked with less than 230k on it, plus i'd rather have a gas engine since i know my way around those better.


thanks for all the input

[thedude]

brakes

Can't you run into an insurance issue if you don't have functioning brakes on your trailer in the event of an accident? Or does that vary by state/insurance company?

[Bobby]

Can't you run into an insurance issue if you don't have functioning brakes on your trailer in the event of an accident? Or does that vary by state/insurance company?

This is my first boat with a trailer that has brakes. My old 84 MC trailer doesn't have them nor does my parents 82 Ski Nautique trailer so I assumed it wasn't a big deal.

[TRO]

My friend has a like an early 90's F150 standard tranny with an Inline6 4wd and a/c. He pulls his boat down to mexico a couple times a year and his truck tows like a champ.

dang, maybe i need a ford..because my 1/2 ton 5.3L 4x4 Chevy tows my 230 like a dog.

i'd love to get a diesel, but i like my truck too much to sell it. ha ha.

[74green]

dang, maybe i need a ford..because my 1/2 ton 5.3L 4x4 Chevy tows my 230 like a dog.

i'd love to get a diesel, but i like my truck too much to sell it. ha ha.

Ya his truck surprises the heck out of me. thought he was slightly crazy the first time he towed his boat to mexico....o yea forgot to mention he has over 300,000 miles on it.

But...I will say my 2002 1/2 ton suburban with towing package pulls great. And I prefer it to tow with over my brothers F250 (not diesel). Im pretty sure the Sub is a 5.3L.

[mf01]

I'd say go for any 1/2 ton truck for safety. I've towed with an SUV and didn't like the way the boat could push it around, even though the power seemed fine. I have a Dodge Ram 1500 with 4.7l. I live in the hill country and it will downshift going up hills. I personally want a vehicle that weighs more than the boat/trailer.

[Nordicron]

Fullsize vehicle needed!!

I tow my 08 SAN 210 with a 2004 Suburban and can certainly tell its back there! My highway mpg drop from 17-18 to 11-12! Granted even some of these midsize SUVs and trucks certainly have the power and can downshift to pull these beasts but no way can you stop or make an emergency lane change safely! I think an ideal tow vehicle for anything over the 5k amount which these boats are when loaded with gear and counting the trailer, would be a diesel Ford Excursion!
No way in **** could I imagine towing it with my previous vehicle(2000 ford explorer) that thing seemed overloaded just pulling my 18ft aluminum fishing boat!

[NautiqueJeff]

I absolutely LOVE my diesel Excursion. It tows whatever is behind it with complete ease. Is it overkill for a 210? Possibly. I do have an extra 1,000 pounds of lead in the boat though. It also has pulled my 236 and my 230 with ease. It will be a sad day when that vehicle dies. There is just nothing like it available these days.

[maxpower220]

Any 1/2 ton truck will tow your boat just fine. Anything smaller and you should look at it's towing weight and the weight of the truck itself.

I would aviod the 5.2L Dodge unless you really like to fill your truck with gas. I bought a new Dodge (the only and last dodge I'll ever buy), and I couldn't believe how poor the fuel mileage was both with and without the boat. Yes, it did tow the boat fine, just at 8mpg. 12 mpg without and this is when I lived in OKC.