Serious Thoughts About Safe Towing - G-Series Nautiques

[SoCal G-Man]

RDT you are absolutely right. 2 inch balls are much more common, but the vast majority out there are rated for 5K or 8K at the most. You have to search to find a stronger 2 inch ball. Knowing the weight on the trailer, they should have constructed it with the bigger ball hitch.

Cue jokes:
Check your balls, fellas!

Bigger balls are better!

I use the Curt 12k-lb ball mount and 12k-lb 2” ball on my SUV, and I run the Andersen Rapid Hitch on my truck with a 2” 10k-lb ball. I have been selling Andersen and Curt for almost 20 years with no returns. That’s why I run them on my vehicles. If you have a 10k or higher ball mount already, find a local Curt dealer that carries the high capacity 2” balls. Take your mount so you can test fit to ensure it will accept the ball shank diameter.

[RDT-G23]

Post edited to remove unnecessary quote. See Quote Guidelines here.

Ill take your advice, and have looked at those mounts. I guess this is what I will have to use, versus my Weigh Safe when towing the boat. I suppose it is cheaper/easier than changing the surge actuator.

[JSDeininger]

I know that I'm going to get shredded asking this:

Will a 7,000lb tow-capacity Chevy Colorado on a standard hitch be able to move a 2015 G23 about a mile down a residential, coastal Florida (i.e., pancake-flat) sidestreet to a newly-tractioned/surfaced ramp and drop in? Or is this just completely out of the realm of possibility?

We're keeping it on a lift, so I don't plan to tow except for service (I can have my dealer come hook up my trailer and pull it when it needs service, if necessary.)

Thanks in advance! Great info on here.

-James

[jtryon]

there's no way i'd be upgrading to a 3/4 ton tow rig for a mile flat tow twice a year. it will move it fine, just give plenty of stopping room and you'll be ok.

[SoCal G-Man]

I know that I'm going to get shredded asking this:

Will a 7,000lb tow-capacity Chevy Colorado on a standard hitch be able to move a 2015 G23 about a mile down a residential, coastal Florida (i.e., pancake-flat) sidestreet to a newly-tractioned/surfaced ramp and drop in? Or is this just completely out of the realm of possibility?

We're keeping it on a lift, so I don't plan to tow except for service (I can have my dealer come hook up my trailer and pull it when it needs service, if necessary.)

Thanks in advance! Great info on here.

-James

Just borrow or rent a vehicle that is rated to tow/stop at least 8500-lbs. Most accidents occur closer to home, so the "only towing a mile" theory is out the window. The word "residential" is also a red flag. A little common sense can save you (and others) some headaches. Be safe!

[JSDeininger]

Ok, thank you for the great info. I'm just wondering where the weakest link in this tow set-up would be. Is there a possibility of the hitch snapping or something? Or the truck getting dragged down the ramp when launching?

I mentioned 'residential' because I don't drive more than 20mph on my way to the ramp -- So I don't think I have to worry about my truck's brakes too much.

I've towed my Xstar (4500lb + 1500? trailer) multiple times across Florida with this truck set-up, and the MC trailer didn't even have working brakes. Just gave plenty of room to stop on the highway. Bed didn't sag at all either.

Looks like the G23 is about 1,000lbs heavier than my Xstar (5400 dry, according to their specs).

Thanks again!

[c640947]

I think the weakest link is not being able to stop. If you are towing it a short distance, driving slow, plenty of stopping room and ramp isn't too steep, you are probably fine. Its not safe or legal, but it may also not be unsafe, if that makes sense.

Not being able to accelerate fast enough (getting hit from behind) is probably not an issue here. Things breaking... maybe but doubtful.

[SoCal G-Man]

Ok, thank you for the great info. I'm just wondering where the weakest link in this tow set-up would be. Is there a possibility of the hitch snapping or something? Or the truck getting dragged down the ramp when launching?

I mentioned 'residential' because I don't drive more than 20mph on my way to the ramp -- So I don't think I have to worry about my truck's brakes too much.

I've towed my Xstar (4500lb + 1500? trailer) multiple times across Florida with this truck set-up, and the MC trailer didn't even have working brakes. Just gave plenty of room to stop on the highway. Bed didn't sag at all either.

Looks like the G23 is about 1,000lbs heavier than my Xstar (5400 dry, according to their specs).

Thanks again!

Most G23s on the trailer weigh @ 8500-lbs before loading gear. G23 Tongue Weight is 750-850 lbs. normally. Your Colorado will have the max weights listed on the hitch. Most likely, you will see 3,500-lbs, 5,000-lbs or 7500-lbs. listed on a factory hitch. Factory GM Hitches on trucks from 2007+ are notorious for being weak and failing. Be careful.

[jjackkrash]

One mile on the flats once or twice? As much as I am generally against towing over loaded, I'd be tempted to load it up and drive slowly.

[doug69]

I agree with the folks saying that towing a couple miles overloaded is not a huge deal.... vehicles typically are rated below capacity for legal
And safety reasons. However I’m always surprised when someone buys a $200k boat and won’t shell out an extra $10-20k for at least a 1/2 ton. In the case of a quarter ton Colorado you could buy a
Slightly less well appointed 1500 for close to the same Price.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JSDeininger]

Post edited to remove unnecessary quote. See Quote Guidelines here.

I agree 100%, but this is a used 2015 G23 that I'm getting for a steal -- Definitely not a brand new one. I definitely plan to upgrade my truck in the future, but we just tow so rarely that it doesn't make sense for me right now.

Thanks for the info on the hitch. I'll definitely check that out. Thanks!

[mooneywa]

JSDeininger Towing it a mile is one thing, pulling it out of the water on a wet ramp is another. I bet there's tons of places in the Tampa/St. Pete area that do work to pull big boats out of the water, so moving a G23 a mile would be nothing. If it cost you even a couple hundred bucks to have some guy with a 1 ton do the work for you, it's still cheaper than both 1) buying a new truck and 2) the wear and tear on towing with an undersized vehicle. Our lake isn't in a major metro area and there's still 2 services I can think of off the top of my head, so I'm sure there's far more where you live.

[SoCal G-Man]

https://www.enterprise.com/en/car-re...ge-pickup.html

Rent an F150 for the day. Problem solved.

[Zac]

Does anyone have experience or care to comment on the new 2022 Toyota Tundra (Platinum) Hybrid engine and if this truck would be able to handle a 2019 G23 with a triple axle trailer? I don't plan to tow, but if at some point we upgrade trucks I'd like it to be capable. Would definitely go with a WDH after reading through this thread and ensure the tires are up to snuff.

From what I can find, the payload rating seems quite low on the truck around ~1300lbs with a tow rating of ~11000lbs. What would I need to add or make it as safe as possible or best to avoid considering this truck (no rush here as I may wait a year or two and definitely considering other options)?

[blueroom]

IMO, a half ton pickup should not be used to tow a G23 on a regular basis. It's not the go that is the issue, it's the stop.