Towing a 2016 G23 with an Infiniti QX56/QX80, tow rating at 8,500 lbs, am I good?

[nyryan2001]

My mind goes to roads with a bad series of features:

1. a series of closely badly timed slollam-type rolling humps that maximize hitch weight momentum and the rear suspension travel

2. Downhill

3. From a 70mph downhill, to a 55mph hard interstate turn

4. Tight lane with a concrete barrier--- no pull off lane---overpass

5. Road is wet

Infinity 1/2 ton towing an 8500lb G23? My Tundra barely kept this mess in the lanes.

[jjackkrash]

My truck is rated to pull 13k from the bumper with either a "weight carrying" or "weight distributing" hitch. I personally use a 14k-rated weight carrying 2&5/16 ball and mount to pull my dump trailer and it works perfectly. I use a weight-distributing hitch to pull my big 36' travel trailer, however, as the pull feels more stable. It really depends on the actual truck and hitch used to tow to determine whether a weight distributing hitch is required, and how much tongue weight the truck and hitch can take. E.g.:


http://www.curtmfg.com/Category/8/Xt...Hitches?page=3

http://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/...FZA1aQodyWIANA

[Ironman97459]

There was a tow thread on one of the boat forums I visit (it might even have been PN) where tow ratings were discussed. I have been towing boats ever since I've had a car, and even I didn't believe that the max on a ball tow was 5000# regardless of vehicle without a WDH.

But all you have to do is look at the fine print (and every manufacturer has it) that shows that max tow weight without a WDH is 5000#. I do believe there were a couple vehicles, like the new Chevies with the 2 5/8" receiver tube, and some bigger Fords like the F250/F350 Diesels had more, but it wasn't a lot more. On the order of 6500#. Change to a WDH, and things change a lot. This is where those rated tow ratings of 9000,10000,11000 and up are achieved.

It has already been mentioned, most vehicles with a higher tow rating will get the boat moving, but the most important part of sizing a tow vehicle is safely being able to stop or maneuver when things are not perfect. Brakes, springs, and steering all play a role. My personal rule of thumb is no more than 50% more than the tow vehicle weight behind it. So I wouldn't tow a 9000# boat with anything lighter than a 6000# vehicle. That makes it so the tow vehicle is not as easily pushed around by the trailer.

At the end of the day, it's not just whether the vehicle can tow the trailer, it's whether you can do it legally and safely. If you ever have an accident while towing, or worse an accident with injuries, you don't want to be that guy that decided to haul a 9000# boat with a small SUV improperly equipped.

To the OP: You should at least consider a WDH mandatory. After that, decide whether you think it's responsible to tow a boat right at or slightly over the rating for your vehicle.

New Ford superduty's are 21,000 off the hitch with no WDH recommended or needed. I've never even seen a boat trailer with WDH at any lake I've ever been too.


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[jharris]

After all the debate on an adequate tow vehicle, I think this would be sufficient. Top speed and and fuel economy not the greatest, but there are always trade offs.


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[Whitetail15]

I tow 8800 lb trailer everyday for a living. I started with a dodge 2500 gas truck 17 years ago. I tow approx 35k per year mostly all stop and go with limited highway miles. Trailers have electric brakes and work similiar our G series trailers.
I currenty tow with a f-450 dually truck. I can say the safety factor between the trucks is night and day even though they are both capable and rated to do the job legally.
You would need to run the brake controllers on 9/10 with the 2500 series trucks and sometimes I don't even use the trailer brakes with the dually trucks. You basically don't even know you are towing the trailer.
Hope this helps- I could even imagine towing anything with a vehicle smaller or rated at anything less than 2500 series vehicle and feel safe for yourself and other drivers.


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[nyryan2001]

Not sure what else there is to say. Yep it'll tow a G at risk levels few others are willing to assume.

OP came on here looking for confirmation of his previously decided course of action on the Infinity SUV. Despite the overwhelming feedback from experienced folks having done for years what he is about to begin, he is set on his decision.

Game threads like this are why folks don't contribute more.

[Fast351]

I just looked up the specs, and it does look like some of the newer trucks (specifically the 2017 F250/F350) have much higher "weight carrying" tow ratings. I wouldn't have any hesitation about towing a G23/G25 with one of these trucks. They are designed specifically for towing heavy loads. The OP was talking about using a luxury SUV, which is NOT designed to tow anything but medium weight trailers.

If you're wondering if you're good to go, make sure you look at the fine print. Look at the "weight carrying" rating, which is what a standard ball towed hitch can handle. Make sure that both your receiver and hitch ball are rated for what you're putting back there as well. Big load receiver hitches are usually made from a solid hunk of forged steel not a hollow tube style. The balls will be "class IV" rated up to 10K pounds and more.

My personal rule is the trailer shouldn't exceed 150% of the GVWR of the tow vehicle. That may not apply to the really big trucks, but holds pretty true for smaller vehicles. I'm sorry but your 4000# Lexus is not equipped with adequate braking to stop a combined 15000# load.

I'm done. You guys will have to make your own decision if towing with your rigs is safe. Me personally, I live on the lake now, so I tow 500', twice a year.

[all2matt]

I have a 14 Sierra Denali 6.2 and a 16 Yukon Denali XL 6.2. The Yukon is noticeably smoother

[bradw]

4 banger turbo diesel pulls a G23 no worries, just dont be in a hurry to climb a hill....

[blueroom]

Tow threads are always a good read. Our winter sport, snowmobiling, is full of them as well. It seems that people often are looking for justification more than information. Just saying....

It reminds me that my dad used to pull loaded horse trailers with a 2WD 4 cylinder 80's Toyota pickup. Did it pull it, yes. Did he ever have a problem, no. But that did not make it safe or a good idea - he was just lucky nothing bad happened.

The bottom line is that you have to make an informed decision, balancing a number of data points and some common sense to keep you and other people on the road safe. I will admit that when I got my first boat a number of years ago, I pulled it a few times with that same truck my dad pulled the horse trailer with. I realized that it was a bad idea and bought a suitable tow rig. It sucked, and made an expensive hobby even more expensive, but it was the right thing to do.

We have a G23, and we pull it with a Duramax 2500. We have about a 45 minute commute to the lake. I personally would not want to pull it with anything less. That is what is in my own comfort zone, having pulled trailers thousands of miles over the years.

Just my .02. Be safe and have fun!

[jjackkrash]

I snapped these pics this weekend while camping. I like the way this guy thinks