towing V20 w/explorer

labii · #1 03-24-2003, 03:40 PM

I have a 1999 Ford Explorer . The hitch on the bumper says that it has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs . That should be very close to what the boat , motor , and trailer weighs . I have towed the boat short distances but have never pulled it out of the water . I am planning a trip in July to pull it about 5 hours away. My question is does anyone know if I should have a larger hitch installed or should I be ok ?

chumbucket · #2 03-24-2003, 09:00 PM

While I think it would probably tow okay, and I would probably only do it a couple of times, for the long run, I would consider a frame mounted hitch that would be rated for a little more weight. I'm sure the truck can handle more than 3500 lbs, but only with the right hitch. Plus, you would really be putting a lot of undue stress on your bumper. A frame mounted hitch would also pull a little more smoothly since some of the load is transferred further up under the truck. Plus the better hitch really doesn't cost all that much. Good luck with it.

bigshrimpin · #3 03-25-2003, 03:30 PM

Yeah . . . Your explorer can handle much more than 3500, but you're right at the limit with the 3500lb hitch. Also the tongue weight on those class II hitches is usually only rated for 300 lbs which could easily be exceeded by a person standing on the tongue of the trailer.

1920 lbs Boat
320 lbs Fuel (60 x 6 lbs)
450 lbs Engine
50 lbs battery
200 lbs misc. junk
700 lbs trailer
------------------------------
3640 lbs total

labii · #4 03-27-2003, 01:43 PM

I keep my boat in a dry stack marina so it is rare that I pull it behind my truck . I knew that I was pushing it . Another problem is that I do not have brakes on my trailer. I am going to look into larger hitch and brakes . No more than I pull my boat I my be cheaper to rent a surburban to tow it down there . Thanks

bigshrimpin · #5 04-17-2003, 09:43 AM

Labii,
* * I just moved my boat 35 miles yesterday with my "new to me" 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. *The Rodeo came with a uhaul class 2 hitch (rated at 3500lbs) . *I was going to take it off, but I thought I'd talk to the local uhaul dealer first. *He told me that the hitches actual limits are above the rating that they print of the sticker and as long as your within a few hundred pounds of the limit then you "should be fine". *So . . . last night I tested it out. *I hooked up the boat . . . jumped on the tongue of the trailer a few times before leaving the lot (probably not that smart, but the hitch seemed rock solid. *So I circled the block 4 or 5 times and then headed to cambridge towing the boat. *I hit some great pot holes along the way too and arrived in cambridge without a "hitch" nuk nuk nuk. *

*

labii · #6 04-21-2003, 10:19 AM

BigShrimpin , Thanks for the reply . Do you have brakes on your trailer ?

macojoe · #7 04-21-2003, 10:02 PM

Brakes on a boat suck!! Thay are always messing up. Unless you have a huge boat that you are moving around you don't need them. I have been towing my 1974 V20 for 10 years with none. And I tow every where. I don't leave in the water so a trailer is a must.

bigshrimpin · #8 05-01-2003, 10:03 PM

Labii . . . I don't have brakes on my trailer either. *The rodeo stops the v20 surprisingly well without trailer brakes. *Downshifting is fantastic when you're trailering a boat, but I do worry about not having brakes when towing in traffic on the highway.

#9 07-05-2003, 04:36 PM

I just towed my V-20 I/O from Daytona Beach to Charlotte, NC. What a haul! Usually a 7 to 8 hour trip. Took me over 12 as I stopped regularly to shoot grease into the hubs. Tow vehicle was a Dodge truck with a class 3 hitch. I am surprised at how heavy this boat is!
Does anyone have an idea of the appx. weight of the V-20 with the 5.7 liter Mercruiser?

Thanks

Rick

chumbucket · #10 07-05-2003, 07:29 PM

AJ, check out some of the history and brochures on the home page. They give most of the stats there.