Just got a boat, what to tow it with?

[jjuriga]

Well, I just got an '87 v20 steplift. I am working on getting it running and just realized that my g35 coupe will not tow it;)

So, my question is... can i get a v6 Explorer or similar class 4x4, or do I need to step it up to v8?

Thanks!

[bradford]

I would never buy an explorer. Get a full size pickup. V8 would be preferred or you'll just end up wishing you had.

[SkunkBoat]

I tow mine with a V6 Explorer (2006). No problems at all, plenty of pull on flat land and over bridges. Never towed it up a real hill.

Probably would not be great on long hauls and mountains but for 10 miles to the ramp its fine.


I also used to tow it with a V6 Rodeo with no problems either.

Are you trailering or will you be getting a slip? If your docking it, you could keep the g35 and borrow or rent a truck twice a year.
I think about that every time I gas up my 4x4 Explorer (17 mpg).
The yearly savings in gas would easily pay for someone else to tow it.

[buckleyjr]

I tow mine with a 4Runner. It has a v8 but when doing my research I found the v6 would have worked too. Also nice family car too.

[spareparts]

1500 Suburban, Tahoe, Silverado. I've got a 99 Suburban, and an 02 Suburban, each will pull a V with no problem. How much do you want to spend?

[macojoe]

I have a Tahoe with 4.8, never towed with it but my pick up with same motor did it great any where!

[Destroyer]

Depending on your budget, I'd look at a Jeep Cherokee with a 4.0L inline 6 engine. Tons of torque. I towed my V from Fla to it's home in NJ (1600 miles) without a hic-up with mine. Yes, there are nicer, bigger trucks out there (and more expensive also) but you'll have to look hard to find ANY vehicle with a more reliable engine. The 4.0L is legendary for being just about bulletproof.

[THEFERMANATOR]

I towed all kinds of stuff with my old CHEROKEE, and they can be had for fairly cheap now so you can justify having it just for a tow vehicle.

[jjuriga]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I've been told that a v6 will be fine especially because my trailer has dual axle.

[THEFERMANATOR]

A V-6 in most any decent sized SUV will do the job so long as it has a GOOD hitch(not a bumper hitch but a class 3 or 4 receiver hitch), and is setup with a decent tow package(trans cooler and lower gears for towing). I wouldn't go out and find an explorer with 3.08 gears, and expect to tow a V-20 with it, but if you can find one with 3.73's and a trans cooler you should be fine. I'm a GM guy myself, but the FORD will do the job just fine. Heck I still remember back when I was a kid and we used fukll size cars to haul boats to the ramp. They would do the job, but getting up the ramp was a PAIN to say the least. I still rememeber asking people at the ramp to climb in the trunk so we could get traction.