towing a boat

[awthacker]

Originally Posted by sea-biscuit

Hello folks, I am seriously considering the purchase of the Wellcraft V20 pictured below. I am concerned whether I have the towing capacity for it.

It is an 85 Wellcraft V20 with a 4 cylinder Merc Cruiser Inboard/Outboard 170HP motor on a dual axle trailer. Even the owner is not sure of the combined weight of the boat and trailer. Would anybody want to venture an educated guess of the weight of the boat + trailer ?

My vehicle is a 2008 Toyota Tacoma with 2.7 Liter I4 engine. And a Heavy Duty U-Haul Transmission Cooler. Towing capacity ? 3500-6500 lbs depending on who you believe.

Your total weight is probably between 3000-3500 lbs.

I don't think your truck will pull anything close to 6500 lbs, but will probably pull the V. You should look for the owners manual to find the towing capacity.

I towed mine 50 miles roundtrip last weekend in my wifes GMC Acadia (V6, 3.6 L). I was concerned about it, but it felt fine back there. The Acadia claims 3500 lb towing capacity.

[sea-biscuit]

Guys I thank you for your estimates. My Tacoma is equipped with a U-Haul Class 3 hitch which is rated for something like 5000 or 6000 lbs, but that's just the hitch. When I bought the truck, I also had U-haul install one of their heavy-duty transmission coolers.

Don't know if any of you have experience with transmission coolers. Am also considering an oil cooler just to gain a little extra edge. I think they are simpler to install.

Awthacker, I'm hoping your estimate is most accurate, and if so I just might buy the boat. But if it turns out Realapeelin is most correct at 4600 4800 lbs, I just might hesitate.

I guess the only way to know for sure is to weigh it. I wonder if one of those many truck weigh stations you see on the interstates might help us?

A guy named Ruben who sells boats online down in Marerro (sp?) Louisiana tells me that if you are talking trailers for a 20' boat that a single axle trailer generally goes 600-700 lbs, but a dual axle trailer you are looking at 1000 lbs by itself.

[reelapeelin]

All I can tell ya is mine on a scale weighed 4700 lbs no guessing...that's the boat pictured below...

[cmoney]

Your'e going to be looking at about 2600 lbs for the boat and 1000 lbs for the trailer. 3600 lbs that's with no gear or fuel. short distance there should no problem, but long distance or with hills could be a problem. I pull my v21 with a 1997 Honda passport v6 with towing package, its great on flat land will pull 75 mph no problem but when you hit the hills its 55-60 mph tops. with a 4 banger your'e going to be right on the edge.