Help With Boat Weight

Stillrunning · #1 04-17-2009, 09:18 AM

Well like I said in an earlier thread I have purchased a 1999 241 Pro Line but now I'm trying to find something to tow it with and I'm trying to figure out the boats weight with trailer. The manual says the boat weighs 3800 but that without the motor. It has a Mercruiser 350 IB/OB which I'm guessing weighs maybe 1000 to 1100 pounds. Then I have a large Load Rite trailer which I'm guessing around 1,200 pounds. So I'm thinking around 6,000 pounds before gas gear and others in the truck. So would I be safe getting a truck that tow's 7500 to 8,000 or do my number seem off. Most of my towing is withing 5 miles but I will tow 30 miles maybe 15 times a year and maybe 5 trips around 80 miles. For long tows I'll wait to fill up the boat when I get there because I have a 130 gallon tank when full adds another 1,000 pounds. So what is your opinion? Thanks for the help.

nipper · #2 04-17-2009, 09:57 AM

I think you are real close with the numbers. I would think a full size pickup with at least a 5 liter V8 would do fine, as would a suburban or tahoe. I tow my V with a 1998 suburban, and it has plenty of oomph left for a larger boat like yours.

Stillrunning · #3 04-17-2009, 10:30 AM

I'm looking at a few Surburbans on Sunday but neither of them have a trailer hitch which I guess is good news because I know they have not been pulling around any heavy stuff.

randlemanboater · #4 04-17-2009, 12:15 PM

Thats the kind of Suburban you want, one that doesnt have a hitch.

Your umbers sound good to me as well.

nipper · #5 04-17-2009, 01:01 PM

I totally agree with you and randleman that the suburban without a hitch would be a very good thing because you know the burban has not been used for towing. However, if one does not have a hitch, it probably does not have the towing package which I believe adds a transmission cooler, at least in the older suburbans. The cost to add a tranny cooler and a hitch though might just outweigh the wear and tear saved from the vehicle not being used for towing.

reelapeelin · #6 04-17-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nipper

I totally agree with you and randleman that the suburban without a hitch would be a very good thing because you know the burban has not been used for towing. However, if one does not have a hitch, it probably does not have the towing package which I believe adds a transmission cooler, at least in the older suburbans. The cost to add a tranny cooler and a hitch though might just outweigh the wear and tear saved from the vehicle not being used for towing.

Dang, Nipper...ya beat me to it...

cterrebonne · #7 04-17-2009, 01:32 PM

between me and my family we have always been chevy people. imo, get the chevy with the tow package and directly head to the transmission shop and get them to beef it up and rebuild it. you wont have to worry about the engine, but the trans is crap especially if its the 4l60's

Stillrunning · #8 04-17-2009, 02:10 PM

So I guess you guys are agreeing with me that if I have a truck rated to tow 7,500 to 8,000 I should be good to go. The one I'm looking at the guy said did have the trans cooler as it came that way as a 4x4 but the other guy was not sure.

cterrebonne: Are the Trans really that bad in the Surb or just that one your mentioned?

nipper · #9 04-17-2009, 03:21 PM

I have not had any major tranny problems with my 1998 Suburban. I did have one repair a couple years back when it was not shifting well, and I think it was only about $100. Been running fine since then with 158,000 miles on it. I have the 5.7 liter v8 with tow package and 4wd. That 4wd is very reassuring when pulling up a steep and slippery ramp.