Towing vehicle weight ratios

[Barviewrocks]

I am considering a different towing vehicle for a light Alumadrifter (16ft). I estimate this weighs about 1000lbs with trailer, motor, gear, etc. For those of you that are experienced trailer towers, is there a preferred vehicle to trailer ratio that would lead to safe towing? I am looking for an approximate minimum and comfortable.

I am presently considering a car-suv like a honda CRV or Toyota Highlander. And, I just launch at Tillamook boat ramps (both bay and river). I do not want to get a pickup or larger SUV if I can avoid it.

[timinthegorge]

Completely depends on your tow vehicle's rating....... check the Highlander and the CRV's tow rating capacity.....

Although, either vehicle mentioned won't have a problem with such a light boat.......

My .02....... Tim :smile:

[rags]

I don't think you will have a problem towing something that light but consider traction on those Tillamook ramps in the winter.

[Keta]

Ford F150 :grin:

[blubeast]

As timinthegorge said, check the tow ratings. I tow my small boat (15' Sylvan split seat) with a '92 Sentra. I get strange looks at the ramp, but I smile all the way to the bank with the 25mpg I get towing! It weighs just a little less than your estimate. I've never had any ramp issues.

With a light boat rig you do not need to spend big bucks for a new SUV.

[fish_on]

I pull my 15' sled with my Grad Prix, I imagine that with motors, gear, and trailer I am around 1,200lbs. The car pulls it great the only problem I have is going uphill I have to take it easy to keep the temp down. I have not had any problems at any ramps the front wheel drive pulls it out great.

[Doc Spratley]

I agree with Timeinthegorge. Check your owner's manual. Remember that gasoline weighs in at about 6 pounds per gallon.

[John]

I use to pull my 16x48 Willie drift boat with a Mazda B2600 4WD pick up. Never had a problem. I think both of the for mentioned vehicles have more horseys the my mazda did. After that I towed my 18x54 Willie drifter and 18' super vee with a 3.0 liter Ranger it did fine with the drifter but sucked at towing the sled. What a gutless piece of junk the Ford was. Now tow my sled and dads 20 1/2' Willie helms drive predator fully loaded with a Tundra! The Tundra is awesome. Back to the origanal post you should have no problem towing the drift boat with either vehicle. May be a little slow over the mountain but it is n't a race after all.

[graybeard]

My wife's car is a CRV, and I just sold my alumadrifter. Although I think the CRV has the power to pull a drift boat, you might have a problem with sudden stops or slippery roads. The CRV is a short wheelbased rig with a light rearend. It might tend to jackknife

[wallyw]

Tough ramps need heavy rig and/or 4WD.

Big brakes

Transmission cooler and overdrive lockout.

Be very careful with small tow vehicle that you do not submerge rearend.

Wally

[Barviewrocks]

Thanks to all for the perspective. The neat thing about drift boats is that the trailer doesn't go into the water. I was originally curious to know if there are any given ratios for boat weight to vehicle weight for safe towing. I believe the main danger is braking and control while going down hill for example. I do not want the trailer wagging the vehicle. Since I am not allowed to have multiple vehicles, I do not want to drive a 6000 lb truck around just for the occasion when I tow a small boat.

See ya on the rivers or bay!

[EZ Limits]

I have also wondered about tow vehicle to trailer ratios. However, it seems like some small rigs can be rated to pull big loads. The 6 cylinder Escape is rated to tow 3,500 pounds and can't weigh much more than that, if that. The new CRV (a 4 cylinder) is rated to tow 1,500 pounds, but probably weights in pretty much the same as the Escape. Based on that it seems like towing capacities are based more on engine/transmission/brakes than towing vehicle to towed weight ratio. I was thinking of trading in my old Trooper on a small car/based SUV so I was checking in to tow capicities. Decided to stick with the Trooper.

[timinthegorge]

I'm pulling my 19' Stryker with my '93 Toyota 4x4 SR5 pickup with the 3 L. V6.

Granted it has the towing package, bigger radiator, powertrain etc., but it pulls it fine. My path to the Columbia is up and down the Maryhill grade on Hwy. 97. And I've never had the temp gauge move an iota while burning up the grade in hot weather..... I can only do about 55, but I don't get in a hurry, stay in the right lane, and it gets it done.

My truck is rated at 3500 lbs. and my total boat package with gas and trailer isn't over 2700 lbs. This was one of my major concerns when I was looking into buying a new boat because I didn't want TWO new payments!! But I'm happy to report I was worrying unnecessarly.

[blubeast]

The vehicle mfg set tow ratings for a reason. I tow big boats/travel trailers with a big vehicle, which burns the fuel.

If your boat is small, and you think ahead, you should have no problems towing with a smaller vehicle. Just use common sence.

I feel more at risk of launching my truck when backing my big boat down the ramp (surge brakes don't work backing downhill) than backing my 15' Sylvan with the Sentra with a 5sp manual transmission.

[biederboat]

There is absolutely no good rule of thumb for converting vehicle weight to trailer weight ratios. Consider that a 1 ton doesn't weigh probably more than 1000 lb. over an otherwise equal 1/2 ton pickup yet can tow up to twice as much.

To address your concern though, as long as you're within the tow weight capability of the vehicles you describe (and I bet you are), I think you're making a wise decision not to go with a larger rig. I really doubt you'll have any sway issue but beware that with any trailer you can really affect the tonque weight with how you load the gear. Don't go too light! Also, try and get a "torsion flex" axle as they tow much better (independant suspension, much better bump response). Oops, I see you already have the boat. Well, IMO they're worth upgrading to.

Good luck,
Biederboat

[Artwo]

I have a 2002 Mazda B3000 4x4 x-cab PU with a 3.0 liter V6 (same as the Ford ranger) and I tow a 16 ft Fishrite DB. I got this truck because of all the driving I do back and forth to work. It tows my DB just fine, can't even hardley tell it back there. I have had no issues with braking or down hill control. I also tow my boat off of the bumper, no hitch required. Truck also came pre-wired and matched up perfectly to my trailer.

JK