How big is your RIG? (Poll)

Time Off · 02-26-2005, 05:42 PM

This purpose of this poll is to find out what size rigs people have to tow their pride and joy.

Jettin' Fool · 02-26-2005, 06:37 PM

I pull my 21' NR with a Chevy S-10 Blazer. Not what I call a ideal rig to pull a boat, but it gets the job done.

I see a big Diesel truck in my future

Jfool

Time Off · 02-26-2005, 06:45 PM

Okay the reason for the poll :tongue:

I currently have a 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 quad w/Hemi. It suuuuuucks the gas

(10 mpg city about 8 mpg towing). I was considering trading it in on better gas mileage rig. Perhaps even a midsize SUV like a Toyota 4 runner or Honda Passport. The towing is rated about 5,000 lbs for these guys. My boat and trailer weighs about 3600 lbs. I live about 15 miles from where I normally launch my boat on the Columbia. The longest tow for me is Hammond for crabbing.

The question is can a midsized SUV handle this much boat?

Pete · 02-26-2005, 06:51 PM

The real question is how long can a mid-sized SUV handle that much boat. The reason for having excess towing capacity in your tow rig is to avoid wear and tear. Load produces stress which results in things breaking.

I had a V6 Explorer with a manual transmission. Tow rating was 4200 lbs. or something like that. My boat and trailer are 3000+. It only took a few months before it was time for a new clutch. My current tow rig has a capacity of 7500, but it's still showing signs of premature wear. Something about the smell of burning oil after dragging the boat. I'm sure it has nothing to do with driving 85 MPH with the boat behind me.

WaterDog · 02-26-2005, 06:53 PM

When what you tow approches the weight of the tow rig, things can get ugly. Trailer brakes will be a MUST if you go this way.

Your going to work a smaller rig so are you going to really saving anything?

My 2 cents.

Starfish · 02-26-2005, 06:54 PM

I traded down from a SD F250 V10 to a crew cab Silverado 1/2 ton to improve the gas mileage. My boat weighs about the same as yours and it seems to handle it fine, but I can definitely feel the difference in torque on the hills. Mileage is 15-19 empty and 10-12 towing.

Many SUVs will have enough power to tow the boat but will not have as firm a suspension as a truck, so towing won't be quite as steady. I also prefer a truck bed so I can step into the back of the truck and avoid getting my feet wet when loading the boat on the trailer.

I think you'd be OK but you might consider renting one to try it before buying.

Time Off · 02-26-2005, 07:19 PM

Some real good points. I do like having the truck bed for trailering the boat. I suppose one fried tranny would cost more then all the gas $$ savings. I think I will keep the truck for now.

ICHTHYDEMON · 02-26-2005, 07:32 PM

IMO you need a vehicle that will handle the worst case scenario not the best case. What happens if you have a blow out on the SUV or boat trailer? Will the SUV be able to get you stopped safely?

Getting a smaller rig will save money during the week,but I'll bet the V-8 will get better mileage when towing,vs. the V-6 getting worked harder towing your boat.

Time Off · 02-26-2005, 07:42 PM

It looks like most have graduated to the 3/4 ton. I would probably go diesel on a 3/4 or larger. Right now I'm thinking my retirement rig is a 1 ton diesel with camper and boat.

backlash442 · 02-26-2005, 08:10 PM

Wow that truck is only rated for 5000lbs? I think even if your tow rating was 7000lbs you'd still be pushing it since you have to add your equipment and fuel to that 3600lbs. Probably over 4k lbs. easy. Make sure you change your trannie fluid often as well as differential.

I have a 3/4 ton Suburban 2x4. Think it's rated around 10k lbs. or so. Used to tow about 7500lbs give or take. Did a pretty good job but did warp my rear drums. I even had dual brakes on the trailer! Boat now is probably only around 3200lbs. including trailer. Big difference but I can still feel the thing back there especially going up a 6%-7% grade. I've got a fresh engine too but still on the original trannie. Heavy duty is good. Matter of fact I don't think I'd get a 1/2 ton Suburban to tow my boat now.

WaterDog · 02-26-2005, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Right now I'm thinking my retirement rig is a 1 ton diesel with camper and boat.

If this is your plan then you better think dually. My 9.5' camper puts me over GVW by 1000lbs and it's a 1 ton dually CC diesel. Have not hauled the camper and the 6000lb boat together......yet. :grin:

There is no such thing as too much truck.

jdstrd · 02-26-2005, 08:16 PM

2003 tacoma supercharged hauls my 20'rogue stalker.

Chromaflage · 02-26-2005, 08:25 PM

I've gotten a lot of mile out of this pic, and the rig.

What can I say, I'm proud of 'er, as there aren't many like 'er. She's a one ton For Centurion with a 7.3 PS, GVW 9600#.

I tow anything I want with it except for utility trailers with low clearance over 2.5 foot windrows. :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush:

CrF

RiverRover · 02-26-2005, 08:26 PM

2005 Land Rover Discovery pulling a 21'6" North River Commander X.

Anyone have any information on tranny coolers? I've heard they are a nice addition.

jetjockey · 02-26-2005, 09:40 PM

I ocassionally pull a 21X78 Boice with my 96 Tacoma extended cab. It actaully pulls it fine once your on the road, but to get the thing moving you have to slip the clutch more than I like. It gets the same milage as my dad's old tahoe when pulling the boat (about 10-11mpg) but I also have a little heavier foot than him. I wouldn't want to do it much more than a couple of times a year or i'd be replacing the tranny, but occasionally is alright. He put a new tranny in his Tahoe at 75000 miles and then sold it for a new F-150. I think the biggest problems with trucks (or SUV's) is that the manufactures don't put strong enough trannies in them. They build them for Joe public that may pull a couple times a year, but not for the west coast guys who are constantly pulling 20 or 30 times a year and sometimes up over some pretty big mountain passes. You won't hear many people say they blew a motor at 75000 miles, but you will hear people with lots of tranny isues. my 2-cents. Jet

muddog · 02-27-2005, 01:29 AM

Hey, do what I did ,Buy a diesel and watch the prices triple while you gain 5 mi. to the gal.$ 2.70 ,cost me almost a $100 bill to fill yesterday,can't wait to drive down and fish with you,ifish tips just became a whole lot more important to me. Did I talk you into a powerstroke? Good Luck,hope this helps.

Quote:

Why did I buy a redneck minivan.

baltz526 · 02-27-2005, 06:04 AM

a guy i know has the same dodge you have and he gets 18mpg hiway. you may have a problem with you truck. or do you have some other issue causing the very bad milage, lift kit 35" tires, utility tool bed, with 3000lbs of tools in it. if not i would take it in for a computer diagnostic.

baltz526 · 02-27-2005, 06:22 AM

a transmission cooler is a mandatory addition on any tow rig with a automatic transmission.and filter/oil changes every 25000 to 30000 miles under normal towing conditions, every 10000 to 15000 if you are always hauling heavy loads or towing with the rig, and in exstream towing conditions more often than that. most failures are caused by lack of maintainence. not towing wieght. on manual transmissions change the oil every 15000 or less and there are transmission coolers available for them also. the 2004 dodge transmission is good for towing, if you maintain it. and should last 200000 miles even with towing a 3500 lb trailer.

Time Off · 02-27-2005, 06:59 AM

Quote:

a guy i know has the same dodge you have and he gets 18mpg hiway. you may have a problem with you truck. or do you have some other issue causing the very bad milage, lift kit 35" tires, utility tool bed, with 3000lbs of tools in it. if not i would take it in for a computer diagnostic.

My truck is bone stock except for a LineX bed liner. I did manage 15.8 mpg, no load on the hiway once. I live on a foot hill approx 950' elevation. I'm sure if my commute was all flat I would get better mileage. :smile:

baltz526 · 02-27-2005, 07:05 AM

the guy i know lives in sunriver, 4300' elevation has a 2004 4door short bed 4x4. gets 14/15 mpg local driving.

fishchaser · 02-27-2005, 07:06 AM

I have a Chevy 2500, 3/4 ton (heavy, 1 ton chassis) extended cab. with a 454 engine. I use it to pull my 16' Spectrum and my '01 Lance Camper 1030. (10'11") With the boat packed to the max. Coolers Camping Gear, wood, food, water,Etc. I can pull it all up or down hill, at 55 MPH. I only get 10 MPG, up or down, in town or highway, loaded or unloaded. It doesn't matter. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

aye fsh · 02-27-2005, 07:56 AM

I agree with the "You can never have enough truck" idea. I don't have a camper and if I did this rig would not be enough without some mods.

'96 PSD 4x4 stock as all get out. '00 NR sportster full 'o fishing gear.
Any one recognize the guy at leisure near the swim platform? :grin: :grin: :grin:

Lou · 02-27-2005, 09:25 AM

04 F350 4X4 for us. I had a 63, 72, 77, 88, 95 Chev's.
The 88 and 95 were 1 ton. They were all new except the
63. I think to 72 is still running. The 77 died, the 88
burned up (on the 205 bridge)(that was a ride) and the
95 is still helping someone. The Chevy's were good, but
this Ford is a dream. 10ft camper and 17 ft Arima.
I can go to the coast and back (from Oregon City) and
still go to Chinook landing twice before the 1/4 mark.
The Chevy's were 454's except the 63 and 72.
The 77, 88 and 95 all had serious problems before 7K.
The Ford now has 14K, since May. All RVing, not a hicup.
I think I am convinced..
Lou

Time Off · 02-27-2005, 11:18 AM

Quote:

04 F350 4X4 for us. I had a 63, 72, 77, 88, 95 Chev's.
The 88 and 95 were 1 ton. They were all new except the
63. I think to 72 is still running. The 77 died, the 88
burned up (on the 205 bridge)(that was a ride) and the
95 is still helping someone. The Chevy's were good, but
this Ford is a dream. 10ft camper and 17 ft Arima.
I can go to the coast and back (from Oregon City) and
still go to Chinook landing twice before the 1/4 mark.
The Chevy's were 454's except the 63 and 72.
The 77, 88 and 95 all had serious problems before 7K.
The Ford now has 14K, since May. All RVing, not a hicup.
I think I am convinced..
Lou

Is that a diesel in your 04 Ford? It sounds like you found your truck

graybeard · 02-27-2005, 12:09 PM

I have a 2004 Dodge 3500 4dr, dually, 4x4 with Cummins Turbo Diesel. It weighs approx. 8300 lbs. I get 18 mpg with normal driving and will get 22 mpg if I keep it around 50 mph out on the road. Towing my 25' C-Dory, it will get 12 mpg. This rig cost about $36k when new and is pretty hard to beat. The Cummins diesel has amazing torque for towing.

skybuster · 02-27-2005, 02:03 PM

I picked up an '05 F-350 4dr powerstroke on Thursday night. This is my second powerstroke, and it is the nicest vehicle I have ever driven. If you are gonna do serious towning this truck is it. I have a big camper and a 19 foot T-Jet to pull. My girlfriend has an '04 F-150 and we are sold on the Fords.

NICK · 02-27-2005, 03:03 PM

most people that i see on the river have either a 1/2 or a 3/4 ton truck. that is all you need for a standard intruder or a duckworth though. when you star getting 25 feet and bigger you want an upgrade.

ANDYCOHO · 02-27-2005, 03:15 PM

I had the EXACT truck you did. I towed my 20' Alumaweld Super Vee LT(approx 2400#) and my 22' Bayliner Trophy (approx 4200#)

I thought that truck towed both boats great. Not super milage, but not bad, approx 10 while towing and 14.5 while empty.

Then the wife bought a horse trailer and I soon found out that I needed a 3/4 ton. So I bought a '05 Dodge 2500 4x4, Crew Cab Diesel and man, I couldn't believe how much easier and comfortable all my boats are to tow. I tow my boats to the coast just about every other weekend and it sure makes it much more enjoyable and less stressing towing through the coast range.

My wife has a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I have towed my Alumaweld with it from time to time and after every trip, I am just worn out. The boat pushes the Jeep around, the brakes are constantly hot and the engine and tranny are just as hot.

Stay with your 1/2 ton or upgrade to a 3/4 ton.

FlyingAce · 02-27-2005, 06:20 PM

I have a 19' Bayliner that I pull with a Dodge Dakota. The boat weighs 2600 and the truck is rated for 4600. The only thing that I regret is not getting a V-8. It tows just fine on flat roads and moderate hills but really bogs down on steep inclines. Just something to consider.

T-Jet · 02-28-2005, 09:49 AM

The old 1/2 ton stepside pulled this boat for 4 years. It took its toll on it. It was lifted with 35's and a whole lot of other performance upgrades. I think I stopped for fuel every station I could! The old GMC pulled the boat home from Dallas,TX she did everything I asked of her!

This is the new beast! 1 ton diesel! I wish I would have got it 4 years ago. Here is a launch on the Santiam that the old rig had a little trouble yanking the boat from. The new Ford rolls right out....no sweat! The crew cab is great for those roadtrips up the gorge or down south! The 1-ton is by far better to pull, rather than drag the boat with! I will definetly have a heavy diesel as long as I have a boat!

Captn · 02-28-2005, 09:56 AM

3/4 ton Surburban with 454.
Almost anything will get you up the hill, it's when you want to stop that the bigger rig pays for itself.

TheRogue · 02-28-2005, 11:08 AM

9900 GVWR

Dougherty Ford, Mr. Kitch'nPass is the man!!!!

If I could fit a dually, that's what I'd have. Never too much capacity.

TR

rola76 · 02-28-2005, 11:30 AM

'01 2500HD w/ 6" RCD lift. Looks good but lifting it and running 35-inch tires shoots it down in terms of performance.

Time Off · 02-28-2005, 04:14 PM

I've been talking to a few diesel truck owners and most are real happy with their rigs. I think I see a diesel in my future as well :grin:

CATCH AND EAT · 02-28-2005, 04:22 PM

Quote:

9900 GVWR

Dougherty Ford, Mr. Kitch'nPass is the man!!!!

If I could fit a dually, that's what I'd have. Never too much capacity.

Ditto the Rogue's truck down to color, trim, and even canopy. Mine has a few more miles (13000) but I love my truck. Pulls the 23' trophy with ease and the sled....truck does'nt even know it's there.

TR