230BR Signature Series Towing Weight W/ Trailer

Rono007

Rono007

New Member
Dec 17, 2009
796
Danbury, CT
Boat Info
2001 SR 230BR Signature Series
Engines
7.4L Bravo III
I have Googled my eyes out and cannot find the weight of my boat including my trailer. I'm looking for the towing weight of both included so I can guage if my 2001 Montero Limited (V6) will tow this package a few times a year safely and be able to pull it out of the water.

The trailer is a Loadrite double-axle roller.

Thanks in advance.
 
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I just called my local MarineMax dealer and the dry weight of the boat is about 4500-4600 lbs.

The question becomes, once filled with gas and adding the trailer, is my Montero Limited (5000 lb rating) able to tow this boat safely?
 
I don't think the dealer included the trailer in their estimate. The Sea Ray archives shows the dry weight at 4200lbs plus your options - especially that big block. Add in the trailer which appears to be galvanized vs. aluminum and you are over your capacity. The Load Rite site shows a tandem roller trailer (vs. bunks) in aluminum for your weight of boat to be approx 1500 lbs. Remember gas weighs in at approx 7lbs per gallon = 57*7= another 400lbs. So - you could be looking at ~6100 lbs without any other gear on board. I think you're over anyway you look at it - being a little over your capacity is a personal choice - but exceeding by over a 1000 lbs is a safety risk.
 
Thanks for the reply. I bought a used Yukon XL to tow the boat safely and had intentions of selling the Montero. However, I am having "Buyers Remorse" as the gas for the Yukon is killing me already. I suppose I was trying to find out if I could hold onto the Montero. Even if I am towing the boat a few times a year (will be slipped), I now see the answer is that I have to hold onto the Yukon. There are not many fuel efficient V8's out there.
 
I hear you on the gas prices - I'm curious as to your mileage between the two. I didn't think the Mitsu V6 had the greatest efficiency.
 
You made the right (safe) choice - good for you :smt001.

It's possible that the Yukon will get as good, or better, mileage when towing... if you were contemplating keeping the Montero for a daily driver, that is.

In addition to what Travis said, don't forget that anything you put into the truck (besides you) needs to be subtracted from your towing capability.
 
I was doing about 14/16 city in the Montero and I'm around 10/12 on the Yukon (Denali XL). I went with that because I got a '03 with 54K miles on it for $14,500 - great price. It's a great truck - like I said, sticker shock at the pump since I have had it. I don't think the mileage would be much better on a Tahoe, Suburban, or anything else in this class.

Even though I will only be towing the boat a few times a year, it probably is the better choice.

I really appreciate the input.
 
rono,
you have to be able to stop the boat as well. I like my chances better with the Yukon.

have you considered getting an older toyota, honda or similar? You can pick up a decent older car for $2k that would quickly pay for itself over time in decrease fuel cost plus maintain the value of your tow vehicle.

If you drive 15,000 miles a year it would pay for itself in the first year! (excluding insurance/taxes/etc)
 
The XL will certainly tow your rig with no issues. I'm a bit surprised at your mileage though - I have the V10 in my 03 Excursion and am getting 12-12.5 in the city and 14-14.5 (usually between 70-75mph) on the highway. I would have expected you to get something similar to me since my truck is heavier and has a thirstier engine. Has any maintenance been done lately? You may want to go through and do the basics: plugs, clean the MAF, replace the fuel and air filters. You have coil on plug ignition in that truck (both the 5.3 and 6.0 since not sure which one you have) so those typically wont need anything unless you have a torn boot or a check engine code. A programmer can help - you usually may associate it with getting additional power but an economy tune can help with mileage as well.
 
A V10! :wow:

Is that your primary vehicle? If so, how many miles a day are you traveling?

I've lost my right to complain. :grin:
 
Ha - it's my primary vehicle but I work from home so it gets driven maybe a 100 miles a week. So I'm filling up less than once a month. That is actually one of the reasons I got gas vs. diesel - short trips and being parked for periods of time aren't good for the diesels in these trucks. Well - that and the diesel was going to run me 4-5k more and some of the 6.0's in the SuperDuty trucks were prone to more problems than I wanted to deal with. It's something I'll keep for a long time - it only has 60k miles on it now and it tows the 270 like a dream.

Shockingly enough - we had a customer who had a 2000 Explorer with the 4.0 V6 who wanted to get rid of it at the end of last year - 30k miles and looked brand new. Snatched it up - my wife is driving it and she's getting 13-14 around town so I feel pretty good about my beast!
 
Nice deal!

I'm doing 80-100 a DAY! Hence the gas heart attack I am having. I really am noticing the 3-5 MPG difference.
 
I'm a little surprised at your mileage, too. My parents have an '07 ('08?) Yukon XL (same thing as a Suburban). It's got the 5.3L. They consistently get around 14 city. They don't do much highway, but when they have, they get in the upper teens - sometimes around 20. It has the cylinder deactivation set-up, though, that's why they get the much better highway mileage.
 
My 230OV was 5200 on the trailer. I believe they were slightly lighter than the BRs. I towed it just fine with a '05 1500 Suburban.
 
Yea ... mine is an '03 and I don't think it has the deactivation.

My milage is based on the "onboard computer". At the moment I have filled the tank and will calculate the milage my self after the next fillup to get a better idea.

I never calculated the cost of a towing vehicle into the cost of the boat! :)
 
You're right, I'm sure you don't have the cylinder deactivation. I've towed with numerous combos of a GM 5.3L in trucks and Suburbans. I'd still expect your mileage to be in the 14/17 range.

How long have you had the truck? It could just be the "it's new to me factor"... as in "vroom vroom" :smt001
 
Rono007 said:
I was doing about 14/16 city in the Montero and I'm around 10/12 on the Yukon (Denali XL).
I really appreciate the input.
Click to expand...

I've got a 1997 Suburban with a 5.7 and I get 15 in the city and 17 or better on the highway. This summer while in South Carolina I got 20.1 on the highway. I religiously check my mileage on all my vehicles at every fill-up. Heck pulling my boat(6,000lbs+) I get 10.5 MPG.

I'm very surprised and impressed that my 2002 Impala gets 24 MPG in the city and 30.1 on the highway.

Yes, you made the right decision on getting a new tow vehicle. As has been said here before, you can tow anything with just about anything. But can you STOP!
 
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Lazy Daze said:
You're right, I'm sure you don't have the cylinder deactivation. I've towed with numerous combos of a GM 5.3L in trucks and Suburbans. I'd still expect your mileage to be in the 14/17 range.

How long have you had the truck? It could just be the "it's new to me factor"... as in "vroom vroom" :smt001
Click to expand...


You're right. I just bought it 2 weeks ago. Still waiting to get through this tank and a refill to calculate what I am *really* getting. It won't take long to empty it. :grin:
 
If possible always go with a bigger tow vehicle than you think you need. Safety is #1. Not just yours but all of us other people on the road too. These boats loaded with gear and full of fuel weigh a lot. I pull my 230BR with a 3/4 ton with a diesel and would really hate to use anything smaller. Last spring I changed my surge brakes to electric and love it. I couldn't believe how much better the electric brakes work. And My HD2500 has HUGE brakes on it. That is something to consider also with a slightly undersized tow vehicle, Electric brakes work much better and A LOT faster than surge brakes. They actually start braking BEFORE the tow vehicle. We tow every weekend either 30 miles one way to the Ohio River or 130 miles one way to Kentucky Lake. It will wear YOU and the vehicle out if you push the limits on the tow ratings. Not to mention WHEN (not if) you get "two-footitis". :grin:
Sorry about the long winded reply. :smt024
Like they always say.....

"You don't want the tail wagging the dog" :thumbsup:
 
Thanks Hoosier Daddy. I have surge brakes on the trailer, and yes, the Yukon is bigger than I need. Even though we will only be towing the boat about 4-6 times a year MAX, it's probably the right choice.

Now ... who wants to buy a 2001 Montero Limited? :grin:
 
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