Am I gonna need a bigger truck?

RLWsnook

New Member
Feb 14, 2010
59
Sandusky
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
Boatless
So I'm looking to get a 185 sport. Currently I have a Ford escape which has a tow rating of 3500 pounds.

The boat weighs 2400 pounds with the 3.0.. Add 200 pounds for the 4.3 (the engine I want) 200 pounds for fuel. and 600 pounds for the trailer... and that leaves me with 100 pounds for other random stuff or weight...

Now I am not looking to tow this boat back and forth from the water every day, I'm looking at doing a rack program at a marina... So really what I need is to have my Escape take it from where I buy it, to the marina once... Which could be a few hour drive depending on where I get it...

It is likely not going to have a full tank of fuel, so that should give me some extra breathing room.

Am I crazy to try this? Will it pull my bumper off? Or should I be ok? And if I'm not ok any recommendations on where I could rent a truck to tow it?
 
Just have the dealership deliver it to the marina.
 
The four cylinder escape is (Edit) rated to tow only 1500 pounds... so that might have been your problem

I have the v6 fwd which is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds...

Ha thanks for the offer on the suburban but i think it'd be a bit over kill to buy to tow a boat once haha.

as for having the dealer deliver the boat that is not a bad idea.

But still am wondering if I'm crazy to try this?
 
Last edited:
I'm not going to call you crazy but.....

Its not just overall weight that you need to be concerned with. Tongue weight, proper hitches & angles, lights. The more I learned about this stuff the easier my decision...Towing, even once, is not for me.

Anyway, I had delivery included in the deal. Best decision yet.
 
The escape i have already has a tow package on it... All I'd have to do would be hook up the trailer and go...

The issue I have is if the tow rating is for 3500 pounds... can you tow 3400 pounds... there is no way the boat and trailer will weigh more than that. and it is likely less...

I can't imagine that Ford could put a tow rating on a vehicle if you couldn't tow up to that amount. Because if something were to go wrong they would be liable.. but just wondering..
 
The escape i have already has a tow package on it... All I'd have to do would be hook up the trailer and go...

The issue I have is if the tow rating is for 3500 pounds... can you tow 3400 pounds... there is no way the boat and trailer will weigh more than that. and it is likely less...

I can't imagine that Ford could put a tow rating on a vehicle if you couldn't tow up to that amount. Because if something were to go wrong they would be liable.. but just wondering..

As long as you have your weights tabulated correctly including the tow capacity of your vehicle, have the proper lighting, trailer hitch and ball (ensure the ball rating is correct for the amount of tongue weight and trailer weight) your should be good to go.
MOST IMPORTANT !!! If the unit is used, do not turn a wheel until you have checked tires and wheel bearings and the structural integrity of the trailer. I cannot stress this enough.

Component failure on the road is a life's experience a person can do without.

Been there done that.
 
To each his own, but if it were me, I'd want something bigger - especially a longer wheelbase. I got my daughter an Escape XLT/V6 and has the towing package. We'll use it every once in a while to take the Sea-Doo to the launching ramp and that's it...
You're cutting your safety margin awful thin...
 
Ha what you all should be telling me is screw the 185 you should get the 610 Sundancer... :smt038

I mean when it comes down to it... the reason I want a smaller boat is to be able to tow it... but I didn't really want to go smaller than the 185... And I don't want to get a new truck.... SO........ Screw it shouldn't I just get one of the bigger boats out there then???
 
Last edited:
The other problem is going to be stopping. Most of the small boats like this on a trailer are sold on price and rarely have any brakes. That would be the biggest concern I'd have. To do it once, if the weights listed by Sea Ray and the trailer manufacturere are reasonable, I'd probably do it. I'd double check the capacity of the bumper hitch. Those are rarely good for more than 1,500 to 2,000 lbs.

I would guess that SOMEBODY you know has a larger SUV or Pickup and has towed something before and might help you out?
 
Sundancer the trailers do have breaks... how well they work, who knows. :smt017:smt017

sfergson727 ha, I'm 23... Not really in the market for a HUGE expensive boat... hit me up in about 20-25 years... and it might be a different story... Although... if you want me to be 100% honest. and I'm prob gonna be shot down :smt100 for saying this on the club sea ray site... but I'd love a chris craft Corsair 36 as a bigger boat some day... please don't hit me for saying so though :smt021
 
If I remember correctly, the V6 with the towing package has a Class II receiver hitch installed - not a bumper type of hitch. There really are no standards for towing capacity yet - although that will change in the next year or so. I think the Escape has enough power to pull your boat if you have the weights correct and the only item left is the brakes. You say the trailer has brakes so just make sure they are working well before you set off on the trip. Do you have towing experience? I would tow that load with your Escape - especially a one time deal. Just allow yourself some extra time to make the trip and enjoy it!
 
If I remember correctly, the V6 with the towing package has a Class II receiver hitch installed - not a bumper type of hitch. There really are no standards for towing capacity yet - although that will change in the next year or so. I think the Escape has enough power to pull your boat if you have the weights correct and the only item left is the brakes. You say the trailer has brakes so just make sure they are working well before you set off on the trip. Do you have towing experience? I would tow that load with your Escape - especially a one time deal. Just allow yourself some extra time to make the trip and enjoy it!

You are correct It has a class II towing receiver hitch installed and not just a hitch on the bumper. It has a max tongue load of 300 pounds.. This is the info I have the V6 with FWD: http://www.fordvehicles.com/assets/pdf/towing/10FLMrvESCAPREsep09.pdf

I have absolutely 0 towing experience. :smt009 But I plan to stay at a holiday inn the night before I take it home so I should be ok right? :smt115

Ha thus the questions in the newbie center...
 
Not at all. Comparing the new vessel from Chris Craft, versus Sea Ray's new product line, I would choose a Chris also, as well as Tiara.

Ya, I was looking at the chris craft pricing vs Sea ray... and (for the larger boats) umm I don't understand it... I mean don't get me wrong I think sea rays are some of the nicest out there (kinda like the mercedes or bmw of boats)... but Chris crafts have that wow factor (like a rolls royce or Bentley)... And a similar sized boat is about the same price. which I don't think is sustainable for Sea ray... they need to step up what they are offering\ looks or lower their prices... too many other boats look like them (the sea rays) with the same features for lower prices..

Ha I have a feeling the Corsair 45 is really gonna put Sea rays bigger boats to shame when it comes out...
 

Attachments

  • corsair 45.jpg
    corsair 45.jpg
    22.8 KB · Views: 149
RLWsnook: Since you've got "0" towing experience, here's some of the basics.

There is a 10% tongue weight rule of thumb. 3500# trl. = 350# tongue weight. Hitch height should be level to slightly raised when hooked up to tow vehicle. These two rules will help in handling.

Cross your safety chains, if your chains are dragging then your hitch height is most likely too low. You can flip your reese hitch over to get a better hitch height. Take all the stuff outa the back of your car, you don't want to overload your springs.

Now about that Escape: First it's not a truck. A truck will come later with your bigger boat needs. Your trans is gone say "what the hell". You definatly don’t want your trans shifting all over the place. Keep it out of OD, manually select one gear back from OD and just keep your speed down. Definatly don't be towing at even 55mph.

If you can get it hooked up somewhat level, brakes and lights work, take it slow and easy, you should be fine.

The rack storage sounds like a good idea for now.

Good luck with the new boat and work on getting a truck.

FWIW: I tow with a 1/2 ton. I'm 1000# over my towing capacity. I don't go much over 45mph. And I only tow about 10-20 miles.
 
RLWsnook: Since you've got "0" towing experience, here's some of the basics.

There is a 10% tongue weight rule of thumb. 3500# trl. = 350# tongue weight. Hitch height should be level to slightly raised when hooked up to tow vehicle. These two rules will help in handling.

Cross your safety chains, if your chains are dragging then your hitch height is most likely too low. You can flip your reese hitch over to get a better hitch height. Take all the stuff outa the back of your car, you don't want to overload your springs.

Now about that Escape: First it's not a truck. A truck will come later with your bigger boat needs. Your trans is gone say "what the hell". You definatly don’t want your trans shifting all over the place. Keep it out of OD, manually select one gear back from OD and just keep your speed down. Definatly don't be towing at even 55mph.

If you can get it hooked up somewhat level, brakes and lights work, take it slow and easy, you should be fine.

The rack storage sounds like a good idea for now.

Good luck with the new boat and work on getting a truck.

FWIW: I tow with a 1/2 ton. I'm 1000# over my towing capacity. I don't go much over 45mph. And I only tow about 10-20 miles.

Thanks Bonbini!! that was a big help.
 
Just to add something to Ron's comment...

Following his advice (which is 100% correct) will mean your RPM's will probably be in the 3,000 range. This is a GOOD thing. Your engine operates more efficiently in that range. You'll have more power available and the engine/tranny will actually run cooler. Don't be afraid of running the whole trip with the rev's in that range. The only thing I would say differently than what Ron said is that instead of shooting for a specific speed, accept whatever speed the elevated RPM's gives you (and maybe Ron is spot on with the speed he said).

Ideally, you want to try and go just fast enough to keep your torque converter locked up.
 
Just to add something to Ron's comment...

Following his advice (which is 100% correct) will mean your RPM's will probably be in the 3,000 range. This is a GOOD thing. Your engine operates more efficiently in that range. You'll have more power available and the engine/tranny will actually run cooler. Don't be afraid of running the whole trip with the rev's in that range. The only thing I would say differently than what Ron said is that instead of shooting for a specific speed, accept whatever speed the elevated RPM's gives you (and maybe Ron is spot on with the speed he said).

Ideally, you want to try and go just fast enough to keep your torque converter locked up.


Thanks Lazy Daze! I'll try to keep that in mind. That's very helpful.

PS. I see a peter's marine service thing on your signature. Not sure if you work there, but if you do thanks for those youtube videos. You guys did a great job and are what really sold me on the sea ray 185. Ha tell Sea ray they should be paying you extra!! If you guys come across a 185 in nice shape from 06 to 08 please send me a message.
 
Thanks! I appreciate that! Now, if only Sea Ray would appreciate it...:lol:

Since you're new to boating, did you happen to see the videos on how to launch and retrieve a boat? Although, it sounds like you really won't be doing that much, but you never know! There's also a new one on changing a prop.

I'll certainly keep you in mind if we get a nice one on trade.
 
Good info from Ron and Dennis. If you have zero towing experience then you have an interesting trip ahead of you. Take it slow and try to avoid situations which may require you to back the rig up until you have had a chance to practice some.

For the Escape - not sure how many miles are on it but you may want to make sure you are up to date on your maintenance work. Oil, trans service, tire pressure - you'll be putting it at the max load so putting extra stress on things. Much better to have it all taken care of before you attach the boat. On the boat trailer - make sure the tires are at their maximum pressure - usually 50psi but check the sidewall. If it is a new trailer you will need to check the wheel lugs after about 50 miles and then every 200 or so. When you check the lugs - feel the hubs and make sure they aren't too hot to touch - make sure you have a wrench of the correct size. A hot hub means a possible bearing problem so definitely something to keep an eye out for. Make sure you have the outdrive trimmed up, safety chain at the bow and transom straps on both sides to secure the boat to the trailer.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,865
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top