New 185 Sport, Silverado Can Handle towing?

[SeaRayMan69]

Hi everyone,

New the the forums, and to boating. On Friday, I will officially be an owner of a 2009 185 Sport 4.3 V6. I was curious to know if my 2005 Chevrolet Silverado V8 5.3 liter Crew Cab 2WD would be able to handle the boat. I hope it is, since its a pretty large truck with a decent engine. Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[chuck1]

I would hope so, but check the towing capacity of the truck in the manual, then check the dry weight of the boat from the Sea Ray site plus a 1000 or so lbs for the trailer, gas, etc and that should give you a good idea.

By the way welcome to the site, you may want to update your signature with your boat info, so user will not even reply until you do.

 

[Hatter_in_MD]

You will have no problems at all with that tow vehicle. I just pulled my 190 BR (slightly larger/heavier/older than the 185) across the mountains of western Maryland on an equally aged tandem trailer with surge brakes and was pleasantly surprised by how well the boat stayed in line. I did huff and puff on a few of the steeper hills, but no overheating problems. On most of the downhills the truck engine was almost enough braking to keep from burning brake pads. Just take it easy the first couple of trips out and you will be fine.

BTW, if you are new to boating and planning to go into salt water, be sure to rinse off the rear brakes (I have drums in the back) on the pull truck. I had mine freeze up once from corrosion when pulling a previous boat, and the auto shop guy yelled at me.

Enjoy the boat!

 

[SeaRayMan69]

Thanks for that Advice! I defintely will wash my drum pads in the back, good advice.

 

[everthing's irie]

I agree with everyone else you'll be fine. I tow a 21' with a 5.0 using a 1997 toyota 4runner v6 with out issue.

 

[bushway9172]

Hi everyone,

New the the forums, and to boating. On Friday, I will officially be an owner of a 2009 185 Sport 4.3 V6. I was curious to know if my 2005 Chevrolet Silverado V8 5.3 liter Crew Cab 2WD would be able to handle the boat. I hope it is, since its a pretty large truck with a decent engine. Thanks for the help in advance!

Should be fine. A 2WD Silverado? :huh: . I thought they were all 4WD. Just be careful on a slick boat ramp... that's for sure. :smt018

 

[midway]

I think you posted this on another board I am on. I pull a 2004 185Sport, in sig, with a 1994 GMC 4X4 with 5.7 and 3.63 gear with no problem so your 5.3 should have no problem other than the possible steep slick ramp with 2WD.

 

[xravenx]

You will have no problems at all with that tow vehicle. I just pulled my 190 BR (slightly larger/heavier/older than the 185) across the mountains of western Maryland

Deep Creek Lake? I'm here right now. I towed our 210 bowrider up those same mountains you are talking about. Truck is a 09 Ford F-150 4x4 with a 5.4 engine, set the cruise control on 68 mph, it never slowed down even going up the steepest mountain. Needless to say I'm very impressed with the truck. My 96 Chevy Z71 (which I still have) with a 350 Vortek could never do that, it always lost speed going up those long hills.

John

 

[hack4alivin]

Deep Creek Lake? I'm here right now. I towed our 210 bowrider up those same mountains you are talking about. Truck is a 09 Ford F-150 4x4 with a 5.4 engine, set the cruise control on 68 mph, it never slowed down even going up the steepest mountain. Needless to say I'm very impressed with the truck. My 96 Chevy Z71 (which I still have) with a 350 Vortek could never do that, it always lost speed going up those long hills.

John

Guess that means I won't see ya over at Still Pond on Sunday

 

[xravenx]

Maybe, I'm coming back Saturday late afternoon, wife and kids are staying an extra day.

John

 

[SeaRayMan69]

don't you think with the weight of the boat on the rear end of the truck it should get enough grip? I hope so..I live in Florida so nothing to steep, at least I don't think anything is to steep.

 

[First Born]

You want even know the boat is back there...:thumbsup:

 

[Hatter_in_MD]

Deep Creek Lake? I'm here right now. I towed our 210 bowrider up those same mountains you are talking about. Truck is a 09 Ford F-150 4x4 with a 5.4 engine, set the cruise control on 68 mph, it never slowed down even going up the steepest mountain. Needless to say I'm very impressed with the truck. My 96 Chevy Z71 (which I still have) with a 350 Vortek could never do that, it always lost speed going up those long hills.

John

Yup, same hills. We were up there a couple of weeks ago and had a great time though the weather was a bit chilly. Glad you had a good trip up, enjoy the lake.

 

[midway]

don't you think with the weight of the boat on the rear end of the truck it should get enough grip? I hope so..I live in Florida so nothing to steep, at least I don't think anything is to steep.

You will probably be fine, you would have to hit a steep slick ramp, like some up here in Ga where we have the marsh mud and it coats the ramp and if wet is slicker than, well you know. :grin:

 

[ZZ13]

This is my first post -rather that starting a new thread I thought I'd try asking here. I am a new owner of a 2009 175 Sport that I will trailer to/from the public ramps of the salt water rivers in the Beaufort, SC area. Travel distance will be no more than 5 miles on flat ground. Once a year I will pull it to/from Washington DC to Beaufort, SC. I am looking for the tow vehicle and am considering a 2006 GMC Sierra V6. Tow rating is plenty for this boat but I have been reading that the V6 power (or lack thereof) can be painful. Anyone have an issues using this type of a setup?

 

[Scottbenson]

We live in Utah and pull over more than a few mountain passes with our Isuzu Trooper with 3.5L 6 cyl. We have a 180 bowrider with 3.0 L 4 cyl, pretty much the same boat as you. I can maintain freeway speed without feeling underpowered and if you aren't looking for effortless acceleration, I think you will be fine. It would seem like a waste to buy a bigger truck just for your one trip per year of any mileage. Just my opinion.