New Sea Ray 185 owner

[DennisK]

Hello all.

I just bought my first boat and would appreciate some towing advice.

I currently have the boat stored at a marina that will put the boat in the water for me. (until i can purchase a vehicle to tow)

My main questions is , can I safely tow a Sea Ray 185 18" with a V6 SUV or truck?

Gross weight with everything around 4,000lbs? (boat 2,700 + Trailer 750 + fuel/gear 400 = 3,850)

If and when I buy a bigger boat I realize that I will need a v8, but until then what V6 options do I have, if any?

From the reading i've done so far, it seems like some people say a vehicle with 5,000 towing capacity isn't enough and some say it is....confusing for a new boat owner.

Pilot v6 awd?
Jeep Grand Cheroke 4wd?
Tacoma v6 4wd?

 

[Westie]

I pulled a 1994 230 DA with a Tacoma for a couple of years in worse conditions then you will ever encounter. I was right at my limit or even over at about 6500 lbs and it did struggle a bit on the big hills but did OK. 4,000 lbs will be no problem with a Tacoma. What ever you use to tow it make sure the trailer has working brakes.

 

[sibnai1]

its not so much a matter of a V6 versus a V8, as many modern V6s match or surpass the HP/torque ratings of older V8s, its about whether or not the braking system (you can't plan an emergency stop), vehicle chassis, transmission, suspension etc. of the tow vehicle is up to the task.

In towing there is usually a 80% rule of thumb, don't tax any system more than 80% of its capacity.

There are many things that we would probably all take the chance and do once or twice and white knuckle it, but if you plan to tow frequently you should do it with equipment that is up to the task.

 

[Buckeye Boater]

The newer V6's surpass older V8's. We use to pull our 215 Weekender (6000 lbs + with boat, trailer, gear, etc.) with a 2004 F150 with 4.6L V8. That truck did fine, never had an issue. We now have 2014 F150 with a V6 Ecoboost engine and towing is night and day. With the new truck we don't even know the boat is back there. In fact last weekend we were going down the interstate and were pushing 80 mph and didn't even realize it. Just make sure, as stated previously, the other systems of the tow vehicle can handle it.

 

[dvx216]

First thing that seems to be effected when towing is the transmission so I would look for something with a tow package option that has improved trans cooling and if not something you can install an additional auxiliary trans. cooler. They are cheap to install and will save you a lot of money down the road.Don't forget that if you are looking at an suv that once you load it up with stuff and people you are taking away your towing ability/ performance.

 

[Banagy]

Sundeck 200 with GMC SUV, no problems (6cyl.)

 

[BillK2632]

I have towed my 185 short distances with our Lexus RX330 - it has a factory tow package and is rated at 3500lb. We I say short, I mean 5-10miles between hour old lake house and the ramp or to the dealer. I would NEVER take off on a trip of any distance with that rig. The Lexus was at it's limit towing. I think you need something in the order of a 5000lb towing capacity (ie a Tacoma pickup or larger SUV). The few times I towed my boat any distance I rented a Tundra (Toyota dealer here rents cars) night and day towing with the Tundra vs the Lexus.

 

[blaster]

When Frank W. Towed his Dauntless up to TN from Fl he used his Lexus SUV. It was rated to tow much more than that. He told me what a hit he took on his milage towing that light little whaler.

When I towed it from Nashville to northern VA with my f150, I burned an extra half tank of gas compared to the trip down.

Something to consider when looking at tow vehicles. Don't just consider the weight rating. Suspension gearing and transmission are the critical items to consider. I would be looking a PU trucks or an SUV built on a truck frame rather than a unibody SUV.

Of the vehicles you listed, the takoma looks like your best bet. Stay away from all wheel drive vehicles. Get a 4x4 or RWD. The longer the wheelbase the better it will handle towing too.

 

[Docsteder]

I just purchased an 2006, 185 sport this spring and am towing it with a 2013 Tacoma TRD Off Road w/trailer package and haven't had any issues. I purchased the boat in Chattanooga so, I needed to pull it over Monteagle to bring it home and it handled it fine. Over last weekend we pulled it to Center Hill Lake, a little over an hour away and it was fine. However; it does require a good push on the skinny pedal going up the steep hills and mountains.


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[CliffA]

a couple factors that many forget to include in this decision is what type of terrain you will be towing over and how long the trips will be.....if you are towing over hilly terrain and reasonably long hauls (over 1 hour each way) then you will need a 'beefier' tow vehicle that has been specifically equipped with towing options....it has already been mentioned about the type of transmission in the tow vehicle....i think the vast majority of V6 SUV's will come with a standard 'car' transmission that may or may not hold up well to towing over time....plus it will likely be front wheel drive which is NOT GOOD for pulling a boat up ramps...it will also likely not have a transmission cooler, oil cooler, HD radiator, HD brakes, HD suspension, etc.....however if you can find a 4x4 Ford F150 truck with a V6 Ecoboost engine and factory tow package most likely all of these towing options will be included as well as a 'truck' transmission....the differential gearing and the transfer case gearing would be higher to aid in towing and pulling the boat and trailer out of the water and up the ramp........and the fuel economy while not towing will be pretty good...

think about the safety of yourself, your family, and other drivers....you need a tow vehicle that can safely control the boat...it is usally not the engine power that is the primary limiting factor in a tow vehicle...it is the ability to stop and control the boat in emergency situations....

cliff

 

[WazzuCMGrad]

A question in my wheelhouse (no pun intended). We tow our 205SP (3400 dry, about 4200 w/fuel and gear, not including trailer of 1200) with both a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L V8, and a 2011 GMC Acadia 3.6L V6.

The GC does fine. The Acadia is way closer to maxed out. On straight tow ratings, the GC is 6400, and the Acadia 5400, so you can see we're right up against it for the GMC.

My suggestion, if you have the resources and space, is to find a dedicated used tow rig with plenty of capacity and use it.

Good luck!

 

[bgfred]

A question in my wheelhouse (no pun intended). We tow our 205SP (3400 dry, about 4200 w/fuel and gear, not including trailer of 1200) with both a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L V8, and a 2011 GMC Acadia 3.6L V6.

The GC does fine. The Acadia is way closer to maxed out. On straight tow ratings, the GC is 6400, and the Acadia 5400, so you can see we're right up against it for the GMC.

My suggestion, if you have the resources and space, is to find a dedicated used tow rig with plenty of capacity and use it.

Good luck!

Hey, WazzuCMGrad - your acadia, is it front wheel drive or all wheel drive?

I"ve been shopping used 185 Sports and we have an Acadia with front wheel drive, and factory towing package. I've towed the biggest stuff UHaul rents, loaded to the gunwhales, and found that highway stability with the Acadia was outstanding, but climbing hard grades was a slog. I like it as a towing vehicle but the front-wheel-drive aspect concerns me at the launch ramp. Any experience to share there?

We also had a 2000 Grand Cherokee 4x4 (4.0L I-6) which had a shorter wheelbase and required a lot more attention for highway towing - but that motor had a gob of off-the-line torque and it would have handled any boat ramp with ease. Alas, no more.

Appreciate it!

 

[CliffA]

Hey, WazzuCMGrad - your acadia, is it front wheel drive or all wheel drive?

I"ve been shopping used 185 Sports and we have an Acadia with front wheel drive, and factory towing package. I've towed the biggest stuff UHaul rents, loaded to the gunwhales, and found that highway stability with the Acadia was outstanding, but climbing hard grades was a slog. I like it as a towing vehicle but the front-wheel-drive aspect concerns me at the launch ramp. Any experience to share there?

We also had a 2000 Grand Cherokee 4x4 (4.0L I-6) which had a shorter wheelbase and required a lot more attention for highway towing - but that motor had a gob of off-the-line torque and it would have handled any boat ramp with ease. Alas, no more.

Appreciate it!

it is usually not the power of a front wheel drive tow vehicle that is a concern at a ramp, it is the traction of the front tires....the boat and trailer tend to raise the front wheels of the tow vehicle since they place weight on the trailer hitch...this lifting of the front of the vehicle can cause the tires to loose traction on the ramp, especially if the ramp is wet....

cliff

 

[dpvandy01]

I tow my 2012 185 with a 2014 VW Touareg VR6. No issues. Though it is rated at 7700lbs.

 

[takemboating]

My boat/trailer is 6,600#, my vehicle max trailer rating is 9,800#. I towed the boat from Kentucky to Wisconsin and was impressed (gas mileage wasn't too good) with the performance (braking and handling). When you consider tow vehicles find the tow ratings and use them to help you decide. I have even taken a vehicle for a test drive and hooked up the boat to see how you like it! I think that leaving some room to the max tow rating is a good idea that will help you in difficult towing situations.

 

[bgfred]

it is usually not the power of a front wheel drive tow vehicle that is a concern at a ramp, it is the traction of the front tires....the boat and trailer tend to raise the front wheels of the tow vehicle since they place weight on the trailer hitch...this lifting of the front of the vehicle can cause the tires to loose traction on the ramp, especially if the ramp is wet....

cliff

My exact concern - not worried about power overall, and Acadia will handle SR 185 on trailer just fine - just looking for someone with on-the-ramp front wheel drive experience to compare notes. Always did all my towing back in the day with a 1979 Jeep Wagoneer which alleviated any concerns whatsoever about traction!