Odd towing question

[jflatt]

I have a 1991 sea Ray 22.5 foot 454 engine. I know it weights around 6,500 with trailer. Do I need that much towing capacitity to pull the boat out of the water and only 4 level blocks to its storage?? I don't plan on towing it other than that. I have a full size truck for that but would like to have a smaller truck to put it in the water. What do you guys think? Do you think I need half the capacity or 2/3 or full capacity? Thanks

 

[Leardriver]

My free opinion, worth what it cost, is no. Heavier tow rating vehicles have stronger brakes, suspensions, cooling capacity, and if you are cautious and slow, I suspect that you will be fine, unless you are using a smart car to tow a cruise ship, or some other ridiculous mismatch.

 

[MonacoMike]

Pulling a boat loaded on a trailer up a ramp is very tough on the tow vehicle. One slip and the load will pull your entire outfit back in the water. You need the correct capacity truck to get it out and safely stop it both on the ramp and when the unknowing idiots stop or pull out in front of you. If the worst were to occur you may be personally liable for damage, injury, or death in the unthinkable situation.

Not worth saving a few bucks on a substandard tow vehicle...

MM

 

[Black Valkyrie]

bigger is better. at 6500lbs you also need a brake controller.

 

[Westie]

You know I have never seen a tow rating from any manufacturer that says the tow rating goes up if you are only going 4 blocks.

 

[SeaJay62]

you would have to set the ball weight so you don't exceed the max ball weight on the tow vehicle, make sure the brakes work on the trailer as that's what will stop you
. If its a 4x4 you can use low range to pull it up the ramp

 

[Stingrayaxe]

Jflatt, I would suggest that you keep your towed weight no more than 90% of the vehicles tow rating. I doesn't matter how short a distance that you tow. Exceeding the tow rating of the vehicle will cause parts to wear prematurely. This gets expensive. Worst case is that you get in an accident. Even if you are not at fault, the insurance companies will hold you partially responsible for knowingly overloading the tow vehicle. That can be expensive too.

 

[NVERL8]

I would say your issue will be going up and down the ramp. I can tell you that when the ramp is wet and oily (from outboards) my F250 sometimes spins all four wheels getting my 240 up what I would consider not a very steep ramp. That being said I used to put my old four winns 225 in storage down the street with a ranger when my dads F250 was not available

 

[jflatt]

Ok thanks everyone. I figured these would be the answer but I wanted to save some money and it seems to be a bad idea. Thanks for the headache being saved on this issue. I am always amazed at the quick responses here. Thanks.


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[Fly'n Family]

Ok thanks everyone. I figured these would be the answer but I wanted to save some money and it seems to be a bad idea. Thanks for the headache being saved on this issue. I am always amazed at the quick responses here. Thanks.


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You may save a little, until something happens. A guy at an unnamed ramp dry stored on the premises his unit, moving it about 200 yards in and out each time he went out. 6 wide ramp, and one day the unplanned happened. Wet ramp, truck to light, and something happened to his transmission about halfway up the ramp and everything went backwards - then sideways. Couldn't control the boat because the truck wasn't capable unless everything worked perfect, and jacked it sideways hitting a boat coming out of the water with folks and kids on it. No major injuries fortunately, but minor ones and some screwed up boats. Got sued and took it in the shorts, with one of the biggest factors being the truck wasn't close to what was legally required for the weight of the boat/trailer.

I wouldn't screw around with it - it's just not worth what you think you may save.