dpvandy01
Well-Known Member
- Sep 6, 2007
- 2,535
- Boat Info
- 2007 38 Sundancer
&
2014 Sea Fox 256 Commander
- Engines
- Twin 8.1L Close Cooled V-Drives & 300 Yamaha OB
That is a very interesting point. Very interesting indeed.
Options for towing 220 SD...
- Thread starter jranaudo
- Start date
That is a very interesting point. Very interesting indeed.
tdappleman
Active Member
- Dec 17, 2007
- 1,608
- Boat Info
- 1996 270 Sundancer
- Engines
- New twin 4.3's - 235hp each with Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drives
Not to start a Chevy vs. Ford debate - but GM brakes are not the most confident inspiring. Soft pedals appear to be the norm - on all years and all variants of the Tahoe/Suburban platform (Chevy/GMC/Cadillac). Not to be disparaging here - but drive one side by side with a Ford and you can't help but notice the difference.
I use Expeditions to tow my boat. The 2005 with the independant rear tows much better than my 2000 with the solid rear axle , surprisingly. Braking was never an issue, and it stopped fine even when my surge brakes didnt work for a while.My boat weighs #6000. I also used a Durango once , and did not feal comforatable at all!! Plenty of power, but no stopping , and lots of chassis sway.
JimG
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2008
- 6,085
- Boat Info
- 2007 310 DA
Kohler 5ECD
- Engines
- Twin 350 Mags
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drives
The 310 by itself is a ton over the rating on the 2500HD. I only move it twice a year (90 miles each way in WV!) and I'm not saying its the best setup... I want a 4500! :smt038
As pointed out by unlvrebel, the manufacture ratings have a safety factor.
And as Scott often disclaims: "Your actual results may vary".
As pointed out by unlvrebel, the manufacture ratings have a safety factor.
And as Scott often disclaims: "Your actual results may vary".
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Mr Happy
New Member
- Jan 12, 2007
- 117
- Boat Info
- 1991 Sea Ray 225 BR
Suburban
- Engines
- 5.7L
I do get your point about brakes, mine are soft. I am a Chevy guy but over the years have owned 3 Fords, all station wagons.
I would love to have an Excursion but it would have to be diesel. We know some who have gas Excursions and they say 6/7 MPG city, not including towing. My Suburban gets 17+ on highway and 14/15 city. While towing 6000lbs 10.5 MPG.
If I had to tow our boat through any mountains our 1500 Chevy Suburban 2 wheel drive would not be enough. Our Sea Ray is around the same weight has the 220SD. Empty she weighs 3,900 lbs.
trailer 1,300 lbs.
70 gallons gas 455 lbs.
water 72 lbs.
skis, rope, 8 orange
life jackets, 5+ ski jackets
tube, beer for guests( I refrain)
cokes, food, anchor etc. etc 500+lbs
You get the point. Remember anything can tow, the question is can you stop? You are talking about your family!
Sorry, as to the question "options for towing 220SD, I would choose a very large vehicle. We are talking about towing 6,200 lbs. Also you not going alone? How many kids, how many toys and how many days are just a few of the questions. A Ford Expedition would probably tow it but does it hold all your toys/bags/kids? The extra space in a Excursion or Suburban would be worthwhile and I do not think there is all that much difference in MPG, especially between a Tahoe or Suburban.
Being from Indy I talked with a Drag team owner with a diesel Excursion and he got 17 MPG while towing. I could be wrong but I think while under diesel power there is not much difference in MPG while towing or not.
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surfinjoe
New Member
The towing capacity is not typically set by the engine size or transmission, rather the GAWR (gross axle weight rating). I work for a company that manufactures all GM truck and SUV axles. When we set the GAWR, it is based off test data not a guess or some estimation.
A few years back I had a request from my customer to raise the GAWR on an 11.5" axle from 9,000 lbs. to 9,750. It was a major change to the design and cost them millions of $$. Some axles are over designed however some are not.
surfinjoe
New Member
Your Suburban should have no problem towing your boat through the mountains assuming it is in good condition. It has a towing capacity of around 8400 lbs. It was designed to pull a trailer up a grade in 115 deg. weather. That's how vehicles are tested.
When we validate a new design, part of our testing includes pulling a trailer with a huge wind screen up a mountain in 100+ deg. weather. This is to simulate someone pulling a travel trailer.
surfinjoe
New Member
Thanks everyone for the input. I really want to make sure I am within a decent safety margins. I think my choices are reasonable for the 3-4 times a year I would be towing it. Time to shop and convince the wife. She will look funny though as she is a little petite 5ft woman driving a large SUV
If you are only towing it 3-4 times/year, I really think your tow vehicle choices are over-kill. That is unless you are planning on getting a larger boat within the next 4-6 years or so.
As long as your boat & trailer are under the towing capacity of the vehicle, you will be OK as long as everything is maintained and in good condition.
I would not tow your boat with a GMC Acadia, but I would tow it with a GMC Envoy. Big difference here is frame and driveline set-up. The Acadia is a uni-body frame and is FWD and the Envoy is full frame RWD.
cocohi8662
New Member
- Jul 10, 2010
- 10
- Boat Info
- 1988 Sea Ray Sorrento 25'
- Engines
- 7.4liter 454 Magnum Mercruiser and a Alpha 1 Outdrive
Well boys and girls I tow my 1988 25' Sorrento with my 2011 Acura MDX with all wheels drive, and have no problems at all, this SUV uses AWD on demand, i have a ball watching people get surprised at how easy i pull my boat out of the water. I have been towing boats for over 45 years here in Miami, and i think the most important part it's not the vehicle but the driver, you could have a monster dually diesel and still have an accident, or do as i do, drive very carefully and pay attention to other drivers and you should have no problems. Also stopping is no problem since my trailer has four wheels brakes. I also agree that manufactures of trucks and SUV tend to under rate their towing capacities.
surfinjoe
New Member
Not to be argumentative, but we tow our 220 SD with a Traiblazer no issues. In fact, I feel safer towing my 220 SD than I did my 180 Sport. The 220 SD Trailer has 4 wheel disk brakes and stops like a champ. A Tahoe or Suburban should tow the 220 SD without issue.
The tandem axle tracks so much better than a single axle trailer. It even backs-up easier (not so touchy).
Again, look at the towing capacity and the GAWR. This will tell you the real story.
Mr Happy
New Member
- Jan 12, 2007
- 117
- Boat Info
- 1991 Sea Ray 225 BR
Suburban
- Engines
- 5.7L
Just curious where you came up with the 8,400 lbs. My Suburban is a 1997 5.7 ltr. 2 wheel drive with a 3.42 axle ratio. In my manual it states for this axle max. trailer weight is 6,000 lbs.
Our Suburban is in great shape. It has 135,000 miles. We had to put in a new transmission a few 1,000 miles ago and I told them that I towed 6,000 lbs. They said they would rebuilt it with and uprgrade(heavier) duty transmission.
Thank-you for your information.
- Oct 3, 2006
- 1,985
- Boat Info
- 2004 - 220 Sundeck
- Engines
- 5.0L w/Bravo 3 Drive
surfinjoe I don't think you know what you are talking about. :smt100
The 220 is a heavy boat and you pulling it with a Trail Blazer (The newer version) still don't jive. Max weight is showing 6300 lbs with the 4.2L motor. Sundeck with trailer is going to top out at 6400, so that means you can't have anyone in the vehicle with you and your still going to be over weight.
I think you need to be careful telling someone it's ok to pull something when you are not pulling safely yourself. :smt009
The 220 is a heavy boat and you pulling it with a Trail Blazer (The newer version) still don't jive. Max weight is showing 6300 lbs with the 4.2L motor. Sundeck with trailer is going to top out at 6400, so that means you can't have anyone in the vehicle with you and your still going to be over weight.
I think you need to be careful telling someone it's ok to pull something when you are not pulling safely yourself. :smt009
tdappleman
Active Member
- Dec 17, 2007
- 1,608
- Boat Info
- 1996 270 Sundancer
- Engines
- New twin 4.3's - 235hp each with Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drives
I hear you on the mpg - I'm getting 11 around town and 13 on the highway and 8.5 towing. I only put 10k or less miles per year so it's not a huge deal to me - the power, platform and brakes were more important to me.
tdappleman
Active Member
- Dec 17, 2007
- 1,608
- Boat Info
- 1996 270 Sundancer
- Engines
- New twin 4.3's - 235hp each with Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drives
Whoops - double post....
surfinjoe
New Member
The Trailblazer has the same 8.6" axle as the Silverado 1500 & same 4L60E transmission. I design drivelines for a living. Prior to purchasing my boat, I spoke to the Cheif Engineer who designed the driveline for the Trailblazer and reviewed my towing plans with him. He laughed when I asked him if my Trailblazer could pull my boat.
Hell, my 2005 GTO has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Same deal with my 2006 Saab 9-3....3,500 lbs.
May I ask you what ball and receiver you use to tow your boat?
- Oct 3, 2006
- 1,985
- Boat Info
- 2004 - 220 Sundeck
- Engines
- 5.0L w/Bravo 3 Drive
Class 5 Hitch with 7500 rated ball. :thumbsup:
surfinjoe
New Member
Does your 2500 have the 4L60E trans or the 4L80E? What size is the rear axle and what is the gear ratio?
- Oct 3, 2006
- 1,985
- Boat Info
- 2004 - 220 Sundeck
- Engines
- 5.0L w/Bravo 3 Drive
All three of my 2500HD's, have the heavy transmission and all came with the 4:10 rear end. I don't know what the number for the heavier transmission is.
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surfinjoe
New Member
With your truck you could put your 220 SD in the bed of your truck and be OK due to it's 4,200 lb. payload capacity. And with the 13,000 lb. towing capacity you could almost tow two of your boats.
Great towing vehicle indeed. I would love to have one myself however it is not practical for my use.
