Tow vehicle for 210 Sundeck?

M

mperlst216

Member
Jun 4, 2012
91
Frisco, Tx
Boat Info
2001 Sea Ray 210 Sundeck
Formerly 1998 SR 185, Four Winns 170, Chaparall 233 Sunnesta, SR197,
Engines
5.0 EFI Mercruiser
Researching for my next vehicle. 2001 Sundeck 210, tandem trailer, may tow 1/2 mile to boat ramp, might tow 80 miles to another lake. Level North Texas roads. Will I be happy with one of the 5000 lb tow capacity vehicles, like Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot or Ford Explorer. I know I could go with the 6000 tow capacity BMW X5 or Jeep Grand Cherokee, but prefer the Highlander or Pilot.
 
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Be cautious of variable torque transmissions for a tow vehicle. i don't know if any of them use this type of transmission but they are common .
 
Although I didn't need (yet!!) the 6,200 capacity of the Grand Cherokee, that's what I bought about a year ago. I've been extremely pleased with the vehicle. To me, it seemed to be a more luxurious vehicle than the Pilot, which was important to me. I bought the Overland edition

I'd highly recommend you consider the GC!
 
I believe you will need more than a 5,000 lbs capacity vehicle. The boat weight empty is 3,500. Add in a full gas tank (50 gal) and water (10 gal) totaling 410 lbs. Next add weight of all your toys. Trailer weight probably another 1,300 lbs.
http://media.channelblade.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1731/8509_f.pdf

Some of these vehicles when talking about towing capacity you must also add in the weight of what you have in the vehicle. Such as the weight of 5 adults, coolers, picnic baskets etc.

Hope this helps.

P.S. This is the vehicle you need :} I only use my Suburban for towing the boat or camper. Put a total of 1,500 miles on her last year. Gas MPG towing 10.6. I will always own a Suburban.

DSC_1062 (1).jpg
 
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MrHappy said:
I believe you will need more than a 5,000 lbs capacity vehicle. The boat weight empty is 3,500. Add in a full gas tank (50 gal) and water (10 gal) totaling 410 lbs. Next add weight of all your toys. Trailer weight probably another 1,300 lbs.
http://media.channelblade.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1731/8509_f.pdf

Some of these vehicles when talking about towing capacity you must also add in the weight of what you have in the vehicle. Such as the weight of 5 adults, coolers, picnic baskets etc.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

I once owned and towed a 215EC which is about the same size and weight as your boat. I used a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer with a V8 and AWD and factory towing package to tow the boat. The SUV was rated at 7,300 lbs. towing capacity. I can tell you i would not want to use anything lighter than that to tow that package. The MM did an adequate job towing the boat on relatively flat ground but struggled on any significant hilly terrain.

The 'rule of thumb' for towing is to not exceed 85% of the rated towing capacity of a tow vehicle. So if you have a total weight of boat, trailer, and 'stuff' of 5,500 lbs. you would need a tow vehicle with a minimum of 6,400 lbs. towing capacity. my suggestion would be to look at vehicles that have a minimum of 7,500 lbs. towing capacity.

and if you are thinking about getting a larger boat in the near future you should consider that as well and size the new tow vehicle for the larger boat....

cliff
 
Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango with the V-8 are rated at 7200 pounds towing capacity. V-6s rated at 6200 pounds.
 
2nd on Suburban, towing machines. You are in TX, they are a dime a dozen there. I have an 2003 with 250K on it, only thing done was a fuel pump and 1 set of brakes. still looks and drive like new.
 
We have a Yukon Denali with the 6.0. It's awesome with the air ride. Wife has a diesel X5 and it is amazing as well.


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I don't know a whole lot about the two Japanese SUVs but I do hope your considering an AWD version of each. I couldn't imagine pulling a boat out of the ramp with a front wheel drive at its capacity. The X5 and Grand Cherokee have both AWD and anti-sway towing software standard which I don't think the other two have. Im with the rest thinking you migh be a bit short with your first two choices. A Tahoe was on my list when I (briefly) considered towing my boat, but it's crowding #9000 with all my muck on it on a trailer. I do drive an X5 and it will happily tow everything in front of Home Depot.
 
Try and find a full frame vehicle. Highlander and Pilot are unibody. You will be over 5000#'s on your boat. This is max for both vehicles even when they have all of the right options. The highlander needs AWD, heavy duty radiator and trans cooler for example to get to it's max rating. You will be much happier and safer in a vehicular that can handle 6000#'s or better.


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Back when I owned my 2004 220 Sundeck, I would tow it twice a year with my 6 cyl Tacoma Double Cab. I just needed to get to and from the marina (10 miles) in the spring and fall. It did the job, but I could tell it wasn't the right vehicle for the job. It struggled on hills and I could feel the boat pushing the truck around a little. I think the Highlander would be a similar experience.
 
Everyone talks about footitis and the general consensus is to get your second boat first. Same goes for your tow vehicle get your second tow vehicle first. It is a gererally accepted prudent move to purchase more boat and more tow vehicle than you need within reason. A lot of people just "make do" when it comes to tow vehicles, suffice to say its not safe. Suburbans/Yukons/Tahoes are always a good all around vehicle to have. While they are gas hogs (everything is relative) they are very capable vehicles and come in handy for more than just tow duty
 
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I decided I did not want a daily driver that would tow, and ended up buying a older Ford F150 pick-up. Thanks for the input.
 
I pulled our 210 SD & tandem trailer for 5 seasons with an F150 4X4, 5.4 litre, later with a 5.0 litre. I'm pulling our 260 SD & tandem with a 5.0 litre. Ford/Chevy/Dodge.........something else, doesn't matter. What matters are a full frame & a tow package. Handling will be adversely affected when towing. Transmissions are always the first casualty when pulling at or near the vehicle limit.
Full size trucks are pretty solid, easy to fix & plenty to choose from in the used market. Get a 4 door & makes it easy to bring the whole family.
 
Bought a 2005 F150 2wd. 4.7l v8, tow package, 178,000 miles. One company owned, fleet maintained.
 
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