Towing 2000 215 EC - 200 miles

Irie308

Well-Known Member
May 28, 2013
2,577
CT
Boat Info
2004 420 DB, GHS Hydraulic Lift
Garmin 8600/Garmin 1222 plus
AB Mares 10 VSX with 30 hp Tohatsu
Engines
Cummins 450C 8.3 L Turbocharged
Hey All -

We're planning on taking our 2000 215 EC upstate NY in the coming weeks for vacation. It sits on a LoadRite trailer. We have a 4 wheel drive Honda Pilot rated for towing 4500 lbs. According to the manual the Sea Ray comes in at 3600 lbs dry. Does anyone have any thoughts\experience with this towing combo. We’ve towed it 20 miles in the past without any issues however I want to make sure we can handle the Adirondacks for that distance.
 
Correction: Sea Ray Dry weight is 3800 lbs
 
The boat is 3,800 dry and once you add in the trailer (aluminum or steel?), gas, battery/ies, water, gear... you're easily going to be in the 5,500lb + range. Also, often times manufacturer's rate their vehicle's towing capacity with JUST a driver in the vehicle. If you put more people/gear in the vehicle, you're supposed to subtract that from the trailer's weight.

I weighed my '00 215EC on a scale - it was right at 6,000lb. I can't tell you what to do or not to do - but - personally I wouldn't risk it. The 4WD means nothing as far as towing capability - what's of more concern is the stopping ability and the ability of the vehicle to stay straight and true during a hard braking maneuver while also turning (swerving). Besides, it's not as if you're towing through corn country with perfectly flat roads - you're going to have some mountains (going down being the worst part) to deal with.
 
You don't want this to be you. Rent the right sized vehicle.

[video=youtube_share;HqrP71-c34o]http://youtu.be/HqrP71-c34o[/video]
 
i tow my 215EC with a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer AWD with a 4.6L V8 and factory towing package with a rated towing capacity around 7,000 lbs. Overall it does very well but we have mostly flat roads in this area. I have taken the boat once to a lake in the foothills of the SC mountains and that worked the SUV over pretty hard. I would not want to pull the boat in any kind of real mountains for any extended distance.

I would think my SUV has more towing capacity than your car and from my experience i would advise against what you are attempting to do. My SUV has a truck drivetrain including a truck transmission, 3.73 differential gear ratios front and rear, transmission cooler, transmission overdrive lockout, and a V8 engine designed to give low end torque for pulling. Your Honda is likely all car components that are not designed for pulling.

Maybe you can just rent a 1500 series truck for the trip to pull the boat.

cliff
 
Sorry for the Buzz kill. I agree with the others. You're towing too much with too little. As others stated you can pull anything but can you stop. The one ad on TV where a truck pulls The Shuttle. I would like to see him stop going 10 MPH.

My boat is older but similar to yours. I called the Trailer manufacturer and they told me my trailer weighs 1300#'s. It all adds up.

Boat 3900
Trailer 1300
Gas 434
Water 80
Toys 200
People 400
 
Thanks all! Not a buzz kill at all. Your opinions are greatly appreciated I'm traveling with my family and absolutely positively safety first. That's why i figured i'd post to get some feedback. This is our first season owning a boat and we're looking forward to many more so if not this trip maybe the next when we have the proper vehicle.
 
Thanks all! Not a buzz kill at all. Your opinions are greatly appreciated I'm traveling with my family and absolutely positively safety first. That's why i figured i'd post to get some feedback. This is our first season owning a boat and we're looking forward to many more so if not this trip maybe the next when we have the proper vehicle.

That is a wise decision. As was suggested what about renting a truck that will tow it?

MM
 
I towed our 215 20 miles with a Ford Explorer rated at 5000 lbs. Seems like it was okay for the circumstances. But would have struggled on a trip like you are describing.
 
We just made the 200 mile trek from northern NJ to lake George, NY this past weekend. I towed our 200 sundeck with Toyota Tundra with 5.7 liter. I would not want to pull with smaller vehicle. The ride has some long mountain passes. With a smaller tow vehicle it will bog down going up the hills and might push a smaller vehicle around coming down the hills. The traffic was also heavy at times which can add to the challenge if you are a little under powered.

It also amazing how much gear you accumulate for a few days that really adds up for the weight. I also try run fuel low before trip and gas up at destination. It may cost a little more to fuel up but weight savings adds up.

Just my thoughts.
 
would echo the other comments. Key issue here is stopping ability. 2nd issue would be engline and transmission load in mountains.
 
Currently checking online to see who rents vehicles with tow capabilities. I've made a few calls and so far none of the major rental companies do. I guess they wouldn't want the liability.
 
Currently checking online to see who rents vehicles with tow capabilities. I've made a few calls and so far none of the major rental companies do. I guess they wouldn't want the liability.

Enterprise rental does. That is where the numbers in my previous post came from. Look at their site for truck rentals, they show a 2500 Chevy pickup. Also they rent vans that may have tow capability and be better for your trip. (Not a minivan). I called the reservation line and they had 4 available in my city.

MM
 
I tow my 220 SD with my Tahoe and it is the rite size rig for my boat. I used to tow my boat with a Trailblazer rated to tow about 6000 lbs. It did the job but with little room to spare.

Hey All -

We're planning on taking our 2000 215 EC upstate NY in the coming weeks for vacation. It sits on a LoadRite trailer. We have a 4 wheel drive Honda Pilot rated for towing 4500 lbs. According to the manual the Sea Ray comes in at 3600 lbs dry. Does anyone have any thoughts\experience with this towing combo. We’ve towed it 20 miles in the past without any issues however I want to make sure we can handle the Adirondacks for that distance.
 
I called my local enterprise rentacar and the rep pretty much laughed at me so it could be a regional thing.
 
I called my local enterprise rentacar and the rep pretty much laughed at me so it could be a regional thing.

I also have rented a 1/2 ton truck from Enterprise. A lot of those Enterprise reps are jerks who don't know what they are talking about. I would ask someone higher up the ladder.
 
Thanks! turns out their commercial division which is located in Granby CT. covers CT, MA and NY. and they do in deed rent trucks with towing capabilities. Pricing for 7 days is not bad either. Thanks for the advice everyone!
 
So we ended up not taking the boat on this trip as we were not prepared to tow it. We plan on upgrading our vehicle to accommodate our family as well as the boat next year. We take the same route every year however this time we paid close attention to hills, turns, gas stations etc. with towing the boat in mind. having the boat on the trip would have made it that much more fun but the thought of coming back without it due to an incident...not so much. So thanks again for the advice everyone!
 

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