Towing a Sundancer 240

[craigtay]

Hi there. I am considering purchasing a Searay 240 Sundancer with the intent of towing it to lakes in the PNW region, up to four or five hours drive. My confusion as a new boater is about towing capacity. The dry weight of the boat is 5,600 pounds. I am assuming a trailer would weigh 1,000 pounds as well. Then fuel and water etc would probably add another couple hundred pounds. So probably in the 6,800 to 7,200 range. My SUV I have is a 2007 Range Rover Sport with a 7,700 pound tow rating. Is this suffient then to tow the 240 Sundancer? Doesnt seem like a lot of spare capacity. The upside is that the SUV is a heavy beast with a huge (and thirsty) engine so am assuming that would help a little in towing ability and stability? Any feedback or comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[islandhopper00]

Craig, I own a 2006 240da and I tow mine all the time. I just returned from a trip to Bimini, Bahamas. I towed my boat to West Palm Bch, Fla. from Charlotte NC. and back. About 1000 miles round trip. NO ISSUES OR TROUBLES. Anyways that's background info. My boat and trailer(ez- loader aluminum, 7900lb cap.) with 3/4 fuel, 1/2 water and light cruising gear weighs in at 7800lbs. When I loaded it with all the junk I take on an island trip 8900lbs. Right at cap of trailer. I know, I know. These weights were taken at a flying J truck stop scales and INCLUDES THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER.
That said the boats weight will be affected by optional equip. you have on the boat. Mine is about optioned out. You have to account for weight from things like the water heater tank, unless you drain it everytime before you tow. The weight represented in the flyers is before options.
I tow with a 99 dodge ram quad cab 2500 w/cummins diesel.
I can tell it's back there and braking performace is affected. (and I have four wheel disc brakes on the trailer!) I can and do tow at 65-75mph on the hwys.
I'm not saying your Range Rover can't tow it, I'm saying you'll be loaded for bear, and make sure you go with a good heavy trailer that has four wheel disc brakes. Mountains and elevation will be your biggest enemy I think. (If you are towing where I think you are.) My trailer is a custom job from EZ-loader. I helped design it the way I wanted it. If your interested in EZ-loader call Jeremy Pack (divison manager) 704-784-4420. The shop is located in Concord NC, but I'm sure there is a dealer near you. Jeremy could spec the trailer for you. Just mention my name Mike Powell, he should remember me. I hasseled him quite a bit to get what I wanted. He's a great guy and very helpful. Don't let a salesman talk you into what I call a town trailer. I don't think they will stand up to 4-5 hours of towing thru the mountains. I'm not pushing EZ-loader, get what you want, I'm just saying get a good trailer. :thumbsup: Good luck!

 

[Diver Dude]

I'm towing my 240 DA with a 2005 Dodge Dakota with the heavy towing package, brakes on the trailer, etc.. No problems over the last couple of years and couple of thousand miles. Remember that fuel and water weigh about 8 pounds per gallon. I always try to leave empty and fill up near the destination, that saves nearly 650 pounds, and some (not much) gas while towing (I get about 9 mpg).

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

:smt021 No :smt021 Heck No :smt021 Darn Heck No:smt021 Heck heck no :smt021 oh, did I say no. :smt021

I get really tickled when folks think the SUV's can tow things. They are not tow vehicles no matter what the sales brochure sales.

Go to trailerboats.com, pull up the tow guide and review. If your boat is under 1k pull with a SUV. If it weights over 5K get a 250/2500 3/4 TON anything for your own and other folk's safety. Weight and displacement need weight and horsepower to move and most importantly "STOP"! You hit the skids in that Range Rover the 240SD will be sitting in your lap. Not if, it will.

Point: Range Rover 7700LBS tow Cap. 5600 LB Boat, 1200 Lb motor and drive, 1800 lb 2 axle trailer (Aluminum) 800 lbs gas, 300 lbs water, water toys, cloths coolers 250 lbs, 4 people in Rover 600 lbs. You would be over your rating just by showing up. I am sure the Rover has the horses to pull it. The stopping part is what you need to seriously think about. :thumbsup:

 

[beerman]

I was towing my 2000 240DA with a 2000 Chevy 1500 Z71 with facyory towing options and air ride in the rear(a must). It pulled OK but definitely worked hard on hills. It stopped on a dime with 4 wheel discs on the truck and 4 wheel discs on the trailer. I know have a 07 2500 HD with 6.0 and a 6 speed tranny. Time for a bigger boat.

 

[Dave M.]

The published dry weight of my 1996 270 DA, standard power, is 6100 lb. The weight of the boat and trailer, across the scale, as I normally use it is about 10,000 lb. Of that, the boat is about 8000 and the trailer about 2000.

Be aware that 'dry weight' means just that. There is no coolant in the engine. There is no oil in the engine. There are none of the options that can be added. There is no anchor and anchor line. There are no dock lines.

I'm not saying what you can or can't pull it with, I am just saying that I think your estimates of the real weights are way too low.

 

[DuckBoater]

I'm towing my 240 DA with a 2005 Dodge Dakota with the heavy towing package, brakes on the trailer, etc.. No problems over the last couple of years and couple of thousand miles. Remember that fuel and water weigh about 8 pounds per gallon. I always try to leave empty and fill up near the destination, that saves nearly 650 pounds, and some (not much) gas while towing (I get about 9 mpg).

craigtay,
I also tow my '06 240 DA with a Dakota and heavy towing package, boat on an Easy Loader with surge breaks. I tow into the Cascades of Oregon and find that the truck has plenty of guts but you definitely need to put your foot into it on the steep. A stop at Les Schwab is always in order if you are towing in the PNW.
As for the Range Rover .... my thought is that it is meant to tow horse trailers so might be suitable. The only cautionary I have is that of every person I know who has had a Range or Land Rover, every single one of them has been left on the side of the road with a bad breakdown. More than once. I have known people to only keep them a few months before frustration sends them to a truck.
Good luck! BTW, where are you planning to boat?

 

[MAKC]

i tow my 2003 240DA with an 2002 F350 V-10. I have an aluminum trailer with dual axles and breaks on each axle. The V10 has gobs of torque which makes pulling relatively easy, but dont be fooled, the 240DA loaded up with fluids is no light-weight. If you are remotely close to the max capacity of the tow vehicle (im 7600lbs with the boat and trailer), i wouldnt chance it. Its just not meant to pull that kind of weight for the distance and hills you are going to encounter. Get a 3/4 ton vehicle at a minimum and consider a diesel if you'll be towing a lot. They are meant for that kind of stuff and you dont want to mess around with that much weight behind you. Safety first...