So I’m finally home from Afghanistan, and it didn’t take me long to start looking for a new car. I was pretty set on a newer Ford Explorer, but I ended up coming close to buying a brand new Kia Sorento with a V6 (so it can tow a boat easier). The max towing capacity on it is 3500#. Is that going to be enough to pull a 17-20ft center console (for whenever I do get a boat).
I’ve got a 18’ CC and it weighs maybe around 1500 lbs. I think another concern would be whether or not you have 4wd. Some of those ramps can be a bit slippery sometimes.
180 Pioneer Islander
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17’ should be fine, 20’ you would be pushing it
Scout 185
I’m on the fence about switching to AWD instead of FWD right now. I figured that since I went with a 6 cylinder instead of a 4 cylinder, that I would be good.
SPC Horney, Michael
251st ASMC SCARNG
Islander Caster 12.5’ Fishing Kayak
Braking is more important power.
Also weight of the tow vehicle.
I was towing my 19ft bay boat(aprox. 2500 lbs)with an s10. It was fine for the 5 miles I go to the ramp. But I wouldn’t want to make an emergency stop on the interstate.
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
it should tow a boat that size. there is just a noticeable difference when towing with a v8 and a v6. pick up is much more delayed in the v6.
17’ boat is about the max you should tow with that… even though it is “rated” for 3500#'s, it was never meant to tow much more than a jet ski.
i used to have a 4runner rated at 5000 lbs. it had a hell of a time with my 20’ bay boat.
I have a very similar vehicle. It is a Mitsubishi Outlander. Same size engine, FWD, same tow capacity. It really sucks towing my 17’ flats boat with a 90 HP on it. I would never trust it over a 17’ boat. Heck I don’t even trust it now on my boat much.
The most important thing in looking for a tow vehicle is not just the tow rating. I tow my boat with a RWD Mercedes wagon. It has all of its torque right at take off, and the V6 is actually bigger than on the SUV. It tows my boat like it isn’t back there. Granted the MB is built like a tank with the same tranny and engine that they put in their big SUVS.
Stick with a RWD SUV with a tow rating 5000 or higher. Like a Jeep GC, 4Runner, etc. Personally I would just buy a crew cab truck with a V8, esp. if you want a 20’ boat.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
A 17 should be fine but if you go to 20 make sure you get a trailer with brakes on it. The bigger boat you get the less MPG your gona get! Most trailers you put a 17 on don’t even have brakes.
I tow a 17’ HenryO dual console with a V6 Saturn Vue (essentially, a Chevy Equinox). The Vue has a Honda V6 drive train (for 2 years, GM sourced v6 drive trains from Honda - weird but true) with 250hp and 250 ft.lbs. The Vue is rated to pull 3500 lbs. and it does fine. But, it only does fine. The HenryO is a big for 17’ and with a full 42 gallon fuel tank, coolers, and gear, I think my gross boat+motor+trailer weight is about 3000 lbs.
Front wheel drive is fine. I’ve never had a problem getting the HenryO up a ramp. Just take it very slow and easy.
If I’m making a short trip, I don’t worry about it. But, if I’m going further, I bump the rear tire pressure up a good bit to stiffen up the back end. Makes the rig a good bit more stable at highway speeds. (Don’t exceed the tire pressure spec’s.)
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott
How far are you towing? A few miles on secondary roads is one thing but you’ll appreciate some extra power on the interstates.
Key West 1520
70 Yami
She’s little, but she’s pretty, skinny and fast.
my pioneer is pretty heavy at 20ft fully loaded others with the same boat and set up have quoted 4000lbs. I pull it with my tacoma rated (6500 lbs) and it is a struggle sometimes, I alway pull it out in 4wd. my next truck will be full sized.
Pioneer 197
My 18’ McKee is 1750lbs dry. Add in motor, three batteries, all my fishing stuff, safety gear, anchors and finally 65 gallons of fuel. Also add in the weight of the trailer. It quickly adds up to alot of weight. I wouldn’t want to pull it with anything less than a full size truck at highway speeds…period.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
I had a Ford F150 and a Seahunt 202. It was fine for going to the local ramp. Had it on the interstate and could not get above 60mph. going uphill was a battle.
Scout 185
Just stick to the 75% of max towing rule, and get trailer brakes on any package over 3500 #'s.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
quote:
Originally posted by Cltdeerhuntermy pioneer is pretty heavy at 20ft fully loaded others with the same boat and set up have quoted 4000lbs. I pull it with my tacoma rated (6500 lbs) and it is a struggle sometimes, I alway pull it out in 4wd. my next truck will be full sized.
Pioneer 197
Sounds like we have the same truck but mine is 2wd with a locker. Have you ever slipped on a ramp around here, or you just throw it in 4wd anyway?
I put mine in 4wd every time just because. Never an issue…and don’t want it to be.
My 186 Sea Pro is 2200 dry, plus motor, plus trailer (trailer counts), plus 60gal of fuel and coolers/gear… looking at 4k+/-. I towed it for a year with my Honda Pilot FWD, launched at Shem, Leeds, Jessen and on the Cooper with no issues, towed it all around Ctown and down to the Broad River 3x.
Pilot is rated at 4500#. I only had problems once - going over the Don Holt in a T-Storm… front end broke free a few times and the wind pushed it around pretty good. And stopping wasn’t the best…
OK for short trips around the flat low country.
Now I have a 2500 w/Hemi… and for some reason I want a bigger boat.
I’m going to stick with the Sorento with 3500# capacity. When the time comes to buy a boat, i’ll just be more conscious of how much it weighs, and hopefully I won’t have any issues with towing it. Thank you all for all the input though. I’m sure others can get some good info from this thread.
SPC Horney, Michael
251st ASMC SCARNG
Islander Caster 12.5’ Fishing Kayak
I tow a 21 ft cc sea pro with a Toyota rav4 with v6. It’s enough power but stopping it is a little uncomfortable at times. I’ll go bigger with next vehicle.