Does anyone have experience pulling a 20’ CC up wet ramps with a two-wheel drive Highlander or similar vehicle? It will have ample power, but I am curious if anyone has traction issues?
The vehicle is front-wheel drive, which means the engine weight is over the drive tires, which should be good. Four-wheel drive would be ideal, and I could pay extra for that option, but would prefer to spend that $1,600 on fishing stuff. The boat is a Pioneer with single-axle trailer and 150 Yamaha.
Thanks,
OM
I cant imagine that would be a problem. I trailered a 22 Foot scout with a 225 up many ramps with a 2wd 2004 for explorer without any issues.
Think about where the weight will be on a vehicle when pulling a boat out of the water. It will be much more centered over the rear wheels, not the front. Rear wheel drive vehicles do much better with a load that is probably bigger than what they were designed for. Unloaded, the front wheel drive vehicle will have better traction.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Been there, done that…I can just about assure you will have problems with only front wheel drive. The weight will transfer to the rear wheels under a trailer load. You need rear wheel drive, especially on a wet, steep ramp when pulling out.
Tounge weight will have a big effect.
On a rear-wheel drive like the above mentioned Ford Explorer it would be better to have a little more tounge weight to help the rear wheels gain traction, on the front wheel drive vehicle, it would be better to have a little more of a balanced rig. The problem with that would be if you get too balanced, it could lift the rear of the vehicle if the road is bumpy or if you have to apply a lot of brake to stop quickly.
I personally would not like having to use a FWD vehicle for towing.
218WA Sailfish
The "Penn"sion Plan
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Car companies pad those numbers to make sales.
I’d you’re buying a tow vehicle, do you self favor and go rear wheel drive with a limited slip differential.
That large transmission and axle won’t have to work nearly as hard or hot as a transaxle.
Key West 2300cc Mercury 225 optimax “Fish Tale”
quote:Surely you're joking!:smiley: I laugh every time I see the Tundra commercial about towing 10000 lbs. Yea, it'll move it but for how long and safely at what speeds. I have a Tundra story but won't derail this thread.
Car companies pad those numbers to make sales
Didn’t LSK have an issue some time ago trying to pull a 23’ boat up a wet ramp with a 1/2 ton truck because the boat was light on tongue weight?
218WA Sailfish
The "Penn"sion Plan
I’ve towed a 19’CC/150hp Sailfish with a Tacoma Double Cab 4X4 TRD Offroad Towing Package and it felt like about the max I’d want to tow with that vehicle. If I recall correctly it did begin to slip some on the ramp and I went to 4X4 but I can’t swear by it. Regardless, in my experience when you need 4X4 your REALLY need it. You’ll not regret adding that option but you may regret NOT getting it.
Additionally, most of the cost of it will be made up for in resale.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
You should get 4x4 if it’s in your budget. Rear wheel 2x4 at the very least. Obviously the grade of the ramp will determine the amount of traction you need but I don’t think you want to plan your trips around that. You might might also consider a front winch on a 2x4 with extra rope, etc…winches can be expensive but you might find one on craigslist. Hopes this helps!
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
a truck with a limited slip rear end will pull better at the ramp than a normal 4x4, and much more convenient than a winch and rope.
I have a 4x4 now, and Ive added the limited slip rear end. If you havent compared the two, I can tell you that you will never put it in 4x4 again after installing the locker.
The only time I use 4x4 is when Im pulling in powder-like sand and going in reverse at the same time, and Im pulling a 23 foot deep v.
Besides, 4x4 parts are a lot of extra weight to carry around when youre almost never going to use it. With a locker you wont lose gas mileage.
Key West 2300cc Mercury 225 optimax “Fish Tale”
towing capacity for a highlander is 5k. you are close to that in a 19’ pioneer. rear wheel drive would be fine.
front wheel drive “might” be fine, but it is likely just asking for headaches at the ramp.
i would suggest the 4x4 version or a rear wheel drive vehicle of another flavor.
even in a 4x4 version. the highlander is just a tall minivan and really not made to tow. i would suggest more of a truck (or something with rear wheel drive) for towing. consider upgrading to a 4runner if you are looking to stay in the toyota family.
^^^^^^Agree with it all.
Here is a chart that lists general towing capacity
http://www.onlinetowingguide.com/guidelines/towing_capacities.html
Use it as a guide. Dont tow at 100% capacity.
What about stopping?
Are you towing on the freeways?
How far do you tow regularly?
Does the Highlander have the Tow Prep Package?
Is it a factory tow prep package indicated on the VIN or a dealer add on (dont believe the dealer, look it up)? Without the factory tow package it’s only rated at 3500lbs.
quote:
Didn’t LSK have an issue some time ago trying to pull a 23’ boat up a wet ramp with a 1/2 ton truck because the boat was light on tongue weight?
Man, that was a LONG time ago… What ever happened to LSK anyway?
j
17 Malibu CC
88 'rude
Thanks for the good comments. I’ve had serious spinning on a ramp before, and that is a bad feeling. The Edisto Marina ramp used to be awful…steep, plough mud, current, dog-leg turn, etc.
Actually I am pulling the boat with a Taurus (front-wheel drive) currently, and so far, it slipped a little at Shem Creek, but did not slip at Remly’s. That said, I would like to choose a vehicle that eliminates the concern all together.
Thanks again for your thoughts; ’ will reconsider,
OM
Spend the money and 4 wheel drive. If you are questioning it that means you have doubts. I have always loved people they say the never needed 4x4 at a ramp, but if the one day you use a different ramp then normal is the day you will remember this post and tell your self you should have gotten the 4x4. $1600 buck for the upgrade to 4x4 is less than the cost of the guy that rips your front bumper and hood at the ramp off cause they hooked up the tow strap to something they thought would hold. Just my 2 cents.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
quote:
What about stopping?
That’s a whole nother important issue. My Toyota Pre-Runner can tow more weight than it can stop in a safe distance. I don’t feel comfortable on long hauls or high speeds with anything over about 2,500 pounds with it. I can pull it, but I can’t stop it within comfort zone.
Tires will also make a big difference with slipping on the ramp. Normal street tires won’t get it on a slippery ramp. Need good tires. Our ramps around here are pretty good compared to some in south Florida, they get a slime build up that you can’t even stand up on, much less drive. I’ve had to get pulled up a couple of ramps down there. Very embarrassing:face_with_head_bandage:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Have a Ram 1500 Quad cab and have never had an issue pulling my 20 ft CC. SC has done a good job with their boat ramps unlike NC.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
I have an 18’6 Sea Pro - dry weight is more than the 19’ Pioneer…
I pull it with my FWD Pilot or my truck (2500 Ram 2x4), makes no difference in the low country flat lands.
The boat has been pulled at just about every ramp in the Charleston area by the Pilot - zero problems.
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker Larryquote:
What about stopping?
That’s a whole nother important issue. My Toyota Pre-Runner can tow more weight than it can stop in a safe distance. I don’t feel comfortable on long hauls or high speeds with anything over about 2,500 pounds with it. I can pull it, but I can’t stop it within comfort zone.
I also have a prerunner. The next time you need new rotors, throw a set of Brembo blanks and Hawk truck pads on there. I did in anticipation of towing my new boat which turned out to be a 21 ft Kencraft and it stops very well.