Best towing vehicle?

[jlaak5]

Hello all,

  I am hoping to get some input from fellow boat owners regarding their tow vehicles.  I am currently towing my 192 with a 2001 Dodge Durango.  It is an awesome towing vehicle with lots of power etc.  The problem lies in the poor gas mileage.   We were looking to perhaps drop down to a V6 SUV and was wondering what everyone out there is using and what the likes and dislikes are??

Thanks in advance for your input

Jim

[pepmyster]

There are so many smaller cars that can pull a max of 3000lbs. My guess would be to just get the one that turns your crank in looks and pulling power. Being in the business, I don't believe that there are some cars or small trucks that you should stay away from. My 2 cents only

[themaniam1]

We tow with a diesel truck.  No issues with power but we only get 12 mpg, the boat does weigh about 7,500 lb. and we have mountains here so saying it is hilly is not a really the truth.   I have a buddy that pulls a much lighter boat like yours and gets 18 mpg towing with his diesel.  The down side it that diesel fuel is more expensive then gasoline.

[FF654]

I tow my 232 with a 07 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L.  It took all the 5.3 liter had to get through the hills on our way to Table Rock Lake in southern Missouri last year.  I get around 14 mpg running the interstate. 

[alswagg]

I understand wanting a smaller tow vehicle for fuel economy, but having the power to run on the interstate is wonderfull.  Actually in some instances, a larger engine can get better towing economy than a small one.  We use a 3/4 ton 4X4 Suburban with a  Vortec 454.  We just crossed the 300,000 mile mark.  The replacement someday will be another 3/4 ton 4X4 with a 496.  Remember with bigger engines come bigger transmissions, axles, radiators and usually transmission coolers.  Good luck with your search  Al

[bat32]

Hopefully this link can give you some ideas.

http://www.rinkerboatowners.com/forum/index.php/topic,6566.0.html

[pepmyster]

My 2004 navigator and the 280
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40/dscf4975o.jpg/

[raybo3]

Hey pepmyster nice looking setup..........

[pepmyster]

Thanks Ray...We are trying to decide where to go this summer for our vacation on the boat.

[RobyW1]

I used to pull my 04 232 BR with a 2005 Suburban 5.3. It struggled in Austin and would not pull in OD. I bought a 2008 Suburban 4WD with a 6.0 and 4:10 gears. It would pull it anywhere now.

[Capt Ron]

You didn't mention if you were buying new? Take a good look around and you can get some pretty good Compact SUV V6's that can handle your boat and you don't have to be the oil company's best friend.. One product that caught my eye recently was Ford's Econo-Boost. It's a twin turbo V6 3.5 L and it acts like a V8 when you need it and the economy of a v6. The new trucks are all better on gas because the government are pushing for it.

[Capt Ron]

Thanks Ray...We are trying to decide where to go this summer for our vacation on the boat.

Hey Pepmyster take your boat to Georgian Bay.. trailer it to Lake Simcoe and take the Trent from there ...one of the nicest canal views ever and you can get to ride the Big Chute. 4 hrs to Georgian Bay from Simcoe. Just a thought... very big water, very different boating...

[pepmyster]

Funny your saying that. We were thinking to tow to Orillia and start our kourney from there! 4 hours by boat?