232 towing question

[redson15th]

Looking for a bit of advice...I am looking at a 2001 232 with a solid Shorelander trailer under it.  I would be pulling with a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder.  Rated at 6000 lbs and tounge of 600 lbs.  I know I will be pushing its limits but if the trailer is in perfect working order do you think this vehicle will pull it?  Guess I should note that I would not be traveling long distance more than a couple of time a summer.

Thanks for your opinions.

[DaleM]

Personally I would say no problem.  I towed my 1996 232, 7.4L engine with my Dodge van.  It had the 3.9L 6 cylinder and was tow rated at 4800#.  It had the short wheel base on a 3/4 ton chassis.  One tough truck.  I towed anywhere from 3-8 hours at a whack.  The long uphills slowed me down a bit but she always kept going.  Most of Illinois is flat so it worked out okay for me.

[cettialpha6]

You need to go to Trailerboats.com and check out the 2008 towing chart. I would guess with boat weight+ trailer+ gas+ gear, you are over the 6K rating. I would be concerned with braking and stopping distances. fyi ---Art

[PartsMan]

I pull my 232 with a Suburban 1500 and I feel the boat back there. I'm sure the truck would handle pulling the 232. The only question would be is handling. If your only pulling a short distance I think you be fine.

[rdlegacy]

redson15th:

We towed a 232 cuddy prior to our 270.  I can't recall what the total weight was for the 232, but seems like it was around 5,000 or so.....dry!  You can calculate your fuel at 6 pounts/gallon, and you don't carry water.  But you do carry gear, and people.....and beer!

In addition to your gross towed weight (the boat)....also check the gross total combined vehicle weight rating for you vehicle (in the manual).   Then add up your boat and fuel + vechicle and fuel + gear + people + beer = GCVWR....do not exceed that if you are going any appreciable distance at all.

How far you tow and the terrain are key factors.  i.e. if you are going short distances (10 miles) on flat land, you should not have any problems.  but if you are towing 100 miles each way (for example), up and down step hills, you will definately have problems.   You can easily burn up a transmission.

I would recommend always towing in 3rd gear.

Another thought.....even though you may get to the lake with no problems.....can you pull it out of the lake?  I have seen many a vehicle sit on a wet & slimy ramp and spin their tires, and the boat/trailer stay in the water.  

Or....backing down a steep ramp to launch and stepping on the brakes.... and the vehicle doesn't stop but starts to slide further down the ramp and into the lake...because the vehicle is not enough for the weight of the boat!

Remember you have a lot of weight behind you.  It will push you when stopping  Always have an extra margin of distance between you and the vehcile ahead of you, and anticipate indiots that cut in front of you.  You don't want the boat pushing you into a collision!

Bob

[Buster]

I towed my heavy 1995 232 with full fuel around with my Touareg (I think I managed 600 miles in two seasons). Similar to the pathfinder and with Zero problems. The Pathfinder is well capable of towing a trailer much heavier than a 232.

Also towed the 232 with a Range Rover which also did the job without any difficulty.

I now tow my 270 with the same car. Zero problems over two recent trips. (75 miles & 220 miles). Just take it easy and best to travel in light traffic.

 

[redson15th]

Thanks everyone for the posts.  I hope that we end up with the boat.  Wife is unsure and holding things up.    Go figure.

[morrisdl]

I have towed my Rinker 232 BR behind a few vehicles.  In order of preference/enjoyment: an 2002 Chevy avalanche z72,  2005 toyota 4runner v8, 2008 Toyota 4runner V6,  2001 Toyota 4Runner v6, 2003 GMC Envoy, and in a pinch for short distances 2003 Nissan Xterra. None, even the xterra have had any trouble pulling out of the water.

[morrisdl]

I towed my heavy 1995 232 with full fuel around with my Touareg...
 

Just curious, what engine is that in the Touareg?  I think V8 touareg is my next truck - unless the prices keep dropping like they have and I can suddenly afford a V10 TDI.

[Buster]

The engine is a standard 2.5ltr v6 diesel. Plenty of power and I can't believe what it can do. My 232 was a lot lighter than the 270 that I'm now towing.

I can't speak highly enough of this vehicle.


Wish the taxes would allow the V10 become more affordable here...

With the tax system in Ireland the V10 costs over $100,000.00 (No, I didn't make the mistake with the amount of zero's (one hundre thousand US dollars)). There's not too many here.

[morrisdl]

WOW!!  We cant get the V6TDI here (yet).  The price of used V10s has been falling below the $40k mark.  Not sure which I want yet, but thanks for the info on the strengths of the V6tdi.

[SlipperyWhenWet]

Looking for a bit of advice...I am looking at a 2001 232 with a solid Shorelander trailer under it.  I would be pulling with a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder.  Rated at 6000 lbs and tounge of 600 lbs.  I know I will be pushing its limits but if the trailer is in perfect working order do you think this vehicle will pull it?  Guess I should note that I would not be traveling long distance more than a couple of time a summer.

Thanks for your opinions.

I own a 232 Cuddy and am shocked at some of the vehicles that I've seen here used to tow these beasts.  The boat dry weighs 4200 lbs. then add the trailer, 75 gal. of fuel and gear, you must be over 6000 lbs.  I tow in Kentucky and one of these V6 vehicles listed above would not pull this boat up some of their hills at 65-70 MPH.  I believe this boat would work a small vehicle to death so plan on trading every two years!  Now, towing on nothing but flat ground does make a big difference but most lakes around here have some grades as you get near them, this is where you will see what your tow vehicle is made of.

I was going to stay on the sidelines on this topic but I saw very few people willing to mention what it takes to pull 6000 plus lbs. up any serious grades for any real distance.  Also I would suggest keeping the trailer brakes in good working order if you use a small SUV to tow with.  I suggest a nice larger V8 fullsized pickup and you will be ready for anything the road presents to you.

[morrisdl]

Agreed with everything in your disclaimer. 

Granted this is flat ground, but these (especially the V10 can tow).  I think they are all rated to 7600lbs towing.