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Random Quote: The longest sentence in the English language: "I do."
I have a 2001 Ford Sport Trac 4x4 that is rated for 5k lbs. Is this enough truck to tow a boat that weighs 4000lbs not including trailer, gas and load? How much weight should you add into the calculation?
The boat I am considering is a 26' Sea Hunt Gamefish...I would tow mainly less than 10 miles away from my house (average 6 each way), but would like to be able to go farther. There is a significant hill on the Bridge I would have to cross.
I am just thinking this truck may be a little too small...but damn I like that boat.
Hmmm. As a ford engineer and former Sporttrac driver, I am thinking we have a problem. I pulled 5500lbs with my 'trac which had 4.10gears and was rated for 7K or close. The boat was a Trophy 2052IO. My current boat is a 23 Proline hardtop 225 Zuke. It scales 7000lbs with an alum trailer and low fuel. I tow with a full out 09 F150 (11,330rating). I am thinking your 26' is more like 8000lbs on the trailer and way out of reach of the sporttrac. If it scaled at less tha 6000, the trac can do the 10miles.
Good luck pondering.
Now that I've though about I realize that I was dreamin' thinking the truck could handle that. I've since decided to buy used instead of new and am now looking at a 212 Mako CC with a 225 Verado. The specs say 3k but I am not sure if this is w. or w.o motor.
Would the Sport Trac be able to handle this boat...or am I doomed to be making two new payments every month
__________________ F350 4x4/ Dodge 2500HD 5.9L Cummins
Leaving the Picture of the Ford cuz I miss it
Pacific 2325 cc
Honda bf225
aluminumalloyboats.com
Also remember that it's not just being able to pull the weight, it's got to be able to stop it. When you start to approach 5K lbs loads you should be thinking about a full size vehicle. Think bigger brakes, stronger transmissions etc...
I pull a 22 foot Nautic Star 2200 bay boat with my 2001 sport trac 4x4. It does fine, but of course is slow on hills/take off. Make sure to turn off overdrive any time you tow.
I really like the truck, and plan on running it for several more years unless I have major problems. At this point, the truck isn't worth that much on trade in, so I figure it makes the most sense to run it until the wheels fall off.
When I get another, I'll probably go for either a full size truck, or get the newer sport trac model with the v8.
The Sport Trac is a Ford version of the Explorer that is beefed up and has a bed on it.
How much does that Nautic Star weigh?
I'm a manager at a dive shop and we use to have rental boats. I towed, launched and recovered a 25' pontoon and 20' Mariah Deck Boat all the time. But after I had a wierd "catching" with my brakes. I always assumed it was b/c my back tires were completley submerged (exhaust was blowing bubbles)...but am now thinking it may of been b/c of the boats weight.
P.S. Anybody wanna trade a big truck for a little truck??
I towed my Proline 25' cuddy from Florida to North Carolina with no problems, with my Chevrolet 1500, 5.7ltr engine. In fact I am selling my other Chevrolet on this site. Never had any problem with my other truck, good luck.
Thought I would hijack this thread and pose a question of my own:
I own a 2003 Explorer V8 4x4, with the 3.73 rear axle. 80,000 miles on the truck-- it's been great.
I am looking to buy a 22' Aquasport center console, with T-top, with a dry weight of 3900 lbs. The 200 hp Evinrude comes in at 450 lbs. Not sure if that includes the bracket or not. Adding fuel and a trailer, I'm estimating that I'm around 5800 lbs. (600 lbs fuel, 900 lbs for a tandem-axle trailer)
Anyone have experience towing this much boat with my setup? I live in Florida, so no hills/mountains, and most of the boat ramps have a gradual incline.
Thanks!
Last edited by Glock Diver; 09-12-2009 at 03:05 PM.
Thought I would hijack this thread and pose a question of my own:
I own a 2003 Explorer V8, with the 3.73 rear axle. 80,000 miles on the truck-- it's been great.
I am looking to buy a 22' Aquasport center console, with T-top, with a dry weight of 3900 lbs. The 200 hp Evinrude comes in at 450 lbs. Not sure if that includes the bracket or not. Adding fuel and a trailer, I'm estimating that I'm around 5800 lbs. (600 lbs fuel, 900 lbs for a tandem-axle trailer)
Anyone have experience towing this much boat with my setup? I live in Florida, so no hills/mountains, and most of the boat ramps have a gradual incline.
Thanks!
I think you will be alright with what you got as long as you take it easy and don't try to go too far with it. I will say that you might want to consider a 4 door truck instead in the future if you find yourself towing it alot
I think you will be alright with what you got as long as you take it easy and don't try to go too far with it. I will say that you might want to consider a 4 door truck instead in the future if you find yourself towing it alot
You're right, I'd prefer a 4-door truck, and an F-150 or Expedition might be the next vehicle purchase. But for right now, it's either a BOAT or a TRUCK, and I can't have both!
All of my towing will be on flat terrain (Florida). Most trips will be <20 miles, but occasionally I'd like to drive to the East coast of Florida or down to the Keys. I will definitely get trailer brakes.
Can anyone give an estimate on what it costs to add trailer brakes?
You're right, I'd prefer a 4-door truck, and an F-150 or Expedition might be the next vehicle purchase. But for right now, it's either a BOAT or a TRUCK, and I can't have both!
All of my towing will be on flat terrain (Florida). Most trips will be <20 miles, but occasionally I'd like to drive to the East coast of Florida or down to the Keys. I will definitely get trailer brakes.
Can anyone give an estimate on what it costs to add trailer brakes?
if you do your own work, anywhere from 800-1200 bucks if you do 2 axles. if i remember correctly, i think FL requires you to have brakes on all axles
Location: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands / Sammamish, WA
Posts: 532
Unless you're buying an aluminum trailer I think you're a couple hundred pounds light on your trailer estimate. Don't forget you also need to add the weight of passengers/gear in your tow vehicle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glock Diver
Thought I would hijack this thread and pose a question of my own:
I own a 2003 Explorer V8 4x4, with the 3.73 rear axle. 80,000 miles on the truck-- it's been great.
I am looking to buy a 22' Aquasport center console, with T-top, with a dry weight of 3900 lbs. The 200 hp Evinrude comes in at 450 lbs. Not sure if that includes the bracket or not. Adding fuel and a trailer, I'm estimating that I'm around 5800 lbs. (600 lbs fuel, 900 lbs for a tandem-axle trailer)
Anyone have experience towing this much boat with my setup? I live in Florida, so no hills/mountains, and most of the boat ramps have a gradual incline.
Now that I've though about I realize that I was dreamin' thinking the truck could handle that. I've since decided to buy used instead of new and am now looking at a 212 Mako CC with a 225 Verado. The specs say 3k but I am not sure if this is w. or w.o motor.
Would the Sport Trac be able to handle this boat...or am I doomed to be making two new payments every month
Thanks for the help guys
The Mako site lists the hull weight as 3100 lbs, which is probably the dry weight; i.e. no engine, batteries, optional equipment, or fuel. Engine, battery and fuel will add at least 1200 lbs, and trailer another 1000 or so. You're probably looking at 5500 lbs minimum. You could do it with that vehicle, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Enough Truck? 
