lux

This is my 1st post. I've been lurking for a while and enjoyed reading the wealth of information about boating.

I was thinking of purchasing a used 27' ft boat with a dry weight w/engines of 6500 lbs (no gear or trailer).

Right now my family hauler is a 2008 Infiniti QX56 with a tow package...max tow rating of 9000 lbs and GVWR ~7100 lbs.

Any thoughts on this? Do I need a heavier duty SUV?

If you think I need another vehicle, (I would prefer an SUV over a truck since I carry multiple passenger and use 3rd row seating) what would you suggest?

nedarb2

if your doing alot of towing, then i would say yes. If its just the odd tow, i would say no - and try to fill up the gas tanks once your on the water/close to the launch to keep it a little lighter

rbeitz

You don't say how big the fuel tanks are but I imagine a 27ft boat carries at least 100 gallons. By the time you add in a trailer, fuel and gear you are going to be right at or just over your max. I never like to be maxed out with a tow vehicle. I can only think of a couple of SUV's for this kind of load, a 2500 suburban or a Ford excursion.

__________________
Rob in PA

lux

Thanks for the advice so far. I was thinking of buying a used World Cat 270SD. I believe it has a 200 gallon capacity but as Nedarb2 suggested, keep it light on fuel until I got to the boat ramp.

In terms of usage, I would probably need to take it on the hwy/freeway up to 55mph but mostly flat, 12 miles round trip.

Maybe I will consider getting a used truck as a tow vehicle.

Steve_250

That weight is without all the gear you would normally keep on board too.
You need to factor in every pound and then fudge up a little for what you forgot to add.
Two major problems with tow vehicles; starting and stopping.

You will need to get the boat up an often slippery ramp, if your vehicle doesn't have the kohonas to pull it in that situation, you'll have to hope someone with a strap is nearby and willing to help.
That will get old real fast....

Stopping is another issue and very critical. If you clock someone in the rear and are overweight, I could fathom an insurance company trying to get out of paying the claim. It's a pure safety reason too.
We want you and yours to be able to stop safely if you need to.

I would bite the bullet and consider what everyone is telling you, you seem very receptive.
How far will you be towing and what kind of hills will there be?

__________________
2000 Wellcraft Coastal 270, 2006 E-TEC 225s, HDS-10 w/ BB radar & SS.

lux

From my home to the coast will be about a 12 mile round trip. Mostly hwy/freeway driving up to 55mph. Mostly flat terrain except near the coast where it might get to a 5-10% grade for the last 2 miles.

My other concern is that my QX56 is only a 2x2. I noticed that most trucks/SUVs have lower tow ratings for their 4x4 vs 2x2. But I would imagine that at the slippery and steep boat ramp, having a 4x4 can make real world differences.

dini12

Although towing 12 miles doesn't seem much, you're towing at high-way speeds which can become very hairy if you need to hit the brakes fast...Also something to think about is your wheel-base, not sure but it's probably a little shorter than most pick-ups and if so, can become squirrlely when towing at higher speeds. Someone already mentioned, but with that size boat, 4X4 can make all the difference when pulling up a slippery ramp...indeed I've had to yank full-size trucks and their boats out of the hole who have plenty of power, but no 4X4...

Although your Infiniti is a nice ride and has a "tow package," it isn't really known as a good "tow" vehicle....I'd treat it the same as my Dad's big Lexus SUV that does have 4X4 (similar probably to yours in many ways), I'd never risk placing my 6000lb 25ft CC behind it...just isn't that type of vehicle.

All just opinions, one way to know for sure is to take the time to hook it up and actually tow it around...then you'll know for sure! Good Luck, it's a nice boat!