Best <2500 Lb Rig

[teamshrink]

So, I'm probably stuck with my Subaru Outback for a while as my towing vehicle.  It has a two rating of 2500 lbs.  What's the best boat I could get that I could tow?

[slonezp]

You need to figure boat, motor, trailer, batteries, fuel, and gear into that 2500lbs.

[B@ssCrzy]

I would not exceed, the boat and trailer alone, being half of what the the tow rating of the vehicle is.  So I would look at something in the 1200-1400 lb range.  By the time you get all your gear and people loaded in the vehicle you will be close to your maximum.  Especially if you ever plan on doing a week long fishing trip.  The maximum rating also includes the gear and occupants in the car as well.    I think you are probably looking at  a 14-16 ft aluminum boat with something up to 40-50 hp.  I have a 17ft aluminum boat with a 70 hp Johnson on it and it weighs 1,670 lbs.  You could always go up in weight if you wanted, but sometimes the bigger issue is can your vehicle stop all that weight that is behind you.  I pull my boat with a 2004 Honda Odyssey that has a tow rating of 3500lbs.  After taking this boat on several 9 hour trips I would not feel very comfortable with a heavier boat than what I have.  Because of the stopping issue and when trying to get up steep hills it can really bog down sometimes.  Don't get me wrong I could do it with a bigger boat if I wanted, but would it be comfortable....no.  If you have any grain co-op's close to you you can always take the rig up to them and they will let you weigh it on their scales....at least that is what I did to find out the weight of my boat.  They may charge you a few bucks, but normally they are pretty nice if you don't go during harvest season when they are really busy. 

[5dollarsplash]

I'm in a similar position to the OP with my jeep.  B@ssCrzy and slonezp make good points.  Make sure you count everything in the weight, and I think you'll end up with about a 16' aluminium rig with about a 50hp on it.

[jhoffman]

I tow a 17' tracker tx17 pro with a 25hp two stroke behind a 2.6L v6 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Getting into some of the locations on top of mountains here can make that little motor/tranny work pretty hard. It stops it no problem.

[bass crazy]

 I am not attempting to throw this thread of track.    But Bass@Crzy   I am  curious as what you get for average mpg towing that rig with the Odessey ? I have a similar Bass tracker I tow with a suburban and wondering if i could get how much better mpg with a smaller suv  type vechicle. Retired with fixed income so I am feeling the pinch of higher gas prices.

 

Thanks

Steve

[B@ssCrzy]

 I am not attempting to throw this thread of track.    But Bass@Crzy   I am  curious as what you get for average mpg towing that rig with the Odessey ? I have a similar Bass tracker I tow with a suburban and wondering if i could get how much better mpg with a smaller suv  type vechicle. Retired with fixed income so I am feeling the pinch of higher gas prices.

 

Thanks

Steve

 

I hear you about high gas prices.  Pulling it out of overdrive in the D3 position I estimate at about 16-17 mpg.  When I make that trip it is from Indiana to Michigan so the majority of the time is spent on flat ground....so you may want to keep that in mind.  What do you get with your suburban?

[jhoffman]

If you wanna save gas you want a newer truck, they will do what you want. My buddies full size brand new dodge gets better mileage than I do and it doesnt beat up the vehicle to do it.

[Brian Needham]

being florida is mostly flat you can probably squeeze a little more out of it...... as stopping it is more important in the hills when you drive right.  

 

check out something like a TX165 from tracker and spread out the search from there.

[bass crazy]

I do not tow in overdrive either. I think I get about 14-15 mpg with the suburban towing the boat. I get about 12 mpg towing my old heavy camping trailer so I need the suburban. I am surprised that you do not get more then 16-17. Thanks for the reply. Yeah I would like to have a new truck but do not need all the extra expenses to go with it either.

[WIGuide]

I do not tow in overdrive either. I think I get about 14-15 mpg with the suburban towing the boat. I get about 12 mpg towing my old heavy camping trailer so I need the suburban. I am surprised that you do not get more then 16-17. Thanks for the reply. Yeah I would like to have a new truck but do not need all the extra expenses to go with it either.

 

You should be fine towing your boat in overdrive, just wait to shift it in until you're no longer accelerating and kick it down before any moderate to bigger hills. Also, the other guy is only getting the 16-17 because although he has a smaller engine and vehicle, his engine has to work harder to keep everything moving.

[bass crazy]

If i am driving on a flat highway at 65 mph I will tow the boat in overdrive with no issues.. Most of the roads I travel to my fishing spots are under 55 mph and are hilly twisting back roads so it is best to just leave it in 3rd gear.

 

 Lets get this thread back on track and answer     teamshrink question as to what type of boat that he can tow under 2500 lbs rating. i would say he is limited to an alluminun  bass boat , semi v or john boat.

[Brian Needham]

I have seen cameros tow 16 foot jon boats with a 25 on the back

 

I have a friend that towed a tracker tx175 fully loaded down with gear for 2 people he towed it with a GMC Canyon, which is a small s-10 type truck.

 

those two example should give you some points of reference.

[S Hovanec]

My 17' Lund/motor/trailer weighs in at 2500# unloaded. That's no batteries, trolling motor, fuel or gear. Guess that's why its sitting on a 3500# trailer.

You're probably Looking for something in 16' max.

[tacobassin]

Unless your fishing big rough water, look for the widest 14' or 16' jon boat you can find. id say minimum ~42" bottom width 60" beam. Good options are the lowe or alumacraft 1448 (14' 48" bottom) or 1648 (16' 48" bottom). The wide bottom is the difference between being afraid to move around in the boat, and jumping all over the boat with no fear of swimming. Keep watching craigslist for decked out ones and your set. A 1648 alumacraft weighs approximately 310 lbs which gives you plenty of wiggle room for added weight (trailer, motor, deck, gear.....). This would be my recommendation, the subaru would have no problem towing these. And they are cheap to own and modify.

 

On a side note one other thing to remember, just because your vehicle can tow 2500lbs, doesnt mean it will tow 2500lbs well. That number is just the point as to which you become unsafe to other drivers on the road. Also need to factor in even though it may tow ok on the road, will it be able to drag the rig up a steep boat ramp. Just some things to consider 

[MacP]

^^^ What he said.  Just because it can, doesn't mean it should!

[Just Fish Michael]

I had the same situation. I don't fish very large lakes and I have a Honda element with a tow rating of 1500 lbs. I found a nice 2011 bass tracker pro angler 16. Dry weight of 1200 and the element handles it nicely. Also fits nicely in the garage.

You will probably want to keep it in the 16 ft range. Tracker, Lowe, Jon boats I looked at them all. Love the choice I made

[greyleg33]

You can also weigh at any state weigh station--provided your state hasn't shut them down to economize.

[Brian Needham]

You can also weigh at any state weigh station--provided your state hasn't shut them down to economize.

 

local farm Co-ops where farmers get bulk fertilizer can weigh you too, and probably be more apt to help you.