Megastink Posted April 20, 2014 Posted April 20, 2014 My girlfriend is looking to lease a new vehicle, and she wants an SUV. Soooooo, I'm trying to "help" her find a suitable vehicle that could maaaaaaaaaaybe tow a small glass boat..... I'm a good man. So, I'm reaching out for advice on the most reliable and capable brands of small SUV. 3.0-3.5L V6, tow capacity of 5k lb minimum. Does anyone tow with something like this? I've seen people towing with them before. Just looking for reliable brands/models. Thanks! Quote
tracker01 Posted April 20, 2014 Posted April 20, 2014 The word "small" is not a good thing. Can you tow with a "Small" SUV, yes. Now for the stopping part. Small tires, small brakes, small vehicle. Not much stopping power in a "Small" SUV. Having brakes on the trailer would help. Just say'in Quote
Smokinal Posted April 20, 2014 Posted April 20, 2014 ^^^Definitely. Follow some steps and you'll be just fine. First, you need an accurate weight of said boat. If it truly is a small glass boat, you will need nowhere near 5K lb capacity. My 16' Nitro with 75hp only weighs in around 1800lbs complete. Second, make sure you check with the dealer, car manual and auto manufacturer's website to find the tow capacity of the vehicle. We just purchased a 2012 Subaru Forester and I was doing some homework on it and one year made about a 2K lb difference in towing capacity due to a change in the transmission. And, yes, trailer brakes will help but you will find that, typically, brakes start out on 19' and up. I've seen some on some 18's but not many. So, I guess it depends what you call small. And of course, you and your girlfriend may have different opinions on that...the boat that is. Quote
Ima Bass Ninja Posted April 20, 2014 Posted April 20, 2014 I regularly pull my nitro nx 750 with a Mazda B3000 (3.0 engine) with no issues. Quote
fish365 Posted April 21, 2014 Posted April 21, 2014 Before you get one, check the estimated fuel ratings especially if you are looking at a 4wd. Many full size have similar or better MPG ratings than mid/small truck/suv in 4wd option. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 21, 2014 Super User Posted April 21, 2014 Before you get one, check the estimated fuel ratings especially if you are looking at a 4wd. Many full size have similar or better MPG ratings than mid/small truck/suv in 4wd option. X2 Whatever you choose, see if it can be ordered with a trans cooler and an upgraded brake package. Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted April 21, 2014 Super User Posted April 21, 2014 FWIW.............Everyone I see around here that tows glass boats regularly with anything less than a 1/2 ton P/U or full size SUV has mechanical problems sooner or later. And everyone that I know who tows aluminum have far fewer. What I am trying to say, I guess is................glass = 1/2 ton P/U or full size SUV, tin = small SUV's/ trucks/mini vans/etc.....IMHO of coarse. 1 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted April 21, 2014 Super User Posted April 21, 2014 6 cyl Toyota 4-runner will handle it. Quote
Gelhar17 Posted April 21, 2014 Posted April 21, 2014 I towed with a 3.3l v6 xterra for a while. Was an absolute dog while going up any inclines. Even though it had a tow package and a tranny cooler I had to upgrade the cooler and ended up replacing my brakes more often than i cared for. It can work but long distance trips at higher speeds are just downright frustrating. Vehicle was rated to tow 5000lb 1 Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted April 21, 2014 Super User Posted April 21, 2014 I tow my 19ft glass boat with a 4.3 vortec V6 sonoma. It's a killer on brakes,struggles up hill, and gas mileage is terrible. Not that it's good without a boat either. So it is possible but just be aware of the issues that come along with it. Quote
jhoffman Posted April 21, 2014 Posted April 21, 2014 I can barely get up a serious grade with my grand vitara and I only own a 17' aluminum with a 25. Im in the market for a new vehicle so I can be in the market for a glass boat. I wont consider anything thats not a v8 and if I could get it with 20" rotors I would. A glass boat in my opinion should have trailer brakes. Quote
Super User BrianinMD Posted April 21, 2014 Super User Posted April 21, 2014 Check out the Nissan Xterra with the 4 liter V6, plenty of power. Quote
Super User Teal Posted April 21, 2014 Super User Posted April 21, 2014 My 05 Ford Explorer pulls my 20' Javelin. My transimission is holding up but I can tell where it has taken a toll on it. Quote
Gelhar17 Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 I love the xterras but it had bad gas mileage even without the boat. Recently bought a v8 grand cherokee with the hemi and i cant even tell my boat is behind me. Comfortable vehicle plus my gas mileage is pretty good without the boat. Averaging 13 mpg with the boat and 18 without Quote
Pa Angler Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 I once had a 1999 GMC Jimmy with the 4.3 puketech towing a 2004 Tracker Targa 17SC Deep V it would run out of breath on steep inclines I now run a 2008 F150 Super Crew 5.4 V8 with a 6.5' bed towing a Nitro Z7 and I get better gas mileage then with the puketech 4.3 towing a tin can. I got 11 to 12mpg with the puketech towing the tin can I get 13 to 13.5mpg towing the Z7 with the F150. It's better to go more than enough than just enough or not enough.. Tight Lines Pa Angler Quote
Fishing_Cory Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 I tow my 18' Nitro with a 4.3 S10 and boy does she struggle! She struggles to get going and I won't push it past 55mph. Definitely get bigger if you can, I'll be upgrading this summer for sure! Quote
Pa Angler Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 I tow my 18' Nitro with a 4.3 S10 and boy does she struggle! She struggles to get going and I won't push it past 55mph. Definitely get bigger if you can, I'll be upgrading this summer for sure! I hope you have a trans cooler. Struggles just to get going is not a good thing for the boat your pulling it should have a least 373 gears if not the 410 option my 99 Jimmy had the factory tow package with 373 gears and trans cooler. I understand what your going through. Tight Lines Pa Angler Quote
Zach Dunham Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 Ford F-150 with EcoBoost! Turbo V6, it's a beast and you still get the big wheels and breaks for stopping power. I have the 5.0L V8 F-150 and I wish I had the EcoBoost. With the sick deal I got though I'm not going to complain. Quote
Super User BrianinMD Posted April 23, 2014 Super User Posted April 23, 2014 Love my ecoboost, great torque curve, 23mpg cruising on the highway (even with the wife driving), and she got a little over 14mpg towing a loaded two horse trailer. Quote
livetofish28 Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 2010 hyndai Santa fe with towing package. 3.0 (i think) 6 cylinder Hauls a stratos 273 with a 150 yamaha like it isn't even there tight lines Andrew Quote
livetofish28 Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 Also a Toyota tacoma could be a good option ours is rated to 6500 pounds and the only reason we dont tow with it is because it does not have a hitch on it tight lines Andrew Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted April 23, 2014 Super User Posted April 23, 2014 FWIW.............Everyone I see around here that tows glass boats regularly with anything less than a 1/2 ton P/U or full size SUV has mechanical problems sooner or later. And everyone that I know who tows aluminum have far fewer. What I am trying to say, I guess is................glass = 1/2 ton P/U or full size SUV, tin = small SUV's/ trucks/mini vans/etc.....IMHO of coarse. Depending on the boat though they can be really close to the same weight. Quote
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