Towing Nitro 700lx

[damian19s]

So I'm going to be picking up a 2004 Nitro 700lx next weekend. I own a 2006 Toyota Highlander rated for 3500 pounds towing capacity. I was just wondering if I should have any issues towing the boat with that. The dry weight for the boat is 1200lbs and 90hp merc is around 400. Not sure what the trailer is but it's under my towing capacity. Total weight I'm guessing will be around 2000 minimum to 2500 max. Thanks.  Edit: Also should I have problems when launching the boat with the highlander? Its front wheel drive but if it starts to slip 4wd kicks in right away. Also has switch to lower torque to prevent slipping

[NorthwestBasser]

You will be fine. I'd just pay close attention to your brakes coming down steep grades. Maybe add trailer brakes or at least surge brakes of the trailer doesn't already have them. Aside from that, as long as your suspension isn't taking a beating. 

[BrianinMD]

You probably will be okay, cutting it closer than I would, but it will be putting a lot of wear and tear on the transmission and brakes.

 

Be very mindful of stopping distance on the road, especially if it does not have trailer brakes.

[simplejoe]

You'll be ok. A couple years ago I was pulling a 18' astro with my 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander with the 3.0 v6. I didn't have any problems. If you're hard on your brakes, then you'll be replacing them more often hauling the boat. 

[FishnFritz]

As a mechanic & tow truck driver. Just because it's rated for it doesn't mean it's a good idea or good for your vehicle. I would also check your tow rating again. Highlander's have a 1500-2000lb tow rating. So you would be pushing it in my opinion. As with towing anything just be careful and use your safety chains.  But hey, I did see a Lincoln town car launching  a 15ft center console at the ramp last week. And a RAV4 towing a 20ft pontoon boat. Anything is possible lol

[damian19s]

I have the V6 3.4L version. Rated for 3500. Thanks for all the input guys! 

[Way2slow]

You have to figure in the terrain you will be towing in, how far you will tow and how fast you tow.  Also how long you plan to keep the vehicle.  I have a 2008 Hghlander 2WD with the factory towing package which provides an external cooler on the transmission, and where I live in middle GA, I would not use mine for towing a 2,500 pound load very many times, and definitely not very far or fast, and definitely not in overdrive.

You definitely should look at installing a temp gauge in the transmission and external cooler if it does not have one, and never tow it under any conditions that will put the temps over 195 degrees.  Temps any higher than this is baking all rubber seals in it and will greatly shorten it's life.

Now, it's your vehicle and you can think it will do just fine, but in a year or two when you are told it going to cost you over $4,000 to replace the transmission you will wish you had rethought the idea.

 

[Further North]

Some more info:

 

1. Gas weighs ~ 6 lbs. a gallon.
2. Batteries are between 50 - 70 lbs each.
3. Charger is 20 - 45 lbs, depending on how many banks.
4. Figure another 150 - 200 lbs in gear/tackle/stuff".
5. Trolling motor is another 40 - 50 lbs.

If you're still well under 3,500 lbs. after all that. you're fine.

 

I tow a Crestliner CMV 1850  with a Johnzuki 140, a 40 gallon gas tank, a 36 volt Ulterra, 5 batteries, a 4 bank charger, a single bank charger and a bunch of gear/tackle/stuff with a '14 Ford Escape with a 3,500 lb. tow rating.

 

It works just fine.

 

There's a fair amount of folks who like a lot more margin than manufacturers specify.  That's fine for them, and if that's what they are comfortable with, that's what they should do.

 

Suggesting it's unsafe, or will wreck your vehicle/transmission is...IMO...way over the top.  Others' opinions may vary, that's great for them.

 

Manufacturers are not going to rate a vehicles above what is safe...they can't afford the lawsuits that would result...as litigious as the US society is, they simply will not take the risk.