Minimum vehicle for bass boat

[snapshotmd]

I apologize if this seems too simple a question, but I have a Chevy Malibu and I'm wondering if this is enough to haul a 16' aluminum bass boat.  

I've been using a canoe and I'm considering actually getting a real bass boat and leave it at the marina, providing they have space.  I'm getting sick and tired of cartopping and being too scared to stand up in my boat.

[GLADES]

you will be ok as long as the ramp is paved

[burleytog]

Check your owners manual for towing capacities.

Do not forget that pulling the boat is only half the story.  You also have to stop it.

[drmnbig]

Do not forget that pulling the boat is only half the story. You also have to stop it.

This being said, I'd just leave anything with the designation "car" out of the equation.  If you have to just buy a beater pickup truck for a few hundred dollars.

[Ryanrn23]

I have a 14.5 foot grumman with a 20hp set up for bass.  when I purchased it I owner a Pontiac Grand Prix.  The boat was well within the manufactures towing rating of the car.  With that said though I never felt comfortable towing, it never seemed stable on the highway and I always had to leave a ton of extra stopping room, which was fine unless you come up on one of them unplanned stops.  I ended up trading it in and got myself an suv to tow with and it was a lot better.  If the boat is a good deal I wouldn't pass it up, the car will tow it, but I think you will find as well as I did a small beater truck to suppliment the car or a trade in will be in order.

[BassnMan Mike]

I agree with the others that have replied. Find yourself a beater truck. While your car might be able to handle the boat you will wear it out quickly.

[fishizzle]

I think a 16' boat is huge for a car to tow.  There will be some serious wear and tear on your motor and tranny.  The hills will blow your transmission in no time.  Cars aren't made to pull.

[J Francho]

Depends on the car.  I'd say a 16' boat is too much for a Malibu, both in towing and stopping.

[snapshotmd]

I guess the hitch will have to go on my wife's minivan?  

[TheBeast]

I guess the hitch will have to go on my wife's minivan?

That would be the preffered route.  I pull my 17' BassTracker with my wifes van no problem.  A friend used to pull his 19' fiberglass with his Astro van.

Although I have put hitches on some stuff you wouldn't believe.

[SudoomFisher]

make sure it has front wheel drive

[snapshotmd]

make sure it has front wheel drive

I would've thought rear wheel is preferred for hauling.

[BassinBret]

I pulled a 19 foot bassboat with a Voltswagon rabbit before, You will be OK, Whatever it takes to get to the lake.

[retiredbosn]

I am assuming the new Malibu, v6 or i4 motor, if that is the case I hope you live somewhere flat and never have to pull a hill.  Depending on the make of the wife's mini-van you may be just as well off pulling it with the car.  IMHO no 4cylinder vehicle should be used to tow.  I am not a fan of v6 engines for towing either, but an inline 6 is fine.  What kind of mini-van do you own, if it is a v6 and capable I would probably use that.  

There is such a thing as over kill on the tow vehicle, I used to have a dually, and felt like an idiot towing my john boat with it. I also see no need of using a 2500 series diesel to tow your bass boat, if you are towing across country maybe.  Towing capacity is more related to the rear end and tranny configurations than the raw horsepower/torque of the engine. There is no need to have a vehicle rated to tow 15,000 lbs to tow a boat with.  Almost any vehicle can tow up to 1000 lbs, but a steady diet of it will take a toll on smaller engines.  

[GLADES]

I pulled a fibraglass 17 ft formula/ 140 evinrude with a 1979 mustang GT for several years. It was not ideal, but it got me to the water.

The tongue weight is a very important consideration when using a small car. To much weight on the rear suspension will ruin the shocks and handling. If the trailer is properly balanced, and the car is in good working order, the Malibu pulling the 16ft aluminum boat should be OK.

[NBR]

I pulled a 19' fiberglass with a 150 for thousands of miles with an Olds 98. Check your vehicules towing capacity, never pull in overdrive and have a trailer with at least surge brakes.

[toolpush]

make sure it has front wheel drive

I would've thought rear wheel is preferred for hauling.

It's getting the boat out of the water on a wet ramp where the front wheel drive will come in handy. I would be a little embarrassed, but that's just me.

[TexFishin]

Dont forget that its not all about power.  If something bad happens such as a blowout or locked up bearing on the trailer remember that the smaller the vehicle the harder it is going to be to get the car/trailer back under control.  

[snapshotmd]

I drive the Malibu MAXX; a hatchback with a V6.

The wifey drives a Honda Odyssey with a 6 cyl. Not sure of cyl configuration.

I'm figuring that I get the boat to the marina and dry store it there. All I have to do is to get it in the water each time.

Another option that I've been toying with is to get a trailer for my canoe and put stabilizers on it. Maybe I'll start another thread.

[SudoomFisher]

make sure it has front wheel drive

I would've thought rear wheel is preferred for hauling.

It's getting the boat out of the water on a wet ramp where the front wheel drive will come in handy. I would be a little embarrassed, but that's just me.

Yea thats what i was referring too, especially for ramps that are not paved well where your tires could be in muck

[rfunfarm]

I pull a 20' pontoon to Canada twice a year with a 94 Aerostar Van V-6. Been doing that since 94 & also pull the bass boat around Penna. mountains. Have F150 king cab that sucks on gas so Van is better choice & pulls about the same.