Towing Larger Loads

[blkexp98]

We have a 28 bertram (project boat) that eventually we will need to move. I would guess the boat weighs in around 12000 lbs loaded and say another 2000 for the triple axle trailer. We pulled it from the beach to back home (about 1.5 hrs) in a dodge diesel pickup and it pulled great. The problem is that was a friends vehicle so I don't want to have to depend on someone else to move it.

The trailer has brakes and the tongue weight is pretty light with how the load sits. I have a 2007 V8 awd 4runner that Im pretty positive wont do anything but move it in the parking lot. My dad has a V8 awd ford expedition so he has a little more mass but not too much more power. What do you think it would take to pull and launch the boat? We could use slings but that means a pretty long ride if we had to pull it for a hurricane. We could be at 3 or 4 ramps in less than 30 min.

I dont think stopping the boat on level ground will be the issue but getting back up the ramp may be. op2: I would really hate to be the next youtube video lol.

 

[Ezlife45]

I doubt the expedition is rated over 8-9000 lbs.
Could the expedition do it? Maybe
Could it do it safely? Probably not
Could it do it legally? Probably not

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Get something with 8-lug axles. This will give u a margin of safety that lesser vehicles can't match. GL!

 

[LittleCaesar]

Borrow the diesel again, then save your pennies for a used low mileage one. Or employ the use of a towing company/boat hauler. Ask boat dealers for such, they should know plenty haulers in the area.

Pulling a boat is way beyond the capacities of either SUV, especially its transmission. Don't be like some of the towing indigents in SC. Be safer and smarter.

 

[Davy180]

Anything over 10k lbs you should probably be using a 1 ton diesel truck, the longer the better. We have a 12k lbs 27ft enclosed trailer at work and tried pulling it with several things and everything did terrible except the 1 Ton diesels. You can rent them from enterprise equipment rental if you just need it for a day or so.

 

[Titanpat57]

So 10% tongue weight would be 1400 lbs.....you're 4runner is probably rated for 500 or so....

Why would you want to subject your 4tunner to that?

Get a 1 ton dually and tow/move with right vehicle.

 

[blkexp98]

I wouldnt want to. I was just putting it out there what was currently available vehicle wise. I wasnt saying that I intended to use my 4Runner for the main tow vehicle.

So you think a dually is really what's needed to do it right?

I just looked up the trucks for rent and never really thought about that. Enterprise unfortunately didnt have anything in SC though. Ill have to look more into this.

 

[Titanpat57]

I wouldnt want to. I was just putting it out there what was currently available vehicle wise. I wasnt saying that I intended to use my 4Runner for the main tow vehicle.

So you think a dually is really what's needed to do it right?

I just looked up the trucks for rent and never really thought about that. Enterprise unfortunately didnt have anything in SC though. Ill have to look more into this.

The stability of a 1 ton Dually would be a great match up for a boat that long and that heavy...plus you're dealing with a truck designed to withstand moving a load like that safely.....much better for you guys, and the folks you share the road with.

 

[mcarey86]

Check your local home depot for rental