How much does the average older ski boat weigh? I'm wondering this because if we come across one for sale there is a chance (note: a chance) that we would buy it, and the best tow vehicle we have right now is a Honda Oddessy(sp?) which is rated to tow 3500 lbs, but I wouldn't dream of actually towing that much. Our current outboard weighs around 2000 lbs and pushes it around quite a bit. (of course, it is a single axle with no brakes. I would imagine that with brakes even if it weighs more would help.) The drive can be anywhere from 10 minutes at 50 mph to a half hour. <BR> <BR>Any info is appreciated!!!

My 20 foot '95 Tigé weighs 3420 with a single axle trailer. I'm guessing most will weigh around the same.

My '87 SN2001 weighs around 3000 boat and trailer I believe. Pretty sure I remember reading that the boat itself weighed around 2k and the trailer was something like 700 lbs. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me.

For MC, the stars and stripes will weigh in around low 3000s with trailer (if I remember correctly on my dad's 86). Then you have to add some for fuel and everything else in the boat. The older ones may be lighter because they used wood for the stringers and floors, but I don't know what years they would be (early 80s? and before). The new boats will start around 3000 and up for the boat and 800-1000 for a trailer depending on single or dual axles. I know the MC website has their numbers posted on each 08 boat. My x1 is around 4000 lbs combined

My 97 20' Tige weighs 2770 pounds, the old tube trailer is 800 pounds, the new aluminum hopefully being delivered in the next week is 500 pounds. Total tube trailer and boat is 3570. <BR> <BR>Combined gross on the trailer is 3700, doesn't leave much for fuel so I do not fill up at the end of the day. <BR> <BR>My wife has a Trailblazer that tows 4000, it hurts pulling my boat. It also only got 10MPG. It doesn't tow it more than necessary. Get a half ton at least, and anything in the newer boat category with a tandem axle is gonna need a 3/4 ton. I am still shocked at the number of people who tow long trips using half ton pickups or Nissan Armadas.....I hope I never get one of their rigs second hand. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by olskooltige on August 22, 2007)

who ever told you , that you need a 3/4 truck to tow a newer boat is full of s*it. 1/2 ton trucks are more than enough truck to tow any inboard skiboat on the market.

Never said they couldn't tow it, just that it isn't the best option. Half tons with the small V8s shouldn't be pulling 70% of max towing more than a few miles. I would not buy a used vehicle from someone that has a 4-6k boat and had been pulling it with too small a rig; most of them don't even come with a properly classed trailer tow bar. Have a look at it, I bet on most 1500's you see a class II or III (class 3 is 5000 pounds). An X-star weighs in at 4250 pounds dry, add 53 gallons of fuel and a trailer and you have your towbar maxed out. And the real kicker, if you get in an accident, and insurance is a <font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font>, they will see you were towing overloaded on your gear, and you will have a fight ahead of you. <BR> <BR>Check this chart....at the top it says your silverado comes with a 5000 pund towing limit, and it is your responsibility to upgrade. So even though your 5.3 might tow 8000 pounds (with the proper gearing), the hitch can't. <BR>http://www.a1warriortrailers.com/hitches/gm-tow-guide.htm <BR> <BR>(Message edited by olskooltige on August 22, 2007)

Its funny that you single out an Armada, when they have a 5.6 L, which isn't that small of a block. The Armada tow package has a towing capacity of 9100 lbs. My boat weights 4500 with trailer and gear. Thats less than half of its towing capacity. What would you recommend, a dualy? <BR> <BR>You are also making the false assumption that the type of hitch will somehow wear out the drive train. It doesn't matter that the hitch has a weight limit of 5000 lbs. Don't exceed 5000lbs on the hitch, but the engine could care less.

I concur with Kevin on that. My Armada LE pulls my 22 SS no problema and with extreme comfort for the 6 passengers on board. These Nissans put out an incredible amount of torg for a 5.6

Drive train and hitch are two different issues and were discussed as such. Small V8s should not be towing 22+ foot boats, all half ton rigs and SUVs need to have a proper hitch installed. <BR> <BR>Nissan might have been a bad one to single out.....The main target here are the large SUVs and half tons with the smaller V8 offerings, like dodges 4.7 or chevy's 4.8; which account for a large number of sales. You can't continue to tow a 5000 pound load on those engines forever and expect it not to affect longevity. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by olskooltige on August 22, 2007) <BR> <BR>(Message edited by olskooltige on August 22, 2007)

Thanks!! New update.... my dad decided that when I turn 16 I'll get his camry, he gets the oddyssey, and my mom is going to buy a truck (yes I know my parents are wierd.) which is in 2 years. So theres still hope!!!