WakeWorld

WakeWorld (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/index.php)
-   Archive through April 01, 2005 (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=221657)
-   -   SUV - Tow Vehicle? (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210433)

eubanks01 02-04-2005 6:51 AM

Obviously I'm only asking for opinions, but: <BR> <BR>What is the best over-all SUV for towing a boat in the 21 to 23 foot range?

toolfan 02-04-2005 7:07 AM

no offense, but thats like asking what is the best board. the chevy guy is gonna say a suburban and the ford guy is gonna say a expedition. whatever they own is the best.

jason_ssr 02-04-2005 7:07 AM

How far are you wanting to tow\travel? How long you plan on keeping the vehicle? You still live in DFW? Pretty much any of the full size SUV trucks will be fine if your just towing around here. The land is flat and the trips are short. Tahoe, H2, Expedition, Escalade, etc. will do the job. If you plan on taking your boat and seeing the country, you may want to consider a diesel Excursion or a Diesel truck with a shell. Might also want to consider these if this is a vehicle you plan on holding on to for a long time.

three6ty 02-04-2005 7:09 AM

Suzuki Samari 4x4

02-04-2005 7:17 AM

You're high. VW Thing with a 7" lift and 37s.

eubanks01 02-04-2005 7:24 AM

Toolfan...thanks for the response but apples to oranges. I would never ask opinions on a wakeboard as I would rather demo them for myself. As far as a truck goes, I can't exactly go hook up a boat to every tow vehicle out there and see which one pulls the best. That's why I was hoping to get some opinions to those who have experience with different suv's. <BR> <BR>JG...Yes, I'm still in Dallas. I know you're more on the kiteboarding scene now, but if I remember correctly you had an Expedition. How did it tow your launch? I have the 5.4L 2000 Expedition and the only boats I have towed are a 21' Chapparral and a Pro Air Nautique. It did fine but I was wondering for future reference of possibly pulling a heavier 21' or a 23' foot. <BR> <BR>Any opinions on the Tahoe Z71? <BR>

02-04-2005 7:32 AM

You don't have to demo them. Check the specs on everything you're interested in and compare curb weight, max tow rating, hp and torque for available engine options and gear ratios. <BR> <BR>Toolfan already told you what happens when asking for vehicle opinions, and Jason pretty much covered everything else.

eubanks01 02-04-2005 7:38 AM

Swass...that may be my best option is to read the specs. I guess I was try to get a lazy man's answer! ;-) <BR> <BR>Thanks everyone and thanksf for the specifics JG. So are you 100% kiteboarder now?

peter_c 02-04-2005 7:48 AM

For a heavier boat you are going to want a 3/4 ton. In SUV's this leaves you with an Excursion or a Suburban. The Ford has the diesel which I would recommend reading about to learn more about its issues. The Excursion is also a giant vehicle with tons of space. The Suburban only comes with a gas engine, and the two engines get the same milage so the big block is the way to go. ROI from diesel to gas takes years to get it back, see if it is worth it to you.

sloshake 02-04-2005 8:03 AM

I towed a 2003 VLX with a Mazda Tribute 300 miles and didnt have a problem. Its right at the official tow limit of the vehicle. That was from the dealer to the dock. However, all future tows (dock to shop) are just 20 miles. <BR> <BR>Someone told me that those tow limits are very conservative, and are meant for towing things around the country, so I figured this one big trip wouldnt be much of an issue. SO far the car has run just fine too.

big_xstar 02-04-2005 8:14 AM

HEY Jarrett, I can tell you from my own experience <BR>I tow my 04 XStar,Its almost 24 ft with platform and weighs about 5700 with fuel tank of gas, with a 02 chevy 1500 Z71 4*4 with <BR>no problems at all. The Tahoe z71 will do great as <BR>a tow vehicle. But that also goes for any V-8 powered suv or truck will work well. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by big x-star on February 04, 2005)

fbroen 02-04-2005 8:38 AM

Sorry a bit off topic, but Peter or anyone, what does the 1/2 and 3/4 ton measurement stand for anyway. I realize that 3/4 tons are heavier duty with higher tow ratings, etc, but 3/4 ton measures...what? Just curious. Thanks.

flackpack 02-04-2005 8:44 AM

Jarrett - I tow my Tige' 22v with an 04 Expedition with the 5.4l V8, and it does just fine. It replaced an Excursion with the 6.8l V-10 which was awesome at towing before this. The Excursion was a bit harsher on everyday driving as it is a 3/4 ton truck frame. If you can live with the firmer ride it is the way to go, but my wife didn't like the hard ride. <BR> <BR>I also had a Chevy Tahoe with the 5.3l engine, and I absolutely prefer the Expedition for towing. I am about to replace the other vehicle, and I am heavily considering a VW Toureg with the V-10 diesel. It isn't sold in California yet, so I will have to buy out of state. I have a friend who tows with one, and it is really great. Good luck in your shopping. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by flackpack on February 04, 2005)

jarrod 02-04-2005 8:55 AM

"VW Toureg with the V-10 diesel" <BR> <BR>No shizzle? That's awesome.

big_xstar 02-04-2005 8:56 AM

Hey Frederick, The 1/2 and 3/4 ton ratings refer to the payload capacity.

airrantz 02-04-2005 9:11 AM

3/4 ton vehicles are usually set up for heavier workloads as well. The engines might be the same as a 1/2 ton, but the drivetrain is usually beefed up i.e. heavy duty trans, differentials, drive lines, etc. Older Chevy 1/2 tons had problems with rear ends going out with towing, and older Ford's had trouble with transmissions towing, even the diesel. Both manufacturers have made adjustments, and any new 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton will be able to tow a wakeboard boat fine. 3/4 ton is only necessary if you're really pushing the vehicle such as towing a huge 5th wheel or horse trailer, or loading up the bed with rock and dirt. If it's windy or hilly where you're driving you're gonna go through front brakes fast on an SUV, but this is typical. If you're driving long distances a diesel will be more economical. Short distances do not buy a diesel, the engines are made for marathons, short sprints are harsh on them. Hope this helps. Anyone with experience on a VW V-10 Toureg?? I wanna drive one bad with that much torque it could probably pull my house off it's foundation.

fbroen 02-04-2005 9:12 AM

Thanks. So the idea is that a 3/4 ton truck is capable of carrying a 3/4 ton of: <BR> <BR>Payload Weight = <BR>Weight of Occupants <BR>+ weight of Cargo <BR>+ weight of the Options and/or Additional Equipment (such as roof rack, snow plow, bed liner, etc.). In other words, everything added to the truck's base Curb Weight. <BR>+ Tongue Weight (if trailering). <BR> <BR>

big_xstar 02-04-2005 9:56 AM

Actually 3/4 of payload for just the bed itself or <BR>the weight over the rear springs, so the tongue <BR>would be part of the 3/4 ton ratings, but not any of the weight in the cab.

hyperlitenrd 02-04-2005 10:10 AM

Our 99 Expidition pulls our wakesetter LSV without any problems and thats a car full of people too, well it did have trouble going up to a lake near tahoe at 8000 ft it could only do 45 uphill.

gdillyfunk69 02-04-2005 11:50 AM

The tahoe z71 is incredible... we used to havea normal tahoe and that did the trick and we used that truck for 2 years and only got stuck at a boat ramp once. that was a 2001 and now we jsut got a 05 Tahoe z71 and its isane. So much horse power you can berly tap the gas and it pulls it right out. WE also used it to pull a 4,500 pound hydra sport out and it did it easy!

jarrod 02-04-2005 1:03 PM

1/2 tons (Expeditions, Tahoe, Z71s etc...) tow just fine. I have a Z71 myself. But ride in a F-250 or any 3/4 ton diesel with a boat in tow and you'll understand. There is no comparison. They actually accelerate up steep hills, with a boat, your gear, and all of your friends, while still getting 14 mpg. It's amazing.

breadbutta 02-04-2005 2:42 PM

My 1997 4.6L(smaller ford v8) F-150 would do just fine. Now, my 2001 Excursion 6.8L V-10 will tow at 70+mph up the s/b grapevine. With 7 people and a s-load of camping gear.

socalwakepunk 02-04-2005 4:04 PM

FWIW - My company gives our techs F-150s to pull 8500lb/60kw generators around. Doesn't pull real hard, but does get the job done. BTW - load distributing hitches &amp; electric brakes on the gensets is the only way we can pull that much weight with that vehicle.

poser007 02-04-2005 5:00 PM

I have a Yukon Denali and it towed my Pro V 3500 pounds probabbly close to 5000 with trailor and everything else in it, like there was nothing behind us. Even when we went over the siskyous comming back into Oregon it drove sweet.

toyotafreak 02-04-2005 5:48 PM

Bruce, that same stretch with our Sequoia and Epic w/camping gear was 2nd gear, 4000-4500 rpm, and 50-55 mph. Had plenty of throttle left, but only 1000 rpm to go. No way it'd pull it in 3rd without downshifting often. After listening to the engine whine, I can appreciate the lower-stress Duramax approach. <BR> <BR>Seems like a crime that GM hasn't adapted their SUV bodies to accept the Duramax/Allison. <BR> <BR>PSD Excursion is beautiful underneath, but fit/finish inside leaves a lot to be desired IMO :-)

pimp131 02-06-2005 9:45 PM

We have a 1995 Rodeo with a V6, and it tows out 94 prostar 205 with trailor and all gear just fine. ~70mph on the highway... stopping leaves alot to desiere though <BR>also we have a V6 Toureg which can tow 2000lbs over our boats weight, so u barelt notice its there. <BR>

x10 02-07-2005 9:11 PM

Our 3/4 ton Yukon XL with 8.1 is a great towing machine with lots of room for people and gear. We frequently tow from the Bay Area to New Melones and then up Highway 4 to our cabin near Arnold. We go over the Altamont to the Delta all of the time with ease. Prior to this we had a 99 1/2 ton Suburban with the 5.7. There is just no comparison to the torque, stopping power and ride of the 3/4 ton. The gas mileage is also very comparable to what we got with the 5.7 and the truck doesn't work nearly as hard on grades. <BR>Many vehicles will tow, but there really is no comparison to the safety and control when towing with these larger trucks. I have 32,000 miles on the original brakes and they are still in good condition, and most of these are tow miles.

kevin_bird 02-07-2005 9:29 PM

That new international will probably do it i for get the name of it <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/211066.gif" alt="cxt">

kevin_bird 02-07-2005 9:30 PM

Its the cxt and it was designed for the general public ashton kutcher has one.

kevin_bird 02-07-2005 9:30 PM

Its the International CXT and it was designed for the general public ashton kutcher has one.


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 2:38 AM.