• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

towing a boat


pops13

New Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
61
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
I have a 97 2.3 5 speed that I bought last fall, have not tried to tow my 14 foot alum. boat yet, it is no more than 1000 pounds. is this guy up to the task? I have not towed with a 5 speed b4, I am a little nervous about this. can I tow it on the freeway? most of the time it will be local though.
 


Sprag-O

Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2008
Messages
238
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Age
37
Location
Canton, NY
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Mazda
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
I tow with my 2wd 2.3 5spd all the time... sometimes heavier loads.

14ft aluminum boat should be a good match for a little ranger. Just make sure you have appropriate tongue weight and you should be good to go.

I'm not a fan of bumper towing, but even if you don't have a hitch, you should be able to pull that no issues :)
 

pops13

New Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
61
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
I have a hitch on it, will give it a try hopefully next weekend, thanks.
 

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,987
Reaction score
2,789
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
It'll do just fine - you're not anywhere near a towing limit.
 

jcolgan_42

New Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Monmouth, Or.
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0 v6
Transmission
Manual
Tongue weight on my '94 Ranger is 200 lbs. My 15' Smokercraft Alaskan tongue weight is approx. 120 lbs. You should be OK. But it wouldn't hurt to invest in a nice receiver hitch. They use 3 bolts per side of the frame, and connect 18" back.
Holes are pre-drilled at the factory. Just my 12 cents worth (2 cents adjusted for inflation).
 

bluebombersfan

New Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2008
Messages
361
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
2006
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
depends how well your engine runs

My 96 ranger will only do 135km/hr top speed, when I tried towing my 14 foot aluminum boat my top speed shrunk to 105km/hr. It didn't stand a chance in OD.
I did all the tune-ups, passed emissions, codes clear, I'm guessing maybe just bad carbon build-up, only get 18-20mpgs.
I doubt your 14 aluminum boat weighs 1000lbs unless its the super full size kind with wood floors and a big heavy 4 stroke outbourd.
I own a 14' Misty river with 25 hp 2 stroke. The boat by itself only feels like 200-250lbs. Outboard 104lbs, and trailer maybe 300lbs.
 

Sprag-O

Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2008
Messages
238
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Age
37
Location
Canton, NY
Vehicle Year
1996
Make / Model
Mazda
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
I tow my 16ft fiberglass switzer all over the place... and that things solid.... boat / trailer easily around 2,500lbs... No issues with the 2.3 5spd. I do have 4.10s, but also turning 31's.
 

pops13

New Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
61
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
the book says the boat weighs 300, the trailer is 300 to 350, motor is 95# and gear is maybe 100# with a full tank of gas, plus 100# of weight in the front to keep the bow down, looks like 900#.
 

Will

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2001
Messages
6,925
Reaction score
514
Points
113
Location
Gnaw Bone, Indiana
Vehicle Year
2007
Make / Model
Toyota
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
You can tow 900# behind a bicycle--there's a guy in Sweden that has no car and tows his boat with his bike. It's a sailboat he cruises in with his wife.
 

pops13

New Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
61
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
well took the boat out twice, the truck pulls it with ease, even pulls up the ramp no problem.
 

bluebombersfan

New Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2008
Messages
361
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
2006
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
how was it on the highway?

can you use OD?
 

FordMan016

New Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2009
Messages
116
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
thunder bay
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
big bad 3.0L
Transmission
Automatic
no OD with load ... you should have no prob if you take your time towing it i just got back from hauling/towing 700-800lbs thats including my boat/motor all camping essentials
 

bluebombersfan

New Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2008
Messages
361
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
2006
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
I can make it to about 125kmhr

I can make it to about 125km/hr towing my 14 aluminum(25hp) It just takes a half hour of full throttle to get there, I think It can even handle 100km/hr if I really want but usually go around 94km/hr to make it easier on the engine. Od is impossible but I'm assuming that may also be linked to the fact that I have the 3:45 gear. In my manual it says I'm not even supposed to tow anything but my truck gets the job done.
 

Will

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Joined
Nov 30, 2001
Messages
6,925
Reaction score
514
Points
113
Location
Gnaw Bone, Indiana
Vehicle Year
2007
Make / Model
Toyota
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
no OD with load ...
You can use OD--if your truck will let you.

Rule of thumb--if you can't accelerate you are in too high of a gear.
 

pops13

New Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
61
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
re

got a bigger heavier boat, 2500 lbs. to heavy for 4 banger stick, so I bought a 01 3.0 auto, handles it good with a new hitch, the truck probably would have pulled it but not up the launch ramp.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top