Tow Vehicle

[SkunkedAgain]

I've got a 2007 Ford Ranger that is perfect for towing my 16' Alumacraft. However, the first kid is about to arrive so I need something that is more than a 2-seater for going up north next spring. I have to tow my boat each way so something with 4 seats is the goal. I was assuming that I needed to step up to a full-size pickup, but really don't want to buy new right now because it's nice not having a truck payment.

Do you get any benefit from going with a Blazer or other SUV-type vehicle versus a truck? We would prefer a truck but will consider other options if it makes more $$ sense.

[Scott K]

I would go with a 4 door full sized truck before a SUV. The full sized trucks get upper teens for mileage when not towing, and lower teens while towing. So you are better off with a full sized any how.

[Jeremy airjer W]

You may want to take a peak at a 4 door Tacoma or even a Ford Explorer sport track. The sport track has all the comforts of the explorer SUV with the pickup box. The Tacoma will have all the towing power and braking ability you will need to tow your boat with the added size of the extra cab.

[CAMAN]

A 6 cylinder Blazer or S10 will pull a 16 foot boat just fine. You have to weigh how much you will be driving it around without a trailer in tow compared to with a trailer to see if it's worth the extra money bumping up to a full size since the gas mileage will drop significantly driving the Blazer/S-10, less so with the full size. BUT the gas mileage will obviously be less with the full size compared to the Blazer/S-10 when not towing.

[delcecchi]

In fact a lot of minivans will pull a 16 foot boat just fine. I pulled a 16 foot alumacraft classic 16 with 40 merc for years with an aerostar. The Toyota Sienna is rated for 3500 pounds towing so something like that would work too.

My explorer, 99 model, works fine towing my provee.

[SkunkedAgain]

Those would never tow my boat. My 4.0L v6 Ranger rated for 5500lbs definitely feels the weight, but that's because it's a 16.5' Navigator with a 4-stroke 90 on the back. More importantly, my wife would never let me buy a minivan. She's morally opposed to them!

I'll have to look at the Tacoma.

[solbes]

Some people like Dodge's, some don't. But I've been very happy with my '02 Crew Cab Dakota w/ 4.7 V8. 134k miles and not much to complain about. It doesn't get the mileage of a more compact truck, but it has plenty of power for towing a 16 foot boat.

The silly thing is that the new ones, besides being a tad ugly, are almost as expensive as a Ram. Thus their very poor sales.

I would also test drive some of those Trailblazers out there with the I6. Plenty of power for towing that boat, and a little better mileage. Tacoma's are nice also.

[Jeremy airjer W]

In fact a lot of minivans will pull a 16 foot boat just fine. I pulled a 16 foot alumacraft classic 16 with 40 merc for years with an aerostar. The Toyota Sienna is rated for 3500 pounds towing so something like that would work too.

My explorer, 99 model, works fine towing my provee.

The aerostar is a rear wheel drive setup. Much better suited for towing. The sienna is front wheel drive. Towing with front wheel drive is hard on the drive train.

[Smokey]

Also, front wheel drive will give you problems on some boat ramps, been there, done that.

I towed a 2500 lb boat/motor/trailer for a few years with a 93 Plymouth minivan with a towing package. Worked great except when on a steep ramp, the front wheels would spin. A little sand on top of blacktop was the worst.

[CJH]

Any of the RWD/4WD mid size trucks (Tacoma/Dakota/Colorado) or SUV's (Explorer/Durango/Trailblazer) should work for you. Used versions of all should be fairly common.

As mentioned, stay away from FWD vehicles.

Don't blame you for not wanting a car payment, especially with a little one on the way!! (I know, they are expensive but worth it!!!!! )

Good Luck!

[delcecchi]

Sienna is rated for 3500 pounds, which is plenty for many 16 foot boats. Certainly not all.

Why do you say towing with Front wheel drive is hard on drive train? I can't visualize why that would be.

But I guess the point is moot since momma don't like minivans.