Is my vehicle large enough to pull this boat...

[Hoffer]

Hi all-

I am considering a purchase on a crestliner 1750 fishhawk - 2001 model year. It will have a 90 merc 4 stroke. I am moving up from a Lund rebel with a 40 hp. I currently pull the boat with a 2005 dodge caravan sport. Will I have any issues with the 1750?? either going down the road or even more importantly pulling the boat out of a landing??

Thanks for any advice!

[musky hunter]

I have a 1999 Dodge standard caraval with the 3.3(?) liter V6 engine. It's not the small Caravan engine. My boat is a Smokercraft Ultima 175 with a 115 Merc. I get along just fine, but I do not push it past 65 ever on the highways, and going up Duluth hills is maybe a little slower but I'm pulling a boat. The Caravan will do just fine as long as you don't push it. But, I highly recommend regular interval transmission flushes (like every 40,000 miles), and make sure that you have the extra large transmission cooler. If you don't know ask a qualified mechanic. Mine hase it factory installed, but the previous Caravan I had did not. If your vehicle does not, install an add on transmission cooler. The issue isn't towing power, it's transmission cooling capacity. As long as the transmission remains within the operating temperature and you have good clean transmission fluid you'll be just fine.

[Shorelunch]

Go to Bass & Walleye Boats Magazine's web site. They have a Towing Guide along with vehicle specs. That should help you out.

[Mark Christianson]

I have a 1750 Fishhawk and I had a Grand Cherokee with the 4 liter 6 cylinder.

It worked, but it wasnt ideal. You really knew you had a load behind you, and in hilly terrain, it was shifting a lot.

Just my 2 cents.

[lawdog]

Check out your vehicle's tow rating and see what it says. I'd be surprised if you aren't exceeding it with this set-up. Also, even if you are barely within the limits, just think if that's how you want to go down the road with that much money invested and people's safety at risk.

Better to have more than enough pull vehicle than not enough!

[nthomps66]

I pull a 1750 with my GMC Jimmy V6. It groans a bit on the way out of the water but does fine on the road. I wouldn't pull it with any smaller vehicle than the Jimmy though. My wife and I have considered a minivan but I vetoed it because of the boat.

[Giant_Jackpot]

If the vehicle is shifting a lot then you should keep it in 3rd while towing. This is a lot easier on the transmission. Some will say this will decrease your gas mileage and I thought so to at first. But with the truck loaded with gear and pulling the boat, I can go just as far on a tank of gas keeping it in third as I could when I was using overdrive.

[kevfish]

Just curious- How is ones safety at risk? also i have pulled a lund 1775 pro v for years with my 3.0 litre v-6 and have not had any problems- like others have said- just dont try and set any speed records. I would make sure that it has a tranny cooler on it.

[Macgyver55]

Tow ratings are based not only on pulling ability, but more importantly on the ability to STOP. Transmission coolers are a must true, but if you don't have the brake system to stop the vehicle when you need to, the cooler won't really matter much if something happens. I don't know the weight of the loads being pulled or if you have trailer brakes, but whatever you do check the owners manual and take heed. If you are close to the upper limits and don't have them, check into trailer brakes. They make a huge difference in stopping time. If you are exceeding the limits specified, it's putting alot of people at risk even if you take it slow.

[lawdog]

Yep stopping is definitely an issue, and sure the tranny is a function issue but also the frame/suspension isn't built to handle a heavy load back there. Curves in the road, cross winds, meeting semi trucks, etc. can all move the trailer around and with a vehicle too small for the trailer you just can't control it well enough. Also, concievably if you REALLY exceed things, you may be overloading the tires as well. They are load rated for a reason afterall.

[Valv]

2001 Skeeter pulled with a van, trailer is still underneath:

It won't happen to you, but please be careful.....

[JohnMickish]

I wouldn't tow it with that. Not only does your vehicle have to accelerate the boat/trailer combo but more importantly it has to stop it. I used to pull my Lund Renegade with a 2000 Jimmy, 4.3 litre and 4 wheel discs. Had no problem getting up and going but had a heck of a time stopping it. After going thru a set of front rotors a year my boat now gets pulled by a full size pickup.

[Hoffer]

Hey- thanks for all the advice. I think it might be best to stick with the 1650 fishawk with a little less HP - like maybe a 60HP. That should lighten the load all around. I pull my 16 foot lund with a 40Hp with no problem towing or stopping. I cant imagine the 1650 with a 60HP would be that much heavier than the Lund. What do you think?? Maybe a safer bet - I didnt know if I wanted to upgrade to a 1750 anyway - but had found a good deal. Thanks for all the input!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Scary picture valv... but that is a triton bass boat.. not a skeeter.. .. scary thing is.. it looks like my triton!...maybe I better check the garadge and make sure its still there.