Tow Vehicle: V-8 or V-6?

[yukonbob]

I'd need one hull of a tongue extension here with the 20' tides! (i Know yours are less) I almost always use 4x4 for pulling boats, 4L on gravel or mud launches (the other boat) Not cause the vehicle can't handle it, but I'd rather not chew up the launch for others. It's just nicer to ease out on the clutch and gently roll forward, no worry of slipping or surging. All the power is there, and all the grip; Take it out of gear in the parking lot, done.

[sirlandsalot]

I tow my 26M with a Ford Flex, it is rated to 4500lbs and is all wheel drive. It also comes with the same twin turbo engine as the F-150, 365 hp. It tows better than my old 1994 F-150 fire wood truck so I use it instead to enjoy the Limited Edition comforts.

One thing that many people don't think about it the transmission. Towing is very hard on an automatic, I find that renting a truck for distance is better, might as well pay 200 bucks, for unlimited miles and wear out their breaks, transmission and engine.

MOD NOTE:
EDITED TO REMOVE COMMENTS NOT IN LINE WITH FORUM GUIDELINES

[BOAT]

Hmmmm - My tow vehicle only has a FIVE cylinder engine - not a 8, not even a 6, just FIVE cylinders.

So I guess you consider me an overloaded idiot? You gonna report me?

[sirlandsalot]

It has nothing to do with your cylinders, it is what ever your GVWR is....and if you are driving around way over loaded, then you guessed right.

[RobertB]

. I hauled heavy equipment for years, and now nothing scares me on the road with my family more than some idiot driving way over loaded. You should be reported.

Don't hold back - tell us how you feel

[beene]

I tow my 26M with a Ford Flex, it is rated to 4500lbs and is all wheel drive. It also comes with the same twin turbo engine as the F-150, 365 hp. It tows better than my old 1994 F-150 fire wood truck so I use it instead to enjoy the Limited Edition comforts.

One thing that many people don't think about it the transmission. Towing is very hard on an automatic, I find that renting a truck for distance is better, might as well pay 200 bucks, for unlimited miles and wear out their breaks, transmission and engine.

MOD NOTE:
EDITED TO REMOVE COMMENTS NOT IN LINE WITH FORUM GUIDELINES

Where can you rent a truck to use as a tow vehicle?
I have called every single rental company, and none of them will allow you to tow anything with their trucks!
Clearly stated in every contract that you will not be towing anything with their truck!

[MacTommy]

I position my 2009 with a Yam F60 on a similar trailer to the one shown on the picture above, and tow it with a Honda CR-V turbodiesel like the one shown on the picture in top.
The CR-V diesel is allowed to tow 2000kg. The trailer weigh about 460kg, and is authorized for a total weight of 2700kg, including its own weight.

The Honda has a four cylinder turbodiesel delivering 150bhp. More important is the torque, that is stated to be 380Nm with original software in the engine Control software...

I find this package easy to Control, reliable on slippery ramps, steady for high way speeds (haha, like we have highways in Norway...) and also economical.

I would recommend this setup.

[trdprotruck]

I tow my 26M with a Ford Flex, it is rated to 4500lbs and is all wheel drive. It also comes with the same twin turbo engine as the F-150, 365 hp. It tows better than my old 1994 F-150 fire wood truck so I use it instead to enjoy the Limited Edition comforts.

One thing that many people don't think about it the transmission. Towing is very hard on an automatic, I find that renting a truck for distance is better, might as well pay 200 bucks, for unlimited miles and wear out their breaks, transmission and engine.

MOD NOTE:
EDITED TO REMOVE COMMENTS NOT IN LINE WITH FORUM GUIDELINES

Where can you rent a truck to use as a tow vehicle?
I have called every single rental company, and none of them will allow you to tow anything with their trucks!
Clearly stated in every contract that you will not be towing anything with their truck!

Have you tried renting a moving truck like uhaul for towing? Might look a little funny, but it may work.

[beene]

Uhaul rentals will not allow you to tow anything behind their vehicles

Too much insurance risk according to the companies I have contacted

They cannot take the risk that you know what you are doing when it comes to towing something

From what I have witnessed.... it is definitely something that not all men can do

[Russ]

I position my 2009 with a Yam F60 on a similar trailer to the one shown on the picture above, and tow it with a Honda CR-V turbodiesel like the one shown on the picture in top.
The CR-V diesel is allowed to tow 2000kg. The trailer weigh about 460kg, and is authorized for a total weight of 2700kg, including its own weight.

That's a nice looking trailer.
The American CRV has a max tow capacity of 680kg. Wouldn't do it with the US branded CRV.

[Russ]

...it started to wobble side to side, it eventually passed the 4 runner, and flipped on it's side, pulling the 4 runner all the way onto it's roof.

I hear you. This is what can happen with an inadequate rig. The problem is that rarely are we alone on the road, so putting other lives at risk on the road is wrong. If you put it on the road, it should be safe.

[BOAT]

It has nothing to do with your cylinders, it is what ever your GVWR is....and if you are driving around way over loaded, then you guessed right.

Yeah, I know what you mean about all you F150 and Ford FLEX and RAM2500 and Tundra guys running around overloaded are talking about - a menace on the roadways.

Only in America can they call a 1/2 ton rated vehicle a "truck". What a joke.

You see, in Germany a vehicle with less than a 3/4 ton rating is not even considered a truck, in Germany that's a car.

I use a Mercedes Sprinter van - the model 2500 - The 2500 is a 3/4 ton, and the Sprinter 3500 is a 1 ton with dual rears and a low axle. Mine is the 2500, (3/4 ton).
Unlike American and Japanese auto makers Mercedes does not even manufacture a 1/2 ton truck. Mercedes says a 1/2 ton rated anything in not a truck, that's a car.

They say if it's not 3/4 ton or more or it should not be called a truck.

My tow capacity? Don't really know - all I know is that when I came to the factory in the Sprinter to pick up 'boat' Mike Inmon said I could tow two MAC M boats at the same time. He has seen a lot of trucks tow MACs so I figure he knows what he's talking about.

(P.S. My BMW 740Li has a higher tow rating than your F150 truck)

[Catigale]

Uhaul rentals will not allow you to tow anything behind their vehicles

In Canada??

You can certainly tow behind a UHaul in the States..

[beene]

Uhaul rentals will not allow you to tow anything behind their vehicles

In Canada??

You can certainly tow behind a UHaul in the States..

Must be nice

That would be a game changer at least for me up here

I would only rent from now on

Paying for 2 vehicles, insurance, gas, mtc etc at the moment, just for the few times a year I tow my M.

[sirlandsalot]

I Think U-haul will let you tow, as long as your trailer is covered. I only tow twice a year, so even though I have a vehicle that will do the job, I just prefer to haul with a better tow and wear out their parts rather than mine.

My wife and I are thinking that maybe purchasing one of the many 25 foot range motor homes for sale might make a nice tow vehicle / home base near the boat mooring. 5 grand will get a clean motor home. It only has to do 2 trips a year with the boat, good thing because the gas on a V10 is bizzar!