Forum Discussion

iamalienru's avatar
iamalienru
Explorer
Mar 04, 2014

Boat, motorhome and tow vehical

My situation is I am thinking of storing my boat at lake Mead. I also want to have a vehicle with me at the campgrounds. I have a tow dolly to get the car/truck to my destination. The 40' diesel MH will handle towing considerable weight. My question is what type of used vehicle should I be looking at that will tow nicely behind the motorhome and still have enough power to pull a 20' boat out of the water? I don't know that a 6 cylinder will have enough power to pull the boat out of the water. A big truck to me is not something you put on a tow dolly for long distances. Please let me know if you have any suggestions
  • MPond's avatar
    MPond
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2014
    A wrangler is good around the marina, but don't expect to pull the boat on the highway or at any speed. The tow ratings for wranglers is pretty low.

    And having one personally, it's definitely not a tow vehicle.
  • love2tow's avatar
    love2tow
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2014
    FWIW, I had an 05 Jeep Wrangler with a manual trans. In 4 low, I had no issues pulling a 22 ft runabout up a steep boat ramp. The Marina by my house uses a late 90's jeep for in/out service of many boats.
  • Yaj's avatar
    Yaj
    Explorer
    Mar 04, 2014
    I use a Chevy Colorado as a toad and to move our 22ft cabin cruiser about 30 miles each year, in and out of the water several times a year. It has a 5cyl, just drop it down into 4 low and it has no problems.
  • mrekim's avatar
    mrekim
    Explorer
    Mar 04, 2014
    In 4 low, the jeep will either pull the boat out of the water, or it will spin it's wheels trying. It will run out of traction before it runs out of power.

    Once you get the boat out of the water, how far do you need to tow it?

    I don't know if you want to do more than tow the boat across a parking lot with a jeep...
  • JnJnKatiebug's avatar
    JnJnKatiebug
    Explorer
    Mar 04, 2014
    carringb wrote:
    Jeep Wrangler. They make great Toads. Lots of tow-bar options, and complete wiring hookup kits are available. Just stick it in 4-low for pulling up the boat ramp, and you'd be able to yank out just about any trailerable boat.


    X2, put them in 4 wheel low and they are a pulling beast.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Mar 04, 2014
    Jeep Wrangler. They make great Toads. Lots of tow-bar options, and complete wiring hookup kits are available. Just stick it in 4-low for pulling up the boat ramp, and you'd be able to yank out just about any trailerable boat.

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