Looking for a tow vehicle for boat
Had to edit content regarding weight of boat. We may end up with a boat before next spring, so I’ve been looking for another tow vehicle to serve double duty as an occasional daily driver. If we ...
Forum Discussion
A couple of thoughts:
- I had a 2004 (IIRC) 2500 Suburban with the 6.0. I added 4.1 gears on the aftermarket.
- I towed a circa 8500# travel trailer with it: local roads, interstates, a few mountains. I would definitely not want to tow anything above 9,000#'s with that combo, although a boat vs. a trailer may result in easier towing for any given weight...maybe I'd go to 9,500#'s or so.
- I currently have a (estimated, never been weighed since it left the fab yard) 7500 # boat that I tow with a 2500 HD Silverado diesel. The truck doesn't really know the weight is back there (although the 31' trailer makes it's length known)....but I really like the "overpower" (and the 4WD) on boat ramps...it's good to be able to just push the pedal and pull boat/trailer out of the water along with all the water that accumulates, etc
- With all that said, I'd go with an Excursion or an 8.1 'burb if you need seats. Otherwise, a 2500 pickup truck
...and definitely get 4WD, particularly if you're in an area that could get icing in the late season or moss / weeds the rest of the time. Being the guy that spins out on the ramp isn't a good spot to be in.
- I had a 2004 (IIRC) 2500 Suburban with the 6.0. I added 4.1 gears on the aftermarket.
- I towed a circa 8500# travel trailer with it: local roads, interstates, a few mountains. I would definitely not want to tow anything above 9,000#'s with that combo, although a boat vs. a trailer may result in easier towing for any given weight...maybe I'd go to 9,500#'s or so.
- I currently have a (estimated, never been weighed since it left the fab yard) 7500 # boat that I tow with a 2500 HD Silverado diesel. The truck doesn't really know the weight is back there (although the 31' trailer makes it's length known)....but I really like the "overpower" (and the 4WD) on boat ramps...it's good to be able to just push the pedal and pull boat/trailer out of the water along with all the water that accumulates, etc
- With all that said, I'd go with an Excursion or an 8.1 'burb if you need seats. Otherwise, a 2500 pickup truck
...and definitely get 4WD, particularly if you're in an area that could get icing in the late season or moss / weeds the rest of the time. Being the guy that spins out on the ramp isn't a good spot to be in.
