Trailering weight?

Post by **ScottyDon't** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:42 pm

I would like to buy a small fishing boat eventually and am wondering how much boat I can tow with my ford escape V6. According to ford it has a max towing capacity of 3000lbs with towing package and 2000lbs without. I don't have the towing package but will just get a hitch put on somewhere. So how much does a 14-16ft boat weigh all said and done with trailer,motor,boat? Thanks in advance!!

Scott

Post by **Wallyboss** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:46 pm

I have an escape. and i tow my 14ft and trailer with it but I do have a tranny cooler Yoy should get one installed or do it yourself it's not too expensive.

Post by **BASSSTALKER** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:14 pm

You will have no problem at all trailering. My 14 tinny with 9.9 probably weighs 800lbs at most.... but with FWD, carefull on really steap launches.

Post by **MichaelVandenberg** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:26 pm

I got a Tracker Deep V 16 and it is just 1600 lbs (boat and trailer I believe)...You will be fine.

Post by **Jimmy** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:55 pm

I have a 20-ft Legend aluminum. 115HP 4 stroke merc on back. whole package w/45 gallons of fuel..weighs in at 2000lbs. I pull it with my 3.0l Dodge Grand Caravan.. and it pulls it easy. If that boat was of the fiberglass type.. it would come in at roughly 3500-4000lbs. Way too much for my vehicle.

As wallyboss says... make sure you have a tranny cooler... the $100 is well worth the investment.. no matter what you pull.

Post by **M.T. Livewell** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:57 pm

The 17' VIP is 1320lbs.
But the manufacturer suggests the towing weight is 2500lbs.
So, a 17' fiberglass boat may be a little much for the ford.
With that said, I use my chevy astro to tow it. May cost me a transmission down the road, but I gotta fish now!

M.T. Livewell

Post by **Mikey** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:06 pm

I tow my Ranger with my Escape XLT 4x4. It tows VERY well. I have the towing package on it (tranny cooler). If you don't have a tranny cooler, you can have one installed at CT for about $150.00 if you're not mechanically inclined. The Escape / Tribute is an excellent vehicle for towing up steep ramps...(ask Scumking about our's here....it's like mountain climbing hehehe!) and it comes out like a breeze. The great thing about them, and the reaon I chose it, look at how many times you tow a boat or trailer during the year....and how many times you drive the truck not towing anything....the 3.0 liter gets excellent mileage. If I lived down south and towed my boay year round, that would be a different story. A bit of advice, don't tow in overdrive....it's harder on the tranny....and the gas...

Mikey

Post by **ontariodreaming** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:25 pm

Based on the size of boat you are talking about, you should be fine. Get the tranny cooler and do not use overdrive like mikey said. A fiberglass boat or a composite boat like mine is much heavier than tin one. It definately sounds like you have something to work with. I had to by the tow vechicle before the boat.

I had to get a vechicle that could tow at least 4000lbs. Boat 2000, motor 530, and god knows how much 44 gallons of gas weights (I know how much it costs

) Here is my tow vechicle

Here is the boat (Tupperware according to Wolfe)