Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

[wakejunky]

RE: tow rigs

Also need to keep in mind how far and hilly your area is. If you're only going 2 miles then a v6 will be fine but, if you need to travel on interstates or hilly area then you'll really appreciate a bigger vehicle both from a safety aspect as well as comfort.

Chris

[SkiBlue]

RE: tow rigs

We have an 88 2001 on a tandem axle and put it behind an 04 Toyota Tundra AC(V8 and 4x4). Going up some steep grades she slows down a bit, downhill is no problem using the engine braking and the trailer brakes. Sure it's not a diesel, but we don't need anything that big.

My parents used to pull this same boat behind an 89 Jeep with the straight 6 4.0L and then with a Chevy Astro van. Both were okay, but far from ideal setups. I would stay away from the smaller 6's if you are ever going to tow longer distances. That said, the 2001's do weigh less than the newer wakeboard specific boats, so perhaps a 6 cylinder will do you just fine.

Good luck with your search!

[MikeC]

The first thing you have to remember is that you will probably be driving your tow vehicle even when it's not towing your boat. So it should be comfortable and practical even without hauling around a 3500 pound boat.

I have towed a 3000 pound boat with an Acura MDX and a Toyota Tacoma, both V6 and two wheel drive (technically the Acura is 4 wheel drive, but it's a lame system) without any problems. With my 211 I have used a V8 Explorer and Toyota Tundra V8, again both two wheel drive. With the 4500 pound 211 the Explorer pulled and stopped fine, but the small size of the truck let you know that there was a boat back there. The Tundra pulls it with almost no effort and it doesn't feel like it's being pushed by the trailer. The only limitation I have without 4wd is that I can't use the ski club ramp because it's not paved.

Tandem axle trailers pull much easier than single axle, they balance the load better and keep a huge load from transfering to the tow vehicle when braking.

Trailer Boat magazine has a great towing article and publishes tow ratings for almost every vehicle. http://www.trailerboats.com/output.cfm?id=1199251

The best advice anyone gave me is to "buy the truck to fit the boat, don't buy the boat to fit the truck".

Good luck

[M3Fan]

Re: RE: Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

Anything with a V6 i wouldnt recommend. A tandem axle makes towing alot easier. FYI I have towed my malibu VLX and now my 210 SANTE w/ a 03 Land Rovery Discovery V8. With the 210 and trailer it is about at its weight limit of my LR (5500lbs).

With all due respect, the Land Rover V8 in the Discovery is not of the most well-respected V8s out there. Yes, they upgraded them in 03 to the previous Range Rover engine but honestly it's still not that great of an upgrade. The engine they used up to 2002 was absolutely deplorable. The Discovery is no better a tow vehicle than most mid-size V6s, if not worse with the wheelbase, suspension, engine, and chassis design.

[wakecrashin]

Re: RE: Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

Anything with a V6 i wouldnt recommend. A tandem axle makes towing alot easier. FYI I have towed my malibu VLX and now my 210 SANTE w/ a 03 Land Rovery Discovery V8. With the 210 and trailer it is about at its weight limit of my LR (5500lbs).

With all due respect, the Land Rover V8 in the Discovery is not of the most well-respected V8s out there. Yes, they upgraded them in 03 to the previous Range Rover engine but honestly it's still not that great of an upgrade. The engine they used up to 2002 was absolutely deplorable. The Discovery is no better a tow vehicle than most mid-size V6s, if not worse with the wheelbase, suspension, engine, and chassis design.

Thats a joke right? The engine obviuosly doesnt compare to a 5.7 or 6.0 but to compare it to a V6? And yes I have the 03 4.6L. "if not worse with the wheelbase, suspension, engine, and chassis design"... what the heck are you talking about??? Do you own one? Have your towed from MD to MI with absolutely no problems? To compare it to most mid size V-6 you must be a little uneducated. Try pulling a VLX or a 210 with a V6 and tell me how long your engine/ transmission last. Good day!

[M3Fan]

Re: RE: Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

Anything with a V6 i wouldnt recommend. A tandem axle makes towing alot easier. FYI I have towed my malibu VLX and now my 210 SANTE w/ a 03 Land Rovery Discovery V8. With the 210 and trailer it is about at its weight limit of my LR (5500lbs).

With all due respect, the Land Rover V8 in the Discovery is not of the most well-respected V8s out there. Yes, they upgraded them in 03 to the previous Range Rover engine but honestly it's still not that great of an upgrade. The engine they used up to 2002 was absolutely deplorable. The Discovery is no better a tow vehicle than most mid-size V6s, if not worse with the wheelbase, suspension, engine, and chassis design.

Thats a joke right? The engine obviuosly doesnt compare to a 5.7 or 6.0 but to compare it to a V6? And yes I have the 03 4.6L. "if not worse with the wheelbase, suspension, engine, and chassis design"... what the heck are you talking about??? Do you own one? Have your towed from MD to MI with absolutely no problems? To compare it to most mid size V-6 you must be a little uneducated. Try pulling a VLX or a 210 with a V6 and tell me how long your engine/ transmission last. Good day!

I did a ton of research on this car when I was thinking of buying one back in 2003. I had to pass due to reliability concerns, resale value, and towing/on-road performance from dozens of sources including several test drives. An ancient 4.6L engine that gets 12 city/16 hwy while not even towing, and puts out a sedate 217 HP is pretty easily trumped by most modern day V6's. Dead last in this comparo:

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...her-bunch.html

The V6 in the 4Runner, for example, puts out 236 HP (little lower torque, but a respectable 266 Ftlbs), all at 17/21 MPG.

Don't get me wrong, the Disco is a really cool looking car and I am a huge fan of them, but I'd never brag about the engine or towing ability. I can't find one review that compliments either of these attributes. Sorry, again, it's a really cool car and I honestly really like them quite a bit, the disco is just not a champ in these areas.

Here's me asking about them in 2003 just to prove that I do like them: http://www.wakesiderides.com/forums/...opic=2264&st=0

[jjackkrash]

We had (still have) a 99 Isuzu Trooper when we bought our SN 206 several months ago. It has a 3.5 litre V-6 and tows the boat--but--it doesn't feel safe doing it and it felt like we were taxing the engine and transmission on the freeway (210 HP). Last week we picked up an 05 Toyota Sequoia (2 wheel drive). Absolutely night and day. We have already towed the boat over 300 mlies and have absolutely no complaints on towing capability. Power is more than adequate (I realize it doesn't have 600 lbs. of torque like some diesels but it will hold 70 mph up moderate grades no problem) and the stability while towing is superb. And so far, no regrets on no 4 wheel drive. I figure I got 330 HP and a 4 blade prop if the ramp gets slippery, but have not needed the extra boost so far.

Anyone interested in a good deal on a 1999 Trooper?

[rbalan]

RE: Re: RE: Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

There's far more to consider for towing than power and braking. If you don't have to pull long distance or get out on the highway, fine, pull with what you've got. Otherwise, I would not recomend ANY short wheel base or light vehicle. Heavier vehicles will track better on the highway and will be less "directed" by the trailer during steering corrections, both subtle and abrubt. Same principle goes for wheel base.

Things like diesel and 4 wheel drive are far from necessary, just find a decent used full size pickup or SUV that someone is getting rid of because they can't afford putting gas in it.

[linebacker55]

RE: Re: RE: Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

I use a Dodge Cummins as well, love it, but would agree not necessary. But it is not the size of the engine, not the size of the brakes, but the transmission that will fail you in a V6. It is just not built to handle that kind of stuff behind it very often. You will wind up smoking the torque conveter, burning the fliud, and damaging the trans. $$$ to repair, especially with all this electronic ECM tranny garbage in these newer vehicles. I have 2 Ram diesels, and both are 6 speed manuals. Love the trucks, but like others have said, just get a cheap chevy truck with a V8 and auto, and it will tow your boat just fine.

[pez]

Tow rigs

Lots of valid points out there. Fortunately, I don't have to drive my Ram CTD around town everyday, but I do use it to tow things other than my light little 196, including a 28' travel trailer which is considerably heavier than the boat. I think its tough to argue that with current technology, its tough to beat the towing performance of any of the diesels available - Dodge, Chevy, Ford - they all have impressive contenders. Just to play devil's advocate here, a few points have been made regarding what is necessary vs. what you really need regarding tow vehicles - and admittedly, a diesel is certainly not necessary to get you to the lake and back. With this point made, does one really need a $50K (disclaimer: broad, generalized stab in the dark only) boat just to wakeboard or ski behind? I mean - If you're just going to go get a cheap beater truck, why don't you just hang a Bayliner Capri off the tow ball? Seriously, I could really care less what one rides/skis behind or how they get it to the ramp. I am just fortunate enough to have a beautiful boat that has ruined me for all others I've been behind since AND a diesel tow rig. When I was in high school, I skiied behind a 16' aluminum boat that I got to the ramp behind an orange '78 toyota that burned more oil than gas - man did we have a blast.

[wakecrashin]

Re: RE: Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

Anything with a V6 i wouldnt recommend. A tandem axle makes towing alot easier. FYI I have towed my malibu VLX and now my 210 SANTE w/ a 03 Land Rovery Discovery V8. With the 210 and trailer it is about at its weight limit of my LR (5500lbs).

With all due respect, the Land Rover V8 in the Discovery is not of the most well-respected V8s out there. Yes, they upgraded them in 03 to the previous Range Rover engine but honestly it's still not that great of an upgrade. The engine they used up to 2002 was absolutely deplorable. The Discovery is no better a tow vehicle than most mid-size V6s, if not worse with the wheelbase, suspension, engine, and chassis design.

Thats a joke right? The engine obviuosly doesnt compare to a 5.7 or 6.0 but to compare it to a V6? And yes I have the 03 4.6L. "if not worse with the wheelbase, suspension, engine, and chassis design"... what the heck are you talking about??? Do you own one? Have your towed from MD to MI with absolutely no problems? To compare it to most mid size V-6 you must be a little uneducated. Try pulling a VLX or a 210 with a V6 and tell me how long your engine/ transmission last. Good day!

I did a ton of research on this car when I was thinking of buying one back in 2003. I had to pass due to reliability concerns, resale value, and towing/on-road performance from dozens of sources including several test drives. An ancient 4.6L engine that gets 12 city/16 hwy while not even towing, and puts out a sedate 217 HP is pretty easily trumped by most modern day V6's. Dead last in this comparo:

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...her-bunch.html

The V6 in the 4Runner, for example, puts out 236 HP (little lower torque, but a respectable 266 Ftlbs), all at 17/21 MPG.

Don't get me wrong, the Disco is a really cool looking car and I am a huge fan of them, but I'd never brag about the engine or towing ability. I can't find one review that compliments either of these attributes. Sorry, again, it's a really cool car and I honestly really like them quite a bit, the disco is just not a champ in these areas.

Here's me asking about them in 2003 just to prove that I do like them: http://www.wakesiderides.com/forums/...opic=2264&st=0

No problem. I'd say most people that buy Disco dont buy them for towing like they buy Tahoes, Burbans, F150. It is more of cool SUV with extreme off road capabilites, and towing is just something it can do, not what it is known for so i agree!

[M3Fan]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

the transmission that will fail you in a V6. It is just not built to handle that kind of stuff behind it very often. You will wind up smoking the torque conveter, burning the fliud, and damaging the trans.

Great point here. In my 99 4Runner (previous car) I installed a 2nd tranny cooler just because of this. Towed for years and thousands of miles and when I traded it in at 93k, the trans shifted and performed like brand new. In my current V8 4Runner, it already has a factory-installed oversized trans cooler so I didn't have to install one. Keeping the trans cool is crucial for any automatic tow vehicle so I'd reccommend an aux trans cooler to anyone who is towing without one.

[M3Fan]

Re: RE: Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

No problem. I'd say most people that buy Disco dont buy them for towing like they buy Tahoes, Burbans, F150. It is more of cool SUV with extreme off road capabilites, and towing is just something it can do, not what it is known for so i agree!

The Disco has a huge "cool" factor, no doubt. Perfectly at home on a mud trail as well as sitting in the front row of the valet lot at a country club. The 03 engine, after further research, is a huge improvement so most of my comments are aimed at the 02 and earlier Discos.

[jjackkrash]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

the transmission that will fail you in a V6. It is just not built to handle that kind of stuff behind it very often. You will wind up smoking the torque conveter, burning the fliud, and damaging the trans.

Great point here. In my 99 4Runner (previous car) I installed a 2nd tranny cooler just because of this. Towed for years and thousands of miles and when I traded it in at 93k, the trans shifted and performed like brand new. In my current V8 4Runner, it already has a factory-installed oversized trans cooler so I didn't have to install one. Keeping the trans cool is crucial for any automatic tow vehicle so I'd reccommend an aux trans cooler to anyone who is towing without one.

Do you know if a transmission cooler is standard on Toyotas with the 4.7l V-8? If not, how do I tell if I have one?

[wakecrashin]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Tow / Haul your Nautique with what?

Dont quote me but it should have a seperate cooler attached to the side of the radiator. Usually located near the bottom.