Proper SUV for 21' Bennington SLX & 115hp motor

[Dho]

First time pontoon owner and I need help selecting a properly sized SUV for a new 21-ft SLX with a pair of 25" tubes and a Yamaha 115. I don't have any experience towing anything of the size, nor do I have any time behind a anything other than a smaller SUV like a RAV4.

Dealer says dry weight for pontoon, motor, trailer is 2900 lbs.

Most the time I'm just going to be towing within a 1 hour distance in Minnesota, but occasionally I'll be traveling up to 2 and 1/2 hour distances.

For a family of four with potentially seating up to six people I'm looking for a SUV That is an at risk of being undersized or overloaded. I'd prefer to spend the money now versus potentially stressing out a vehicle that is going to require transmission repair or replacement in 3 years or so.

I'm also trying to not overspend on a unnecessarily overpowered vehicle, but like I said it's more important to me that I'm not "red lining" my vehicles limit based on what I'm trying to tow.

Am I going to be in a good position if I get a v6 with a towing package or should I look at smaller v8s? I'm really looking for specific model advice so I can start doing some research.

I'm hoping this groups experience can help me properly size an SUV that I will be happy with long term.

[steve1313]

If you're 2900 dry weight, you'll probably be around 3500 total weight by time you add fuel and gear. I'd recommend something that has at least a 5-6000 towing capacity. Most of today's vehicles have strong enough engines and transmissions where you won't be taxing your vehicle too much. If you want three rows of seats, you'll need to look at some of the full size SUVs, and I'm sure pretty much all of them equipped with a towing package will be just fine. The "towing package" typically gives you the factory installed hitch and lighting connections for the trailers, plus beefed up suspension and other often other components like a transmission cooler, larger alternator, etc.

The biggest thing to remember about towing isn't the capacity of the vehicle to PULL your vehicle, it's the capacity to STOP your vehicle and trailer in an emergency. You can easily find pictures and videos of small vehicles towing large trailers, but size matters more when stopping than pulling!

I haven't towed in awhile, but if you can get away with two rows of seating, I've had a couple of Grand Cherokee's that were great tow vehicles.

[BobL]

Fortunately, pontoons/tritoons are light when compared to other boats of the same length. Tahoe/Expedition (if you are going with 3 rows) will do just fine towing your setup. The only thing you may want to consider (not required) is 4WD if your ramps get slippery during the summer. Seeing that you are in MN, you may be going that route anyway.

[Lt. Dan]

A Durango would be another option.

[Marc K]

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The biggest thing to remember about towing isn't the capacity of the vehicle to PULL your vehicle, it's the capacity to STOP your vehicle and trailer in an emergency. You can easily find pictures and videos of small vehicles towing large trailers, but size matters more when stopping than pulling!

I haven't towed in awhile, but if you can get away with two rows of seating, I've had a couple of Grand Cherokee's that were great tow vehicles.

I agree with Steve!

The answer to every towing question is trailer brakes.

Marc

[ROLAND]

Hello DHO.... just to give you some perspective, I have a Bennington 20 footer / 25 inch tubes / 75 horse yamaha... I think once I calculated the weight of the boat, motor and trailer at around 2900 lbs, and that didn't include any gear or fuel, which weighs around 6 pounds a gallon, so if you're hauling 20 gallons you can add approx. another 120 lbs.. anyway I pull my boat with an older Toyota 4 Runner with a 4.0 V6. It's rated to pull 5000 lbs, and it pulls it just fine, but I won't lie, going up steep inclines, I can feel that benny back there.

[steve1313]

I agree with Steve!

The answer to every towing question is trailer brakes.

Marc

Thanks Marc, but even with trailer brakes it's still important to pay attention to the rated capacity and the total gross vehicle rating of the tow vehicle.

[TWB]

The only thing you may want to consider (not required) is 4WD if your ramps get slippery during the summer. Seeing that you are in MN, you may be going that route anyway.

Can't add much except to say I agree with BobL. I'm in Florida and on the ICW. I recently upgraded to an F-150 with 4WD because of the need to feel comfortable on a ramp that has shifting sand levels. Often no problem, but once in a while (like after a storm) the sand builds up pretty deep. I can see where slick lake ramps might offer the same concern.

[Dho]

I'm looking at the Tahoe and Yukon's with the 5.3l v8. The Max Trailering Package appears to be not very common in available dealer inventory, in general.

Considering the 3k lb dry weight of my pontoon, trailer, motor, I'm trying to figure out if the Max Trailering Package should be a deal breaker or not.

I am certainly going to continue hunting for one with this package, but I am trying to figure out how much of a deal breaker vs. nice to have this should be.

[NonHyphenAmerican]

I like Fords, so keep that in mind, but I'd recommend an Expedition, preferably one with a trailer tow package and the extendable mirrors.

[Steiner]

If you're looking at 2021 models of the GM SUV's, the max tow package only bumps you up 500lbs from standard (7600/8100 4WD) and keeps the same rear gear. 2020 and down you gained 2000lbs capacity over standard and got a different rear end, and standard on those is still over 6000lbs.

Towing is a lot more than just "capability". It's also how it feels towing...and example of that is that the 6.2L is actually rated 100lbs less than the 5.3L but I guarantee it tows better. My 2019 ecoboost F150 with 10 speed is a much more relaxed tow (almost diesel-like) vs my 2005 Hemi Durango with 5 speed. I tow on the Cherokee Foothills Parkway though and there's a lot of hills.

I've told someone before talking about towing that I know from experience that my drawers are "capable" of carrying a full pound of shit, but once is enough to know it's no fun.

[Dho]

I'm looking at off lease vehicles so 2017-2020 models. Any opinions specific to Tahoe/Yukon for these years?

[bansil]

Code YMF on glove box is the popo suspension package, def. Look for it as well as G80, very tight limited slip....those 2 options make a Tahoe kickbutt

[ib_jigged]

My past experience with towing large trailers is that the longer wheelbase vehicles will also do better, especially in the wind. I once towed a 24' travel trailer with a '86 Chevy K5 Blazer. That was not a very fun experience. Traded to an F150 Supercab with 6.5' bed and it was night and day. Also LT tires will help with sway as the sidewalls will not flex as much as a P rated tire, meaning the rim will not move side to side as much in the tire when towing.

Many variables that can make you towing experience pleasant or not pleasant.

Our current vehicles for towing are a 2012 F150 3.5 EcoBoost crew cab with 6.5' bed with max tow package and tow mirrors (also make for a great experience) and a 2019 Expedition.

[riplipper]

Unless you are driving over mountain passes, don't over think this.
Almost any pickup or SUV you buy can handle 4k pounds.
Hell, my Jeep pulls my 22 footer with no problems for short hauls.
Long trips I take my expedition.