Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Can you tell the difference between towing an 18 foot pontoon boat and a 20 foot? My truck is a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado diesel 4X4 with a towing package. Thanks Todd

I doubt you will know the difference. If your going from single axle to tandam I think you will see a difference in less sway

Thanks for the info

I agree with Lloyd. I suspect that any perceived difference will be more related to the trailer configuration and balance.

Marc

Thanks for the info

I will add that it will back up a little different since it is longer but you will quickly get used to it.

Can I talk you out of the 18 foot?
That's what I have and I've found it very hard to find accessories like covers or even trailers that are made to fit 18 foot pontoons. They're just not a common size.
Twenty and 22 foot look to be most common.
I also just don't like the proportions of an 18-footer. All the seats, rails, etc are the same dimensions on all pontoons but when set on the 18 foot deck it ends up looking "chunky". Squat, squarish... Anything but lean & trim.

OTOH "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". YMMV

Then there is the Banana Boat look of my 25' or my neighbor's 27'

I tow a 24 ft Sweetwater with a 2016 gas powered Colorado 4x4 with no problems. And yes it does take a little time to learn to back a longer boat, but with practice not a problem.

I doubt you would notice any significant difference between towing an 18 foot and 20 foot boat. We tow our 20 footer with an older Toyota 4 Runner.. it has a 4.0 six cyl. engine with a towing package max of 5000 lbs - my rig, boat, motor, trailer, fuel etc comes nowhere near 5K lbs.

Thanks for all the replies. My reason for wanting an 18 foot is I'll be using it in HP restricted lakes and the river. I figured 18 foot was the largest size I could buy and still be practical with a 20 HP motor.

I use to tow a 20' with a dodge carvan only issues I ever had were on ramps that didn't have much traction.

ToddDanger wrote: ↑

Sun May 23, 2021 4:56 am

Thanks for all the replies. My reason for wanting an 18 foot is I'll be using it in HP restricted lakes and the river. I figured 18 foot was the largest size I could buy and still be practical with a 20 HP motor.

Buy the 20' with a 115hp and put a 20hp kicker on it.