Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Can anyone suggest a tow vehicle other than a pickup truck for a medium sized pontoon. I currently have a v6 Ford explorer but it struggles with my boat and I'm afraid I'm going to tear up the transmission.

Thanks

4 Runner, It'l run forever. You can get 3rd row seat to seat 7, kinda hard to find.

About all you've got left excluding pickup trucks is a Chevy Tahoe/Suburban, Ford Expedition or a big Lexus V-8 powered SUV. Nissan also has a big rear wheel drive SUV but I forget the model name since so few are sold.
Unless you're going to a larger pontoon/triton, your boat is capable of being handled by a 290 hp Explorer if it has the trailer towing package allowing 5,000 lbs. of trailer.
I too have a new Explorer as a people hauler, but tow with a F250 diesel capable of hauling 13K lbs.

wijames wrote:Can anyone suggest a tow vehicle other than a pickup truck for a medium sized pontoon. I currently have a v6 Ford explorer but it struggles with my boat and I'm afraid I'm going to tear up the transmission.

Thanks

Not sure what you mean by mid size, but I tow my 20 foot with a 90 Johnson on the back with an 04 Explorer without a problem . You do need to make sure the trany is taken out of overdrive when towing the Ford trans will overheat otherwise.
I towed my boat from Pa. to Ga. straight through with no trouble at all. Hope this helps some.



JD

vlxerdon wrote:

wijames wrote:Can anyone suggest a tow vehicle other than a pickup truck for a medium sized pontoon. I currently have a v6 Ford explorer but it struggles with my boat and I'm afraid I'm going to tear up the transmission.

Thanks

Not sure what you mean by mid size, but I tow my 20 foot with a 90 Johnson on the back with an 04 Explorer without a problem . You do need to make sure the trany is taken out of overdrive when towing the Ford trans will overheat otherwise.
I towed my boat from Pa. to Ga. straight through with no trouble at all. Hope this helps some.



JD

I have a 16' Bass buggy. I hadn't thought about turning off overdrive, I'll try that and see what a difference it makes. I do have a tranny cooler though.
Thanks

3/4 ton 4x4 Diesel only way to go you never know you may trade up.

Too bad they don't sell these here in America:




http://blog.caranddriver.com/the-bronco ... y-bitchin/

How about that 6 wheel mercede's . You could pull the lake.

That troller is short and wide not so sure its a "Tow vehicle" Since it aint available here I wont loose any sleep over it.

I don't know about you guys, but every time I pull my tritoon it feels like it weighs 1,500 lbs. more than it is. They're so unaerodynamic that it's like I'm pulling a big block of wood.

It's just nice to have a diesel pickup that's got far more towing capability than a 5,000 lb. boat and trailer.

Bamaman wrote:I don't know about you guys, but every time I pull my tritoon it feels like it weighs 1,500 lbs. more than it is. They're so unaerodynamic that it's like I'm pulling a big block of wood.

It's just nice to have a diesel pickup that's got far more towing capability than a 5,000 lb. boat and trailer.

Yep!

I wouldn't worry about your transmission, I pulled load up to 6000# quite often with my V8 Mountaineer (mercury explorer) and never had an issue, just make SURE you get the fluid changed every 30k even though its "sealed" transmission (if its the newer 5 speed). My V8 had the tow package and was rated for 7,300#. That said my newer 5.0L F150 REALLY pulls well and handles trailers well due to the longer wheel base and 120 extra ponies.