towing a 1975 20 SF
 

First post here, hope it is the right spot. Have a 2004 Toyota Highlander, V6, AWD. Am considering towing my 1975 20 SF with it. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland so flat land. Tow rating is 3,500 lbs. I calculate the boat loaded with motor to be 2800 lbs. Any thoughts or experience towing with one of these?
Thx, Jim

Question #1, does the trailer have brakes?? Wait, wait let me do this again....does the trailer have working brakes?

You should be able to pull it, but, can you stop it?;)

How heavy is that vehicle? I believe the new highlanders are car based suv's, and with AWD are pretty heavy I would imagine. The 3500 lb limit is partially based on not putting too much strain on the relatively light duty (FWD based) drivetrain, especially the transmission.

Now if that is before they switched to the car based suv's then you are in better shape.

Including the trailer you will likely be right at the 3500 lbs rated limit of that vehicle.

3500 tow capacity is going to be cutting it close. Personally I'd probably do it but I wouldn't tow it very far.

Thx, Guys. The trailer is new so brakes work, LOL. The Highlander is the older stye and not car based. I am torn on this one but think I am going to go and trade it in on a Tacoma 4x4. It has a 6,000 lb towing cap. and that just makes me feel better. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts.
Jim

a good reason for a new truck :)

Towing is one thing...
Stopping is another!!

I have seen all kinds of two door specks towing 25ft plus boats
while on I-95..:eek:

Yeah, CJ7's with 25ft boats with twins on the back....:rolleyes:

1/2 ton IMO with a 20SF.

Better safe then sorry..:cool:

Great points as always here. I have a weenie gmc sonoma 2wd rigged hd factory .
6,000 or so they say. Trans and oil cooler. G80 Eaton 3.42 electronic full locker under 10 mph. I need a soul on the bumper at low tide sometimes with my 20.

I drive slow n low locally. I do not have a great record on the highway, but am getting better within reason. Understanding is a big part of that.

Cheers,
GFS

Ken and the others are right.
Stopping the load is MUCH more important than pulling it.

I once pulled a 34' Scarab from Miami to Melbourne with a 1955 CJ3B with a 215 ci Olds V8. Took 2 blocks to stop from 45 mph. Hit the brakes hard one time and the boat shoved me over 200'. Trailer brakes didn't work very well.

I agree on the stopping comments, and just because it is a full size truck or other vehicle with a good tow rating, doesn't mean it has good brakes. My old trusty 96 Chevy 1500 had issues stopping short even without a load, lol.

I towed a 20MA with the 2.7 liter 4 cylinder automatic Tacoma. Once. I don't think the trans would take it for a long time. The brakes were not up to it. Towing with a F250 diesel is great. Especially with surge brakes. 4WD is needed for really steep ramps.

I wouldn't suggest it, but a 3 ton F250 can haul and stop a 25 footer on a trailer withou brakes. Not well, but not horribly. Which is nice in case you lose trailer brakes.

I'm doing the same math with mine. I have a 20 sceptre 1978 hull that I think weighs 1400 pounds now plus 400 motor so it's 1800, plus trailer 800= 2600 total weight. My 2012 Toyota Tacoma reg cab 4wd with 2.7 4 Cylinder is rated at 3500 but it's not a real truck.

But I'm used to Chevy diesels which tow and stop like the boat/trailers not even there so I don't have much faith in my Toyota Taco but I'm going to try it.