Tow Vehicle for a Seacraft 23CC

[Scott]

2 boat .... like Mark and others say you'll only miss 4 wheel when you need it ..... I have come up a ramp at low tide in Florida without 4x4 and it was NOT FUN .... Had to wait for the tide ....

I tow (only a few times with this boat 23 cc) with a 1500 4x4 5.7/350 and with the trailer balanced properly you cant tell the boat is behind you .... no problem stopping either

[strick]

I had to pull a guy up the ramp the other day as it was a minus tide and the ramp was full of green slime. He had a 1/2 ton full sized pick up and was trying to pull up a boat out that weighs less then our 23 foot seacrafts. I have a F350 4x4 diesel. My truck stays in 2 wheel drive 99% of the time. For your application a minimum of a 1/2 ton pickup is the right choice and consider a 4x4 as they have bailed me out of trouble many times throughout the years. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Strick

[Billybob]

Bill, it's a tough call.In SC you don't need the 4WD for the snow.I have a Dodge Ram and an alum bunk trailer, at the 2 ramps I normally use, I've never needed 4wd.But I have put in some nasty ramps in R.I. where I used it.It is nice to be able to travel around and not worry but only you can say if it's worth the extra bucks.
One thing to keep in mind is that you really only need the traction to get STARTED up the ramp,and that's when there is very little tongue weight esp with a bunk trailer.

[ScottM]

2 Boat,
I have an F-150 4x4 w/5.4 V8 and 3.73 rear end. No problems towing up our ramps in 2WD at low tide with an all-roller trailer (8-10 foot tides). I usually dunk the trailer pretty deep so we can drive the boat on as far as possible (no power winch [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] ). Not sure about the float-on, but spend the extra $ and go 4WD if you have any doubts whatsoever.

[CMBarnes]

I am in Charleston and drive a 2 wheel drive Dodge Ram. I have the 5.2 V-8 and have no trouble on the ramps around Charleston. It is a manual transmission and I do need to drop a few gears for steep hills when trailering (ie Cooper River Bridge). If money wasn't an issue I would get 4x4 big diesel ford but the Dodge works for now. Good luck with the decision and I hope those Gamecocks can pull off a miracle against LSU this weekend.

CMB

[FELLOW-SHIP]

I tow my 23 with a F-150 V 8 with just the limited slip rear end and the towing pack. I use the Loadmaster drive on type trailer with the proper tong weight. I have never had any problems at the ramps I use, but I only put in at good ramps. The tide here is about 2’ or so.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[gw204]

I realize that since I only own an old 20' Grady, my replies aren't a heavily weighted but I'll put in my $.02 anyway. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I used to tow my boat w/ a Jeep Cherokee 4.0 liter, auto, 4x4 (2 speed transfer case) and 3.55 gears. I'd get lots of nasty looks and people telling me that vehicle was too small to lug that boat around...until it was ramp time!

The Jeep had more than enough power but leave it in 2 wheel drive and I couldn't get anywhere...no traction. 4 HI made pulling the boat out a breeze and 4 LO was like towing a jet ski! Absolutely get the 4x4! The guys in full size 2 wheel drives weren't so nasty after I put on my show! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] If you can't swing 4x4, go for a limited slip or full locking rear differential and be prepared to weight the rear end down.

I now tow w/ a Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4x4, 5.7 HEMI, 5 speed auto, 4.10 gears, limited slip rear, etc. That damn truck doesn't even know the boat is there. I upgraded my tow vehicle simply because the Jeep didn't have adequate stopping power or enough weight to keep it stable at anything over 55 when towing. I could lug that boat around at 80 now if I wanted!!!

For pulling a 23'er, I'd really consider a 3/4 ton.

Good luck.