Tow Vehicle for a Seacraft 23CC

kricharda · #1 10-16-2003, 10:55 PM

I have a 23 and use a Chevy 1500 with 4 wheel drive. You're right in that its not needed at all to tow, esp with the tow/haul shift pattern. I would recommend it for the ramp though. At low tide you may have to be pretty far down the ramp to make the water with a float on trailer and it helps a lot. Consider too that you will probably have extra weight in the truck and bed. The heavier suspension helps too. You will not need the Z71 version though.

TUGBOAT · #2 10-16-2003, 11:12 PM

2 Boat Bill,1500 5.3 V8 G-80 (Locking Diff.) 3.42 gear if Ya want fuel Mileage vs pulling power then 3:73 less top end more pulling.Just depends on how often/far You tow. 4x4 will tow 500#s less than a 2wd.Weighs more therefore gvwr/trailering changes. It will be helpfull on steep/alage/muddy etc. Ramps.I didn't get where You were from. Expect about &2500 more & Upkeep.
Get the Factory tow package,Has coolers & wiring.
Scream'n Reels'
Got Snow ? [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Scott · #3 10-17-2003, 01:38 AM

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 · #4 10-17-2003, 09:40 AM

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 · #5 10-17-2003, 10:10 AM

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 · #6 10-17-2003, 10:41 AM

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 · #7 10-17-2003, 10:45 AM

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