Anybody Tow a C25 with a 4Runner V8?

harryr2000

Hi,

I'm seriously looking at a C25, and I want to abe able to tow it. My current 4Runner has a V6, and towing capacity is rated at 5000 GVWR. I'm considering a new 4Runner with V8 rated at 7000 GVWR. Anybody tow a C25 with a rig like this?

Thanks!!

Harry

CTYankee · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject:

I just bought a new V8 4Runner w/ 7000 lbs towing capacity to tow my 22'C-Dory. I had a 1999 V-6 4Runner which is a great truck but a little short of towing capacity on long trips. I think the 25' C-dory would be a load for either truck. The new 2007 4Runner tows the 22' well, but it's a much lighter boat than the 25'. If I were you, I'd go with a pickup truck rated for more than 7000 lbs. JMHO

Dun

oldgrowth · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:38 pm Post subject:

Harry – welcome to the group.

I think you may be OK if,
1. You keep the boat lightly loaded without gas when towing.
2. This includes keeping your tow vehicle lightly loaded.
3. All your trips are short and on relatively flat terrain.

However, I think Dun gave you good advice. If you are getting a new vehicle, get a larger tow rig. You will be happier with it.

________
Dave

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject:

When we weighed our CD-25, we found that it was around 8400 lbs on the trailer, IIRC. Well over the towing limit for the vehicle you are considering. Most folks recommend being 20% under the towing capacity of a vehicle. While you can make most any vehicle work, I'd be very concerned about that boat/vehicle set up from a safety standpoint.

Welcome to the forum. These are great boats, and the proper tow vehicle makes them fine traveling machines.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

rogerbum · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:11 pm Post subject:

Also - remember it's not so much whether you can pull the boat and make it move but more about how easily/quickly you can stop it when you need to. Also, even if the trip to the ramp is relatively flat, the pull out of the launch ramp may be quite steep. As Jim indicates, you really don't want to tow at or over the capacity of the tow vehicle. It's too big of a safety issue and I'd bet the auto/boat insurance company will have something to say about reimbursement if you have an accident while towing over capacity.

harryr2000 · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject: Thanks!

Just wanted to thank everyone for the very helpful information and comments. I can see now that the 7000# capacity would not work very well. I don't think the Admiral would go for the large tow vehicle, so I will also consider the C-22. Thanks again!

Harry

jdower · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject:

Dun - I have the 4 Runner with V-8 that I use to tow my 22, and I would not like to go to a very much larger boat. It tows ok, but it it feels like it is pretty much at capacity. I keep it locked out of overdrive and it pulls ok but on hills it will occasionally drop down to third. And my mileage drops from 17 - 18 mpg not towing to 10 mpg while towing.

Is that pretty much your experience?

thataway · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject:

A couple of things to think about: the 4 runner V 8 only weighs from 5500 to 6000 lbs. I prefer that the tow vehicle weigh more than the boat.

The 7000 lbs tow capacity is with a weight distributing hitch. I agree that it would be a stretch for any serious towing.

It is always hard to make the compromises--the 22 is very light weight so it is easy to tow. But the CD 25 has a lot more room and amenties. So you have to look at the trade offs. There are a lot of full sized SUV's which are very comfortable and will tow this amount of weight.

CTYankee · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject:

Actually, the V8 4Runner weighs only 4500 lbs, which is about 1000 more than the old V6 model. So far I am pleased, but I haven't gone very far yet. I haven't even calculated the mileage. Does it really matter???

I love Toyotas, and the 4Runner was the largest tow vehicle I can maneuver around my tight driveway in the woods. For long distance towing, I use the Motorhome with the Ford V10 6.8L which doesn't even know the boat is there. If I had the room and didn't have the motorhome, I would get the Tundra. I hear that tows great!

thataway · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject:

Thanks for correcting my number-- I had the GVWR rather than the actual curb weight--That weighs less than my Honda Pilot...I would not tow the 25 with the pilot, except perhaps for parking it in a tight place and my 25 is "light" at about 5500 lbs--I tow it with a 7100 lb Excursion pn the road. (When I upgrade the hitch, I might tow with the 30 foot RV)

doc · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:44 am Post subject:

I tow our 25 with my 95 4runner V6, but only a short distance to and from the house and launch 3/4 mile away and use low range to haul it up the ramp. I won't tow it very far nor at any speed though. Which is not normally an issue here in Juneau. I am not so sure vehicle weight is such a big issue. I scaled the 4runner empty at about 4500# a while back and if I remember right, that is not too far off the mark of a full sized pickup. Stopping horse power could quickly be an issue but my top speed is less than 35mph and only one stop sign each direction.

thataway · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject:

The Ford 250 (which I would consider as a minumum for towing the C D 25 any distance) weighs 6500 to 7000 lbs. The heavier the tow vehicle, the less likely the trailer is to "wag" the truck (ie from wind, passing semi's, road conditions etc). Also the heavier vehicles have bigger brakes, the axel capacity to handle the tongue weight and a frame made to take the stresses of a class IV hitch. We do a fair amount of towing--and the vehicle we like the best is the RV, which is 30 feet long, and weight in the 18,000 lb range--don't even know that the boat trailer is back there.