Short distance w/ Suzuki Grand Vitara?

S

socal_2376

New member
I have an Angler and was thinking of storing at the marina very close to the not so steep launch ramp. Currently the only vehicle I have is a 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara, (4x4 / V-6). I know this is too small a vehicle to tow the D-Cory on the open road but thought perhaps if I was careful it would be safe to tow a few hundred yards to the launch ramp. It has a Class 3 hitch rated for 3500 LBS. I know the D-Dory is heaver than this.

Any thoughts advise greatly appreciated!
 
You don't say if it is a 16 Angler, 19 or 22. If it were a 16 I wouldn't worry about it. Otherwise I don't think it would be a problem pulling it on flat ground but I'd be more concerned about being able being able to stop it while backing down a wet ramp. There's some people pulling 22's with pretty small vehicles. If your dead set on doing it I think I would find and incline that didn't lead to water and back it down it just to see how the vehicle handled. Having 4WD should be a plus in your favor.
 
If I had just a few hundred yards to go, off road, and the ramp wasn't too steep I would probably put it in low range and just do it, as long as the ramp isn't too slick and slimy for a light vehicle like that to get a grip on.
 
What's the weight of the C-22 on trailer vs. the tow capacity for your vehicle? If it were me, and if the weight vs. capacity was close, I would do it carefully. Go WAY slow down the ramp in 4WD low-range of course. Doing this at high tide will minimize the slime and possibly ramp angle (relative to the water level).

Coming out get moving forward slowly and slowly add power to keep moving. Don't hit the gas hard to try to get up the ramp to reduce the stress on your transmission.
 
The official tow capacity of the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara is 3000 lbs, with a curb weight of about 3600 lbs. We figured that our 22 cruiser weighed in at 4500lb on the trailer ready to go. I don't see it being much less than 4000lbs. If you were just going a few blocks and there was a very good ramp, you could get away with it. I have even moved 45500 lb boats with an 18 hp lawn tractor...but that was not on the road or a ramp and with zero tongue weight. You will be overloading the Suzuki.
 
Thanks for the info advise! I also have access to a Jeep Cherokee (Inline 6 Cly)., which I can use and I think will do a bit of a better job based on other threads in the forum.

The ramp there is not steep and very dry. Hopefully this will get me by til I get a more respectable tow vehicle.

Thanks,
Rick
 
Rick - if you don’t have excessive tongue weight, you should not have any trouble with using your vehicle as a launch vehicle. Just use a little caution.
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Dave dlt.gif
 
Thanks for all the replys! I have been using a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 4.0 6 Cly. Auto 4x4. Towing short distance to the ramp with not real issue other than the placement of the "Bow Rollers" on the trailer seem too high. When alinging the "Bow Eyelet" to the Trailer the eyelet is a good 2'' below the bottom roller. When cranking it drags the eyelet over the bottom roller. I do not know if this is because the Jeep does not get trailer low enough in the water. I was thinking of lowering the two rollers a few inches,. I am not towing the boat far and just hate to have to drag the eyelet over the already damaged roller.

Here is a good picture a similar setup. I have a very similar roller setup.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _photo.php
 
A good technique for launching/retrieving on steep ramps is to move all the weight you can to the cockpit or even the splashwell, it should raise the bow nicely to clear the rollers or at least make it easier to bring up to the bow eye.
 
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