How much truck do I need to pull a boat?

[Seth]

I'm wanting to buy a boat now. My truck has me worried though because its only a 4 cylinder 2wd Ranger. Would I be able to haul a boat with my little truck or do I need something with 8 cylinders and 4wd?

Also, anybody know how good of a boat I could get for say under $10,000? The only things that I for sure want on it are a steering column and be able to have a trolling motor on the front.

I'll be fishing on the Missouri River for catfish, on Taneycomo, and probably on big lakes like Tablerock and Lake of the Ozarks.

[Thom]

Your best bet is to contact a ford dealer and ask about the transmission limitations. The motor is not necessarily the problem.

I had anv awd saturn vue with a v-6 but the transmission was not recommended for hauling much of a load over distance. Not covered by waranntee.

The Ford people can tell you what size boat you can pull.

The problem is you may think you are doing all right and even pull the load but if the tranny is not big enough it will end up doing damage to the gears without warning.

[LostMyWife]

Check the sticker inside the drivers side door jam. It should tell you the towing capacity.

My experience says that ou are not going to tow much with that truck. It is not just the twing you have to think about. You have to think about what it takes to get it out of the water, and the terrain that you are pulling it though.

[ckjacks]

Yeah, that truck would probably handle a smaller aluminum boat, but nothing much bigger. I too would say that your problem would probably be in the tranny before the engine. You don't necessarily have to have 4wd, but it sure makes it easier on those steep boat ramps. We pull our 24' party barge with a 1500 silverado 2wd and never have had a problem with getting out of the water, but we make sure that the ramp is ok and not covered with silt or moss before we put in.

[taxidermist]

I had a 91 Ford Ranger 2 wheel drive V-6 and it pulled an 18' aluminum with a 25HP Yamaha fne. I did put trailer brakes and controler on.

I also had an 87 4 with automatic and it pulled a 16' Skeeter with tandam axles fine, I again put brakes on the trailer.

I just think brakes are the biggest problem, You have to be able to stop.

Bass Pro has the best price on welded Aluminum boats, you can get some with consoles.

Check Arts Marine in Little Rock AR. I priced a commercial quality Aluminum boat and 25HP tiller for under $5500.00 the boat is a Weldbilt, super duty!!!

Your ranger should pull a 16 footer fine.

[Dutch]

A friend of mine pulls a 17' alum. with a 4 cyl and has no problems with the towing. However, I have been with him when stopping was a concern.

[Seth]

So if I get trailer brakes put on, would that help me out alot?

[Rick F]

You don't necessarily need 4wd. It is a misconseption that they can pull more weight when in fact usually the 2wd models pull more. I have been told this is do to the fact 4wd adds more weight to the truck reducing the towing capacity. Some models only tow 200 pounds more and I have seen as much as 400 pounds depending again on truck, tranny, and engine. I do agree, trailer brakes are a big help. Much cheaper to add the brakes now than tranny or engine later.

[Gary Lange]

You can tow anything with anything but doing the job safely for you and the people around you should be important also. I saw a guy towing an 18' Trailer with a Pinto. He struggled but he towed it or it pushed him one or the other. I would go to a V6 Model Ranger with a Tow Package. You will get the extra power or the bigger engine, extra cooling for the trans. and a hitch already set up and wired. Trailer brakes are a must for towing as they really improve your stopping power. If you get a boat with any weight at all you will be glad you got the brakes on the trailer. There is a difference between just be able to tow something and towing with confidence that you are in control.