Tow vehicles - maximum tow rating

[HangOutdoors]

Staying somewhat on topic.

Saw this driving home today.....triple axle trailer under a GIANT mastercraft being towed by a Land Rover Discovery. Best I can tell the Discovery is rated up to 8,200lbs when properly equipped. (3)-3500lb axles (guesstimate) would indicate a nearly 10k lb boat! Guy was cruising up the left lane at 75 in a 55. Wasn't swaying or acting poorly, just driving WAY to fast for traffic. On what is probably the largest hill we have in the Louisville metro area (I-64 westbound between 265 and Georgetown exit), and he had no issues maintaining speed.

View attachment 149884

We'll just skim right over the safety issues of me taking a picture while driving 70+mph to catch him. I did have lane assist and active cruise enabled, so the car was doing some of the driving for me

Hmm, have seen poor decisions like this all the time. I just tend to get out of the way and let them get up ahead of me aways so I have time to stop if s**t hits the fan...

 

[BlkGS]

Gotta be over 7k otherwise why the third axle right? I bet the boat is near 8k and the trailer is another 2500 or so. It's getting up there for certain.

Safety margin. My boat is like 3100 pounds dry. They could have used a single 5000 pound axle, vs 2 3500 pound axles, but safety margin means you go with more axles. That's my take at least.

I also considered putting 5000 pound axles under my trailer because they weren't really any more money, lol.

 

[2kwik4u]

Get the popcorn ?. I tow my 190 with a minivan with factory tow rated at 3600# I know and observe my limitations. In the van it's just my wife and I. I drive like my mother, always giving plenty of room. I only go to ramps I am familiar with. I monitor all the temperatures on long trips . If more people are going there's second vehicle. I love my minivan and have towed 18 to 19 foot boats with minivans for over 25 years. Most times I tow flat under 10 miles. A couple of times per year I go 5 hours to KY. As many people have said above, there are many factors that go into towing safely.

This is a great example of towing near the limits, accepting the inherent risks, and then mitigating those risks with good judgement. Thanks for sharing.

My uncle towed a 22ft Voyager Tri-Toon for about a decade with his '98 Chevy Venture. Would often have it full to the brim with people, then chock the boat full of camping supplies as if it was a utility trailer. I'm like 99% certain he was over every possible limit no matter which way you cut it. That van lasted him 12 years in total, and he only got rid of it because my aunt was tired of looking at it.

When SAE J2807 was implemented you can watch the tow ratings for minivans increase pretty decently. Some were down around 2k lbs, and rose into that 3.5-4k range pretty easily. Already had the engine brakes and chassis for "people mover" loading, so it's not a stretch to see why.

 

[2kwik4u]

Safety margin. My boat is like 3100 pounds dry. They could have used a single 5000 pound axle, vs 2 3500 pound axles, but safety margin means you go with more axles. That's my take at least.

I also considered putting 5000 pound axles under my trailer because they weren't really any more money, lol.

That makes sense.

Went and looked on Mastercrafts website last night while shooting the breeze with the neighbor over a beer. NXT24 (total guess, it was blue on the website and my picture has a blue boat ) is 5k lb boat, then has 2.6k in ballast. Wonder if the triple axle is to handle dummies not emptying the ballast tanks and trying to tow with everything full. I sure hope that isn't the case from both a trailering safety, as well as an environmental concern, but it would certainly make sense as to why there's 10k+ of axle capacity and less than 50% usage. I'm all for safety factor, but you rarely see a 2x on trailers like this. Heck I'm fairly certain my trailer is barely a 1x.

 

[Skierdad]

I run a 2019 Tundra. Before that, a 2010 Tundra. No issues pulling that boat or any boat Yamaha makes....my biggest problem is passing gas stations without stopping. (insert crying emoji)

lol, didn't buy it for the gas mileage though.

 

[Mully262]

Ford brags about their eco-boost, but they suck gas bigtime. More air=More fuel. My Explorer is a rocket ship, but an hour to the lake and back is 3/4 of a tank.

Same thing I have noticed. I have a Ford Explorer Sport. I love it. But when towing, I can damn near watch the fuel gauge move.

 

[suke]

That makes sense.

Went and looked on Mastercrafts website last night while shooting the breeze with the neighbor over a beer. NXT24 (total guess, it was blue on the website and my picture has a blue boat ) is 5k lb boat, then has 2.6k in ballast. Wonder if the triple axle is to handle dummies not emptying the ballast tanks and trying to tow with everything full. I sure hope that isn't the case from both a trailering safety, as well as an environmental concern, but it would certainly make sense as to why there's 10k+ of axle capacity and less than 50% usage. I'm all for safety factor, but you rarely see a 2x on trailers like this. Heck I'm fairly certain my trailer is barely a 1x.

Having talked to some folks that are hardcore wake boaters......much of the triple axle business is for looks. Sure it adds capacity, which is an added benefit and likely for safety too, but it just looks cool with the fancy wheels/tires and 3 axles. Some of it is also due to the length of some of those boats now. They're getting bigger in just about every dimension they can.

 

[Babin Farms]

Before I bought the truck I have now I had always had Diesel pickups(2500/3500) because of heavy hauling. I rarely haul heavy anymore and decided to go with a gas truck. The question was a 1/2 or 3/4ton?? Fuel mileage was telling me to buy a 1/2 ton due to putting 25k miles on per year but the trailers were telling me get the 3/4ton. I still have a few head of cattle and a 20' gooseneck cattle trailer plus at least once/twice a year I pull a 25' 20k capacity trailer hauling hay. I thought that maybe I could get a 1/2ton, just beef up the rear suspension and just get by with it but then I started thinking about the power. Coming from a diesel there was rarely a time that I did not have enough power/torque and I didn't want to make a purchase, be looking back and wishing that I had more capability. The next thing that I started thinking about was our annual trip 8hrs away to MI. A 1/2ton would get the job done but it would be easier on a 3/4ton. After pondering on it for months I decided why put a 1/2ton truck through that much stress pushing it to it's limits when I could just get the right truck for the job. Yeah the fuel mileage isn't even close but working on equipment for a living I see it way to often that something is used for a job that it shouldn't be and things prematurely wear out or break. If I'm going to be spending extra $$ on a vehicle I'd rather it be pumping fuel in it than throwing parts and labor at it.

 

[BlkGS]

Having talked to some folks that are hardcore wake boaters......much of the triple axle business is for looks. Sure it adds capacity, which is an added benefit and likely for safety too, but it just looks cool with the fancy wheels/tires and 3 axles. Some of it is also due to the length of some of those boats now. They're getting bigger in just about every dimension they can.

There's so much truth to this. So much of stuff on the truck world is just for looks and bragging.

 

[OrangeTJ]

Having talked to some folks that are hardcore wake boaters......much of the triple axle business is for looks. Sure it adds capacity, which is an added benefit and likely for safety too, but it just looks cool with the fancy wheels/tires and 3 axles. Some of it is also due to the length of some of those boats now. They're getting bigger in just about every dimension they can.

You beat me to it. Triples under virtually any wakeboat are a "looks" thing. Personally, I think it is dumb. But then, it isn't my money!

 

[Smiley]

I'll weigh in as I am wondering a bit about towing as well. Below is my experience and I am open for advice/suggestions.

I have a 2017 4Runner SR5 Premium 4x4 and for my typical trips it is fine, although I am only towing a 195S. It has a 5klb tow rating and my boat weighs, per Yamaha around 3,200lb on the trailer. Figure 250lb for a full tank of fuel and around 550lb of gear and I am sitting right at 80% of the rated capacity. We did look at a 21' boat and one of the reasons I chose the 195 was the weight.

For the vast majority of my trips I have been really happy with the 4.0L's ability. Its no powerhouse, but I have been to Lake Burton in the N. Georgia mountains and regularly make a 30 mile run to either Lake Lanier or Lake Allatoona. I can definitely tell its back there, but I don't feel like the vehicle is struggling, just working harder. The one trip I have done that I felt uncomfortable was Coco Beach, FL which was a little over 500 miles. The truck was fine for the stop and go of any side road and trips around the beach were easy (flat). However, on the highway I felt like the vehicle struggled in 5th gear, so I mostly kept in in 4 and just stayed around the 60mph mark. Makes for a longer drive and got about 12mpg on the way there and back. My next long trip is coming up and we are going to drag the boat with us to Port St. Joe, FL for a week. I am going to try a few things to improve the long highway towing, but honestly it is something we may do once a year, after this year of course.

The 4wd is great if you get a slippery ramp, but I haven't had to use it yet. I do use 4wd low to back up my steep driveway. I think the articulating keel misses the concrete by around 2" when we pull out or back in and if I have gear in the back of the truck, I usually scuff the bolt on the bottom of the ball. I plan to add the airbags to the back of the 4Runner to help with the sag. It has gotten worse since I fist started towing with it, not by much. I also think it may help with highway comfort. I also want to explore switching out the Chinese Carlisle bias ply trailer tires with a set of Goodyear radials. Another option might be to add an auxiliary transmission cooler. I would love for the truck to have a set of 4.10 gears, but the next available ratio for us with 5th gen 4Runners is 4.56 and I think that would be just a little too steep for comfort. Honestly though, I will probably just hang in the slow lane and chill at 60mph.

 

[Elliott]

I'll weigh in as I am wondering a bit about towing as well. Below is my experience and I am open for advice/suggestions.

I have a 2017 4Runner SR5 Premium 4x4 and for my typical trips it is fine, although I am only towing a 195S. It has a 5klb tow rating and my boat weighs, per Yamaha around 3,200lb on the trailer. Figure 250lb for a full tank of fuel and around 550lb of gear and I am sitting right at 80% of the rated capacity. We did look at a 21' boat and one of the reasons I chose the 195 was the weight.

For the vast majority of my trips I have been really happy with the 4.0L's ability. Its no powerhouse, but I have been to Lake Burton in the N. Georgia mountains and regularly make a 30 mile run to either Lake Lanier or Lake Allatoona. I can definitely tell its back there, but I don't feel like the vehicle is struggling, just working harder. The one trip I have done that I felt uncomfortable was Coco Beach, FL which was a little over 500 miles. The truck was fine for the stop and go of any side road and trips around the beach were easy (flat). However, on the highway I felt like the vehicle struggled in 5th gear, so I mostly kept in in 4 and just stayed around the 60mph mark. Makes for a longer drive and got about 12mpg on the way there and back. My next long trip is coming up and we are going to drag the boat with us to Port St. Joe, FL for a week. I am going to try a few things to improve the long highway towing, but honestly it is something we may do once a year, after this year of course.

The 4wd is great if you get a slippery ramp, but I haven't had to use it yet. I do use 4wd low to back up my steep driveway. I think the articulating keel misses the concrete by around 2" when we pull out or back in and if I have gear in the back of the truck, I usually scuff the bolt on the bottom of the ball. I plan to add the airbags to the back of the 4Runner to help with the sag. It has gotten worse since I fist started towing with it, not by much. I also think it may help with highway comfort. I also want to explore switching out the Chinese Carlisle bias ply trailer tires with a set of Goodyear radials. Another option might be to add an auxiliary transmission cooler. I would love for the truck to have a set of 4.10 gears, but the next available ratio for us with 5th gen 4Runners is 4.56 and I think that would be just a little too steep for comfort. Honestly though, I will probably just hang in the slow lane and chill at 60mph.

It sounds like your are doing fine. Your towing mileage is above many combinations, and you seem comfortable on all types of road. As to going 60 versus the speed limit, you are probably wise to stay under the speed limit - you are towing. Also, many trailer tires are only rated to 65 MPH.

As to your sag/squat, you might want to look at Sumo Springs (~$220). They are maintenance free, and you can easily self-install. I have them on my Tundra for towing our travel trailer (~6,200 lbs. loaded) with a WDH too. On the Tundra they do not contact anything at rest; your ride quality is not impacted. I installed mine without jacking up the truck.

SumoSprings® by SuperSprings® International, Inc.

SumoSprings® are a patented suspension product designed to enhance load carrying ability, stabilize sway, and improve overall driver control and ride comfort. They are maintenance free, do not leak air, and do not require airlines or compressors. SumoSprings® are manufactured in a variety of...

www.superspringsinternational.com

 

[Smiley]

It sounds like your are doing fine. Your towing mileage is above many combinations, and you seem comfortable on all types of road. As to going 60 versus the speed limit, you are probably wise to stay under the speed limit - you are towing. Also, many trailer tires are only rated to 65 MPH.

As to your sag/squat, you might want to look at Sumo Springs (~$220). They are maintenance free, and you can easily self-install. I have them on my Tundra for towing our travel trailer (~6,200 lbs. loaded) with a WDH too. On the Tundra they do not contact anything at rest; your ride quality is not impacted. I installed mine without jacking up the truck.

SumoSprings® by SuperSprings® International, Inc.

SumoSprings® are a patented suspension product designed to enhance load carrying ability, stabilize sway, and improve overall driver control and ride comfort. They are maintenance free, do not leak air, and do not require airlines or compressors. SumoSprings® are manufactured in a variety of...

www.superspringsinternational.com

I'll have to take a look at those Sumos, not having to air up bags would be a plus. As far as speed goes, the truck seems to be right at the edge of comfortable in 5th gear on the long haul. That is one part of my desire for about a 10% taller gear, the other part is the extra zippy-ness it gives around town. Tire wise, the OE Carlisle ST215/75D14 is rated at 81mph, the Goodyear Endurance in the same size is rated for 87mph. Although, my biggest reason for looking at the radial is the better towing ride it would be nice to cruise along at around 70.

All in all, it wouldn't be worth the gear swap for a 10mph difference in towing on a trip I do once a year. The helper springs, trans cooler, and radials could make the 60mph a bit more comfortable and less demanding on the vehicle.

 

[Elliott]

I'll have to take a look at those Sumos, not having to air up bags would be a plus. As far as speed goes, the truck seems to be right at the edge of comfortable in 5th gear on the long haul. That is one part of my desire for about a 10% taller gear, the other part is the extra zippy-ness it gives around town. Tire wise, the OE Carlisle ST215/75D14 is rated at 81mph, the Goodyear Endurance in the same size is rated for 87mph. Although, my biggest reason for looking at the radial is the better towing ride it would be nice to cruise along at around 70.

All in all, it wouldn't be worth the gear swap for a 10mph difference in towing on a trip I do once a year. The helper springs, trans cooler, and radials could make the 60mph a bit more comfortable and less demanding on the vehicle.

Goodyear has really upped the speed rating; my travel trailer has them with a 65 MPH rating.