R21-EC Towing Question

[wilsonballew]

Folks - For those of you with an R-21 EC, does anyone know the tongue weight of the standard single axle EZLoad trailer when the R21-EC boat is on the trailer? I have a friend who wants to tow my boat/trailer and he has a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV - the vehicle has the gross trailer towing capacity, just not sure about the tongue weight issue - his vehicle is setup for electric trailer brakes. I always tow with a full size truck, so never paid attention to weight issues pertaining to the R21-EC, as my truck far exceeds the weight requirements for the boat. I believe because the boat sits so far back on the trailer that the tongue weight is probably reasonable, but any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks - Tom

 

[Captain Nice]

400 lbs for all practical purposes; my actual was ~390.

CN

 

[Chimo]

Tom, I don't trailer these days so others may have a more relevant response but I did trailer our Boston Whalers for years with such a trailer. I put a block under the trailer tongue and mounted that on a scale to measure the actual tongue weight. I then adjusted that tongue weight by moving the winch post, and consequently the position of the boat, fore or aft until I got the weight I wanted. Don't know if you have rollers or bunks. Mine were bunks but with lots of soap on the bunks the boat would move quite easily. I would start with the boat loaded away from the winch and then winch it forward until the weight was correct, then move the winch to suit. It took a bit of time but for me it was just a one time set up.

Hope this helps.

 

[lproulx]

400 lb sounds about right. I tow mine very satisfactorily with a Kia Sorento, which is a clone of the Santa Fe -Should have the V6 engine though.

 

[lproulx]

Follow-up on previous - Hitch ball height is also a consideration - The trailer hitch mounts under the rear bumper - pretty low, so I use a ball mount that lifts the drawbar about 5 inches.

 

[wilsonballew]

Thank you all for the quick response...I've passed along the info, but it looks like his SUV will work.

 

[TylerFromEverett]

I tow my 21ec with a VW Touareg V6. I have a 5 inch lift. Tows great. Weight is around 4K loaded and tongue is around 400lbs.

 

[MassTug]

As with any boat you tow be aware that just because the towing capacity of the vehicle says you can tow the boat doesn't mean that you should tow the boat! My R21-EC weighed in at 4,250 absent of fuel and water and personal items. People will tell you that you can tow it with a car and you can but.... there are plenty of stories about Rangers being towed with underpowered vehicles. Im sure Larry - a fellow 21 owner - will chime in about his trailer towing story. Good rule of thumb is to have at least 20% spare capacity when you tow a boat. It is not the most aerodynamic boat to tow either and hits the MPH hard too. Be sure to plan ahead to tow safely.

 

[lproulx]

Officially chiming in. Two trailer blowouts. Car handled both just fine.

 

[bob daily]

Towing your boat is one thing and retrieving it from a slippery boat ramp is something else!
Be safe. Bob

 

[harley]

I have been towing (and retrieving) mine with a Ram Ecodiesel (6 cyl) pickup and I don't have any issues. My trailer came wired to not use the brake circuit (bought from someone who towed with a smaller Ford Ranger with no brake controller and only the 4 wire flat plug) and so far towing just fine. I would like to add the brake circuit back in but I don't tow a lot or very far and I believe 4500# is within my truck's ability to stop safely. I would think most 6 cyl SUV's would work fine and I would make sure that you make use of the electric bakes if they are on your trailer if towing with smaller vehicles.