Towing Question

[Aadudley]

Looks like my wife and I will soon be the next owners of a 2015 Ranger 25SC. As campers and boaters we are looking forward to doing some boaterhoming on the Great Lakes and east coast. We have a 2015 Chevy 1500, 4 wheel drive, with a towing package, 3.42 gear ratio which indicates we can have a maximum trailer weight of 9100# and a gcwr of 15000#.
Has anyone used a similar tow package as this and if so what kind of pros and cons did you experience. I understand this is at the upper limits of our tow package, mileage will be 10mpg Jack rabbits starts are gone and I really don't want to purchase a 2500 which it seems many of you do. I'd just like to hear everyone's feedback or experiences.

 

[Craig]

You need to step up in trucks. Pay for it now or later the 1500 series is to small a platform


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[Todd2]

Well then, ask (for an opinion) and you shall receive. 🙂 (No offense intended Craig.) Although, overall I must agree, it kind of depends - as long as you stay within the manufactures limits (so I'm not liable). I've got a new R27 and I stepped up to a used Ram 2500 diesel. I towed it this past week and she's heavy (loaded) through the hills. I know she's there -- I love the exhaust braking (at this point, really just for fun). For you, I think it may depend on what type of towing you are planning on doing. Coast to coast? Plains, mountains? Twice a year (launch, haul out)? Traffic? You may be just fine with casual towing, but any serious long haul towing and I have to agree, you'll fall short. Can it be done - sure, but try a few trips (short at first) and see how it works for you and your intended towing use. Remember, its the inevitable emergency maneuver that'll put it to the test. I determined early on that my truck wasn't going to cut it, so I (regrettably) was forced to move on. Please post on your experiences and final decision. Thanks.

Todd

 

[S. Todd]

We have a 2015 R25SC and tow from Indianapolis to the Great Lakes. No mountains here, but still would not do it with less than with the big block F250 we have. The all day haul is different than towing 15 miles to the nearest launching ramp. Electric over hydraulic brakes are also the only way to go in my opinion. It is a wonderful boat for the great lakes so you have made the first decision well! You should try to join us for the rendezvous in Charlevoix, MI!

 

[scross]

I am well known on this forum for saying it can be done if your 1/2 ton truck is properly equipped AND you are still within your every one vehicles stated weight and towing limitations. Yes, of course you would be better served with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck or, better still, a new Peterbilt 389!
For me the key to towing with a half ton is having it properly equipped. This includes but is not limited to heavy duty springs and shocks, Firestone air bags, a class v receiver and 12,000 pound rated draw bar and ball. Add to that the heavy duty oil and transmission coolers, hefty anti sway bars and a performance braking package. Dont forget a weight distribution hitch if you have a steel framed trailer. The trailer having electric over hydraulic brakes is a must in my book too.
By all means keep your boat light. No fresh water, black tank drained and fuel less than 1/4 tank when towing.
Know your limitations. Don't tow in bad weather or over passes with steep grades. Lots of prior towing experience helps a lot! I've been towing 30+ foot trailers all over the western USA since I was 20. If you don't feel your towing rig is safe then it probably isn't safe.
Just towed our 9,600 pound boat+trailer from Southern Oregon to Portland two weeks ago and everything was fine even through heavy traffic in Portland.
Ok, that's my opinion. Let the flaming begin!!

 

[mcphersn]

Well, I haven't made all of the mistakes possible while towing, but for my money, there's nothing like the thrill of sliding down a wet downhill grade with the smell of burning brakes in the air. Many of my towing learning experiences have happened slowly and inexorably enough for me to have plenty of time to consider the prospect of eternity. Once something starts to go wrong, your choices can quickly become matters of life and death. And they will go wrong, if you tow enough. Get the best equipment you can afford. You won't regret it.

 

[ALICE J]

I think you may be in for a shock when you weight your fully loaded rig, together and then just the trailer with the boat. I know I was, just over 21,000 for a 2500 GMC and R27, the boat and trailer were just a smidge over 13,000. I recognized I was right at the limit of all capacities. Towed 14,000 miles last summer across country. Biggest issue were brakes on the trailer. I have electric over hydraulic, coming down the Jackson Hole grade I smelled burning brake lining. I had forgotten to turn on the exhaust braking system. Got the rig stopped half way down the hill and the truck brakes were smokin' , I mean smoke was pouring out of all four wheels when I finally got stopped on a truck pull out. The brake hose on the trailer had broken and had lost all the brake fluid. But thank goodness for the big ass brakes on the GMC, their BIG. Then again coming out of Texas, I felt that I was using a lot more brake pressure to stop. By this time I had gotten very used to using the exhaust brake, but in stop and go traffic it's not that effective. Turns out that one of the calipers on the trailer had come loose and I had again lost all the brake fluid. Needed a new pump and caliper this time. But again, thanks for the BIG brakes on the GMC. The take away in all this is that going up hill is easy, but going down hill and stopping is the critical part of the equation. I don't believe your 1500 has big rotors or calipers, let your dealer check it out. Let me echo the thoughts said elsewhere on the forum; short hauling, your vehicle is fine, but over the road, think safety. If you love your tug, then make sure she is safe! 😎

 

[Crewdog]

Ditto to all well said comments.

Get a big diesel truck; your tug, family and other drivers will thank you.

 

[knotflying]

House to ramp may work. If you like white knuckle towing you will have your fill. There is nothing worse than a marginal towing vehicle. Keep in mind that the larger duty truck also has better braking power and suspension. Hey you already have the 1500, so try it out and take it for a spin. Your comfort level will be your guide. My R-27 with aluminum trailer 1/2 fuel and water and supplies weighs in at 11,400. That is a tongue weight of about 1,140 now add supplies in the bed. You really do not have much margin. Probably after a while you may have transmission issues. As that say, use the right tool for the job. My opinion, for what that is worth, marginally a 3/4 ton gas with ecoboost.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

From Medina Ohio you are close enough to Lake Erie for trailering with your current truck. However if you plan to trailer up into Michigan or Ontario to gain access to Lake Michigan, Ontario, Huron, etc I would agree with others i that you'll be much better served with a 3/4 as described by others. Same applies to East Coast trailering from Medina, in my opinion. Diesel exhaust brakes on the truck, electric over hydraulic brakes on the trailer and having a margin of extra capabilities with your truck will provide you with less to worry or be concerned about....safety first! There are a lot of good low mileage 3/4 4x4 diesel powered trucks for sale, may be worth checking into, in case you come to this conclusion.

Jim F

 

[scross]

In re-reading your post I noticed you said the max towing weight rating of your boat and trailer is 9,100 pounds. I don't believe there is any possible way to get your trailer with the R25SC on it under 9,100 pounds. The lightest can get my R25 on an aluminum trailer is 9,600 pounds and I average about 9,650 when towing.
My 1/2 ton has a max trailer towing rating that's 1,000 pounds more than your Chevy. Since you will exceed your numbers by a LOT, I would not recommend using your Chevy for towing the R25SC even for short distances on flat ground.

 

[jld]

All excellent replies so far! 😉

I'll just add on more thing to keep in mind while towing, and that is the payload capacity of the truck.

There should be a tag on the driver's side door or frame, that shows the payload capacity for the specific truck you own. It will take into account any factory installed options on the truck.

Manufacturers are moving towards taking in account an average drivers weight and a little bit extra. Most trucks, however, have not been specked with this consideration. Thus the payload likely includes yourself, any passengers, the dog, any aftermarket accessories added to the truck, and any stuff stored in the truck's bed. To whatever this number might be, also add in the trailer hitch weight for the loaded boat and trailer.

If all of the numbers appear to be acceptable, do yourself a favor and take it over a certified scale for piece of mind.

Jim