Towing recommendation

[Scott Malsom]

I am purchasing my first Ranger Tug - an R27. I currently own a Dodge Durango RT SUV and am wondering if anyone has any experience towing an R27 with a Durango. The literature says the Durango can handle 7000 pounds towing, but I'd like to hear some first hand experience if anyone has any.

 

[scross]

No possible way to tow a R27 safely with your SUV. Boat and trailer will weigh in between 10,000 to 12,000 pounds.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I second "across'" comment, you do not have a big enough rig. If you do tow your R27 and if something unfortunate happens in the form of an insurance claim I would think your insurance company may side step a claim if an incident was the fault of an inadequate towing vehicle....just my 2 cents worth.

Jim F

 

[Navigator's Son]

I had a 2003 Chevy Avalanche - same exact rated towing capacity as your Durango. It was fine for towing my original Bayliner 192 cuddy cabin, but no way it was going to tow my subsequent 2005 Bayliner 265.

It was pushing it to use a GMC Denali 8000 lb towing capacity. Others may comment on minimum rating, but I'd say you need a 2500 to safely tow your R27.

 

[ixlr8]

I am considering a RT-27 and I asked my dealer this yesterday. As a minimum he felt the best was a diesel powered 2500 series truck, but he said a gas powered 2500 would work. He uses a diesel 3500 series truck but he felt it was overkill for a 27. He pointed out when you add up the weight of the boat 7000lbs/trailer 3000lbs/accessories 500lbs, you are looking at towing between 10,000 and 11,000 lbs! Your Durango does not stand a chance of towing a 27.

 

[pleeson]

Don't even think about it. You will be closer to 11,000 lbs than 8000 lbs, never mind the factory specs. I vote for 3/4 - ton, diesel, 4 WD, and exhaust brake if you can afford it. All will remove the fear factor if you are going more than a few miles to the nearest launch. Gas if you must for short hauls, multi-use, and price but stick with the higher GVW and bigger brakes plus 4WD for the steeper ramps.

 

[Crewdog]

Get a diesel truck, not a Darwin Award

 

[Dale777]

Scott Malsom,

I just replied to a Private Message inquiry almost just like yours. This is my reply to him:

For my previous 2012 R27, I had the Float-On all aluminum trailer used to tow the R27 behind my 2011 Silverado 2500 3/4 ton 4x4 diesel. Absolutely no problems with this arrangement - flat, hills, mountains or launching/retrieving on steep and slippery ramps. The weights involved were:

1. Trailer weight = 1,274 pounds
2. R27 weight = 9,276 pounds (1/2 fuel, empty waste tank, empty water tank, our stuff, RIB dinghy, A/C, GenSet.
Watch out for this number if you have a full fuel tank, non-empty waste tank and/or water tank and lots of your stuff aboard when trailering.

3. GVWR of the trailer = 11,274 pounds
4. Trailer + R27 = 10,550 pounds
5. GVWR - (Trailer + R27) = 724 pounds to spare (trailer safety margin)

6. Silverado 2500 4x4 diesel ball hitch rating = 13,000 pounds (VERIFY this hitch rating. Some dealers are not totally aware or completely frank about this number)
7. Trailer + R27 = 10,550 pounds
7. Hitch rating - (Trailer + R27) = 2,450 pounds (hitch safety margin)

Keep these numbers in mind so that you don't exceed the GVWR of your trailer or the hitch rating of your truck. Then, determine if your gas powered GMC 2500 will handle the load in the conditions where you will trailer - flat, hills, mountains, steep slippery ramps.

I can tell you that the consensus opinion on this forum to trailer an R27 is to use a 3/4 ton diesel truck, preferably a 4x4.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I'll join the chorus about towing an R27 with a Durango: Not no way, not no how. It simply is not up to the task.

 

[tincup]

Just finished towing R27 Anacortes-Denver-Dillon(CO). Roughly 1400 miles including 6 & 7 % grades and an 11,000 ft pass. 45 gal fuel, almost full wafer and empty holding tank.

2017 F250 diesel 4x4 with std tow pkg. on the climb to 11k, transmission maxed @ 230. Oil got to 200. No sway. Brake gain @ 10% engine braking easily controlled speed w/o braking on 7%, 5-7 mile descent from 11,000 ft.

Didn't wake up once wishing for a bigger truck.

 

[nzfisher]

After your first trailer tire blow out you will wish you had a diesel duelly truck. Yes, it happens.

 

[Cmjansen]

I have an R23 an am towing it with a Mercedes GL350 diesel SUV. I find this is not adequate for hills and am replacing with a dodge 3500.

 

[JamesTXSD]

A word of caution regarding towing: trailer tires are not speed rated for towing above 65mph. Doing so will cause excess heat and premature failure of the trailer tires. You may have a tow vehicle that can run 75 all day while towing, but the trailer tires will be the weak link.

In all the years and thousands of miles of towing heaving loads (boats and 5th wheel RV), I have had two blowouts... both tires had plenty of good tread left, and I was not exceeding 65 mph. In each case, the road service guy who came out to change the tires said the same thing: "Trailer tires aren't made like they used to be. You need to change out trailer tires every 3 to 4 years, even if the tread looks good." Neither were trying to sell me tires.

Keep your speed below 65 when towing.

 

[nzfisher]

A word of caution regarding towing: trailer tires are not speed rated for towing above 65mph. Doing so will cause excess heat and premature failure of the trailer tires. You may have a tow vehicle that can run 75 all day while towing, but the trailer tires will be the weak link.

In all the years and thousands of miles of towing heaving loads (boats and 5th wheel RV), I have had two blowouts... both tires had plenty of good tread left, and I was not exceeding 65 mph. In each case, the road service guy who came out to change the tires said the same thing: "Trailer tires aren't made like they used to be. You need to change out trailer tires every 3 to 4 years, even if the tread looks good." Neither were trying to sell me tires.

Keep your speed below 65 when towing.

Recently spoke to some RV folks who use truck tires on their RV's which would be worth looking in to.

 

[ixlr8]

Recently spoke to some RV folks who use truck tires on their RV's which would be worth looking in to.

I have a construction trailer rated to haul 11k lbs, and it needed new tires. From what I could find out most new trailer tires are Chinese made junk that don't last at all and tend to blow out, it was hard to find a quality trailer tire any more. I talked to several tire stores and several RV trailer places and they all recommended putting properly rated truck tires on the trailer instead of 'trailer' tires. Yep they will cost more.... but I feel it is worth it for me.

 

[nzfisher]

Good plan. I have had 2 trailer tire failures while on the road. Wish I had thought of the truck tire solution before I got trailer tires again.

 

[Brian B]

Goodyear has new trailer tires called Endurance, they are made in the USA and have a speed rating of N (87 MPH). They are new to the market this year.