Cobaltchat.com

I've seen quite a few posts here and other places about vehicles to tow boats. It looks like in general a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck is the gold standard, but there have been suggestions that 1/2 ton or even some SUVs are adequate to tow.

I have a 2024 R8 with the trailer and I believe the dry weights are 6400lb and 1600lb respectively. I would assume that full load approaches 9000lbs (give or take). There are a few SUVs that are rated over 9000lb (Hummer at 10,000, Expedition at 9,600, Sequoia at 9,520). I know that there are other factors involved other than towing capacity, but I'm not sure if people have real world experience using these vehicles to tow a boat that heavy. Are these cutting it too close, or do I just need to get a 3/4 ton truck. I'm hoping for an SUV, as I will use that more in general than a truck.

Thanks for the help.

You need a 3/4 or 1 ton. I pulled my R7 for a year with a 1/2 ton Yukon Denali. Plenty of power. Upgraded (Brembo) brakes helped. But the few times I had to stop harder than I wished, I could tell that, even with good trailer brakes, the boat was pushing the rear around - not a great feeling. Pulling with a 3/4 diesel has been so much safer and easier. Even with full luggage in the bed, full fuel in the boat, fresh water, gear, etc. I tow for multiple hours at a time, often.

You're looking at 6500lb for the boat, 80 gal of gas is another 500lb, plus figure a couple hundred pounds of stuff in the boat. Add 1500lb for a trailer, and you're at 8500-9000lb. It feels like 3/4 ton territory to me, and your mileage will be a lot better with a diesel. I'd also look at electric over hydraulic brakes on the trailer (too heavy for surge brakes, in my opinion) and a good brake controller for comfortable towing.