Do you want to know about one of the many things I love about my wife? Do you know what she did after she read my blog post about the minivan getting a bit low in the water the other day? Rather than say, “well, that’s it. We’re selling the boat,” she went online to go truck shopping! A woman who’ll choose a vehicle just to tow a boat is my kind of woman. Woohoo!
What’s funny is that we were amused when our neighbors bought a truck for their boat. Now is seems strangely normal.
It remains to be seen whether we’ll actually get a truck, though. If we get one big enough to pull the boat (and a mobile home, bus, elephant, and whatever we want to haul), I can’t bring myself to run it on anything other than biodiesel. On the other hand, the import trucks have better fuel economy for gas engines but may not be big enough to make much of a difference at the boat ramp.
Decisions, decisions…
Mark:
While I may not hold a CDL I have trailered my share of loads over America’s highways and byways both heavy and light. Here is what I think about your boat predicament.
First, you are correct, minivans aren’t great for launching boats. But being as you could tow your boat with a minivan that tells me that your boat and trailer combination must weigh less then 3500 pounds as I can’t recall a minivan that can trailer more then this weight. But since you are interested in biodiesel let’s give the thought a run-down.
Dodge truck 2500. Nice option, especially with the Cummins turbodiesel engine. Unreal amounts of torque, excellent top end. But this is a ¾ ton truck and believe me, they don’t make the best daily drivers. When launching a boat a 4×4 does come in very handy at times. Why? As boats are pulled out of the water they leave a nice slick layer of water going up the hill away from the ramp. These ramps get quite slick and there I have seen many a truck struggle to get off a ramp skidding tires the whole way. There is nothing more creepy then feeling your tires spinning while sliding backwards towards the water. Been there, done that, ain’t doing it again.
Ford F250 with the Navistar turbodiesel. If you are going this route buy a used one with the 7.3 liter diesel and not the 6.0. The 6.0 model have been rumored to have quite a few problems. Good truck though. The 6.0 is slated for a redesign this year but I’d give it a couple years to see if they shook the bugs out. But again, it’s a ¾ ton and for daily driving they leave much to be desired.
Chevy 3500 with the Isuzu turbodiesel and Allison transmission. This would be my truck of choice if I had the need and wherewithal to purchase one. Independent front suspension makes for a nice ride, excellent engine and tranny combination and a nice interior. Indestructable engine and transmission. Perfect for towing heavy loads.
All these trucks will cost $40,000.00 or more new. They are not cheap. But since you don’t need to tow 10,000 pounds why go overboard? There are two other options: diesel Dodge Sprinter vans and the Jeep Liberty Diesel.
Dodge Sprinter. While this may not look like an ideal minivan it really is pretty cool. They sit up higher off the ground then a standard minivan and they are powered by an excellent Mercedes 2.7 liter inline four. This provides excellent torque for pulling the boat and it comes in several different length and height combinations. Maximum trailer weight is a bit light at 3200 pounds but if your boat is less then that weight it might be worth checking out. Also the high roof model will provide better aerodynamics while towing a tall boat. Almost perfect, but no 4×4 option.
The Jeep Liberty Diesel. I didn’t want you think I was going to put this out there just cause I have one and I want you to be cool too. 🙂 No no no. There is real practicality in this vehicle. First, let’s examine the inline four turbodiesel. A great engine, in fact I’m running B20 in mine right now and I’d swear it runs better then before, it certainly smokes less (something it did only under heavy load and excelleration). With the Liberty Diesel you get 5000 pounds towing capacity and an optional full-time transfer case (that means you get 2×4, center locked diff 4×4 for off road, low range center locked diff 4×4, neutral (on the transfer case itself along with the transmission), and unlocked center differential 4×4 high range).
Having these options is nice because you can put the transfer case in 4×4 full time and not worry about it. You get all the benefits of four wheel drive, not to mention the low range torque for pulling the boat out of the water, great miles per gallon, and an engine that should take any amount of abuse you throw at it for 300,000 or more miles. The down side to a Liberty? Get ‘em while they are hot. This is the last year for the Liberty with the Italian diesel and it is not known if they are going to make another Liberty with a diesel combination. I love mine. It was priced more or less reasonably and it is a fantastic car.
Damn, Greg. This is exactly why I write a blog. Thanks for the info!
The boat weighs a hair under 2000 pounds. With the trailer we’re pulling about 2500 I’d guess. The Odyessy is rated for 3500 so it can pull the weight. It just doesn’t have 4×4 which would be nice on the ramps.
I’ll take a look at your options and see if anything, uh, floats my boat.
Forget Joran lake. It is too small. Take the extra time and sail Kerr Lake or Lake Gaston.
I’m always ready to help a friend convert to the diesel way of things. 🙂
Yep, that’s where the boat is headed. Our friends the Naylors have graciously agreed to let us keep it at their Lake Gaston lakehouse. We’re only keeping it locally for the next few weeks to make it easier to fix things. Also, the former owner has agreed to take us out on it this weekend to help familiarize us with it.
We may one day consider Lake Gaston too small and therefore drag it out to Oriental, supposedly the best sailing in North Carolina. Maybe we’ll get it out there before the weather gets too cold. We’ll see!