Towing Capacity

Another trailer question?
Salt Water
Aluminum or Galvanized.
Seems Aluminum is lighter and won't rust, so why would anyone go Galvanized?
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

Another trailer question?
Salt Water
Aluminum or Galvanized.
Seems Aluminum is lighter and won't rust, so why would anyone go Galvanized?

Click to expand...

Good question. And if you're concerned about the towing capacity of your vehicle, a lighter trailer will let you tow more "boat."
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

Another trailer question?
Salt Water
Aluminum or Galvanized.
Seems Aluminum is lighter and won't rust, so why would anyone go Galvanized?

Click to expand...


Aluminum or galvanized are fine for salt water. Aluminum is lighter, but usually costs more. If initial cost is not a factor, I'd go with aluminum.
 
I have a galvinized trailer because it came with the boat. I wash it off after every dunking in salt water. Still looks good.
 
Below are pics of my 1990 Loadrite 21T4000. 2 years ago I change the actuator to accommodate disk brakes, this included all brake lines as well. I just purchased new rollers last year as they are just starting to crack and tires. Every 2 years I respray the trailer with galvanize coating. Not bad for a 21 year old trailer. Save the money and just wash the trailer regularly with water.

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Ok doing a 360 here. I am going to keep my vehicle and get a used pickup.
I figure it would be nice to have a spare vehicle and since towing beats it up why kill something new.

So what is best used pickup. Must be a 4 door.
I think Toyota Tundra looks nice.
Figure something that can do 9k lbs.
 
Tundra, Titan, Silverado...

Dave, I like this idea...this way you're not compromising in either direction.
 
F150.
See a 4 door 4wd lariat 2004 with 80k miles triton 5.4 for $13k

Do these things have lots of issues as they get older or are they still pretty dependable?

Gas mileage is not a issue.
 
You said "best" used pick-up. For best towing, best milage, and probably with the engine in the best condition, go with diesel. A used diesel with 100K miles is barely broken in.
 
Based on towing short distances, there are many, many choices out there. Just have to find out the total weight of the package being towed. While its good to plan ahead, I would hold off on buying a tow vehicle until 100% sure of what boat is purchased. Going from a 38' cruiser to 24' day boat is quite a step back. There are plenty of choice in the 26-28' express boats that are trailerable that allow for overnighting or short weekending.
 
I would stay away from the diesel vehicles, especially if it will be used for any sort of daily driving. Don't get me wrong, I love diesels, but the truck will be much more expensive to maintain, and you'll never recover the premium you will pay to buy it unless you do a whole lot of towing. One of the GM vehicles with the 6.0 gas engine will easily tow any kind of 24' boat, even the 5.3 motor will probably be plenty.
 
Dave,
This is the type of thing I was trying to talk you out of doing, buying a used older vehicle just for towing. The loss of value, upkeep, etc..., makes it a certainty it will not give you back what you will put into it.
There are a lot of nice capable suv's out there that double as tow vehicles and daily drivers.
I have an older expedition (1999) with that 5.4 motor, I am not a fan. Overall it has not been terrible on maintenance costs, but that engine is not that powerful, I would bet the new Jeep would outpull that F150 all day long.
Go with one vehicle that does both duties.
 
quote:
Originally posted by VTBoater

Dave,
This is the type of thing I was trying to talk you out of doing, buying a used older vehicle just for towing. The loss of value, upkeep, etc..., makes it a certainty it will not give you back what you will put into it.
There are a lot of nice capable suv's out there that double as tow vehicles and daily drivers.
I have an older expedition (1999) with that 5.4 motor, I am not a fan. Overall it has not been terrible on maintenance costs, but that engine is not that powerful, I would bet the new Jeep would outpull that F150 all day long.
Go with one vehicle that does both duties.

Click to expand...


Appreciate the opinion.
Your saying better to trade in my escape for a Cherokee. At a cost of say 20k net is better than just buying a 12k used truck? Not sure about that but I can see where maintenance could be a deciding factor. I would lease but my dog puts a lot of wear inside my vehicles backseat.
 
20K is a lot of money. So looking at it that way, I would not pay 13k for an F150. I don't think the tow rating on it is any better that the new Cherokee, and the 5.4's are prone to exhaust manifold leaks and coil packs going bad, (plus they are kind of dogs).
Chevy trucks are imo the best rigs to go with in that vintage, price range, etc.. If you found a private sale chevy or gmc in nice shape for that price range, maybe that is not a bad option. Do you mind a vehicle sitting around in the yard most days not being used?
 
No. Like I said we like having a spare car. We had a convertible and it was starting to die so we sold it.
 
Dave,
I want to disagree with VTBoater...if you get something big enough to tow it won't make a great daily driver. The fuel burn will be huge, vehicle huge, just not a convenient vehicle...when I was towing I bought a couple of older 100k+ mile pickups, used them for a couple of seasons or so each and sold them for more money when done.

I had a Titan recently and wanted to sell it for just the fuel burn. 7mi/gal of high test just doesn't make a good daily driver. I like the Suburbans for what you are thinking...high tow rating, enough inside room to bring whatever you want with the boat...and is lockable. Something you really can't do with a pickup.

And they make great seat covers to protect the seat and provide a comfortable bedding for dogs.

Just my .02
 
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