My business partner has a 26ft tritoon with a 150hp outboard. He is gonna try to pull it with a Toyota Highlander 2wd i guess a V6 like a camry. I pulled it for him to get the seats covered now it is ready he wants to pull it back about a 40 to 50 mile trip. We are taking bets around here. What do you guys think?

 

I am sure it would pull it... but you didnt ask if it would be safe or reliable... that is different.

the only question is why? How does he usually move it? Why get a boat/trailer that is too big to safely pull with you vehicle?

 

he sold his fullsize chevy i have no idea why he got that little thing

 

We live between two big man-made lakes, less than a twenty minute drive to either one, Lake Cumberland and Green River Lake.


Each summer, we are invaded by the Ohio Navy.

As far as towing boats, I have seen it all, even a Corvette towing a cigar boat.

Most that I see have WAY more boat than they have any business pulling.


The DOT will harass any trucker that goes by, but turn a blind eye to these tourists that are the cause of 90% of the wrecks around here.

 

I guess I am part of the Ohio Navy - I frequent Cumberland a few times a year - but I usually pull the 4 wheelers down since I dont have a boat yet.... But I know when I get one, I have the truck to handle it.

 

Hilander shows the 08 has a 3.3L the boat/trailer will weight #3500 (closer to#4000). He may get up to 50 MPH with that setup. I had a 18.5' cuddy cabin and first towed it with a Nissan 4x4, 5 speeed, it had a 3.? (can't remember). The cuddy weighed around #3000. Got that Nissan on the highway and I don't think it ever got above 50 mph. I then bought a Astro van with a 4.6L and would do ok till a head wind came. It had the tow package and transmission sure would heat up the water. Had to back off when the needle would start moving. IMO the boat will win and take his tranny with it, maybe not at first but after a year tranny .

 

i think it will go over 4000 it is a tritoon not pontoon with lots of furniture, he only pulls it 1-2 times a year. i think he just wants to try it out he put a $1000 hitch on it lol

 

Sorry.... modern technology Googled Tritoon and the pontoon came up. If he does try to tow it he better have a turn around point if he determines he is not comfortable with the setup.

 

Can't imagine why not. I've pulled our 24 foot pontoon boat with my mom's explorer a few times this summer. Puny 4.0 SOHC V6 with no nuts. Held speed on the thruway just fine. Took a little bit to get up to speed, though.

 

he got a place he can drop it about 10-12 miles

 

I don't see why he couldn't pull it. For a 22' (at least the one I found) tritoon it says dry weight 2900 lbs. Older Highlanders had a 3 liter or 3.3 liter V6 (yes like the Camry) with 200-220hp. The new 08s have the 3.5 with almost 270hp. All have the 3500lb capacity. I drove an 03 with a 3500lbs enclosed cargo trailer and it did fine (my dad actually drove it from OH to AZ).

The only problem I would see is if the 26' model or the one he bought is a lot heavier.

 

He will probably be able to pull it..............BUT.... stopping it is an entirely different animal.

 

Its not always about pulling things. Sometimes it comes down to stopping and control. You ever hear of the tail wagging the dog?

What happens if he gets a flat? Will the boat push him into the guard rail?

What happens if it starts to sway? Will he be able to keep it out of oncoming traffic?

More here to think about than just power.

IMO its a bad idea.

 

when i said "pull it" i was incl stopping that was actually my main concern it moved my truck around some when i pulled it

 

Cuz some salesman at the dealership convinced him it would tow it fine.