Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - First time boat purchase

LIforrelaxin · 09-06-2011, 10:31 AM

Ride and Drive,

Belmont statement resides in the fact that the towing limits are based on ideal conditions, and are engineered calculations... While Ford may advertise that the 2010 Explorer with optional V8 engine, Class IV receiver, and a weight distributing hitch will pull 7100#, The don't let you know that the performance of the vehicle and longevity of the components at that weight are severely compromised. You will find the vehicle will be sluggish on the any type of incline. The boat will be a handful going down hill, as the boat will tend to push the vehicle around. And things like brakes will wear much quicker then expected.

If the information was correct and your vehicle is rated with the weight distributing hitch at 7100# with a V8, Then you should figure that you can safely tow about 80% of that... which is around 5600#....

If you pull at the max 7100% and then add on top of that additional passengers and gear to the vehicle... you are quick over loading the vehicle.

It is not just about, how much your are towing... it about passengers and cargo in the vehicle as well.

09-06-2011, 10:31 AM	#23
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, not that one, the one on Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,827 Thanks: 1,017 Thanked 882 Times in 516 Posts	Ride and Drive, Belmont statement resides in the fact that the towing limits are based on ideal conditions, and are engineered calculations... While Ford may advertise that the 2010 Explorer with optional V8 engine, Class IV receiver, and a weight distributing hitch will pull 7100#, The don't let you know that the performance of the vehicle and longevity of the components at that weight are severely compromised. You will find the vehicle will be sluggish on the any type of incline. The boat will be a handful going down hill, as the boat will tend to push the vehicle around. And things like brakes will wear much quicker then expected. If the information was correct and your vehicle is rated with the weight distributing hitch at 7100# with a V8, Then you should figure that you can safely tow about 80% of that... which is around 5600#.... If you pull at the max 7100% and then add on top of that additional passengers and gear to the vehicle... you are quick over loading the vehicle. It is not just about, how much your are towing... it about passengers and cargo in the vehicle as well. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....