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Author Topic:   Towing a 18' Dauntless

Matty_Cardin posted 07-15-2014 11:49 AM ET (US)
Hi Everyone, I'm looking to get some other towing scenarios for what people use to tow their like-sized/weight boats. I have a 2001 BW Dauntless with a Honda 130 4 stroke. The dry weight of the boat is about 1800lbs and the motor weight a bout 505lbs. So let's say 2500lbs towing + trailer.
I currently tow with a 2009 Toyota Tacoma 6 cylinder, which does a fine job at it, but I'm looking to get a more commuter friendly vehicle, if I can manage it. I only tow twice a year, from the boat slip and to the boat slip, which is about 8 miles from my house and is relatively flat.
I'm not sure if anyone has towed using a 6 cylinder Subaru Outback or something similar, but I would be interested to hear any/all towing rigs.
Thanks ahead of time!
Matty C.
Jeff posted 07-15-2014 01:12 PM ET (US)
Matty,
Many outside the US tow with Subaru Outbacks. They tow large travel trailers and I have even seen them tow classic 22 Outrage's. While US tow ratings are different than elsewhere, I would not worry too much about hauling an 18 Dauntless twice a year with an Outback. It will do great. I also would not worry about using either the Tacoma or Outback as a full time, long distance towing rig if your trailer was outfitted with good brakes.
I towed my 17 Newport with my Subaru Forester XT (2.5l turbo 4 cylinder with a 5spd) many thousand of miles. While sure, the Newport is lighter than the Dauntless, I often used this vehicle towing hundreds of miles for vacations. On vacation the car was loaded with 2 adults, 2 kids and 2 dogs. The Yakama car topper was filled with luggage and all the necessary and un necessary baby crap. The boat was filled with the usual boat stuff and fuel + 2 bikes and a kid hauler + Stroller(s) + a full-size car jack + a fully stocked tool box. So all told, I bet I was at the same or greater weight than you would be.
Jeff posted 07-15-2014 01:18 PM ET (US)
Loaded with family, dogs and gear with the old trailer..
http://tinyurl.com/ns8maon
Normal hauling with the newer trailer..
http://tinyurl.com/nllntto
lakeman posted 07-15-2014 03:36 PM ET (US)
I towed my 18 Dauntless with a 2003 Ford Explorer with a V8. I knew it was back there but nary a problem, I actually preferred my 2001 Suburban better to tow it with(long distances). Towing short distances, what other have or will suggest is no big problem. However, towing long distances with smaller engines and transmissions, could present a problem with durability of tow vehicle.
jcdawg83 posted 07-15-2014 06:46 PM ET (US)
To tow a rig 16 miles a year, you could tow it with about anything that you could put a hitch on. Seriously, if you could put a hitch on a Prius, you could tow it 8 miles.
Buy whatever vehicle you want. Towing your boat is not really any issue.
kwik_wurk posted 07-15-2014 07:32 PM ET (US)
Yeah, towing your boat 8 miles one-way twice a year, you could use just about anything. AWD Subaru will do just fine (even the 4 Cyl would work). -- Just pick your days to launch and haul out carefully, and avoid traffic.
The only thing I would think about is the ramp, and what you need for the first 5 feet.

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Author	Topic: Towing a 18' Dauntless
Matty_Cardin	posted 07-15-2014 11:49 AM ET (US) Hi Everyone, I'm looking to get some other towing scenarios for what people use to tow their like-sized/weight boats. I have a 2001 BW Dauntless with a Honda 130 4 stroke. The dry weight of the boat is about 1800lbs and the motor weight a bout 505lbs. So let's say 2500lbs towing + trailer. I currently tow with a 2009 Toyota Tacoma 6 cylinder, which does a fine job at it, but I'm looking to get a more commuter friendly vehicle, if I can manage it. I only tow twice a year, from the boat slip and to the boat slip, which is about 8 miles from my house and is relatively flat. I'm not sure if anyone has towed using a 6 cylinder Subaru Outback or something similar, but I would be interested to hear any/all towing rigs. Thanks ahead of time! Matty C.
Jeff	posted 07-15-2014 01:12 PM ET (US) Matty, Many outside the US tow with Subaru Outbacks. They tow large travel trailers and I have even seen them tow classic 22 Outrage's. While US tow ratings are different than elsewhere, I would not worry too much about hauling an 18 Dauntless twice a year with an Outback. It will do great. I also would not worry about using either the Tacoma or Outback as a full time, long distance towing rig if your trailer was outfitted with good brakes. I towed my 17 Newport with my Subaru Forester XT (2.5l turbo 4 cylinder with a 5spd) many thousand of miles. While sure, the Newport is lighter than the Dauntless, I often used this vehicle towing hundreds of miles for vacations. On vacation the car was loaded with 2 adults, 2 kids and 2 dogs. The Yakama car topper was filled with luggage and all the necessary and un necessary baby crap. The boat was filled with the usual boat stuff and fuel + 2 bikes and a kid hauler + Stroller(s) + a full-size car jack + a fully stocked tool box. So all told, I bet I was at the same or greater weight than you would be.
Jeff	posted 07-15-2014 01:18 PM ET (US) Loaded with family, dogs and gear with the old trailer.. http://tinyurl.com/ns8maon Normal hauling with the newer trailer.. http://tinyurl.com/nllntto
lakeman	posted 07-15-2014 03:36 PM ET (US) I towed my 18 Dauntless with a 2003 Ford Explorer with a V8. I knew it was back there but nary a problem, I actually preferred my 2001 Suburban better to tow it with(long distances). Towing short distances, what other have or will suggest is no big problem. However, towing long distances with smaller engines and transmissions, could present a problem with durability of tow vehicle.
jcdawg83	posted 07-15-2014 06:46 PM ET (US) To tow a rig 16 miles a year, you could tow it with about anything that you could put a hitch on. Seriously, if you could put a hitch on a Prius, you could tow it 8 miles. Buy whatever vehicle you want. Towing your boat is not really any issue.
kwik_wurk	posted 07-15-2014 07:32 PM ET (US) Yeah, towing your boat 8 miles one-way twice a year, you could use just about anything. AWD Subaru will do just fine (even the 4 Cyl would work). -- Just pick your days to launch and haul out carefully, and avoid traffic. The only thing I would think about is the ramp, and what you need for the first 5 feet.