Towing 25 Outlaw, 272 or 275
08-13-2002, 04:18 PM
#1
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Towing 25 Outlaw, 272 or 275
Wondering what those of you with a 25 Outlaw, 272 or 275 were using as a tow vehicle. I have a '99 Tahoe (4x4, 5.7L, 3.42 gears, 265-75-16 tires) which is only rated at 5500 lbs. Considering whether I will have to get a new truck or install new gears. Anyone else pulling with a similar vehicle? - How's it do?
Mike
Mike
08-13-2002, 04:32 PM
#2
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I pull a 30 footer on a heavy steel trailer with a 96 1500 4x4 burban with a vortec 350. stock gearing. Does remarkably okay.
Did add airbags (despartly needed them) and upgraded the brakes, and stong tires.
Your biggest problem will be the wheel base, but with a 25 footer, you'll probably be okay.
Did add airbags (despartly needed them) and upgraded the brakes, and stong tires.
Your biggest problem will be the wheel base, but with a 25 footer, you'll probably be okay.
08-13-2002, 04:50 PM
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mike- i pulled a 272 w/ a '98 Tahoe w/ 3.42's through the hills in Missouri to LOTO several times. it wasn't the ideal tow vehicle, but it did fine. i would recommend installing air bags. they made a world of difference for me. i also made sure my trailer brakes were adjusted properly and the boat was low on fuel as well. you should be fine.
jbk
jbk
08-13-2002, 04:56 PM
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More is BETTER!
I pulled a 272 on Myco trailer with a 2000 GMC Denali (350 V-8)and it was very weak in my opinion.
Pulled it OK, but slow up hills, struggled to get to 70 MPH and wiggled to much for safety.
Bought a 2001 Excursion V-10 with 3.73:1 ratio and pulled the boat to Miami last fall and never knew it was behind me. I was so impressed, it pulled it like it only weighted 1000 lbs instead of 6000 pounds.
Towing capacity on Denali was 6000 lbs and Excursion was 10,000. Boat and trailer weighted in at 6000 lbs with gear. This left a very good safety margin that main towing fun instead of stressful.
Now I have a 36 Outlaw. It weighted 8400 Lbs drive off the crane and the Myco triple axle trailer weighted 2200 lbs. This is 10,600 lbs before gear and any fuel. The Excursion would pull it, it squat down about two inches in the rear so I had to add air bags, and it strained a little more than I like up hills. So I bought a 2002 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Powerstroke with 4:10 rear end.
It is a real truck and handles the 36 very well. I just pulled it 500 miles round trip to the coast last weekend and could not be happier.
If you are just going to pull to a local lake a couple times a month, then no problem, just take it slow and easy and most half tons will get the job done.
If you really want to make it easy on you and the truck, buy something with a much higher towing capacity than you need.
There really is a big difference.
Good luck
Mark
I pulled a 272 on Myco trailer with a 2000 GMC Denali (350 V-8)and it was very weak in my opinion.
Pulled it OK, but slow up hills, struggled to get to 70 MPH and wiggled to much for safety.
Bought a 2001 Excursion V-10 with 3.73:1 ratio and pulled the boat to Miami last fall and never knew it was behind me. I was so impressed, it pulled it like it only weighted 1000 lbs instead of 6000 pounds.
Towing capacity on Denali was 6000 lbs and Excursion was 10,000. Boat and trailer weighted in at 6000 lbs with gear. This left a very good safety margin that main towing fun instead of stressful.
Now I have a 36 Outlaw. It weighted 8400 Lbs drive off the crane and the Myco triple axle trailer weighted 2200 lbs. This is 10,600 lbs before gear and any fuel. The Excursion would pull it, it squat down about two inches in the rear so I had to add air bags, and it strained a little more than I like up hills. So I bought a 2002 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Powerstroke with 4:10 rear end.
It is a real truck and handles the 36 very well. I just pulled it 500 miles round trip to the coast last weekend and could not be happier.
If you are just going to pull to a local lake a couple times a month, then no problem, just take it slow and easy and most half tons will get the job done.
If you really want to make it easy on you and the truck, buy something with a much higher towing capacity than you need.
There really is a big difference.
Good luck
Mark
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08-13-2002, 10:19 PM
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I have a 25 Outlaw and tow with a 2001 2500HD chevy Crew Cab. 8.1L 496. Usually I can't feel the boat back there and the truck rides very smooth even without a load/tow. I have towed all over the place and even up to 95mph (I know it's stupid but I had to try it) No problems even with the biggest hills. The truck is definitaly overkill for this boat but one of my best purchases.
08-13-2002, 11:41 PM
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I use a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab to tow my 25 Outlaw. 5.9L, 3.92 rear...it is a capable tow vehicle for this boat, but is in need of airbags for added safety IMO. I definitely know the boat is back there without them. Braking is good on this truck (Dodge upgraded brakes for 1/2 ton's this year). I had looked at 3/4 ton trucks, but I chose this one for a daily driver because steering is precise and the ride is smooth. Hope this helps. 
08-14-2002, 02:35 AM
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Racing_Fan: my dad uses the same truck to haul his 28 cat around. Had a 25 outlaw that he pulled with a F150 supercrew and then the dodge. Seemed to do allright to me.
Alright guys, here is my situation. In a year to year and half I am looking to buy my first boat(have a couple of bills to get rid of first). I am 95% I am going to get a baja. I am leaning toward a hammer or an H2X (maybe a 24 Outlaw if I find a really good deal on one). I am currently leaning toward an H2X for more cuddy space.
Here is the biggie. I have a 2001 Ranger supercab 4x4. It has the 4.0 V6 which is supposed to crank out 207 hp. The tow rating for the truck is supposed to be 5600 lbs. It already has a class III hitch on it. I know that the H2X is going to put me close to or a little over the limit. As of right now, I would mainly be towing 1-5 miles to a ramp roughly 90% of time. The only thing that worries me a little is when I would bring it home from the lake (I would probably keep it at my dads at the lake quite a bit). The haul from the lake is roughly 100 mi. The route I would take would invole about a 1/3 flat straight interstate, 1/3 moderate hills road still straight, and 1/3 flat two lane straight highway. Only about 3 towns to go though to. I would do this maybe 2-4 (counting a trip down 1 time and a trip back 1 time) max a month.
So what do you guys think. I know I would upgrade the brakes on the truck and have the trailer double checked so it can help the truck has much as possible. Right now a new truck and boat are not in the budget. It would have to be one or the other. And I know what my vote is.
P.s. Speed of hauling is not an issue. I don't pull my ski or fourwheeler than 60 now.
Alright guys, here is my situation. In a year to year and half I am looking to buy my first boat(have a couple of bills to get rid of first). I am 95% I am going to get a baja. I am leaning toward a hammer or an H2X (maybe a 24 Outlaw if I find a really good deal on one). I am currently leaning toward an H2X for more cuddy space.
Here is the biggie. I have a 2001 Ranger supercab 4x4. It has the 4.0 V6 which is supposed to crank out 207 hp. The tow rating for the truck is supposed to be 5600 lbs. It already has a class III hitch on it. I know that the H2X is going to put me close to or a little over the limit. As of right now, I would mainly be towing 1-5 miles to a ramp roughly 90% of time. The only thing that worries me a little is when I would bring it home from the lake (I would probably keep it at my dads at the lake quite a bit). The haul from the lake is roughly 100 mi. The route I would take would invole about a 1/3 flat straight interstate, 1/3 moderate hills road still straight, and 1/3 flat two lane straight highway. Only about 3 towns to go though to. I would do this maybe 2-4 (counting a trip down 1 time and a trip back 1 time) max a month.
So what do you guys think. I know I would upgrade the brakes on the truck and have the trailer double checked so it can help the truck has much as possible. Right now a new truck and boat are not in the budget. It would have to be one or the other. And I know what my vote is.
P.s. Speed of hauling is not an issue. I don't pull my ski or fourwheeler than 60 now.
