I need some advice on towing my Searay 220 Sundecker

[Aorent]

I have a Searay 220 Sundecker. Weight 4350lbs. Trailer, 1500lbs, four wheels , disc brakes.

How much of a truck of SUV do I need for this? I live in southwest Ohio, and it is very flat here. Most of my trips will be no more than 3 hours a way , all on very open, flat interstates.

I have been looking at the Dodge Durgano, with the 5.7 Hemi, but I have not been able to find a single dealer who actually knows anything about towing, other than reading the brochure and its stated "Best Towing Capacity in its class." The seem not to understand the second part of " properly equiped"

Most of the Durango's (used) that I find have the 3.55 axle ration. Dodge's web site and brochure indicate I need a 3.93 Axle ration to get to the full 8700 lbs of towing. The 3.55 gives me 7200lbs of towing.

Help!!! What is correct? What do I need. Will the 7200lbs be enought for my needs?

thanks in advance

 

[JR861]

That should be good for towing. I tow my 220 sundeck with a Ford F-150 super crew/ 5.4 L

 

[chuck1]

Welcome aboard, you may want to update your signature info.

I tow my 240SD with a 05 Durango. 4x4 5.7 Hemi Mag. It's rated for 8900 if I remember correctly. Never had a problem and I'm in the mountains.

 

[chris41483]

Not to say that towing specs are to be totally ignored, but if you feel safe in it, and it has a trailer hitch, you will probably be ok. I had a friend that pulled his 220 with a 4cyl Tacoma. I have large trucks because I continually haul trailers and have a large boat, but in reality, if you're not going far, and the trailer has breaks, you're probably best off getting what you like to drive. Look at some of the things they tow trailers with in europe. Not to say I like those socialists, but over there you're likely to see a Mini towing an airstream

By the way, I am in the car business, you will lose your butt on a durango. They hold value like a half eaten apple in the sun.

 

[Aorent]

Thanks for the headsup on the Durango and its resale price. They are pretty low now (used) and I have no intention of buying one new.

 

[Sundancer]

Typically you would aim for 80% of your tow vehicle capacity for longevity. So if you have a Sea Ray dry weight of 4350, add any extras from the base engine, the batteries, fuel (7 lbs x Xgallons) and any other items that will be in the boat. I'd guess 1,000 lbs should be about right. Add the trailer weight AND the number of people you carry in your tow rig to determine your total weight. So we're at 6,850 lbs. The ratings are always done assuming the driver weighs 150 lbs, so if you want to get technical.....

Let's just round this to 7,000 lbs total weight. So for longevity of your tow vehicle you would need a tow vehicle that can handle approximately 8,750 lbs. I'd definitely opt for the 3.93 axle ratio! It will do a better job off the line and up a hill and will probably get better gas mileage towing the boat. I know that's not a real concern, but I think you would be happier with the higher rated vehicle. Properly equipped usually means it has the 3.93 axle ratio, transmission cooler, heavy duty radiator and some other goodies as directed by Dodge.

 

[Scottzzzy]

After looking at the tow ratings on the F150, plus gear and my family of 5 I was a little close on the max rating. So I opted for a F250 so i could move into a larger boat in the future ( I can always dream right?!) and it tows everything I can pack in it like there is nothing back there! I would definately go for the optional rear end with the best gear ratio you can get. The ramps on the lakes around me are pretty steep.

 

[Sundancer]

After looking at the tow ratings on the F150, plus gear and my family of 5 I was a little close on the max rating. So I opted for a F250 so i could move into a larger boat in the future ( I can always dream right?!) and it tows everything I can pack in it like there is nothing back there! I would definately go for the optional rear end with the best gear ratio you can get. The ramps on the lakes around me are pretty steep.

Excellent point! If you EVER want to upgrade to a larger boat, you'll have to upgrade the tow vehicle at the same time! You might as well save some money now and take advantage of some of the GREAT deals out there on larger tow vehicles, used or new! That is assuming you would still want to tow something that big. Some folks don't like doing it. I'm on the other end of the spectrum! :huh: