Hey all, 

 

I'm looking into used bass boats in the 1995-2000 range and I'm curious if I should stick to the 18'-19' boat or if I could possibly bump up to the 20'-21' boat. My only concern on this is my truck is a 2017 Ram 1500 3.6L V6. It's rated towing capacity is 4,210lbs. Would I have any issues towing a bigger bass boat and trailer? I read that most bigger bass boats range in the 2,000-2,500lbs range, but I think that was dry weight and I wasn't sure on trailer weight. 

 

Any comments would be helpful! Thanks! 

Once you determine what rig you're planning on purchasing, you can look up the dry hull weight.

Then as a super rough estimate, add 1,400 - 1,700 lbs for the trailer (600-800 lbs) motor (400-500 lbs) lbs,

gas (200 lbs) & gear (200 lbs) weight.

That should get you in the ball park at least. 

Good Luck.

A-Jay

One thing to note: The dry weight does NOT include motor, fuel in the tank, water in the livewells, gear stowed on-board or the trailer.

 

Example: A 20' Lund Pro-V has a dry weight of 1850#, but a towing weight of 3300# - https://www.lundboats.com/boat-models/2075-pro-v-bass/

 

And towing something close to your capacity isn't the main issue - even a Geo Metro could eventually get it going - it's the stopping that you have to worry about.

I would stick to 18' range with a v6 tow vehicle. My 21' is in the 4500 lb. range when loaded. Remember you have to stop that weight not just tow it. Good luck and enjoy your hunt for the new boat.

If it were me I’d buy a 20 foot boat and change your truck axle gear ratio to at least 3.55. That alone will raise your tow capacity by 2-3k pounds. The engine itself will tow fine as long as the terrain is fairly flat 

 

https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2017_ram_1500_towing_charts.pdf

8 minutes ago, GReb said:

If it were me I’d buy a 20 foot boat and change your truck axle gear ratio to at least 3.55. That alone will raise your tow capacity by 2-3k pounds. The engine itself will tow fine as long as the terrain is fairly flat 

 

https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2017_ram_1500_towing_charts.pdf

Or just trade me for my truck

2001 Silverado, 5.3, 4x4, towing package - rated to 11,000lbs

I'm towing a canoe that all total with trailer and everything is under 400lbs.

4 minutes ago, GReb said:

 The engine itself will tow fine as long as the terrain is fairly flat 

Rather than relocate to one of the Flattest states . . . 

 

Isn't is easier to simply purchase a proper safe towing set up ? 

A-Jay

5 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Rather than relocate to one of the Flattest states . . . 

 

Isn't is easier to simply purchase a proper safe towing set up ? 

A-Jay

Luckily the OP lives in Omaha. And you are absolutely correct that would be the proper solution but assuming that’s not an option a simple $500 gear change can raise his rated towing capacity from 4,200 to 7,200. I haul a Cougar on dual axle trailer with a V6 F150 that has a 7,500 capacity with no issue. 

I saw a Camry back down a pontoon boat once...you got it