I need to get a new vehicle for my wife but I would like to get something that will tow my 93 20 skeeter bass boat with a 200 merc.  I don't know how much the boat and trailer weighs but I can't believe it is more then what a new one would weigh and that is somewhere in the 3500 lb range with trailer I believe.  I of course would like to get something that also gets decent gas milage.  Just wondering what you guys may think.  I mainly fish Lk. St. Clair and only have to drive about an hour. 

Thanks for you help.

Jenga

iboats will give you the weight of the boat alone

http://www.iboats.com/Skeeter_Boats/bp/20br2045

My skeeter hull weighs 1200 dry.

Ok so now I know that my boat weighs 1425 but how much do you think my trailer weighs.  It is the same trailer that came with the boat new.

Thanks,

Jenga

Just run it across a set of scales and subtract the weight of the boat. Will make a big difference if it is a single or tandum axle trailer.

Just run it across a set of scales and subtract the weight of the boat. Will make a big difference if it is a single or tandum axle trailer.

Yes, just go to a coal yard or a gravel quarry or another place that sells aggregate for construction that utilizes a truck scale.  Also the larger truck stops near interstate highways often have scales.  They usually charge about $5 to weigh.

You may also look at your trailer registration to see what that list your trailers GVW at for a guideline. 

You can never have too much vehicle for towing JMHO.

Fuel?  50 gallons of fuel weighs about 325 pounds.  What about all your gear?  You can probably add four hundred pounds to the dry weight of your boat, maybe more.

I usually get 18 - 20 mpg highway.  My wife and I visited our daughter in Georgia with my Z-7 on a single axle trailer in tow.  We also had the short bed of my pickup stacked to the top of the cap with luggage, spare for the trailer, tools, Christmas presents, etc.

I didn't even figure it out, but I know it was about 4 -5 miles less per gallon.  Tow vehicle, 1/2 ton GMC 4X4 with a 5.3, 315 hp engine.

Wouldn't a Skeeter dealership be able to give you that info.  Can you contact Skeeter via telephone??

The best way I've found is to go to the nearest grain elevator and get it weighed.  If you live close enough it's really easy.  Most elevators will weigh your rig for free.  Just pull on the scales and they'll print out a ticket for you.  I'd call first and ask permission, and also find out when they're not busy.  Sometimes there's an hour wait if a lot of farmers are hauling grain that day.

CUMMINS

I would not want less than a full size truck with a V8.  As mentioned the best way to get the weight is to take it and weigh it.  Feed stores and a number of other places can do that.  I would estimate in the 3,000+ pound range with gas on gear on board.  My wifes Toyota Highlander has about a 5,000 - 6,000 lb towing capacity but it would be a joke trying to haul my 20 Javelin around.  It gives my full size, 4WD chevy pickup with a 350 V8 about all it wants to deal with on the interstate and hills around my neck of the woods. 

The best way I've found is to go to the nearest grain elevator and get it weighed. If you live close enough it's really easy. Most elevators will weigh your rig for free. Just pull on the scales and they'll print out a ticket for you. I'd call first and ask permission, and also find out when they're not busy. Sometimes there's an hour wait if a lot of farmers are hauling grain that day.

OK I live in Rhode Island...what is this grain elevator you soeak of??

I have a HUGE landfill in my town..suppose i could weigh it there!!! ;D

Re. mpg, I tow with an AWD GMC van. Highway no boat and trailer 18.5 to 19.2 mpg. With a 19' fiberglass, 150 hp little or no fuel cramed full of tackle less than 14mpg.

I live in NH so I have mountains to pull down the mpg.

The best way I've found is to go to the nearest grain elevator and get it weighed. If you live close enough it's really easy. Most elevators will weigh your rig for free. Just pull on the scales and they'll print out a ticket for you. I'd call first and ask permission, and also find out when they're not busy. Sometimes there's an hour wait if a lot of farmers are hauling grain that day.

OK I live in Rhode Island...what is this grain elevator you soeak of??

I have a HUGE landfill in my town..suppose i could weigh it there!!! ;D

Landfill, grain elevator, gravel pit, feed store, basically anywhere there's a drive-on style scales.  In Indiana, we have grain, LOTS of grain.  So grain elevators are as common here as landfills are in Rhode Island. ;D