Picking up boat- which Trac to use?

[Paul Maurer 2]

Should I use [Broken External Image]:





OR [Broken External Image]:





To pick up this: [Broken External Image]:







Its in Fort Lauderdale- 180 miles. Boat, motor and trailer 4700 lbs. Don't really want to use the new ST BUT it has a V8 and tow package. Old faithful has a bolt on class III hitch..

 

[Clay Campbell]

I personally would use neither. Both will make it but a bigger vehicle more suited for towing would be my choice. If your gonna use one of them, go with the v8.

 

[Kevin Lang]

I can see why you're torn between the 2 lol.



Since you aren't launching the boat, which could lead to injuries to the ST, I'd go with the V8, simply because it is more ostentatious. The red Gen 2 Adrenaline already gets looks like no one's business, so it'll draw more attention when it is doing a "real truck" role--towing.



Though I don't see why you'd need a bigger vehicle for this, the ST is rated for over 5,000 lbs. That ain't exactly a cruise ship that's intended to be towed, and florida is painfully flat.

 

[Lloyd Curry]

The v8 is actually rated slightly over 6000 lbs. I haul my twin jet ski's and my Boston Whaler easily with mine.



Go with the V8. It has more than enough capacity to haul it nicely.



P.S. I hauled my 2 jetski's all the way from Va to Marathon, Fla and back last winter. Could hardly tell the rig was back there. 2400 miles total.

 

[Sonny Walukow]

Are you going to buy the red one to tow the boat? That red one is fire man..!

 

[Robert Thomas]

They don't match. Can't use either one.

 

[Les Curry]

Hello, new here but I must say, I can only dream of your delemia!!!



Do you have carpet in your Sport Trac? I ask because even though as far as I know, I have the only Sport Trac in the UK, it doesn't have carpet. Does yours have carpet?



Thanks to you.

 

[Steve McKellop]

Either way just remember ......................................BACK into water when launching ! !:banana:

 

[Les Curry]

Also, if you will; I ask about carpet because if you have boat does your carpet get wet?



Also, why does this Sport Trac not have a shorter bed to enable something like load a boat?



I ask because in UK petrol is approx $11 per US Gal and if bed is shorter, not use so much petrol?



Yes, you have very nice Sport Trac s

 

[Les Curry]

One more again I am sorry but in UK petrol cost me about $11USD but I have 6 cylinder. Anybody here have 4 cylinder Sport Trac?



I ask because if 4 cylinder Sport Trac have better petrol miles, I should look for it??



Thank you

 

[Les Curry]

I am sorry now all who post here. I just looked and see I post on off board???



Again I'm sorry.



I now will post on Sport Trac baord.



Thank you

 

[Kevin Palmer]

4cy engines were not an option in any year of the Sport Trac.



V6 and V8 only and the V8 came in the 2nd Generation..

 

[Les Curry]

Thank you joe. I ask because petrol is so much $ in this UK.



Glad to know I do not have 8 cylinder then.



Thank you

 

[Gavin Allan]

Use the V8 like God intended a truck to have!



UKST, you need to put the crack pipe down for a while and chill, dude.

 

[Steve McKellop]

Use the V8 like God intended a truck to have!



UKST, you need to put the crack pipe down for a while and chill, dude.

Don't get me wrong, I really love my Trac:love:, but calling them a truck is stretching the term "truck" pretty far. I sold my F150 Super Cab V8 4x4 when I got my Trac finished and there's just no comparison when you talk TRUCK. I have a relative that just bought a new V8 and the same applies. And I don't recall reading that God has an engine preference.

You know Mr. UKST is a crack addict ??:sad:



Yes it's morning and I'm argumentative in the morning! :cheeky: :grin:

 

[Jenn D]

Got my new truck for this very reason. That 23' SeaChaser (nice choice btw, carolina hull did a great job with those boats) is going to tug hard on either of your ST's. Our 21' Wellcraft (weighed about 5300lbs, boat/motor/trailer/gas) worked every ounce of effort out of my 2003 ST. Now, we're picking up a new 21' Tidewater in a few weeks and I'm happy to have a vehicle I know can pull it, no problems.



Regardless, to answer your question, I would without a doubt use the new ST. You'll need the V8 and that little bit better towing ability. Also, keep in mind that factory specs on the boat aren't always accurate. Count in the t-top, any gas, and all of the other add-ons as additional weight. Realistically, you can consider that it will have a true weight upwards of 5K+, giving you a tongue weight of around 500lbs.





Will you be towing it exclusively with your ST, or is it only to get the boat down there?

 

[gary s]

irc,



towing 2 jetski's w/ a gen2 V-8 is like pulling a box of feathers.

i towed my 2 w/ my 91 escort 5 speed and there was never a problem towing them. the 2 jetskis on the trailer were actually wider then the escort !

not a good comparison as this boat/trailer weighs at least 3x more then the jetski's.



agree with jenn that the adren is the choice, but imo, even that is going to feel the load not to mention it is going to get dirty at the ramp. :cry:



if you are going to tow this on a regular basis, do what jenn did. :banana:



btw, jenn how is that toy doing ?

 

[Allan Reed]

On a boat that size make sure the trailer brakes work.

Regardless of towing with V6 or V8 or a 150 to 350 remember

STOPPING POWER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TOWING POWER.

 

[Paul Maurer 2]

Thanks- I'll use the Adrenalin. I'll only tow it a couple of times a year, at that. The boat will be kept on the boat lift I'm having put in, awaiting permit. Can't wait to use it- the wife's painful memories of my last boat finally faded after 2 years.......

Steve M- what happened to that ST??!!

 

[Carey Frennier]

I would take the gen2 V8. Mine is rated for 7250 pounds. AWD V8. A 2WD has a higher tow cap. The 4.0L will be sluggish and annoying.