How much boat can I safely and efficiently tow?

[TapOut64]

I will be buying a new boat and am looking at a 16'-18' V-hull. I have a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer 4.0L, V-6, AWD that's rated to pull 3,250lbs. Could I realistically pull something that weighs 2,500lbs+ without any problems? I don't want to buy too much boat for my Mountaineer to pull. (right now I'm just pulling a 14' jon boat) Any thoughts?

[laserdoc]

i would go to the dealer and ask if you could hook the new boat up and try towing it for a test run.

[Cane Pole]

does the Merc have a towing package? Cooling the xmission is a big factor and stopping is another in my opinion.

[crappiemax]

A friend of mine used to tow an 18' fiberglass bass boat to Florida with his Explorer and never had a problem. Towing is usually never the problem, it's stopping. If you have a boat that weighs 2500# the trailer should have brakes so that would solve that problem.
I would think you would be safe to tow up to the recommended limit. I'm sure they built a cushion into the published limit.

[Gamblinman]

does the Merc have a towing package? Cooling the xmission is a big factor and stopping is another in my opinion.

Exactly. If it doesn't have a tow package, you'll need an additional transmission cooler installed, and make sure the trailer has brakes.

[1weezer]

I use to have a 4wd blazer that I towed my 20 ft aluminum boat and never had a problem. But when I got my glass boat and started towing it with the blazer, it did not take long before I started having trouble. It started using oil and started leaking fluids everywhere. Ended up having to get a bigger truck with a towing package. A towing package and trailer brakes are a must if your trailering a heavy boat.

[Barnacle Bill]

Double check with the dealer but I believe that is rated for 3400 lbs.

[TapOut64]

I don't believe that I have a towing package. How would I know?

I should of mentioned that the boat's I'm looking at weigh on average around 1100lbs. Add 300lb-400lb for the motor, factor in the trailer weight, batteries, etc... I'm thinking the weight will be closer to 2200-2400lbs.

I'll have to make it a point to get brakes on the trailer.

[crappieseeker]

If you have a tow haul package you would have a button to press to put it on tow haul mode.

[magnum500]

I had a '93 S-10 Blazer with a V-6. I have an 18' Javelin bass boat with a 150 HP Johnson on it. I pulled that boat all the time with the Blazer and never had a problem. No towing package on the Blazer and no brakes on the boat trailor. I think that with the weight you are talking about you should be fine.