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Hi Folks, I am looking for a tow vehicle for an R5. At first I looked at max trailer weight of a few vehicles and all looked good... For example Suburban (8400lb), Tahoe (8600lb), Ford Explorer ( I already have a 2006 which is 7400lb).

But now I see all of those three say the limit is 5000lb when not using a weigh distributing hitch. For example, this is from Chevy: "When using a weight-carrying hitch, the maximum trailer weight is 5,000 lbs. with a 600-lb. trailer tongue weight. A weight-distributing hitch and sway control are required for trailer tongue weights greater than 600 lbs".

The dry weight of the R5 alone is almost 5000. And I imagine any trailer is at least another 1000.

I was under the impression that people tow R5 and similar size boats with the regular weight carrying hitch. But maybe I'm not remembering correctly. What are you folks using?

I just checked the F150 and it also says max trailer capacity is 5000lb with a weight carrying hitch. Seems that's the magic number.

So is everyone using weight distributing hitches? Or is this ok to ignore for some reason?

As all mfg compete with each other, the tow ratings get limited with standards that are SAE approved .
Yes a half ton can tow it but as others will chime in.
We use a 2019 1/2 ton Chevrolet to move a R5 and doesn’t suffer to Tahoe and back.

But your other systems like brakes and drivetrain can put to limits when hill climbing.

You’ll be suprised to see what tows R5s .

You can get a Durango SRT. Or wait for the new one with a hell cat engine in it. 8000 lbs towing. Escalade, Yukon Denali. Get the 6.2. Now you have to look for a hitch! Yes the hitch and brakes are the weak spot. You need a class 4 hitch! Also you need to make sure your ball and receiver is also rated for that weight. Example https://www.bulletproofhitches.com/coll ... qMQAvD_BwE

Yes weight distribution is what should be used. 99% don't use it and pray every time for no issues. Or go to a 3/4 ton truck with a class 4 hitch. For example https://www.curtmfg.com/trailer-hitches ... learn-more

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He cd. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

We tow with a Merc GL550. 7500 pound tow rating and no weight distributing hitch is required. We don’t even know our 263 is back there while towing. She’s a beast that also keeps the load level with air suspension. She brakes well with massive discs too. That being said, give yourself plenty of stopping room with any tow vehicle as a precaution.

Thunder550 tows his 252 with either the Merc 350 or 450. BigBlockPower can attest to its abilities.

Any pics?

Again welcome aboard mate!

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AsLan7 wrote: Sun Jun 28, 2020 8:44 am .
He cd. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

We tow with a Merc GL550. 7500 pound tow rating and no weight distributing hitch is required. We don’t even know our 263 is back there while towing. She’s a beast that also keeps the load level with air suspension. She brakes well with massive discs too. That being said, give yourself plenty of stopping room with any tow vehicle as a precaution.

Thunder550 tows his 252 with either the 350 or 450. BigBlockPower can attest to its abilities.

Any pics?

Again welcome aboard mate!

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Yes I can't believe how well they pull. But what does that sticker on the hitch say. That's the gm and ford's and others downfall. I think even my durango says way lower than it should be. Just saying. Not many class 3 hitches are rated for more than 5000lbs. And we all break that rule.

Big Block Power wrote: Sun Jun 28, 2020 9:52 am

AsLan7 wrote: Sun Jun 28, 2020 8:44 am .
He cd. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

We tow with a Merc GL550. 7500 pound tow rating and no weight distributing hitch is required. We don’t even know our 263 is back there while towing. She’s a beast that also keeps the load level with air suspension. She brakes well with massive discs too. That being said, give yourself plenty of stopping room with any tow vehicle as a precaution.

Thunder550 tows his 252 with either the 350 or 450. BigBlockPower can attest to its abilities.

Any pics?

Again welcome aboard mate!

.

Yes I can't believe how well they pull. But what does that sticker on the hitch say. That's the gm and ford's and others downfall. I think even my durango says way lower than it should be. Just saying. Not many class 3 hitches are rated for more than 5000lbs. And we all break that rule.

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Our Merc Gl550 uses a class IV hitch. Not sure about Thunder550000’s vehicle.

Great point though. Even hitch pins are rated these days.



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BB is right, we all break the 5000lb sticker... and none of us worry about it. Heck a few years ago a class III was all you could get and we still pulled the same trailers at work that weigh up to 15,000 pounds or more with a class III. I’ve never seen a hitch fail but I have seen a lot of other things break. We pull or R5 with my wife’s F150 all the time and it does just fine. I have noticed that it is WAY nicer to pull now with my new Loadmaster trailer! Before with our old EZLoader trailer you definitely new it was behind you bouncing around and slightly swaying. Now its solid and steady.

We pull an R5 with a 2017 Ram 1500. It doesn't seem to mind too much, but it really makes the gas mileage average drop!

We use a GMC Yukon Denali XL. There is a tow mode that works great by changing when the transmission shifts and gives you more info and the air suspension keeps everything balanced. I just made sure to buy a hitch rated for the load - I think it has a 7,500 lb max.

If you're not looking for a pickup truck, there are a fair number of Audi Q7 (competitor to the Mercedes GL SUVs) that tow big boats around here. Rated 7700lbs, I think, but verify yourself. The Mercedes GLE is something like 7200lbs too. Touareg was a great option at 7700lbs, but they're sadly not imported to the US anymore.

jhnmdahl wrote: Sun Jun 28, 2020 8:19 pm If you're not looking for a pickup truck, there are a fair number of Audi Q7 (competitor to the Mercedes GL SUVs) that tow big boats around here. Rated 7700lbs, I think, but verify yourself. The Mercedes GLE is something like 7200lbs too. Touareg was a great option at 7700lbs, but they're sadly not imported to the US anymore.

I towed my boat extensively (and my race trailer for years before that) with a Mercedes GL350. Including half-way across the country a couple of times.

I use a Lincoln Navigator L now.

Both are more than adequate (and the GL350 is for sale if anyone wants it).

- Mark

mdadgar wrote: Mon Jun 29, 2020 6:43 pm

jhnmdahl wrote: Sun Jun 28, 2020 8:19 pm If you're not looking for a pickup truck, there are a fair number of Audi Q7 (competitor to the Mercedes GL SUVs) that tow big boats around here. Rated 7700lbs, I think, but verify yourself. The Mercedes GLE is something like 7200lbs too. Touareg was a great option at 7700lbs, but they're sadly not imported to the US anymore.

I towed my boat extensively (and my race trailer for years before that) with a Mercedes GL350. Including half-way across the country a couple of times.

I use a Lincoln Navigator L now.

Both are more than adequate (and the GL350 is for sale if anyone wants it).

- Mark

Mark pm me the details on yours. Lol my wife hates the durango.

Tow vehicles and R5's are an interesting niche. From an engine/brake standpoint, there are a lot of vehicles that will pull it and or stop it, but how the suspension handles it is what makes the difference to me. For example---I tow with a Sequoia, full sized, body on frame SUV and it pulls my R3 fine, but over some of the more aggressive bumps and expansion joints, the IRS allows the truck to wiggle more than I would like. On smooth roads, piece of cake. The hitch is a class 3, but the sticker on it said 6k/600, so go figure. I certainly wouldn't want any thing smaller to tow my boat. I personally would not feel comfortable in a smaller vehicle in the size range of a Durango/Grand Cherokee/Explorer, with my boat, let alone an R5. A good case study is a friend of mine has a 26ft Tritoon. His vehicle choices are a new Expedition or an f150 a couple of years old. I asked him which he preferred.....he said the Expy had more guts but lacked stability and vice versa....he tows with the Expy most of the time for interior room---but again, it comes back to suspension.

If it were me, I would prefer something in the 1/2 ton line up with a solid rear axle vs IRS if the tows are fairly short....anything over 50 miles and high frequency, a 3/4 would be tempting me. Then again, I tend to be overly cautious when towing. I hate how the auto manufacturers put the 5k/500 stigma on a hitch and call for a weight distribution set up, which is pretty uncommon for pole tongue boat trailers, especially with surge brakes. I say it's a case for a class action law suit based on discrimination of boat owners by car manfacturers....any attorneys in our clan? (LOL--that's sarcasm folks)

As I’ve posted before, the highest priority for me is brakes. Seems like towing accidents usually result from having to stop suddenly.. If your vehicle can handle the weight without the unusual suggestion of an equalizer hitch on a straight shaft boat trailer, coupled with a decent braking system in your trailer, then you can tow with confidence. More is always better in my book because our tow is 45 miles one way to get to our ramp.

I sometimes use an equalizer on this 26’ box trailer when towing heavy stuff over 10K inside. Sometimes necessary, but I’m not a fan for using one on a unibody vehicle. If you think you need one towing your boat, you don’t have enough tow vehicle.