Trucks to pull

[JH]

I wanted to know how well a Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma would pull a MR Pike 17. Both trucks would have the large v-6 engine.

[Phil T.]

Neither truck should have a problem, assuming the Ford has an optional engine. The Toyota has such a low gear ratio, the 4 cylinder engine tows quite well.
The other question is how much stuff do you put in the boat when trailering it to the lake? You probably don't have much of a clue what your total towed and carried weight is. Tackle boxes and ice chests add up. You really need to know the total weight you expect the truck to carry/tow. Then buy one with a Gross Combined Vehicle Weight with a bit of a cushion. Dealerships have brochures with that information. Don't trust a commissioned salesman, he will steer you to the truck that's been on the lot the longest. He gets a bonus for selling the vehicle that's been around the longest.

[hookneyes]

I just bought a Mr. Pike 17 and can't wait to get it in the water. I pulled it home with my S-10 Blazer which has the 4.3 V6 and I couldn't even hardly tell I was pulling anything. I crused on the Intersate at 70MPH with plenty of gass peddle left. I did just get the boat, but so far the V6 seems to work fine for me. Since my family is growing, I am sure that we will buy a larger vehicle when we replace the Blazer for more interior room which will also meen more towing capacity.

As far as the weight goes, You can come pretty close to figuring out what you are hauling as long as you don't over load your trailer when you are going on long vacation. My dealer and I sat down and looked up the weights for the boat and motor(Yamah 100 Four Stroke)and figured with a full fuel tank and 200 pounds of misc. gear in the boat, it comes to about 2,600 pounds.

Hope this helps!

[NC]

JH,
I pull a 1650V Rebel Tiller with my 2000 Ranger Ext. Cab 4x4 that has the 3.0ltr engine. It will get you there, but I wouldn't get too excited about how quickly. Personally, I think moving up to the bigger engine will obviously help, but you are moving up quite a bit in boat weight compared to me. Also, I only have a 25HP 4-stroke on mine.
I ended up buying a new GMC Sierra with the 4.8ltr V8. No problems anymore!
Good luck,
NC

[ChuckD]

I owned a '92 Ranger ext cab 4X4, 4.0L auto and that was the best vehicle I have ever owned. I regret selling it, but had to buy a full size truck to keep up with hauling the family and all the gear. Very strong little truck.

The Ranger pulled my old 16' Lund Stinger with ease. It also pulled my current Alumacraft Tournament Pro 170 CS, 115 hp. This boat was "heavy" for the Ranger, and I thought that by getting a full size truck, it would pull much easier. Now that I look back, the Ranger pulled very, very well compared to my current F150 w/ 5.4 V8! The F150 struggles sometimes, just like my Ranger did. I also got 16 mpg pulling the load w/ Ranger.....F150 lucky to get 14.

If I didn't get married, I would still have the Ranger!

[tj1n]

The larger V6 engines will handle most boats up to the 18' range. I'm talking 4 liter or larger. I have the 4.3 Vortec in my S10 Blazer and it pulls my 1850 just fine. However, my father in laws Explorer (4.0 Liter I think) struggled both pulling and stopping.

Biggest concerns are the strains on the transmission and breaking systems. If possible having trailer brakes would be a huge plus if utilizing a lighter tow vehicle as stated.

I don't pull my boat at 75mph, which is the posted speed limit. I go 65-70 top speed. Possibly with the bigger tow unit I'd feel the necessity to go 75mph, not that I couldn't with my S10 Blazer I just don't.

Travis J.

[Greg P]

I know from years of experience the Toyota will pull the boat you have. You may not win any races, but it will get you there and back reliably.

My Toyota has 300,000 + miles on it, most of them towing something or other. And my boat is heavier than a Mr Pike 17.

I have the 3.0 liter v-6. Manual transmition. I can get it up to 70 + mph, but loose speed on long inclines. Like I said, I get there, but not the fastest.

I take great care in driving with that much weight on a small truck, and often scedule my towing at low traffic hours.

Both trucks will do it, trailer brakes will help.

Try to be extra careful. Good luck.

[Box]

Big thing is the brakes... Either will tow fine. Stopping is another matter.

I used to pull with a Ranger, the 2.9L engine. Worked fine, but as mentioned, didnt win any races, and never passed on two laner... But stopping I had to give looooooooooooottttttttsss of distance. And on gravel, you poop your pants sometimes... heh. :)

Get trailer brakes if possible, I did not have them.

Good luck. Did I say to give lots of braking distance yet? ;)
-Box

[hgmeyer]

I have pulled my 19' Tracker Targa with my Dakota a few times. (Usually use my F-150 Supre Crew) Get up and go is "slow" with the v-6...But, as you have been told...get surge brakes on the trailer...It is so embarassing to get passed by your boat...:-) especially if you would rather stop!... Most aluminum boats, even the bigger ones, fall inside the towing capacity of most small trucks...Another excellent piece of advice is a separate oil and transmission cooler(s) if you plan on long hauls...excellent preventive maintenance at small price...the transmission cooler is almost an absolute...You might also consider air assisted shocks to keep it all level and get the class III hitch...