Towing -- Well Above Weight Ratings for Very Short Distance?

[Esquire]

I believe our LC's are rated to tow somewhere around 6,000 lbs.

In the past, I have used my 2 door Jeep Wranglers with 6 Cylinders to pull our boat out of the water and into storage for the Winter and vice/versa in the Spring. Would drive fewer than 5 easy miles.

The dry weight is close to 16,000 lbs. with a triple axle trailer (and very little fuel in the tanks).

In the Spring, is this something the LC can handle for a short distance or is it best to just hire the marina to pick it up and drop it off like everyone else?

Not too many years ago, we pulled heavier boats out of the water with the old Jeep Cherokees with the 4.0L inline six. If the tires spun, someone would jump on the hood for extra weight!

 

[Broken VW Owner]

I know nothing about towing but if you did this and got into trouble somehow I'd imagine the consequences would be unpleasant at best since it is clear you knew you were operating beyond the capabilities of the vehicle. Why risk it? Especially with a new car...

 

[Skidaddl]

I believe our LC's are rated to tow somewhere around 6,000 lbs.

In the past, I have used my 2 door Jeep Wranglers with 6 Cylinders to pull our boat out of the water and into storage for the Winter and vice/versa in the Spring. Would drive fewer than 5 easy miles.

The dry weight is close to 16,000 lbs. with a triple axle trailer (and very little fuel in the tanks).

In the Spring, is this something the LC can handle for a short distance or is it best to just hire the marina to pick it up and drop it off like everyone else?

Not too many years ago, we pulled heavier boats out of the water with the old Jeep Cherokees with the 4.0L inline six. If the tires spun, someone would jump on the hood for extra weight!

It could probably do it, but because you're asking the question, I assume you're already questioning the wisdom of it. Would I do it? Probably, but it's risky. And all it takes is one dipshit to cut you off, or one good crosswind...and you're fuq'd.

 

[APIOQM]

If I were to try this, the tongue weight would have to be just right and I would stay in low range. But I tend to agree with above, wouldn't want liability and voided warranty if something went wrong.

 

[landcruiserc]

Fine, it's just a matter of breaking or lack of power.

We've hauled water with a 4 runner UP A MOUNTAIN, 3 miles. 8,250 lbs. + 2,500 lb trailer. 10,700 lbs.

WELL above the rated towing capacity, like 6500 lbs.

 

[Montana-Land Cruiser]

I would probably do it.

Of course, this would be my luck; boat ramp drama...go to the 1:30 mark

Boat and three axle trailer launch drama.

 

[Lineman]

Just my opinion, but towing 16,000 pounds with a LC is insane. You are truly risking yourself and the public safety… For that weight, you need 1 ton truck. I have a 6.7 Powetstoke F250 and even that weight would be pushing it on a bumper pull.

 

[cvx5832LC]

Switch it to 4L when pulling out of the ramp and let er rip!

 

[xeontis]

Pulling 16k isn't an issue, stopping 16K is. Also tongue weight may hurt the LC more. Your gut says don't do it which I think is why you are asking.

 

[Esquire]

Thank you all for your replies.

My main reason for raising this issue is the fact I like having control of when I take my boat out of the water for the Winter and put it back in the water for the season. It sits on its hoist on the dock all Summer. If it needs servicing, I just boat it over to one of the marinas.

For those who know boats, it is 34 feet long and has twin small block Mercury / Mercruiser V8 engines. Therefore, the vast majority of the weight is at the rear of the boat--hence the need for a triple axle trailer.

My storage garage is literally 3 miles from the boat ramp and is off any busy roads. My speed would likely no get over 15-20 mph at most and I could keep it lower if needed.

My biggest concern would be any issues with the transmission when pulling this much "dead" wait out of the water on the ramp. Is it tough enough or is any SUV tough enough.

At the marinas around the lake, they have used old CJ's / Scouts since I can remember. They have dozens of those pulling boats like mine out of the water all day long and putting them into service bays, etc. I presume they regularly service/replace transmissions in these work horses, however, they keep performing for them.

 

[ultane]

I believe our LC's are rated to tow somewhere around 6,000 lbs.

In the past, I have used my 2 door Jeep Wranglers with 6 Cylinders to pull our boat out of the water and into storage for the Winter and vice/versa in the Spring. Would drive fewer than 5 easy miles.

The dry weight is close to 16,000 lbs. with a triple axle trailer (and very little fuel in the tanks).

In the Spring, is this something the LC can handle for a short distance or is it best to just hire the marina to pick it up and drop it off like everyone else?

Not too many years ago, we pulled heavier boats out of the water with the old Jeep Cherokees with the 4.0L inline six. If the tires spun, someone would jump on the hood for extra weight!

I wouldn’t do that. It would probably trash your torque converter. Just pay Some bubba with a one ton truck to do it.

 

[RUN-8]

I believe our LC's are rated to tow somewhere around 6,000 lbs.

In the past, I have used my 2 door Jeep Wranglers with 6 Cylinders to pull our boat out of the water and into storage for the Winter and vice/versa in the Spring. Would drive fewer than 5 easy miles.

The dry weight is close to 16,000 lbs. with a triple axle trailer (and very little fuel in the tanks).

In the Spring, is this something the LC can handle for a short distance or is it best to just hire the marina to pick it up and drop it off like everyone else?

Not too many years ago, we pulled heavier boats out of the water with the old Jeep Cherokees with the 4.0L inline six. If the tires spun, someone would jump on the hood for extra weight!

You can afford a new LC and a boat big enough to need a triple axle trailer.

I think you can afford to hire the marina to have the boat moved a couple of times per year.

 

[Doggman1525]

"Here, hold my beer..."

 

[Esquire]

You can afford a new LC and a boat big enough to need a triple axle trailer.

I think you can afford to hire the marina to have the boat moved a couple of times per year.

You just may be on to something.

I just like the option to be able to put it in or out when I wanted to without having to line up someone else.

Oh well….I’ll likely just continue to have the Marina do it.

 

[ferrari1898]

On the Honda Forum (previously owned a Ridgeline "pickup") with a similar post but their boat + trailer was like 7k for a couple of miles without any hills a few times a year. Most everyone (including myself) felt while the boat was over the 5k tow limit it would be ok.

The biggest concern was at the boat ramp (which is typically wet and slick) along with dragging the boat out of the water (less of an issue when launching). The other issue IF you were in a wreck (obviously you would increase a gap to help avoid one being overweight) there is a lot of liability you open yourself to being over weight IF something happens.

If you were to have a 8k or even 9k or 10k boat + trailer I would entertain the idea the Land Cruiser could pull it for a couple miles a couple times a year. But you are talking 16k which is about 2.5 X the limit of the Land Cruiser.

The engine I think is fine and the Toyota could do it. Typically the engine is not the weakest link when towing.
The transmission I am less optimistic about, though it is a short distance hopefully not on a hot day.
The suspension would be my first serious concern. Not sure what your tongue weight would be but you will be 2 X if I had to guess. The hitch is going to be rubbing the asphalt. That is also a LOT of weight that will be on the tires.
The brakes are going to be sh!t but as long as you do not need to apply them urgently I would not be worried here.

If you can afford a 16k boat you can have a marina tow it a few miles. In the 8k-9k I would not want to do it a lot, but would not lose any sleep over it. At 16k you should setup a booking site and maybe the betting proceeds will cover the dealer's labor cost to investigate what all is ruined.

 

[HarvLC]

Thank you all for your replies.

My main reason for raising this issue is the fact I like having control of when I take my boat out of the water for the Winter and put it back in the water for the season. It sits on its hoist on the dock all Summer. If it needs servicing, I just boat it over to one of the marinas.

For those who know boats, it is 34 feet long and has twin small block Mercury / Mercruiser V8 engines. Therefore, the vast majority of the weight is at the rear of the boat--hence the need for a triple axle trailer.

My storage garage is literally 3 miles from the boat ramp and is off any busy roads. My speed would likely no get over 15-20 mph at most and I could keep it lower if needed.

My biggest concern would be any issues with the transmission when pulling this much "dead" wait out of the water on the ramp. Is it tough enough or is any SUV tough enough.

At the marinas around the lake, they have used old CJ's / Scouts since I can remember. They have dozens of those pulling boats like mine out of the water all day long and putting them into service bays, etc. I presume they regularly service/replace transmissions in these work horses, however, they keep performing for them.

Do what I’ve done for the last 16 years w my boat. Leave it on the lift / hoist all year at your dock.

My boat is much smaller but I’ve rarely used its trailer.

 

[Esquire]

Do what I’ve done for the last 16 years w my boat. Leave it on the lift / hoist all year at your dock.

My boat is much smaller but I’ve rarely used its trailer.

I wish I could do that. Our lake house is in the Midwest (Lake Okoboji, IA). Right on the Northwest tip of IA a few miles south of the MN border.

Every season we have to have the docks and the hoists taken out of the water. The lake is glacier formed and very deep and freezes every year. In the early Spring/thaw season, the ice melts and shifts. It would and does damage every single thing in its path.

Therefore, every Fall the boats hoists are craned out with crane barges and set on our shore and contractors remove the wooden docks. Reverse this procedure in the Spring.

I would love to be able to keep all of this in the entire year and keep the boats on their hoists. We can't effectively use water agitators like they use at Lake of the Ozarks as the weather gets so cold and the ice gets so deep.

The boats at Lake Okoboji have become bigger and bigger over the years as have the hoists. So you can imagine how large our hoists are. The ice destroys at least a few home owners' hoists and docks who were late in getting them out for the season and froze in. A very costly mistake.

 

[HarvLC]

Phew! I understand.

 

[Skidaddl]

On the Honda Forum (previously owned a Ridgeline "pickup") with a similar post but their boat + trailer was like 7k for a couple of miles without any hills a few times a year. Most everyone (including myself) felt while the boat was over the 5k tow limit it would be ok.

The biggest concern was at the boat ramp (which is typically wet and slick) along with dragging the boat out of the water (less of an issue when launching). The other issue IF you were in a wreck (obviously you would increase a gap to help avoid one being overweight) there is a lot of liability you open yourself to being over weight IF something happens.

If you were to have a 8k or even 9k or 10k boat + trailer I would entertain the idea the Land Cruiser could pull it for a couple miles a couple times a year. But you are talking 16k which is about 2.5 X the limit of the Land Cruiser.

The engine I think is fine and the Toyota could do it. Typically the engine is not the weakest link when towing.
The transmission I am less optimistic about, though it is a short distance hopefully not on a hot day.
The suspension would be my first serious concern. Not sure what your tongue weight would be but you will be 2 X if I had to guess. The hitch is going to be rubbing the asphalt. That is also a LOT of weight that will be on the tires.
The brakes are going to be sh!t but as long as you do not need to apply them urgently I would not be worried here.

If you can afford a 16k boat you can have a marina tow it a few miles. In the 8k-9k I would not want to do it a lot, but would not lose any sleep over it. At 16k you should setup a booking site and maybe the betting proceeds will cover the dealer's labor cost to investigate what all is ruined.

Thank you for putting "pickup" in quotations.