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Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=59948		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  PeteCress [ Wed Feb 15, 2017 6:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
I am looking to replace my F-150 4wd V-8 with another F-150 or a same-size Chevy or GMC.

Probably 4wd - which adds weight.

Looks like V-6's get a lot better MPG than 8's.

But can they merge into 70-mph freeway traffic pulling 600# of boat and trailer?

Full-sized pickup, crew cab, 4wd....

Looking for direct experience.....
Author:  chadbach [ Wed Feb 15, 2017 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
I have a Nissan Frontier, crew cab with a v6 and 4 wheel drive, it isn't full sized, but it pulls my TI and trailer like it's not even back there. Merging on a 70 mph highway is no problem at all. My brother has a F150 crew cab, 4 wheel drive, v6 Eco boost that pulls his 22' fish and ski power boat also with no problem.
Author:  TI_Tom [ Wed Feb 15, 2017 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
I tow my TI with my '10 Chevy Suburban. Can't even tell it's back there. I've got a buddy that tows his TI with an Ural motorcycle with a side car.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk
Author:  vetgam [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
Tow my AI with a Prius. No problems.
Author:  mmiller [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 9:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
It is a very light load. No problem at all.

The funniest story I have heard about tow vehicles is from one of our engineers who towed a Hobie 20 around with an MG. The boat was about 400 lbs 20 feet long, 8 1/6 feet wide and had a 31' long mast, but like a kayak... is low and offered very little in the way of wind drag either.

So, V6 and an Island? Absolutely no problem.
Author:  PeteCress [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
chadbach wrote:
I have a Nissan Frontier, crew cab with a v6 and 4 wheel drive, it isn't full sized, but it pulls my TI and trailer like it's not even back there. Merging on a 70 mph highway is no problem at all. My brother has a F150 crew cab, 4 wheel drive, v6 Eco boost that pulls his 22' fish and ski power boat also with no problem.

Once up to speed, I guess just about anything can pull an AI without noticing it.

Freeway merges into 70 mph traffic is what I was fishing for... Thanks.
Author:  mmiller [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
I don't even think you will notice the extra load. Its like having a couple more guys in the car.

Oh... and in California, the speed limit for trailers is 55! So watch it if you trailer cross country. And... You have to be in the right lane unless passing. I see guys pulling all kinds of trailers at 70 and in middle lanes. I learned that lesson early on with my first Hobie 16. Pulled over on the freeway and warned. Then pulled over on a 4 lane road, on the same day, for the same reason... I learned my lesson. :)
Author:  chadbach [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
PeteCress wrote:
chadbach wrote:
I have a Nissan Frontier, crew cab with a v6 and 4 wheel drive, it isn't full sized, but it pulls my TI and trailer like it's not even back there. Merging on a 70 mph highway is no problem at all. My brother has a F150 crew cab, 4 wheel drive, v6 Eco boost that pulls his 22' fish and ski power boat also with no problem.

Once up to speed, I guess just about anything can pull an AI without noticing it.

Freeway merges into 70 mph traffic is what I was fishing for... Thanks.


My route to the lake involves a 90 degree right turn onto a 65 mph highway. Coming back, the acceleration ramp is uphill into 70 mph traffic. I've had no issues with getting up to speed and merging with highway traffic.
Author:  jfrancis99 [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
I have a 2016 F150 and have no problem towing a 22 foot bay boat that is around 4500 lbs with trailer when fully loaded and although you know the boat is there, the truck has no issues towing it.

When I tow the AI behind it I don't even feel it. I towed the AI from Houston to Grand Isle, LA last year with no issues at all. Until you get around 2000 lbs you will not feel the trailer behind you with any of the engine/axle/configuration of a full size truck.
Author:  kayaddict [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
A TI with a trailer only adds up to a 400-500 pounds. That is child's play. Just about anything can tow that without an issue even up grades. A V6 truck won't even know it is there.

EDIT: The truck I use to tow my TI on a trailer is a 1997 F-150 with 215hp. The truck can nearly idle up a boat ramp with the TI and trailer coming out of the water. It is a very light setup.
Author:  PeteCress [ Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
mmiller wrote:
Oh... and in California, the speed limit for trailers is 55! So watch it if you trailer cross country. And... You have to be in the right lane unless passing.
Wow!...

When I drive from Philadelphia to Atlantic City NJ and carry my surf ski on the roof, I limit myself to 65 because of windage considerations on the 20' hull.

Last time I counted, I passed 2 vehicles (a clapped-out minivan cruising the left lane, and a cabover getting blown around in the wind).... but 138 vehicles passed me; none slowly, and some visibly irritated to the point where they whip back into the lane with inches to spare.

I would think that doing 55 on CA freeways would be scary.

Score 1 for figuring out how to cartop an AI.
Author:  PeteCress [ Fri Feb 17, 2017 7:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
jfrancis99 wrote:
I have a 2016 F150 and have no problem towing a 22 foot bay boat that is around 4500 lbs with trailer when fully loaded and although you know the boat is there, the truck has no issues towing it.
V-8 or six-cylinder?

Most seem to be focusing on the perceived load when cruising at speed.

I am thinking more about acceleration on on-ramps into 70-mph traffic.
Author:  vetgam [ Fri Feb 17, 2017 7:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
A Prius is about as wimpy as it gets and I do not.notice any difference in acceleration with the AI on a trailer. In fact, my gas milage hardly changes.
Author:  mmiller [ Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
PeteCress wrote:
I would think that doing 55 on CA freeways would be scary.


Did I say anybody goes the speed limit? :) Hardly!

The typical traffic speed is between 70-80 and trucks are barely slower.
Author:  PeteCress [ Fri Feb 17, 2017 10:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full-Sized Pickup Truck Pulling AI: V-6 Sufficient ?
mmiller wrote:
PeteCress wrote:
I would think that doing 55 on CA freeways would be scary.


Did I say anybody goes the speed limit? :) Hardly!

The typical traffic speed is between 70-80 and trucks are barely slower.
That's how my world is. When I cruise the right lane at 65, sometimes people pass me on the right - in the exit lanes....
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