Hello all....question on tow vehicle
 

I've read these posts quite awhile and thought with such knowledgeable
people here I'd drop a little background and ask a question.

I've been a bass fisherman for some 30 years, and have always done
well. About 20 years ago, I met my current fishing partner. We were
always in sync and won or placed in a number of tourneys.

During all these years, I've always fished that back in his rig. Well
like all good things it must come to an end. He is moving to change
jobs. This brings me to my question. I've decided to go out and
purchase a rig and tow vehicle. I've got the boat an 18' Nitro /w
150. And now the money is running short.

Since I don't fish long distances away, shoot the lake is 15 minutes
from home and the longest is 2 hours. During that travel time I can
be on about 6 or 7 different lakes with some of the best bass fishing
in KY and TN. And tourney money to go around.

My question is this, I cant afford to go out and by a nice new
extended cab pickup at this time....need the extended for the
occasional family trips. But I can pick up a older model Blazer or
Jeep Grand.

How does anyone feel about these as tow vehicles. As time and the
boat payments go away, I can pick up something else. I don't need a
luxury ride....just the tow.

Thanks for the comments and thanks for all the great posts that I've
been reading.

Jeff

For that boat you ought to be fine with either one of those vehicles.
Although I wouldn't recommend it, I was towing my 17' Nitro with a 6
cylinder Ranger. A couple of years ago, 2002 I think, we towed that boat
from Tennessee to Wisconsin with one.

Where are you? You sound like you're right next door! Closest lake (Percy
Priest) from my house is 15 minutes, with Dale Hollow being about 2 hours.
LOL


"Jeff" wrote in message
...
I've read these posts quite awhile and thought with such knowledgeable
people here I'd drop a little background and ask a question.

I've been a bass fisherman for some 30 years, and have always done
well. About 20 years ago, I met my current fishing partner. We were
always in sync and won or placed in a number of tourneys.

During all these years, I've always fished that back in his rig. Well
like all good things it must come to an end. He is moving to change
jobs. This brings me to my question. I've decided to go out and
purchase a rig and tow vehicle. I've got the boat an 18' Nitro /w
150. And now the money is running short.

Since I don't fish long distances away, shoot the lake is 15 minutes
from home and the longest is 2 hours. During that travel time I can
be on about 6 or 7 different lakes with some of the best bass fishing
in KY and TN. And tourney money to go around.

My question is this, I cant afford to go out and by a nice new
extended cab pickup at this time....need the extended for the
occasional family trips. But I can pick up a older model Blazer or
Jeep Grand.

How does anyone feel about these as tow vehicles. As time and the
boat payments go away, I can pick up something else. I don't need a
luxury ride....just the tow.

Thanks for the comments and thanks for all the great posts that I've
been reading.

Jeff

SE Kentucky. Dale is about 2 hours, Cumberland is 45 min at most,
Cherokee a couple, Norris about an hour, Percy Priest is about 2.5 as
the crow flys.

Whats the water temp down south. Well have those late winter snows
yet but the smallmouth are a bitin!

On Thu, 10 Mar 2005 22:52:06 -0600, "Charles B. Summers"
wrote:

For that boat you ought to be fine with either one of those vehicles.
Although I wouldn't recommend it, I was towing my 17' Nitro with a 6
cylinder Ranger. A couple of years ago, 2002 I think, we towed that boat
from Tennessee to Wisconsin with one.

Where are you? You sound like you're right next door! Closest lake (Percy
Priest) from my house is 15 minutes, with Dale Hollow being about 2 hours.
LOL


"Jeff" wrote in message
.. .
I've read these posts quite awhile and thought with such knowledgeable
people here I'd drop a little background and ask a question.

I've been a bass fisherman for some 30 years, and have always done
well. About 20 years ago, I met my current fishing partner. We were
always in sync and won or placed in a number of tourneys.

During all these years, I've always fished that back in his rig. Well
like all good things it must come to an end. He is moving to change
jobs. This brings me to my question. I've decided to go out and
purchase a rig and tow vehicle. I've got the boat an 18' Nitro /w
150. And now the money is running short.

Since I don't fish long distances away, shoot the lake is 15 minutes
from home and the longest is 2 hours. During that travel time I can
be on about 6 or 7 different lakes with some of the best bass fishing
in KY and TN. And tourney money to go around.

My question is this, I cant afford to go out and by a nice new
extended cab pickup at this time....need the extended for the
occasional family trips. But I can pick up a older model Blazer or
Jeep Grand.

How does anyone feel about these as tow vehicles. As time and the
boat payments go away, I can pick up something else. I don't need a
luxury ride....just the tow.

Thanks for the comments and thanks for all the great posts that I've
been reading.

Jeff

Well that's about all I've got as choice right now. I can pick up a
later model v8 Grand but the one I spotted has some high milage on
her. But the V6s are more available and less milage.


On Thu, 10 Mar 2005 22:52:06 -0600, "Charles B. Summers"
wrote:

For that boat you ought to be fine with either one of those vehicles.
Although I wouldn't recommend it, I was towing my 17' Nitro with a 6
cylinder Ranger. A couple of years ago, 2002 I think, we towed that boat
from Tennessee to Wisconsin with one.

Where are you? You sound like you're right next door! Closest lake (Percy
Priest) from my house is 15 minutes, with Dale Hollow being about 2 hours.
LOL


"Jeff" wrote in message
.. .
I've read these posts quite awhile and thought with such knowledgeable
people here I'd drop a little background and ask a question.

I've been a bass fisherman for some 30 years, and have always done
well. About 20 years ago, I met my current fishing partner. We were
always in sync and won or placed in a number of tourneys.

During all these years, I've always fished that back in his rig. Well
like all good things it must come to an end. He is moving to change
jobs. This brings me to my question. I've decided to go out and
purchase a rig and tow vehicle. I've got the boat an 18' Nitro /w
150. And now the money is running short.

Since I don't fish long distances away, shoot the lake is 15 minutes
from home and the longest is 2 hours. During that travel time I can
be on about 6 or 7 different lakes with some of the best bass fishing
in KY and TN. And tourney money to go around.

My question is this, I cant afford to go out and by a nice new
extended cab pickup at this time....need the extended for the
occasional family trips. But I can pick up a older model Blazer or
Jeep Grand.

How does anyone feel about these as tow vehicles. As time and the
boat payments go away, I can pick up something else. I don't need a
luxury ride....just the tow.

Thanks for the comments and thanks for all the great posts that I've
been reading.

Jeff

Hello all....question on tow vehicle

Group: rec.outdoors.fishing.bass Date: Thu, Mar 10, 2005, 11:37pm
(CST+1) From: (Jeff)
I've read these posts quite awhile and thought with such knowledgeable
people here I'd drop a little background and ask a question.
I've been a bass fisherman for some 30 years, and have always done well.
About 20 years ago, I met my current fishing partner. We were always in
sync and won or placed in a number of tourneys.
During all these years, I've always fished that back in his rig. Well
like all good things it must come to an end. He is moving to change
jobs. This brings me to my question. I've decided to go out and purchase
a rig and tow vehicle. I've got the boat an 18' Nitro /w
150. And now the money is running short.
Since I don't fish long distances away, shoot the lake is 15 minutes
from home and the longest is 2 hours. During that travel time I can be
on about 6 or 7 different lakes with some of the best bass fishing in KY
and TN. And tourney money to go around.
My question is this, I cant afford to go out and by a nice new extended
cab pickup at this time....need the extended for the occasional family
trips. But I can pick up a older model Blazer or Jeep Grand.
How does anyone feel about these as tow vehicles. As time and the boat
payments go away, I can pick up something else. I don't need a luxury
ride....just the tow.
Thanks for the comments and thanks for all the great posts that I've
been reading.
Jeff
========
Jeff, I wouldn't personally do the jeep thing, but that is just my
personal experience. A well maintained, used, ford F-150 will do the
job, and the maintenace cost is reasonable. I am partial to fords
though, so ya might wanna listen to the dodge and chevy owners too
grin.

JK

First off. Since you say you don't need luxury... A work model 2500HD
Extended cab only runs about 27K brand new. Might be able to find a dealer
with some left over 2004s even cheaper. Second... having always bought used
vehicles all my life until the last few years I can tell you that no matter
hopw careful you are a used vehicle ultimately could cost you more money
than a new one in repair bills. That being said. There is no reason a
Blazer with a V-8 or a Jeep Grand Cherokee can't tow your boat. I
occassionally tow my 20' tunnel hull with an S-10 pickup. That only has a
V-6. Its not fast, and it down shifts at the hint of a grade, but it does
the job. I haven't used it for that since i have one of those 2500HDs I
mentioned... Anyway. If you look at a good half ton Silverado instead of
the 3/4 ton I have you can probably shave a frew more dollars off or maybe
go with a 4X4 for around the same price.

Of course I question your "No Frills" when I hear Jeep Grand Cherokee. When
I say basic work truck I mean rubber floor matts, basic am/fm radio, crank
windows, and manual door locks.

--
** Public Fishing and Boating Forums
** www.YumaBassMan.com


"Jeff" wrote in message
...
I've read these posts quite awhile and thought with such knowledgeable
people here I'd drop a little background and ask a question.

I've been a bass fisherman for some 30 years, and have always done
well. About 20 years ago, I met my current fishing partner. We were
always in sync and won or placed in a number of tourneys.

During all these years, I've always fished that back in his rig. Well
like all good things it must come to an end. He is moving to change
jobs. This brings me to my question. I've decided to go out and
purchase a rig and tow vehicle. I've got the boat an 18' Nitro /w
150. And now the money is running short.

Since I don't fish long distances away, shoot the lake is 15 minutes
from home and the longest is 2 hours. During that travel time I can
be on about 6 or 7 different lakes with some of the best bass fishing
in KY and TN. And tourney money to go around.

My question is this, I cant afford to go out and by a nice new
extended cab pickup at this time....need the extended for the
occasional family trips. But I can pick up a older model Blazer or
Jeep Grand.

How does anyone feel about these as tow vehicles. As time and the
boat payments go away, I can pick up something else. I don't need a
luxury ride....just the tow.

Thanks for the comments and thanks for all the great posts that I've
been reading.

Jeff

Water temps here are holding around 52 degrees. (JPP)


"Jeff" wrote in message
...
SE Kentucky. Dale is about 2 hours, Cumberland is 45 min at most,
Cherokee a couple, Norris about an hour, Percy Priest is about 2.5 as
the crow flys.

Whats the water temp down south. Well have those late winter snows
yet but the smallmouth are a bitin!

On Thu, 10 Mar 2005 22:52:06 -0600, "Charles B. Summers"
wrote:

Jeff wrote:
Well that's about all I've got as choice right now. I can pick up a
later model v8 Grand but the one I spotted has some high milage on
her. But the V6s are more available and less milage.

The V6 in a Jeep was a not a good tower for me, the straight 6 in my
Grand was, and is much better, but I would still prefer the V8

Make sure you get a 4WD, at least around here it's needed as some of our
ramps are steep and get very slick.

I've got close to 200,000 miles on the Grand now, I bought it new in 95,
and it's still going very strong, some minor electrical problems due to
corrosion at the ends of wires, but that's the only real problems I've
had, besides replacing brakes, and two water pumps.

--
Rodney Long,
Inventor of the Long Shot "WIGGLE" rig, SpecTastic Thread
Boomerang Fishing Pro. ,Stand Out Hooks ,Stand Out Lures,
Mojo's Rock Hopper & Rig Saver weights, Decoy Activator
and the EZKnot http://www.ezknot.com

http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zeroforum?id=18




"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
First off. Since you say you don't need luxury... A work model 2500HD
Extended cab only runs about 27K brand new. Might be able to find a
dealer
with some left over 2004s even cheaper. Second... having always bought
used
vehicles all my life until the last few years I can tell you that no
matter
hopw careful you are a used vehicle ultimately could cost you more money
than a new one in repair bills. That being said. There is no reason a
Blazer with a V-8 or a Jeep Grand Cherokee can't tow your boat. I
occassionally tow my 20' tunnel hull with an S-10 pickup. That only has a
V-6. Its not fast, and it down shifts at the hint of a grade, but it does
the job. I haven't used it for that since i have one of those 2500HDs I
mentioned... Anyway. If you look at a good half ton Silverado instead of
the 3/4 ton I have you can probably shave a frew more dollars off or maybe
go with a 4X4 for around the same price.

Of course I question your "No Frills" when I hear Jeep Grand Cherokee.
When
I say basic work truck I mean rubber floor matts, basic am/fm radio, crank
windows, and manual door locks.

--
** Public Fishing and Boating Forums
** www.YumaBassMan.com


"Jeff" wrote in message
...
I've read these posts quite awhile and thought with such knowledgeable
people here I'd drop a little background and ask a question.

I've been a bass fisherman for some 30 years, and have always done
well. About 20 years ago, I met my current fishing partner. We were
always in sync and won or placed in a number of tourneys.

During all these years, I've always fished that back in his rig. Well
like all good things it must come to an end. He is moving to change
jobs. This brings me to my question. I've decided to go out and
purchase a rig and tow vehicle. I've got the boat an 18' Nitro /w
150. And now the money is running short.

Since I don't fish long distances away, shoot the lake is 15 minutes
from home and the longest is 2 hours. During that travel time I can
be on about 6 or 7 different lakes with some of the best bass fishing
in KY and TN. And tourney money to go around.

My question is this, I cant afford to go out and by a nice new
extended cab pickup at this time....need the extended for the
occasional family trips. But I can pick up a older model Blazer or
Jeep Grand.

How does anyone feel about these as tow vehicles. As time and the
boat payments go away, I can pick up something else. I don't need a
luxury ride....just the tow.

Thanks for the comments and thanks for all the great posts that I've
been reading.

Jeff

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
I've read these posts quite awhile and thought with such knowledgeable
people here I'd drop a little background and ask a question.

I've been a bass fisherman for some 30 years, and have always done
well. About 20 years ago, I met my current fishing partner. We were
always in sync and won or placed in a number of tourneys.

During all these years, I've always fished that back in his rig. Well
like all good things it must come to an end. He is moving to change
jobs. This brings me to my question. I've decided to go out and
purchase a rig and tow vehicle. I've got the boat an 18' Nitro /w
150. And now the money is running short.

Since I don't fish long distances away, shoot the lake is 15 minutes
from home and the longest is 2 hours. During that travel time I can
be on about 6 or 7 different lakes with some of the best bass fishing
in KY and TN. And tourney money to go around.

My question is this, I cant afford to go out and by a nice new
extended cab pickup at this time....need the extended for the
occasional family trips. But I can pick up a older model Blazer or
Jeep Grand.

How does anyone feel about these as tow vehicles. As time and the
boat payments go away, I can pick up something else. I don't need a
luxury ride....just the tow.

Thanks for the comments and thanks for all the great posts that I've
been reading.

Jeff


Just my input here, but I'd go with a V8 with a "solid" transmission and
rear-end in it. I have an 03 Chevy Trailblazer, with an inline 6, 4.2
Liters, and it pulls my 17' bass rig "ok", you have to keep the revs up to
get the boat moving and really get up on the tach to get up even a moderate
ramp. It would work if it was all I had, as it has locking rear diff (for
slick ramps, both drive tires turning is a help), and it also has a
transmission cooler on it. I'd probably not tow my boat far beyond my
state's borders with this vehicle, as you can tell it is a chore to both the
engine/transmission and suspension. The numbers on this vehicle are 270/275
(HP/Tq)

My other tow truck, is a 2000 Toyota Ext. Cab Tundra. Small, 4.7L V8, but
with the tranny (complete with tranny cooler), torque, and rear-end to tow
up to 7200 lbs with. Behind this truck, the bass boat feels like my Jet Ski,
and one barely even notices it. I'd tow my boat to California from my home
in NC with that truck today, and it has 106,000 miles on it. This truck's
numbers are 250/310 (HP/Tq)

Moral: Look for torque over HP, in a dependable heavier duty vehicle, IMO.
At the very least, I'd recommend trying to find a V8, just because its
torque/HP will make towing "easier" on it over the long haul, and would
likely require less engine/transmission work after a fair amount of tow-use,
again, IMHO. A transmission cooler may also be advisable if you live in a
hilly area, or will be covering long distances while towing with any
regularity.