23' Pontoon Towing Impressions with 4K Tow Package Maverick XL

[gear1975]

23’ pontoon? No problem. These types of pontoons are generally 110 lbs per foot and the trailer is about 1000 lbs. Also, truck was empty, so total is well under the 4k pound limit, even after filling it up with fuel. So, estimate this to be about 3600 lbs. Launched it at the boat launch with no issues at all.

For MPG numbers, I didn't capture it for this boat, but for my 18' fibreglass boat (estimate bo be 3300 lbs), I got the following info on towing: After a flat 90min drive, mileage was about 16.7L/100km (14 mpg) in Tow Mode. Compared the the same drive without the trailer 9.5L/100km (24.7 mpg) in Eco Mode, even with the roof top box. I'm told that highway driving in tow mode may not be the best for fuel economy, but I'm not 100% sure on that one.

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[Jahman]

Super cool stuff.

 

[Saltboy]

Great to see...I've got a 20' toon that I plan to tow. Only a few miles to launch and back but good to see it is up to the task. That was my soul concern.

 

[Mavonorder]

23’ pontoon? No problem. These types of pontoons are generally 110 lbs per foot and the trailer is about 1000 lbs. Also, truck was empty, so total is well under the 4k pound limit, even after filling it up with fuel. So, estimate this to be about 3600 lbs. Launched it at the boat launch with no issues at all.

For MPG numbers, I didn't capture it for this boat, but for my 18' fibreglass boat (estimate bo be 3300 lbs), I got the following info on towing: After a flat 90min drive, mileage was about 16.7L/100km (14 mpg) in Tow Mode. Compared the the same drive without the trailer 9.5L/100km (24.7 mpg) in Eco Mode, even with the roof top box. I'm told that highway driving in tow mode may not be the best for fuel economy, but I'm not 100% sure on that one.

Is your launch fairly steep and did you have to gun the gas to get up and out of the water?

 

[Clock Doc]

Thanks for the info. I have a small food trailer I will be pulling with mine. I will be pulling near the top end of that 4k like you. Nice to hear it handled it well.
How was the sway towing that big sail behind you?

 

[gear1975]

Is your launch fairly steep and did you have to gun the gas to get up and out of the water?

Launched and retrieved well at the boat launch. Not particularly steep, and paved (not gravel).

No footage of the retrieval, but I have a clip of my pulling my 18' fiberglass inboard here. Similar in
weight. Didn't have to gun it to get it out whatsoever.

 

[gear1975]

Thanks for the info. I have a small food trailer I will be pulling with mine. I will be pulling near the top end of that 4k like you. Nice to hear it handled it well.
How was the sway towing that big sail behind you?

I didn't have any highway speeds to go on this particular trip, so can't comment on the bimini top wind resistance. If I were to go on the highway, I'd for sure stow it away properly.

 

[Clock Doc]

I didn't have any highway speeds to go on this particular trip, so can't comment on the bimini top wind resistance. If I were to go on the highway, I'd for sure stow it away properly.

Sorry, I was refering to the sides of the boat in a cross wind or buffetting from other vehicles. The sway control in these little trucks is supposed to be pretty good. Nice to know no issues on main roads though.

 

[Mavonorder]

Great to see...I've got a 20' toon that I plan to tow. Only a few miles to launch and back but good to see it is up to the task. That was my soul concern.

Ditto. If the Mav ain't up to da task... I'll have to sell it, which I would really prefer not doing as it's the perfect vehicle for towing a relatively light boat a short distance.

 

[Mavonorder]

Launched and retrieved well at the boat launch. Not particularly steep, and paved (not gravel).

No footage of the retrieval, but I have a clip of my pulling my 18' fiberglass inboard here. Similar in
weight. Didn't have to gun it to get it out whatsoever.

With the pontoon, were your back tires well into the water? We've got a crank up trailer so the boat has to be pretty far down the ramp and sometimes the exhaust tailpipe is partially submerged in a 2019 4x4 f150 with 20 inch rims.

Great video by the way!

 

[RogueCheddar]

23’ pontoon? No problem. These types of pontoons are generally 110 lbs per foot and the trailer is about 1000 lbs. Also, truck was empty, so total is well under the 4k pound limit, even after filling it up with fuel. So, estimate this to be about 3600 lbs. Launched it at the boat launch with no issues at all.

For MPG numbers, I didn't capture it for this boat, but for my 18' fibreglass boat (estimate bo be 3300 lbs), I got the following info on towing: After a flat 90min drive, mileage was about 16.7L/100km (14 mpg) in Tow Mode. Compared the the same drive without the trailer 9.5L/100km (24.7 mpg) in Eco Mode, even with the roof top box. I'm told that highway driving in tow mode may not be the best for fuel economy, but I'm not 100% sure on that one.

Nice! I tow a 2700lb travel trailer and only use tow haul mode on long climbs/descents, can generally average 11-12l/100km up and down hills here in BC.

 

[jtpc2021]

The roof luggage rack on top will steal some mpgs as well.

 

[NJBob]

Great to see...I've got a 20' toon that I plan to tow. Only a few miles to launch and back but good to see it is up to the task. That was my soul concern.

Also have a 20 foot pontoon boat. Tow a quarter mile to launch. Both my Dakota and F150 I have to back into the water fairly deep. Exhaust in the water. Guess I will find out.

 

[NJBob]

23’ pontoon? No problem. These types of pontoons are generally 110 lbs per foot and the trailer is about 1000 lbs. Also, truck was empty, so total is well under the 4k pound limit, even after filling it up with fuel. So, estimate this to be about 3600 lbs. Launched it at the boat launch with no issues at all.

For MPG numbers, I didn't capture it for this boat, but for my 18' fibreglass boat (estimate bo be 3300 lbs), I got the following info on towing: After a flat 90min drive, mileage was about 16.7L/100km (14 mpg) in Tow Mode. Compared the the same drive without the trailer 9.5L/100km (24.7 mpg) in Eco Mode, even with the roof top box. I'm told that highway driving in tow mode may not be the best for fuel economy, but I'm not 100% sure on that one.

Question: did the trailer have brakes? I have a 20 foot pontoon but no brakes on it. But only tow a quater mile to put it in and out of the water once a year.

 

[gear1975]

With the pontoon, were your back tires well into the water? We've got a crank up trailer so the boat has to be pretty far down the ramp and sometimes the exhaust tailpipe is partially submerged in a 2019 4x4 f150 with 20 inch rims.

Great video by the way!

Not particularly in this particular launch. Tailpipe wasn't submerged.

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