Towing Capabilities

[fossil]

Do you own two Maverick's. That post I put a link to was your second thread you made. This was your third thread. Just curious

are you confusing Terrain with Tremor?

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[Mike1597]

There is no way a Maverick can safely tow a 24’ pontoon as the wheelbase is way too short. The weight rule of thumb is to allow a 10-20% fudge factor. So for a 4K tow package you should plan to tow no more than 3200-3600 pounds. I use to have a 24’ pontoon (eight foot wide) and by the time I filled the fuel tank and gear it came in close to 4,200 pounds. If you haven’t already done so you might want to check the weight on your fully loaded pontoon, it may surprise you.

Max trailer length is (YMMV).

Manufacturers don’t advise specific ratios, but a rule of thumb is that a 110-inch wheelbase allows for a 20-foot trailer. For each additional four inches of wheelbase, you can assume one more foot of trailer length.

The Maverick wheelbase is 121.1”, so theoretically the max length would be 22.78 foot. Keep in mind this is the total length of trailer including the trailer tongue and I would include that outboard on the back as well.

Good luck and safe travels.

 

[Hunters Edge]

are you confusing Terrain with Tremor?

Yes I did. Thank you for pointing that out.

 

[James R]

are you confusing Terrain with Tremor?

Great information! Thanks! I just ordered my 2024 Maverick with the intention to buy either a 16’ or 18’ Sun Tracker pontoon and according to your math I’m assuming the 18’ from trailer hitch to motor will be too long. Would you agree?

 

[James R]

Great information! Thanks! I just ordered my 2024 Maverick with the intention to buy either a 16’ or 18’ Sun Tracker pontoon and according to your math I’m assuming the 18’ from trailer hitch to motor will be too long. Would you agree?

Sorry that was meant for Mike1547

 

[James R]

There is no way a Maverick can safely tow a 24’ pontoon as the wheelbase is way too short. The weight rule of thumb is to allow a 10-20% fudge factor. So for a 4K tow package you should plan to tow no more than 3200-3600 pounds. I use to have a 24’ pontoon (eight foot wide) and by the time I filled the fuel tank and gear it came in close to 4,200 pounds. If you haven’t already done so you might want to check the weight on your fully loaded pontoon, it may surprise you.

Max trailer length is (YMMV).

Manufacturers don’t advise specific ratios, but a rule of thumb is that a 110-inch wheelbase allows for a 20-foot trailer. For each additional four inches of wheelbase, you can assume one more foot of trailer length.

The Maverick wheelbase is 121.1”, so theoretically the max length would be 22.78 foot. Keep in mind this is the total length of trailer including the trailer tongue and I would include that outboard on the back as well.

Good luck and safe travels.

Great information! Thanks! I just ordered my 2024 Maverick with the intention to buy either a 16’ or 18’ Sun Tracker pontoon and according to your math I’m assuming the 18’ from trailer hitch to motor will be too long. Would you agree?

 

[James R]

Sorry that was meant for Mike1547

Great information! Thanks! I just ordered my 2024 Maverick with the intention to buy either a 16’ or 18’ Sun Tracker pontoon and according to your math I’m assuming the 18’ from trailer hitch to motor will be too long. Would you agree?

actually they list a towing length of 25’. Would that include the hitch end to the motor end? Is that 25’ going to be an unsafe tow? Thanks

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Hey, what happened here?

HRG

 

[Mike1597]

actually they list a towing length of 25’. Would that include the hitch end to the motor end? Is that 25’ going to be an unsafe tow? Thanks

Keep in mind that this is a rule of thumb. I suggest talking it over with your Suntracker dealer. IMO the 16' Suntracker should tow okay.

 

[James R]

Keep in mind that this is a rule of thumb. I suggest talking it over with your Suntracker dealer. IMO the 16' Suntracker should tow okay.

Honestly with this information, I just may cancel my truck. I wanted it specifically for this and from what I am reading, it’s simply a good rule or else the trailer haul could overpower your small wheelbase.

 

[SamFranco]

I just traded my new 2024 Maverick Lariat 5k miles with towing package due to towing issues. When towing my 24' pontoon on a bunk trailer, the Maverick's size became a factor controlling the trailer. The trailer is within the weight capacity, but the 30' tandem-axle, bunk trailer with the boat loaded was too large for the small pickup and swayed too much at 50-60mph speeds.

Lesson learned. Make sure you consider all you will be doing with a little pickup before an accident happens. Luckily, I got a good deal and didn't lose too much trading now.

Otherwise, the Maverick handled pulling the trailer out of the lake well and gets great MPGs. But, size also matters.

Did you use a weight distribution with sway control hitch?

 

[lm126027]

Waiting on my Maverick Lariat Ecoboost with 4K to come in. Build date is the week of 9/2. Currently tow an 11' two place clamshell snowmobile trailer with my 2020 Escape Titanium (3500lb towing capacity) Ecoboost with no issues (other than low mpg.. lol). Cruises fine on the Maine Turnpike at 75mpg. Do have to be careful on sections of the highway where you have the truck wearing down the asphalt so that you have 2 ruts. Will do some swaying if I get caught in them... To avoid I normally move to the left lane where this is an issue. Purchased a new single axle hybrid trailer for this season. Weight is 410 more than the clamshell, though the height is 16" higher, length 3' longer, though 1' narrower. Towed it home from dealer in Maine (264 miles) empty with no issues. Strange set up as there appears to be almost no weight on the ball when empty. Not expecting any issues with towing this rig.

 

[James K]

I just traded my new 2024 Maverick Lariat 5k miles with towing package due to towing issues. When towing my 24' pontoon on a bunk trailer, the Maverick's size became a factor controlling the trailer. The trailer is within the weight capacity, but the 30' tandem-axle, bunk trailer with the boat loaded was too large for the small pickup and swayed too much at 50-60mph speeds.

Lesson learned. Make sure you consider all you will be doing with a little pickup before an accident happens. Luckily, I got a good deal and didn't lose too much trading now.

Otherwise, the Maverick handled pulling the trailer out of the lake well and gets great MPGs. But, size also matters.

I've only towed single axle with my Maverick but I did tow a race car trailer with tandem axles down to Florida and in the rain and I felt a bit of what you're talking about even though we were in my buddy's full size truck. I suspect if you replace full size truck with the Maverick it would be much more pronounced.

 

[Mike1597]

For anyone interested, etrailer has an informative article on how much trailer can I really tow.
https://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-much-trailer-can-i-tow.aspx

 

[Ron Neal]

I agree with the OP, towing a pontoon boat isn't the easies thing due to its size and trailers narrow wheel base. There are thumbrules to follow but if one is uncomfortable with the tow whatever it is then maybe not do it. Look for plan B.

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