I have an Arima 15" Seahunter & wonder if I can tow it with a 2018 Nissan Rogue SV AWD?
Any idea?
Thanks
I'd try it. Don't tailgate!
What is the towing capacity according to the manual? It may be given as two numbers, for trailer without and with brakes.
I towed a SeaHunter with a 3.8L V6 front wheel drive minivan rated to tow 3500 pounds. Towed all over for about 10 years. Never had a problem, but I was a little careful on slippery ramps, and the brakes on the minivan certainly weren't robust. I consider it the minimum to tow a SeaHunter
I read your Nissan Rogue is only rated to tow 1,100 lbs.... You're probably going to be towing twice that weight... Not recommended!
Does anyone have the old add with the Volkswagen bug towing a hunter to show Jamie I couldn't find it using the search.
COULD you tow a Sprinter with a Nissan Rogue? Yes, you could, if you were very, very careful and never had an accident or insurance claim. SHOULD you do it? No, probably not. You could run into some difficulties with liability or denial of coverage, and it would be hard on your Nissan as well.
Not too long ago, SUV's were basically a station-wagon body on a pickup chassis, and were just as capable for towing as a pickup. Now, most small to mid-size SUV's are a light-duty car chassis dressed up to look sort of like an SUV - because that's the style that sells - but without the load carrying or towing capabilities.
I think the tow rating for the Rogue was either 1100# or 1500#. According to Arima, a Sprinter hull was 920# bare. As an example, add a new Honda 50, about the lightest 4-stroke 50 available, at 214#, plus a light trailer at 250#, battery at 40#, controls and wiring at 30#, and at least two 6-gallon tanks of gas at 100#. We're now at 1550# - With no instruments, electronics, fishing gear, cooler, ice, spare prop, paddle, boathook, radio, lifejackets, canvas, etc.etc.etc. I would guesstimate a minimum towed weight around 1800#, and it could easily reach 2000#. If you were only a few miles from home to good launch ramp, probably OK. Otherwise, pretty iffy, and I wouldn't even consider it without trailer brakes.
https://arimaboats.com/about-us-2/
Quote from: headduck on July 30, 2020, 06:26:14 AM
https://arimaboats.com/about-us-2/
Thanks Headduck I used to tow a 14 foot runabout with a 57 bug with 36 HP went through a few clutches later a 17 IO with a VW van same problem a few clutches I now tow my Hunter with a CRV with no problem it's only rated for 1500 Lb so I am careful. I am looking forward to dinner with my good friend woollybully tonight we are so lucky that Vancouver Island has so little Covid
Thanks everyone, now I don't know what to do! Have to re-think my auto purchase? I am towing it now with a 2016 Malibu LTZ & don't have a problem. Only rated to 1,000. Thought the Rogue would be a more solid option
Quote from: headduck on July 30, 2020, 06:26:14 AM
https://arimaboats.com/about-us-2/
I call BS on this add. Can you imagine launching on a slippery ramp? Stability at freeway speeds? Braking? Maybe if you lived 1/2 a mile from the ramp :facepalm:
I also call BS on the ad, looks like the VW just backed up to a parked trailer... but am I the only one charmed by the clean uncluttered all-white hull and absence of guides on the trailer? I've globbed so much BS onto my boat and trailer that the empty canvas of that pic gives me feelings!
Quote from: wollybully on July 30, 2020, 07:37:24 AM
Thanks everyone, now I don't know what to do! Have to re-think my auto purchase? I am towing it now with a 2016 Malibu LTZ & don't have a problem. Only rated to 1,000. Thought the Rogue would be a more solid option
Technically, the Rogue is a
more solid option, but still not adequate. The older Nissan's had much greater capacity, I towed my hunter with an '03 Pathfinder that did a fine job with the little boat, and then a 2012 which was the last of the brutes and could pull 6500 but struggled with my 19'er. Having switched to a proper truck it's night and day. Maybe look around for a well priced, older used pickup to use as a dedicated tow rig? That way you've got the benefit of having a truck when you need it, and a proper tow vehicle that won't put you or others in harm's way.
If I see someone towing a boat, any boat, with a passenger car, I'm getting as far away as possible. That's an accident just waiting to happen. The VW ad is just that, an ad. It's not reflective of reality.
Bump for picking up a beater. For example I picked up a high mile grand Cherokee awd and v8 for $500. It is a total piece of crap but survived the gambler 500 and still runs fine. It is also a blast in the snow. I now have about 3k miles on it and it would be the perfect ramp vehicle. A expedition, jeep ,or Tahoe from the auction with light damage would be another low cost choice
Quote from: Fisherdv on July 30, 2020, 07:39:30 AM
Quote from: headduck on July 30, 2020, 06:26:14 AM
https://arimaboats.com/about-us-2/
I call BS on this add. Can you imagine launching on a slippery ramp? Stability at freeway speeds? Braking? Maybe if you lived 1/2 a mile from the ramp :facepalm:
There is a possibility that Super Beetle did pull that Arima, personally I wouldn't want to be pulling or launching a boat with a VW Bug, but it is possible.
VW actually made special tow hitches for the Type 1 and 2 starting back in the early 60's maybe even in the late 50's, in order to tow a small trailer no more then 1500lbs I believe, probably was not intended to tow boats, but people will be people.
Also amusing this picture was take in the mid 80's, the person could also have added disc brakes and sway bars to help control the Bug as it towed.
Definitely launching and retrieving the boat would be interesting with the light weight front trunk, unless they weighted it down.
Here's a unique travel trailer designed for the VW Super Beetle, pretty funny to see.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6HOXghLG94
Tow mine with my 94 Pajero 2.8 turbo diesel. Don't even know it's back there.
If your considering an AWD SUV, check out the Durango. It's bigger thank the Rogue but still a mid-size SUV. They are rated for 6000 and 7200 with the tow package and v6/v8. Mine's a v6 and does a great job of towing a 19' SR.
I towed my Sea Hunter with a Honda CR-V for years and no issues at all. Even launching in the sand in Mukilteo at minus tide.
VT
Good choice. I am now looking at the Ford Escape. If not, I think I will go the the CRV.
Thanks
The problem isn't weather you can tow it, it's can you stop it.
Agree that pulling power is usually not the issue, it is braking and handling. Besides the safety issues, as others mentioned that towing above vehicle specifications puts one at risk that if something were to happen, the insurance payment could be denied, increases liability and chances of negligence accusations. I would not tow a boat where the towing weight is above the rating.