Tow Vehicle

[WakeSurfin]

I’ve been browsing around this site for a little while now and I’ve picked up a lot of useful information. I did not see any topics on what people are towing with. I am getting ready to purchase a 2008 response LXI and am not sure if my current vehicle will pull it adequately.

I have a 2004 Ford explorer 2wd with the v6 engine and factory towing package (class 3 hitch, trans cooler). I’m not concerned about the road towing so much as the ramp loading and unloading. Anyone have any experiences to share ?

Also what would you consider a fair price for a 2008 response LXI with 220 hours and the 340 monsoon, heater, shower. I’ve looked at NADA values but they seem a little skewed in today’s economy, especialy in Michigan.

[thethrillofspeed]

Gotta love the Response LXI. I towed mine with a Grand Cherokee and even with a tandem axle trailer it pushed my Grand Cherokee around a bit. Not enough that it was dangerous, but enough to get your attention. The Grand Cherokee in 2wd had zero issues at the launch ramp. I upgraded to a Suburban and it tows my Response like a dream.

Price, my gut says mid 30's in this market at the end of the season.

[MalibuTime]

I’ve been browsing around this site for a little while now and I’ve picked up a lot of useful information. I did not see any topics on what people are towing with. I am getting ready to purchase a 2008 response LXI and am not sure if my current vehicle will pull it adequately.

I have a 2004 Ford explorer 2wd with the v6 engine and factory towing package (class 3 hitch, trans cooler). I’m not concerned about the road towing so much as the ramp loading and unloading. Anyone have any experiences to share ?

Also what would you consider a fair price for a 2008 response LXI with 220 hours and the 340 monsoon, heater, shower. I’ve looked at NADA values but they seem a little skewed in today’s economy, especialy in Michigan.

Tower? No tower? Wedge? I would agree with Nada being skewed. The downward pressure in the economy was quicker than I believe they adjust their valuations. Mid 30's would be a steal. I am thinking more like low 40's would even be a good deal, but again that depends on options, trailer etc. Here is a sweet 06 w/ HH. I think that with Microsoft and a lot of high tech jobs around here we have not seen quite as much of a price hit in the general market, though downward pressure for sure.

http://www.bakesmarine.com/2020Datashed/li...egoryID_list=14

Edit - also, on the 2wd, for the most part you will be fine. When you get into steeper ramps, gravel , dirt or moss/slime covered ramps is when things will get a bit dicey.

Edited August 3, 2009 by TheBlackPearl

[Baddabboumm]

Hello,

Last year I had a Glastron 18.5 and I was towing it with my good old Chevy Blazer 2004 4x4 4.3 L 190 hp.

When I purchased earlier this summer my 2009 Wakesetter 23 LSV. I tought I would be able to tow my new boat with my not anymore so good Blazer. I was wrong.

I had to purchase my new 2009 Dodge RAM 5.7L Hemi 385 hp

Now, I'm fully equipped. My RAM is perfect for a 23 feet.

Baddabboumm

[UWSkier]

I used to tow slalom boats (RLXi and RLX alike) all the time with my S-10 ZR2 4x4. It handled them just fine, but it would get pushed around a bit in panic braking maneuvers. I wouldn't say it was unsafe, but it was on the high end of what I'd tow with it regularly over long distances. I've also towed our VLX with it and could tell it was a little heavier than the slalom rigs. That was fine towing for an hour or so, but anything longer than that or with hills and I'd look for more power.

Is your Explorer a 2 door or 4 door? The extra wheelbase on the 4d will help a lot.

And as others have said, what does your normal ramp look like? Personally, with some of the ramps around here, I wouldn't dare try retrieving without 4wd. If you always use the same ramp at the same lake and it's a good quality ramp, 2wd should be fine.

[WakeSurfin]

Thanks for the advice. The majority of the lakes I will be using have DNR launch sites that are cement. The boat does not have a tower or wedge, but does have the transom wedge plate already installed. Here is the description on the boat.

2008 MALIBU Response LXi, Ski Club Demo... Balance of Manufacturers Warranty. Powered by the Indmar Monsoon engine, 340 HP, EFI/MPI, 200 Hours, includes 2 Outlet Heater, Shower, Insulated Motor Box, Wedge Plate, Perfect Pass Star Gazer, Silent Rider Mufflers, Water Cooled Shaft Seal, Sound Pack 1, Fiberglass Swim Platform, Mooring Cover, and Single Axle Trailer.

[Soon2BV]

If the lake level varies much, i would get 4x4 4-sure. Most of the time o dont need it, but when the lake level drops a few feet the ramps can be slicker with growth on them. Just a little scary when the wheels are spinning with $40K hooked behind you.

[Sixball]

I use a 02 Expedition 5.4L 3.72 axel to pull my Rlxi. Its been a very good truck 4x4 My boat is very smiler. Also a single axel trailer. I don't pull much any more but it does a nice job.

[Faceplant409]

It's all about the brakes kids, it's all about the brakes in emergency situations....

I think the bigger question is how far and what terrain are you towing through? If you are just going 10 minutes through town to a ramp, I'd think you'd be ok.

I towed a 18' jet boat with a 454 & big chrome headers through the Altamont pass 2hrs 1 way to the Delta with a 4 cyl Ranger when I was 18. Talk about REAAAL dumb... Very lucky we never had an accident...

[wakesk8playa69]

1 word...... diesel

[Living the Dream]

1 word...... diesel

Hello Im new here and not sure how to post...so this might be out of place or order. I have a question...

What do you all think about the 2010 LSV 247?? Im thinking of buying one this week and just joined the website...

Thanks

Derek

[Baddog]

Gotta love the Response LXI. I towed mine with a Grand Cherokee and even with a tandem axle trailer it pushed my Grand Cherokee around a bit. Not enough that it was dangerous, but enough to get your attention. The Grand Cherokee in 2wd had zero issues at the launch ramp. I upgraded to a Suburban and it tows my Response like a dream.

Price, my gut says mid 30's in this market at the end of the season.

End of the season?? Say it ain't so. Way to early to be talking like that.

[nuttyskier2002]

It's all about the brakes kids, it's all about the brakes in emergency situations....

I think the bigger question is how far and what terrain are you towing through? If you are just going 10 minutes through town to a ramp, I'd think you'd be ok.

I towed a 18' jet boat with a 454 & big chrome headers through the Altamont pass 2hrs 1 way to the Delta with a 4 cyl Ranger when I was 18. Talk about REAAAL dumb... Very lucky we never had an accident...

I second this 100%. Before I bought my '03 Trailblazer (5.3L V8), I towed my '95 Echelon (20') with a 2000 Blazer w/4.3 V6. On flat surfaces towing in 3rd it did fine. Just a slight uphill grade though and I'd be pushing the gas pedal down pretty hard. You can get a steel on trucks now days. If the Explorer had a V8 and your trailer brakes are really good I wouldn't hesitate.

[cyoda44]

Toyota Tundra... double cab. Room enought for 5 adults and plenty of power to pull. Do you remember all the Toyota TV ads about their brakes and power.

[thethrillofspeed]

Gotta love the Response LXI. I towed mine with a Grand Cherokee and even with a tandem axle trailer it pushed my Grand Cherokee around a bit. Not enough that it was dangerous, but enough to get your attention. The Grand Cherokee in 2wd had zero issues at the launch ramp. I upgraded to a Suburban and it tows my Response like a dream.

Price, my gut says mid 30's in this market at the end of the season.

End of the season?? Say it ain't so. Way to early to be talking like that.

I'm not stopping until November! But trying to sell a boat in August will find vastly fewer buyers in the market. I picked mine up in August two years ago and that was the first time the dealer would move on price...June and July they just laughed at me.

[Ndawg12]

Toyota Tundra... double cab. Room enought for 5 adults and plenty of power to pull. Do you remember all the Toyota TV ads about their brakes and power.

I had to give you an "adda boy" for that answer, I don't think there will be very many of us Tundra owners.

[bl1996]

Duramax is the best.

[Toes Up]

I had an Exploder and it was adequate for towing my Nautique. Since you only have 2wd, I would be careful before you put in. Eventually, you will probably want to upgrade to a bigger 4wd, but for now you should be able to get by.

Good luck!

[WakeSurfin]

Thanks again for all the helpful advice. Any input on what the going rate for this boat should be in a down economy in August ?

[factoryKITTED]

I have a 4x4 7.3L diesel Excursion - dedicated tow rig. Best ever.

[gregtay]

1 word...... diesel

Could not agree more (mine's a V10 twin turbo TDI VW Touareg... never going back to a gasser.)

[jim05rlxi]

Duramax is the best.

+1

[TheKiwi]

Would kill for a duramax but they are $$$

[dalt1]

I tow my VLX at nearly 6000 LBS with my Nissan Titan and it has no problems with it. It is rated to tow up to 9500 LBS but that would push it a bit I'm sure.

[Baddog]

Toyota Tundra... double cab. Room enought for 5 adults and plenty of power to pull. Do you remember all the Toyota TV ads about their brakes and power.

I had to give you an "adda boy" for that answer, I don't think there will be very many of us Tundra owners.

Why is that? Are they not as good at towing as the ads suggested?