Matching Truck Towing Capacity with Your Pocket Yacht

When it comes to towing a Ranger Tug, Cutwater, or Solara, finding the right truck with towing capacity is paramount.

While many trucks can handle this load, it’s crucial to understand the importance of staying comfortably below your truck’s towing limit. In this blog post, we will break it up into four sections: two size ranges for the 8’6″ Beam Boats and two size ranges for the larger 10′ Beam boats. We’ll delve into the specifics of what towing capacity is needed for your boat and provide examples of new-model trucks that fit the bill.

 

 

Towing Capacity, Dry Weight, and Staying Well Below the Limit

 

First, Towing Capacity:

Towing capacity refers to the maximum weight a vehicle is rated to tow safely. Exceeding this limit can compromise not only the performance of your truck but also your safety on the road. When it comes to towing a Pocket Yacht, selecting a truck with a robust towing capacity is essential.

 

Understanding what is included in Dry Weight*:

Dry Weight:  The dry weight of a boat is how much it weighs without any fuel in its gas tank, personal items, or any accessories. Generally, this is how much a boat weighs when it’s shipped by the manufacturer. Dry weight does not include any personal items, so it is important to stay below your truck’s towing limit, especially once you’ve “moved” aboard.

Fluid Motion, manufacturers of Ranger Tugs, Cutwater Boats, and Solara Boats, publish the dry weight of their boats on their site. This often does not account for the generators, extra batteries, a/c’s, and other additional features found on the Luxury Edition boats that are the most popular models sold at Pocket Yacht.

So, for example, a R-23 with half a tank of fuel, water, supplies, and a trailer is really closer to 8,000 lbs or more.

 

Above all, Stay Well Below the Limit:

While it might be tempting to push your truck to its towing limit, experts unanimously recommend staying well below the maximum capacity. In addition to ensuring a safer towing experience, it also prolongs the life of your truck’s engine, transmission, and brakes. In general, aim for a truck with a towing capacity that provides a comfortable buffer, especially with varying terrains or poor weather conditions.

 

 

8’6″ Beam Boats with a Dry Weight Between 6,000 and 7,000 pounds

When it comes to towing your Pocket Yacht with an easily trailerable 8’6″ beam, they typically fall into two categories, those with a dry weight of 6,000 to 7,000 lbs and those with a dry weight of 7,000 – 8,000 lbs. Remember this is dry weight as listed on the manufacturer site, so your boat will be heavier with fuel, water, and equipment on board.

From the Ranger Tugs, Cutwater Boats, and Solara Boats website the dry weight* of their 8’6″ beam boats are listed below.

• Ranger Tugs R-23: 6,000 lbs
• Ranger Tugs R-25: 6,500 lbs
• Cutwater Boats C-248: 6,200 lbs
• Solara S-250 DC: 5,800 lbs
• Solara S-250 CW: 6,300 lbs
• Solara S-250 Coupe: 6,200 lbs

 

Towing Capacities for New-Model Trucks, For Example:

Here are the trucks we suggest that best tow boats with a dry weight of 6,000 – 7,000 lbs. Although the range of the particular model is listed below, we suggest choosing a truck with a towing capacity of well over 10,000 lbs and should have a truck equipped as such:

• Ford F-150 – The Ford F-150 is a popular choice, offering towing capacities ranging from 7,500 to 14,000 pounds, depending on the engine and configuration. We recommend opting for the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 or the 5.0L V8 will give you ample towing power for your Pocket Yacht.
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – The Silverado 1500 boasts towing capacities between 6,700 and 13,300 pounds. The 6.2L V8 engine is an excellent choice for those seeking higher towing capacities while maintaining stability on the road.
• Ram 1500 – With towing capacities ranging from 6,280 to 12,750 pounds, the Ram 1500 offers a diverse selection. . The 5.7L HEMI V8 engine is a robust option, providing the strength needed for a smooth towing experience.

***For more frequent or long distances, consider a 3/4 ton truck for optimal comfort and stability.***

 

8’6″ Beam Boats with a Dry Weight Between 7,000 – 8,000 pounds

The largest boat offered by Ranger Tugs with an easily trailerable 8’6″ beam is the popular Ranger Tugs R-27. It sits with a dry weight of over 7,000 lbs and will require a bit more heft. The dry weight of the R-27 listed on the Ranger Tugs website is as follows:

• Ranger Tugs R-27: 7,700 lbs

 

For the robust Ranger Tugs R-27, we recommend at least a 3/4 ton truck. A Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, Ford F-250 Super Duty, or Ram 2500 all with a Turbo Diesel engine, serve as great options for your Ranger Tugs R-27.

 

10′ Beam Boats with a Dry Weight of 10,000-11,000 Pounds

Stability is key to providing a comfortable journey while towing your Pocket Yacht. We broke the 10′ category into two parts, those that have a dry weight* of 10,000-11,000 lbs and those that have a dry weight of 11,000 – 12,500 lbs (found further down in the article).

Trailering your Pocket Yacht with a dry weight between 10,000 and 11,000 pounds, with a 10ft beam, requires a truck with a towing capacity that matches the heft of your boat. A comfortable buffer in towing capacity becomes particularly crucial when dealing with a wide-load vessel.

From the Ranger Tugs, Solara, and Cutwater Boats website, the dry weight* of the 10′ beam boats are listed below:

• Ranger Tugs R-29 Sedan: 10,500 lbs
• Ranger Tugs R-29 Command Bridge: 10,800 lbs
• Cutwater C-288 Coupe: 10,000 lbs
• Solara boats S-310 CW: 10,500 lbs

 

Example Towing Capacities for New-Model Trucks:

Here are some examples of trucks that would best tow Pocket Yachts with a dry weight of 10,000 to 11,000 lbs:

• Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD – This heavy-duty truck offers a towing capacity ranging from 14,500 to 18,500 pounds, making it a good choice for towing a wide-load Pocket Yacht. The Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 engine provides the power needed for a confident towing experience.
• Ford F-250 Super Duty – With towing capacities ranging from 12,300 to 20,000 pounds, the F-250 Super Duty is a powerhouse on the road. Opting for the 6.7L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8 engine ensures ample towing capability for your substantial Pocket Yacht.
• Ram 2500 – The Ram 2500 boasts towing capacities between 10,000 and 19,780 pounds. The 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine offers a perfect blend of power and efficiency for towing your wide-load vessel.

***For long distances, consider a 1-ton truck or “dually” for optimal comfort.*** 

For example, comfortable long-distance options include a Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, Ford F-350 Super Duty, or Ram 3500 offer the perfect blend of power and efficiency for towing your sizable Pocket Yacht.

 

10′ Beam Boats with a Dry Weight listed at 11,000-12,500 Pounds

From the Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats website, the dry weight* of the larger 10′ beam boats are listed below:

• Ranger Tugs R-31 Sedan: 12,000 lbs
• Ranger Tugs R-31 Command Bridge: 12,500 lbs
• Cutwater C-32 Coupe: 11,400 lbs
• Cutwater C-32 Command Bridge: 12,100 lbs

 

For the larger 10′ beam boats listed above we recommend a larger 1-ton truck for comfort and stability. Here are some examples of towing capacities for New-Model 1-Ton Trucks:

• Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD: A powerhouse in the 1-ton category, the Silverado 3500HD boasts towing capacities ranging from 14,200 to 36,000 pounds. Equipped with the Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 engine, it’s a robust choice for towing your substantial Pocket Yacht.
• Ford F-350 Super Duty: With towing capacities ranging from 14,000 to 21,200 pounds, the F-350 Super Duty is a stalwart in the 1-ton class. Opting for the 6.7L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8 engine ensures ample power for handling your wide-load vessel.
• Ram 3500: The Ram 3500 shines with towing capacities between 14,970 and 35,100 pounds. Featuring the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, it offers the perfect blend of power and efficiency for towing your sizable Pocket Yacht.

 

 

Wide-Load Permit Information:

For those navigating the intricacies of wide-load permits, especially with towing a 10ft beam boat, requirements can vary by state. However, the process is generally straightforward. For detailed state-by-state information on wide-load permits, check out the Overweight Permits site.

Enjoy peace of mind knowing you’ve chosen the right truck for the job. Stay below your truck’s towing capacity, and let the open road and waterways become your playground. Investing time in selecting the appropriate towing setup pays off in the long run. Allowing you to unlock the full potential of your adventures on the open road and water.

 

 

*This article serves as a guide from our experience of towing pocket yachts for over 10 years. Of course, we recommend you use your own discretion in choosing the right truck for you based on the varying weight of what you are most comfortable towing.*

 

For more questions contact the Pocket Yacht Company. We’d be happy to guide you through the process.