Is the 232 too big to trail with half ton truck?

[magicalbill]

I am not disputing the fact that it can be towed with a 1/2 ton.
I'm saying....
The bigger your truck the safer you and the boat and trailer will be and the less strain on drivetrain and engine over the years.

Getting my dual diesel to pull my 232 was the best move I could've made.
Opt for a 1/2 ton and you'll have to trade it if you get a bigger boat than the 232 later on.
Another thought..my Cummins gets 10-12 MPG pulling my 10,100 lb. load. I'm not sure what a gas engine would do, but I'm sure it's no better given the same load and wind resistance. Plus, my Diesel doesn't break a sweat.

 

[Dean265]

I tow my 265 with my F150 that's rated for 11,400 lbs. It mainly depends on how your truck is equipt. If its 4x4, has the tow package, and the 5.4 V8 you are well within the limits for a 232. You'd be shocked how well it tows my 265.

 

[snicker]

So it sounds like it can be done just make sure I have a real good trailer with disk brakes. I only plan to tow on flatlands every now and again and have a regular slip for most of the season. my current boat is 9' beam and I have towed in snow storms coming back from the CBBT between jersey walls on the bay bridge. another 3 inches won't bother me it is just the added weight that I am not used to with a 1/2 ton. The Yukon will be replaced this year so maybe I get a used 2500 suburban as a dedicated tow vehicle or a brand new 1/2 ton and sell both the car and the yukon.I

 

[timbertopper]

towing

3/4 ton Pick up with Diesel engine is your best bet.
232 is a kick ass boat. I have a 2006 and owned a 228 for 16 years.
THERE IS NO COMPARISON BETWEEN THERE TWO BOATS PERIOD.
If you buy one opt for 2006 and newer as the the cooler in the back transom was added in models 2006 and newer.

 

[midnight-rider]

I went up to a 2/3 ton truck

I have a 1500 chevy long bed extended cab with a 5.3 with a tow package used to tow my 23' for the first couple of months I owned her ( 100 mile round trip mistly flat 50 mph roads ). I went up to a 3/4 truck for more control and safety reasonsThe way people drive and how they cut off each others made me go get the heavier duty truck. You can pick a good used one up for little cash with the price of fuel.

By the way I'm a retired Lawman of 22 years and yes we know the wide towing laws f our state. I wouldn't pull over people towing unless they were endangering others by way they were towing. It's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[seasick]

GW hit it on the head. The issue is not the truck load rating ( eg 1/2 ton) but is it's towing capacity. That can vary even with the same truck if there were towing options for the truck. My truck is a 1/2 ton but has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. My buddy's 3/4 ton pickup has a 10,000 towing capacity. It all depends on motor, hitch, frame, oil and trany cooler, etc.

 

[CJBROWN]

I suggest a search here for 'towing' as this subject gets beat to death, ad infinitem...

The problem with a half-ton pickup is that they are overrated for towing to sell units. In comparing them to a 3/4 ton diesel or big-block, they have smaller brakes, smaller axles, smaller bearings in those axles, smaller differential (ring and pinion), smaller carrier and pinion bearings in that diff, a light duty car-type transmission, smaller cooling capacity, and smaller lighter frames. There really is no comparison.

Will they do it? Yes. Will it ruin some component or make it wear out faster? Yes. Is it safe? Maybe not. Is it worth it? Up to the individual owner.

At about 8,000lbs, even IF it's rated to do it (the big IF), the diff and trans gets so hot it will burn paint off, cook lubricants, and the thing will eat itself to death over time.

I would not tow any more than 6,000 to 7,000 lbs for anything but a very short haul, with any regularity, with any half-ton pickup. Period. Do so at your own risk. :roll:

Get an aux trans cooler, synthetic ATF and diff fluid, and drive VERY carefully with it. Make sure your trailer brakes are working really well.

 

[magicalbill]

Couldn't agree more with CJ.

 

[midnight-rider]

You hit in on the nail on the head

I agree....................

 

[Brad1]

Oh.....one more thing. Anyone towing over their trailer capacity involved in an accident usually lands in a heap of trouble if insurance or police investigate.

You could even be charged with manslaughter if someone dies in that accident. Happened up this way not too long ago. Neglegent tow vehicle operator forgot to secure safety chains. Trailer came unhitched and crashed into another car killing both occupants. Driver of tow vehicle went to prison.

You'd want a 3/4 ton truck for towing a 232. Perhaps a 1/2 ton "could" tow it, but just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.

 

[alantani]

Is the 232 too big to trailer with half ton truck?

yes.

 

[Grog]

Could and should will not have the same answers.