Towing Pontoon on interstate

[gcan]

In the yard

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[BiilyJones]

Nice boat! How many horsepower?

 

[towpro]

Nice boat! How many horsepower?

Looks like a 75

 

[gcan]

Thanks - Yep 75

 

[gcan]

Yep - 2 acres on a point with water on 3 sides …… we’ve been looking and found this and bought it mid December

 

[BiilyJones]

I have a nice yard too. But I can't boat on it. Its a hydro reservoir. No power boats allowed.

Get to paddlin.

 

[TVRangerSTX]

Glad you made it...I'm late to the party, but my dad had a pontoon, & that was before Little Big Town made them popular. He towed it with his Taurus, but I'd use my 04 Ranger, with a 4.0 stick, no problem pulling that beast. He could whip it around but it always freaked me out because we're not far from a lake and it's all 2 lane country roads. No extended mirrors, so I couldn't see crap behind me...I'd rather tow on I95 than the roads around here!

 

[Kemo Sabe]

My truck is a 2019 lariat FX4 with tow package and I found a 18’ bass buggy pontoon at a dealer about 180 miles away. I’ve never towed anything with my Ranger and know the specs all say towing less than 2000 pounds should be a breeze but …. I’ve never towed anything this big and never towed anything on the interstate either . I’ve made this drive in a car before and interstate is by far the best route.

thoughts?
will a pontoon on the interstate get blown around?
any experienced pontoon towers?

Trucks will rock you as they pass and stuck your rig toward them, mid-pass. But, it is not an earth shaking rock or suck. Fast cars will rock you too. Just returned from 3500 mile trip on interstate 95 towing an enclosed trailer of 3500 pounds-successfully. Just take your time but speed limit or buy more fine. Biggest thing on a pontoon are tires and wheel bearings. Check. Good luck.

 

[ICTpilot]

Trip done, no issues except piss poor road conditions around Birmingham oh and MPG when from 24 to 12
Thanks for all the input

I just picked up my pontoon boat. It’s bigger than the one you have and mileage was a lot worse. It started out at 10 and dropped to 8 with a 10 mph headwind.

 

[Peragrin]

I just picked up my pontoon boat. It’s bigger than the one you have and mileage was a lot worse. It started out at 10 and dropped to 8 with a 10 mph headwind.

if you are getting 8 MPG, then do 2 things.

when towing switch to 91 or 93 octane. (yes ouch) and SLOW DOWN. don't tow faster than 60-65mph. Those two really help milage. I got 11-12MPG going into the white mountains with a lot heavier travel trailer. When I hit the interstate and even 65mph I could watch my MPG's drop.

 

[ICTpilot]

if you are getting 8 MPG, then do 2 things.

when towing switch to 91 or 93 octane. (yes ouch) and SLOW DOWN. don't tow faster than 60-65mph. Those two really help milage. I got 11-12MPG going into the white mountains with a lot heavy travel trailer. When I hit the interstate and even 65mpg I could watch my MPG's drop.

I was running 65 for the most and burning 91 octane

 

[P_eenut]

I just picked up my pontoon boat. It’s bigger than the one you have and mileage was a lot worse. It started out at 10 and dropped to 8 with a 10 mph headwind.

Nice pontoon, what the model/weight/length if you don’t mind? We are looking at a new Crest 200DLX (21ft 3500lbs w/trailer, but would like the 220 DLX (4100lbs w/trailer). I’m just worried about the size. Pontoons look so much bigger the a travel trailer.
We have a 2019 FX4, added the Ford Performance Programer, Eibach rear shocks. We currently tow an IBEX 19MBH @ 5500loaded w/a Blue OX Sway Pro WDH with no issues. We get about 10-13 mpg with 92 octane @ 60-65mph.

 

[ICTpilot]

It is a Ranger 223FC, Tritoon with 200hp mercury. Weight is 5100 including trailer. Go with a Tritoon if you can. The ride and stability are so much nicer. We had it out in strong winds and a fairly open lake with white caps and she did fine.

 

[GTGallop]

I keep wanting to see them make pontoons like a float plane gets so you can get it up on the step easier.

Obviously they'd have to be a bit bigger for the weight of a boat and no wheels needed.

 

[P_eenut]

It is a Ranger 223FC, Tritoon with 200hp mercury. Weight is 5100 including trailer. Go with a Tritoon if you can. The ride and stability are so much nicer. We had it out in strong winds and a fairly open lake with white caps and she did fine.

How’s your Truck handle towing your pontoon, and in how does it do in/out of the boat ramp? We looked at some pontoons yesterday, and they are definitely lighter than our camper, but look way bigger in size, and it’s a bit concerning to me.

Thanks again!

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