Will a V-6 get it done?

[Wish2Fish]

Looking for advice...a buddy just bought an 18 foot fiberglass boat, is about to buy a truck to pull it. Looking at a Nisssan with a V6, 2WD. Sounds like too little vehicle to me. Any of you use a smaller rig to pull your relatively heavy boats? Any difficulty pulling the trailer/boat out of the water & up steep ramps? Will a limited slip differential help? THANKS.

[Guest]

Sounds like trouble to me. If he only plans on pulling it once or twice a year to a cabin then he should be fine. If he intends to haul it all over MN to fish I would look at a vehicle designed to tow. A 1/2 with a V-8 would be fine I am sure.

[jparrucci]

I would be careful if it is a stick too, it may be really hard to pull that boat out of steep landings trying to drive a clutch. If it was a 4wd or AWD I would say it was at least O.K., but the 2WD probably wouldnt be enough. My dad has a 17 ft fiberglass bass boat and our 4.3 V6 Blazer pulled it ok, but it also seemed to REALLY eat the gas. Pulling something as heavy as that with an undersized vehicle just isn't fun.

[Finlander]

I would keep alot of distance between you and the traffic ahead of you incase you have to stop quickly!
I think it would be a road hazard, so take it easy.
Also you will have a hard time going up steep grades even on a freeeway.
Believe me I know!

[Doonbuggy]

If the Nissan he's looking at has just the 3.3 liter V6 I would pass, particularly since it's also 2wd and if a manual.

As said mentioned earlier, ok if it's trailered once or twice, but if every weekend, that's not a good longterm vehicle. That engine is ok for driving, but is said to be inadequate for towing.

The new 3.5L V6 is a different story...

Maybe an Explorer/Mountaineer w/ the 4.0 SOHC V6 or the V8?
DB

[Fisher Dave]

A friend of mine used a Nissan 2WD/Maunal transmission vehicle with a 4 cyl for a couple years pulling a loaded 17' aluminum around.. He didnt have too many problems, but he was much happier when he picked up a 1/2 ton chevy with a 350(5.7).

The glass boat will likely be heavier than that aluminum(unless its an old runabout, then probably close to same).

If you go with a smaller vehicle, I would find one with 4WD which would usually give you a low range option, especially for very steep ramps... A full size pickup with a V8 would be much better for a glass boat.

[IFallsRon]

Buy American.

[deadeye]

I would not even think about the nissan 2wd. There are so many places that you wouldnt get up the ramp with that rig it isnt even funny, and there isnt always someone with a towstrap around to help. I would say at least get a 4wd, and like almost everyone else said the V-8 is really what it takes to pull a boat like that. Look at Dakota V-8 if a full size isnt a option, they have tons of power in a smaller truck, plus used ones arent that much.
><>deadeye

[Wish2Fish]

Thank you all very much. Good information...and much appreciated.

[icehousebob]

You might be asking for trouble, trying to pull a heavy boat out of the water with that light a vehicle without 4 wheel drive.