Need towing advise!

[Hodiver]

Hello,
We are not new to RVing but new to boating. We get our first boat in 2 weeks, it weights 4,500 pounds and was wondering if the 2000 fleetwood bounder, 36 feet, will be able to pull the boat from Los Angeles to lake havasu without any problems? Or should I use our small pickup truck?
Thanks in advance
Hodiver

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

You need to check the tow rating on the Bounder's hitch and the GCWR of the Bounder itself.  Obviously the hitch needs to be rated for at least 5000 lbs to safely pull your trailer (I added a small safety margin, in case your weight is a bit off).

The GCWR specifies the maximum combined weight of coach and anything you tow. If you do not have an actual weight for the Bounder when loaded and passengers onboard, use the GVWR as an estimated weight. You can tow the difference between the coach weight and the GCWR, subject to the limit of the hitch itself.

Don't expect to win any races on the way, though.

 

[Tom]

Does the 4,500 lbs include the weight of the trailer?

The route shouldn't be a problem, although you will climb to 4,000+ feet and, as Gary said, don' t expect to win any races.

Do you have the gas version of the Bounder, or diesel?

 

[Hodiver]

Does the 4,500 lbs include the weight of the trailer?

The route shouldn't be a problem, although you will climb to 4,000+ feet and, as Gary said, don' t expect to win any races.

Do you have the gas version of the Bounder, or diesel?

The trailer hitch is rated for 5000 pounds on our gas bounder. The 4,500 pounds includes the trailer and some fuel in the boat. Don't plan to do any racing on the way. Thanks for the advise.

 

[Tom]

Enjoy the trip and the new boat. We towed a 20 foot cuddy behind a Pace Arrow for a number of years