Towing/pulling capacity

[clcraft]

Boat towing question. We have a 2000 Lincoln Navigator for my wife's daily driver. Engine decided it had enough of this world and we are now facing 6k for replacing engine. The only reason we need this size vehicle is to pull our 20 ft pontoon boat and a 6 x12 utility trailer. As we discuss the benefits and pros and cons of different and smaller SUV vs replacement engine on a 185000 mile body.

Here is the question would a smaller suv pull the pontoon boat out of the water on a steep boat ramp. It is a basic older pontoon boat. I am not educated on pull ratings etc. I drive a company vehicle which towing is prohibited.

Any advice is welcomed. I do have two kids in school and money is somewhat a factor or I would just go buy a new one. I know we will never get the 6k back out of a 15 year old vehicle. We have kept the maintence and put a new tranny in it 8 yrs ago, most recently new water pump etc, coils and plugs recently(costly) good tires.

[fishingsetx]

Find you a scale and weigh your heaviest load. Most big truck stops have them. That'll give you a rough idea on what you need. If I were in your shoes I'd be leery of dropping 6k into a 15 year old vehicle!

[Roy D Mercer]

your boat is probably less than 3500#. A midsize SUV with a V6 should be able to handle that weight. I assume your not traveling long distance to the lake???

[wsteffen]

The biggest problem that I could see is one of traction. A smaller suv doesn't have the weight, or traction that your Navigator does. I worked for a Toyota Dealer many years ago. He had a thirty foot cigarette boat with twin 350 engines. We could pull it with no problems on the road but getting up a wet boat ram was another problem. Used a Toyota Land Cruiser when we went to the lake, 4 wheel drive.

An engine is a lot cheaper than a new vehicle.

[clcraft]

Traction is exactly what I am worried about. Does a smaller SUV have enough led in its shorts to get it out of water!! Pulling down the road will be no problem.