About This Driver
Your weekends revolve around the water - marina mornings, lake afternoons, and a vehicle that can back a boat trailer down a ramp without breaking a sweat.
Active water lifestyle with towing
Your weekends revolve around the water - marina mornings, lake afternoons, and a vehicle that can back a boat trailer down a ramp without breaking a sweat.
Expedition MAX Limited
Grand Slam Auto Sales
Jacksonville, NC
F-150 Lariat 4x4 4dr SuperCrew 5.5 ft. SB
Used Cars For Sale
Kernersville, NC
SILVERADO 1500 CUSTOM
Maness Motors, LLC
Rocky Mount, NC
1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4
Ivey Motorcars
Burlington, NC
F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4WD
Ivey Motorcars
Burlington, NC
Yukon SLT 4x4 4dr SUV
Used Cars For Sale
Kernersville, NC
F-150 Lariat
Wheel City Motors
Asheville, NC
Tahoe Premier 4x4 4dr SUV
Used Cars For Sale
Kernersville, NC
Yukon Denali 4WD
Balkcum Auto
Wilmington, NC
Tahoe High Country 4WD
Ivey Motorcars
Burlington, NC
1500 Big Horn Quad Cab 2WD
Peak Motors, Inc.
Hickory, NC
Silverado 1500 Custom Crew Cab 4WD
2267 Auto Sales
Greensboro, NC
1500 Tradesman Quad Cab 4WD
Sign and Drive of Raleigh Auto Sales
Raleigh, NC
Silverado 1500 Limited Custom Crew Cab Short Box 4
Brann's Auto Sales 2
Roxboro, NC
1500 Classic Tradesman Regular Cab LWB 2WD
Balkcum Auto
Wilmington, NC
1500 Classic Tradesman Crew Cab SWB 2WD
Grand Slam Auto Sales
Jacksonville, NC
1500 Tradesman
4042 Motors
Garner, NC
SILVERADO 1500 LT TRAIL BOSS
Quality Pre-Owned Inc
Wilson, NC
1500 Big Horn Crew Cab SWB 4WD
Lee Inc
Mt. Olive, NC
F-150 XLT SuperCrew 6.5-ft. Bed 4WD
R G Motors, Inc.
Roxboro, NC
F-150 XL SuperCrew 6.5-ft. Bed 4WD
High Country Truck and Van
Fairview, NC
SILVERADO 1500 LT TRAIL BOSS
Quality Pre-Owned Inc
Wilson, NC
1500 LARAMIE CREW CAB SWB 4WD
Sam and Dave's Auto Sales
Asheville, NC
F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 5.5-ft. Bed 4WD
Auto Effex
Fayetteville, NC
For most recreational boats (bass boats, ski boats, pontoons up to 6,000 lbs), a half-ton truck like the Ford F-150 or Ram 1500 or a full-size SUV like the Tahoe or Yukon handles the job well. For larger boats and center consoles over 6,000 lbs, step up to a 3/4-ton truck. Lake Norman, Jordan Lake, and the NC coast all have well-maintained ramps that accommodate full-size tow rigs.
The Yukon (especially Denali) offers a more premium interior and the proven 6.2L V8 or 3.0L Duramax diesel. The Expedition counters with an independent rear suspension that rides better empty, a twin-turbo V6 with strong torque, and best-in-class tow ratings up to 9,300 lbs. Both are excellent - the Expedition tows slightly more, the Yukon feels a bit more upscale inside.
Absolutely. Modern half-ton trucks like the F-150, Ram 1500, and Silverado 1500 tow between 8,000 and 13,000 lbs depending on configuration. That covers most recreational boats with trailer. Make sure your truck has a tow package (trailer brake controller, transmission cooler, and wiring harness) and check the gross combined weight rating, not just the max tow number.
A factory tow package is the starting point - it includes a transmission cooler, trailer brake controller, wiring harness, and sometimes a heavier-duty radiator. Beyond that, look for a backup camera with trailer guidelines, blind-spot monitoring that extends to the trailer, and trailer sway control. The GM trucks with the available trailering camera system are hard to beat for ramp visibility.
Check the door jamb sticker for your specific vehicle's tow rating - it varies by engine, axle ratio, and equipment. Subtract the trailer's dry weight from your vehicle's max tow rating, then account for fuel, gear, and passengers in the boat. Always leave a 10-15% margin. When in doubt, check the owner's manual for your exact configuration's gross combined weight rating.