www.iFourWinns.com

I'm in the process of buying a tow vehicle and I'm interested in this 2007 gmc sierra 4.8 2x4. The truck is rated at 6700 pounds and my boat with trailer is close to 6000 pounds (trailer with brakes).

Would that be too much of a load for this truck and how the others experience towing with a 2x4?
Also, any problems pulling the boat out of the water?

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2009 FourWinns SL 222
-5.7GI/DP

I am not an expert by any means on 2WD vs 4WD; however, I have been pulling 4000+ pound boats for years with 2WD Suburban and Yukon vehicles with absolutley no problem. Generally speaking, we use improved boat ramps with good traction and never seem to have any issues with pulling the trailer out of the water. Every now and then, I'll spin the tires a little on a wet ramp, but never bad enough to worry about sliding backwards.

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Scott
2008 Horizon 210 Frenzy Edition
Volvo 5.7L Gi

The need for 4WD depends a lot on the terrain you tow through and the steepness & condition of your boat ramps. I only have 2WD and it's been fine 95% of the time. There have been a few times at a couple of specific ramps where 4WD would have been welcome. Whether it would be worth the higher purchase price, higher insurance, higher maintenance, lower mileage, and (sometimes) harsher ride, I'm not sure.

However - is that 6,000lb. load the published weight, or the actual (scale) weight? 6,000lbs. is pushing it for a 6,700lb. rated vehicle, and that's if 6,000 is the actual weight. If that's the published weight, it's almost certainly higher in reality, bringing you even closer to the vehicle's limit.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

+1
You got to remember that 6000# is most likely DRY weight (and that 6700# on the truck may be TOTAL capacity including passengers and gear)

It is real easy to add 700#+ to a boat when you figure in oil, fuel, batteries, cooler, gear.

I have a 4wd and actually put it in 4wd on any ramp exit (better safe than sorry), That being said I have actually only needed 4wd once or twice to get out of a ramp (all were unimproved ramps where I wound up having to back further than the ramp went, so really I was in soft mud).

Where I live (lots of snow), and the work I do I need a 4wd on a day to day basis. If I was somewhere else I'd probably only own a 2wd and pick my ramps more careful.

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'90 Horizon 220 5.8

The boat is actually listed at 4450pounds and the trailer at 1200 or so. It's an sl222 btw.
That's why i figure arond 6000 with gas and liquids.

I basicly need it to tow the boat back home from where I bought it (350miles trip). I'd pull the boat out of the water 3-4 times during sumer just to wash it. Basicly I don't absolutely NEED a truck but I dont feel like bugging friends this 4-5 times either.

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2009 FourWinns SL 222
-5.7GI/DP

Now grant it I bought a Crew cab Dually last year, but my 98 Tahoe with 2wd pulls my 261 Liberator with full fuel and all the junk and loaded with full grown kids at 75 plus all day long. Brakes are the only thing. I have to have electric trailer brakes for that, the dually stops just fine by itself though.

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

About the only time having 4wd would make a difference is if you had a steep ramp. Otherwise you'll never use it while towing.

Generally I wouldn't see an issue pulling a 22' boat with a full size SUV/Truck outfitted with a V8.

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2005 Horizon 210, 5.7L Volvo

To me, anyways, Mike is right!!!!! I agree on all of his points.

To add to this, are you also counting fuel, food, & gear??? Anything you put into the boat and the tow vehicle must be added in. Even your self and passengers. So, 700lbs of margin is very little!!!! Remember to, that going up a ramp will make that load even greater. For the sake of a better number, that 6000lb load, going up a ramp might turn into a 6400 or 6500lb load.

I would be more concerned about the 4.8L, if you can find one with the 5.3L you'll get more power and a better built transmission too. I believe the towrating goes up to 8500# on the 5.3L

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2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

I used to pull my old boat with a 2WD vehicle that had a towing capacity very close to the weight of the boat and trailer. While the vehicle did pull the boat up the ramp, it struggled with hills on the drive over. Transmission heat was the other problem I ran into. I even installed a new transmission cooler to help with the problem.

Ended up getting rid of that vehicle and got something with adequate towing capacity and power.

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2007 Four Winns Vista 358

Cole,

You'll be just fine for a one time trip of 350 miles and an occasionaly pull out in the summer (imho). Hell, I pulled my new H260 home from the dealer over 400 miles with elevations above 5000' down to 1000' with a Chevy 1500 5.3 rated at 7500 lbs. It was a very tough tow, but I kept up with the posted speed. Like you, I only have a couple of miles back and forth from where I launch it now and have no problems. If it was a once a month tow of that nature, then I'd get a new truck!

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2011 Four Winns H260 Frenzy $ea Note
VP 8.1GXi/DP EVC 420HP
2007 Silverado 1500 CrewCab 4x4
Previous:
2002 Four Winns H200
5.0GXI 270HP

+1

I am not a fan of the little chevy motors, but for rare hauling, it will work for you.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Well thanks to all who answered. After reading on other forums aswell i decided to buy it. Everyone seems to think that 2wd will pull it out of the water without a problem.

It's an 07 gmc sierra ext cab with the 4.8l and 3.73 gears.
I'll be lifting it up probably 4'' on 33'' inch tires. Hopefully it doesnt affect the towing by much. Will post pictures in may when i hook the boat to it

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2009 FourWinns SL 222
-5.7GI/DP

The old saying when looking for power.
"There is no replacement like Displacement."

I would have to agree, not much bigger than some v6's. I would not have anything less than 5.7 or 350 cu in

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

You will kill the towing ability with the 33" tires, UNLESS you are going to regear the rear end.

Sure will look good with lift and tires, but will not make for a good tow vehicle, IMHO, the lift and 33" will reduce tow capability by large percentage (maybe 30%). You were very borderline with tow specs in stock form, now......



GM has not used the 5.7L (350 CID) motors in a vehicle since '99. The 5.3L is its replacement. The five tahoes w/ 5.3L motor we have had, I dont think much of it for a towing motor.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos