Impressed with Towing (6600lbs)

[Kaaae]

Below is a pic of mine. You can see the large metal locking pin. There is a small pin on the top that is more a guide pin.

 

[GoLoaf]

I believe that small pin gets pushed down when you insert the hitch receiver into into its slot on the truck. The pin then activates the large bolt that locks the receiver in place.

I've used mine a few times now (but only for a bike carrier), and it's a pretty neat little device.

 

[GoLoaf]

Might as well post a pic while I'm at it:

 

[AceRider]

So that little latch is bigger than it appears. But still, that it all that supports 550 lb tongue weight? Interesting.

 

[LR34]

So that little latch is bigger than it appears. But still, that it all that supports 550 lb tongue weight? Interesting.

Well I believe the manual says 550lbs tongue weight. The latest gen hitch receiver has rating of 770lbs stamped on it. I guess better safe than sorry.

 

[GoLoaf]

770lbs isn't that much weight. Certainly not enough to shear off the bolt that extends from the body of the receiver.

 

[bushway9172]

Some good info here on this thread. Thanks guys. May be pulling our '09 Sea Ray 270 SLX with the LR4 in the near future. Will be close to max capacity. Dry weight of the boat is 5600lbs plus 500-600lbs in fuel, water, and gear, and about 1300lbs for a tandem axle trailer with hydraulic brakes... total load is going to be about 30' long and ~7500 pounds. At about 6%, tongue weight should be ~450lbs.

Any input would be very helpful.

 

[Disco4Play]

The LR4 pulls my boat perfectly and it's almost like it not even there. I have plenty of motor to get through heavy Houston traffic!

 

[mbw]

Some good info here on this thread. Thanks guys. May be pulling our '09 Sea Ray 270 SLX with the LR4 in the near future. Will be close to max capacity. Dry weight of the boat is 5600lbs plus 500-600lbs in fuel, water, and gear, and about 1300lbs for a tandem axle trailer with hydraulic brakes... total load is going to be about 30' long and ~7500 pounds. At about 6%, tongue weight should be ~450lbs.

Any input would be very helpful.

When you get your whole rig put together, post a pic.

I know you have seen it, but for the thread.. Here is my 2005 Sea Ray 240 Select (~26' boat, 28' from swim platform to the hitch)

And here is my dad's ~18 foot lund. Its lite.

Can't wait to get out on mine in the spring!!!

And here is my Admiral.

 

[R Hermann]

Thanks for the great info, everyone. Knowing your experiences keeps me from having to consider towing as part of the test drive process.
One question: Does the backup camera work well for guiding the ball to the hitch?

I have wanted an LR4 for years, especially since selling my X5 and "going domestic" with a 2011 Ford Explorer. The '01 X5 was a fantastic tow vehicle for our Mastercraft '07 VRS (~4,500-5000# loaded, wet), in part because of the manual transmission but the entire system was well suited to towing and I never had any trouble getting the boat out of the water, never any issues with sway, etc.
The Explorer has been a constant annoyance when towing. The towing capacity of the Ford is 5,000# only if the vehicle is empty and driven by a 140# person. Trailer sway was a slight issue, gear-hunting was perpetual, fuel economy was (even more) terrible, etc. The one plus it had was the back-up camera- I could put the ball right under the hitch on the first try, every time.

Thanks again for the great info, I'm learning a lot here!
Randy