Question about if the truck i'm looking at will pull the boat i'm looking at

[jesse1378]

i am almost possitive i'm going to get the bass tracker 170 tx. it weighs aroun 1500 pounds for boat, trailer and motor. its 16'3" an has a 50 hp on the back. i was thinking about getting a 4 cyl 4x4 but after talking to my dad i dont think it will be enough. so i'm looking at 6 cyl 4x4s now. would a blazer with teh 4.3L v6 be a nice match for that boat? i dont want a v8 and a 6 get ok gas milage and is rated for 5500 pound towing capacity. the truck would stay pretty much stock maybe about 4 inches of lift and put some bubbly 31" tires on it. what do you guys think? will that truck work for that boat?

[paxpress]

The stock Blazer with a V6 will pull it with no problem.  Just make sure it has a tow package with a transmission cooler.  If it doesn't have a transmission cooler, have one installed. 

As for the lift kit and oversized tires, neither will do anything for it's towing capacity, but they will help to lower the fuel economy of the suv.

Have the potential vehicle checked over thoroughly by a good mechanic prior to purchasing.  Have the mechanic pull down the transmission pan and check for any excessive metal debris in the pan.  Also have them pull the cover off the rear differential and check the condition of the gears and bearings as well. 

[jesse1378]

thanks for the info. i thought all vehicles had a tranny cooler. i will add one, and if it has one ill prop upgrad it anyway.

[NickGee13]

I think you should learn how to fish as good as me before you start buying all that stuff. I think you should be able to tow because it is  RED   hahahahaha.  Hurry up and get that stuff so we can go fishing. 

[jesse1378]

last time i checked i catch monsters.....on pink worms

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[OCBassman]

paxpress gave great advice.   Also make sure you have tyhe front end checked out throughly. The s10 blazers have a tendancy to go through ball joints.

It will tow the boat just fine. Is it a 4wd if so it might already have 31" tires on it. Some came that way.

[jesse1378]

well plans looked like they have changed again. i'm gonna save up some money and get a v8 4x4 just for weekends and pulling the boat. i'm gonna take my wife's car a dd and she's getting a new one. and i think i'm gonna bump up to a fiberglass boat if things go well.

[Camden]

I was gonna say to go ahead and get the v8. while the 6 might have gotten better gas mileage under normal conditions you will probably do better with the 8 while towing. which sound like the majority of what your gonna use it for.

[DBrooke]

Standard 4x4 S10 Blazer/Jimmy
4.3 v6
235/75/15 tires, 31" tires barely clear and will rub on sharp turns
balljoint problems
4wd problems (actuators are junk)
front cab mounts rust out pretty quick, causing the front of the cab to drop
front torsion bar suspension is somewhat of a joke, or a small fortune to have worked on
my problems through experience

but they do tow nice!
Had 1 for years (a 94)
wife has her Jimmy now for a few years

[jesse1378]

we decided to go with something a lil bigger. prob a z71 or a v8 jeep cherokee.  it will be used on weekends for fishing/camping/towing the boat. and then for towing the boat for fishing tournaments. also decided to upgrade the boat...thinkin about a nitro z-7 but that wont be until next year.