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Earl[_10_] Earl[_10_] is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Apr 2012
Posts: 20
Default Go big or economize?

wrote:
On Mon, 2 Apr 2012 18:22:29 -0700 (PDT), North Star
wrote:

On Apr 2, 10:14 pm, North wrote:
On Apr 2, 8:32 pm, Happy wrote:





On Mon, 2 Apr 2012 15:59:44 -0700 (PDT), North wrote:
On Apr 2, 6:44 pm, Happy wrote:
On Sun, 1 Apr 2012 06:36:57 -0700 (PDT), North wrote:
I was pretty well settled on a new 'Legend 15 AllSport' due to my 4
cyl RAV4's low tow rating of 1500 lbs.
Lately I've been looking at the construction methods used in this
model and the superior methods used in a higher class boat... the
'Legend 16 Xcalibre'
For an additional $3400. + add'l taxes of about $500., I can upgrade
to a bigger, heavier boat with a 50hp 4 stroke Mercury vs the 40hp I
was planning on with the smaller boat.
Besides the additional cost of about $3900... I would be overloading
my tow capacity by 500 lbs... about 33% more than the RAV4 is rated
for.
i.e 2000 lbs vs about 1300 for the smaller boat.
What to do?
I can drop a few pounds by keeping the gas tank empty until I reach my
destination.. and not loading much into the bigger boat... and by
towing at a 90km speed (55 mph). Am I asking for trouble... sure do
like all the extra options.. such as bigger motor, stronger
construction, bigger boat for about 80% use on the ocean, instruments
and a built in swim platform/ladder.
see the windshield models on the website..
http://legendboats.com/
Pulling a load of over 150% of your rated capacity would be simply stupid. Hard to believe you asked
the question.
What the %$^&^%?
I thought you claimed to be a math teacher?
I figure it as roughly 133%
Multiply 1300 times 1.50 (150%) and see what you get.
1st you have to tell me where the 1300 figure comes from.

Never mind...I see you took the 15 AllSport's weight to be my
vehicle's tow rating... it's not!
The 4 cyl RAV4 is rated for 1500 lbs.
At this point i have the local dealer saying no.. I can't handle the
bigger boat and a rep from the manufacturers site saying that people
he knows are doing it.
If I remember correctly... a safe tow is actually only 80% of your
vehicle's rating... that would be a puny 1200 lbs.
Guess I should have purchased the V6 version of the RAV4.... mmm
wonder what deals Toyota is offering these days.
I have about 20K on my 3 year old 'truck' .... might be time to trade
up.

I frequently see people towing as much as 400% to 500% of vehicle
rating, but that is very FLAT land with no curves or stops and the tow
does not exceed ONE mile. There are other ramp issues and the ability
to see the tow when turning, too....

A normal tow usage would be up to the manufacturers rating, but not
over. The further under the manufacturers rating the easier the tow.

General towing at 133% or 150% would be suicide and would likely
result in a citation for careless and reckless, etc.

Get a REAL tow vehicle and protect yourself, your family, and others.

Insurance may not cover you in the event of an accident. If someone was
killed as a result of this negligence, it would be costly.