Northwest Fishing Reports

This is strange for me to be asking since have always towed with large 4X4 trucks. I am thinking about buying a 2012 Kia Sportage and I would like to be able to tow my 1500# boat. No problem the Sportage is rated for 3000# but I am curious if I can get a boat out of a gravel launch with a front wheel drive suv or if I need an AWD.

Stupid question? The 4X4 model costs a little more to purchase and gets a couple fewer MPG so i would rather go with a front wheel drive model for cheaper maintanence costs beater MPG and less expense.

I own a dodge dually 3500 4X4 cummins but I would like to be able to take the little boat out when the big truck is parked with the camper on it for simplicity.

Anybody towing a small boat with a front wheel drive car?

I've seen plenty of peole towing with mini vans and it seems to work. On the other hand if you are launching on gravel I'd want to be able to put the drive to at least a couple wheels at a time. Do the 4X you'll be a lot happier the next time it snows not driving the big rig. I have a Suzuki that's been a stellar rig. The big rig tows only and the Zuke does the rest.
PS a buddy tows his sailplane around with his Zuke but he doesn't launch at the boat ramp.....

I'd say no because most all the weight will be on the rear, expecialy on the slant of a launch. There won't be enough traction on the front to pull the boat out. DON'T try that at Meridian's game dept. launch, even a full size car or van will get stuck. This year the rocks are extra slippery, even for/on the 4x4.

I used to haul my jon boat on a trailer with an old Ford Tempo. To be honest with you it worked great. Great mileage too, but I never launched on a gravel ramp. The thing is here, that a jon boat even on a trailer doesn't weigh very much. You can see the Tempo and boat in action in the WALAKES video of Jump of Joe Lake. I am now using a Dodge Caravan to haul the same set-up. I like the van better because I can raise the back hatch and see the trailer while backing down the launch to retrieve my boat. I'm sure you know about the vehicle to trailer weight ratio. The heavier your load, the easier it is for the trailer to push your vehicle in emergency situations. Also, the heavier the load the more I would worry about gravel launches.

Smaller boats I would but not something that large. My Balyliner is 1200 + trailer (I think, will double check). I have had issues with a Dodge Dakota when in 2 wheel drive on a gravel ramp and had to switch to 4wd to pull the boat out. I have also seen people that forgot to put their plug in, got a bunch of water in the boat and were un able to drive off the ramp till the boat drained. I have also seen FWD mini vans spin their wheels on concrete ramps when trying to recover the rig...

If your keeping the dually then I think you should be ok with the front wheel drive for most trips. A lot depends on the launch your using.

i was hope'n it was a LOT stanger than that when i click'd it !!!

I launch with a Dodge work van, not 4x4. Most of the time I do just fine, BUT, damn it all, I wish I had 4x4 for the times I don't!

Amx wrote:I'd say no because most all the weight will be on the rear, expecialy on the slant of a launch. There won't be enough traction on the front to pull the boat out. DON'T try that at Meridian's game dept. launch, even a full size car or van will get stuck. This year the rocks are extra slippery, even for/on the 4x4.

+1, I also heard it's a lot on your transmission if you're pulling with a front wheel drive vehicle vs rear wheel drive. I wouldn't do long trips with it and avoid too many trips over the pass with it.

Thanks Guys, I would never run the pass, I just hit the little lakes around home after work but most are gravel. I did fine with my 2wd dodge dakota that I just sold but was hoping to get a more economical front wheel drive vs the awd.

Honestly it sounds like a bad idea so I should just do a awd and never look back.

Good lord Im used to seeing some beef on my trucks, I looked up the hitch for this thing and it only weighs 36 pounds. This hitch on my dually is about 250 pounds

if you get a front wheel drive to tow that kind of weight you need to beef up the suspension on it, or you get the poppin a wheelie look. with all the weight on the rear and not even the front will spin on up hills. on a inclined boat launch with a boat coming out of the water could mean sliding backwards. mild incline and not long travel I could see never having a problem. not getting the proper tow rig could mean losing the boat and the car in the lake or river.

Well I just went for it and bought an all wheel drive turbo, I cant stomach being "that guy" at the boat launch

Sweet man!!! You'll be happy with it. The most important part is the daily driver, you won't feel weak!!!! AWD and the Turbo!!!!!

I've seen a kia sportage towing about a 16ft aluminum boat. don't know what it weighed but guessing around 1200lb. the guy thought it was fine.

Cool, I got the car and Ive been working 70 hours a week ever since. Haven't even had time to get a hitch put on yet. Sure would like to get out and do some fishing.