What is the best small 4 door hatch back car to tow a boat . the boat is about 18ft long?

Question

ps. it is on a trailer.

Answer 1

The main thing is the engine size. I towed mine with several cars but always 1000cc or a bit more. I would think for comfort and safety a 1000cc engine would be about right. Before you buy ask the a main agent for the manufacturer they will have the spec for this

Answer 2

First thing you need to establish is the weight of boat and trailer, then research cars that can handle that towing weight.  You'll probably find a diesel will do a better job.

Answer 3

Seriously?  An 18 foot boat?  Try at least a 6 cylinder truck or SUV!  Rear wheel drive!

Answer 4

what utter trash!

and we wonder y bank holiday traffic is c**p because of idiots towing stuff with a 1000cc engine!!!

You need a car with plenty of torque... ie diesel...

You need to be balanced... ie family salloon size  - not a tiny hatch

1.9 turbo diesel Pug 406

2 litre petrol vectra

Renault scenic - over 1.7L pet or diesel

etc etc...

However should you go down the 1000cc route...

Fiesta - Honda Jazz(mag) - Cinckychenko

Spirito de MICRA....

I will shoot you myself!

Answer 5

I would suggest at least a vehicle with a diesel engine, this will give more pulling power whatever the size of the engine. The road tax will also be less.

Answer 6

I think you will need something bigger than a small hatch

Answer 7

Forget about trying to tow an 18' boat with a small car. You'll need at least a medium sized saloon with either a big petrol or decently powerful turbo Diesel. Think Ford Mondeo 2.0 petrol or Diesel. AT LEAST!

Answer 8

Diesel? To tow an 18 foot boat? Why? Absolutely not necessary. A six cylinder might do the trick for a boat this size but this also depends on distance that one is going to tow. With a six, or even a small eight, the key thing to have would be a transmission cooler system installed if long hauls are expected. For local...not necessary. A good tow vehichle for a boat this size would be a Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Comes with a 6 or 8 cyl, can carry 5 adults and everything for the boat in the bed.

We for years towed a 25' Chaparral cuddy on a dual axle trailer with a full sized Bronco. No problems with it at all. One hint...make certain your tongue weight is adjusted so that just enough downward pressure keeps the trailer on the ball. This will help your tow vehicle stay more level and tow more efficiently.

Just find out the weight of the boat and trailer...add in about 100 lbs for fuel and stuff you'll have on board...then start looking at the towing capacity of vehicles and get the one you want and/or can afford. And remember...get the right class towing package installed for the job!

Just don't think about a diesel engine! Especially with diesel fuel now approaching $4.25 nationwide! Save here and put the fuel into the boat for pleasure!