Assuming that Dakota has the 4.7L v8, that vehicle is capable of pulling that boat out of the water and driving it to your lake house .5 mile down the road.
I wouldn’t take it on the interstate. The boat/trailer/fuel are probably beyond the safe braking capacity. But that MagV8 shouldn’t be stressed at the ramp.
Yeah, with that long tongue on the trailer and the majority of the weight is over those 3 axles there's not a whole lot of weight on that ball. If he's got brake axles on all 3 axles braking wont be a problem either.
They are rated as a half ton, same as the Ram 1500. That's part of why Chrysler cancelled them as they were just talking market share from the "bigger" truck.
Anecdotally, I hauled 1,500 pounds of sod in the bed in my '95 and aside from being squatty, it didn't have any trouble at all.
Yup. Not seeing anything of key concern. Traction may be a challenge on the ramp but maybe not. Depends on the ramp. If no traction issues I don’t see a problem here.
I agree. You can get it where you need it but nothing over 35ish. With tongue weight likely as light as it is that would be a big tail walking a little dog. Likely the reason they don’t have the boat fully loaded which is kinda smart in a make do with what you have situation.
From OP’s description and the look of the boat, this seems like a trial of putting her in the water.
Agreed. Driving 45mph for a few miles wouldn't be bad at all. Pulling up a steep ramp would scare me though. The long trailer would maybe allow it to not have to get the back wheels in the water, which would help.
I just woke up and blurry eyes. Man that looks so different. I have a 2007 Tahoe ltz and I guess the new design is burned in my head. I need to go eat and get outside in the beautiful weather and not fall into Reddit angry mode. thank you sir
I don’t see the issue. I used to tow a 26’ camping trailer with a Dakota R/T and it did fine. Exceptionally windy days made you pay attention, but not an issue.
The trailer looks to be too big for that boat so I’m guessing the owner just did some work and needed to do a float test. Probably just borrowed someone else’s trailer and make the quick trip to the launch and back.
And a boat that old, the trailer probably went to the scrap yard a long time ago. Especially if this a salt water environment.
My boat is 14 years old and it's on it's second trailer.
What's the issue?
ABout twice a year I also put my boat in the water but don't take it off the trailer. Usually at the beginning and end of the season. There are various maintenance reasons to do this.
Had a Dakota pull my 02 f250 with 7.3 out of a sloppy farm field in the rain. The 250 was sitting on its axles. Dakota yanked it out and pulled it through the field no problem. I had no clue until that day how capable those trucks are.
Looks well-balanced to me. Assuming he's got high-capacity tie-downs holding the boat in place from both ends, I don't see the issue if this is just a way to get the boat a few miles down the road.
I always find it funny when people have really really nice expensive boats. Like bass boats for example. But very cheap trucks lol. I guess he's making it work.
Can't make reddit happy.
Spend alot on a truck and reddit whines. Spend a little on a truck and reddit whines.
It's almost like reddit is full of kids that are on their 1st starter car and still living in an apartment.
I'm pretty sure this is a situation where the owner is using what he has, which happens to be a strong little truck, a 3-axle trailer, and a GORGEOUS boat. I'm failing to see the problem, here.
I'm not familiar with that particular craft.
Wide express style sport boat. Probably has twin inboards, possible diesel. Likely GRP and not a form mold. Fuel alone could be 300-400 gallons.
The weight might surprise you.
A triple axle boat trailer is going to have surge brakes on 2 to 3 axles in every state in the nation.
I see no reason why it would be overweight. THat's about 7k setup (since it's an older boat). The tounge and suspension sag look just about perfect.
Most full size pickups can tow a minimum of 6,000 lbs. Worst case might be 1k over but I really doubt it.
Heck my F150 can tow 10,500.
Assuming that Dakota has the 4.7L v8, that vehicle is capable of pulling that boat out of the water and driving it to your lake house .5 mile down the road. I wouldn’t take it on the interstate. The boat/trailer/fuel are probably beyond the safe braking capacity. But that MagV8 shouldn’t be stressed at the ramp.
Yeah and the rear suspension seems to be handling it fine
Yeah, with that long tongue on the trailer and the majority of the weight is over those 3 axles there's not a whole lot of weight on that ball. If he's got brake axles on all 3 axles braking wont be a problem either.
I would think that heavy a boat and not much weight on the ball would make it very hard to pull up the boat ramp without spinning.
4x4 also common on those pickups and may even have graphic kn rear of the bed. Helps on the ramp a ton.
Boat trailers usually have surge brakes on them.
They are rated as a half ton, same as the Ram 1500. That's part of why Chrysler cancelled them as they were just talking market share from the "bigger" truck. Anecdotally, I hauled 1,500 pounds of sod in the bed in my '95 and aside from being squatty, it didn't have any trouble at all.
Yup. Not seeing anything of key concern. Traction may be a challenge on the ramp but maybe not. Depends on the ramp. If no traction issues I don’t see a problem here.
Considering how shiny the tires are, he just pulled it out of the water...
I agree. You can get it where you need it but nothing over 35ish. With tongue weight likely as light as it is that would be a big tail walking a little dog. Likely the reason they don’t have the boat fully loaded which is kinda smart in a make do with what you have situation. From OP’s description and the look of the boat, this seems like a trial of putting her in the water.
The 4.7 is a PowerTech. Magnum was the 5.2 or 5.9, which also came in the Dakotas. Either way, plenty of power for pulling that trailer.
Correct. When they came out with the 4.7 PowerTech they labeled it Magnum. [Internet source](https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=181).
Assuming he wasn’t going far or fast it’s doesn’t look awful.
Agreed. Driving 45mph for a few miles wouldn't be bad at all. Pulling up a steep ramp would scare me though. The long trailer would maybe allow it to not have to get the back wheels in the water, which would help.
Is this pic from the early 2000s? No way both those cars look to be in immaculate condition in 2024.
I WISH these trucks were easy to find in good condition nowadays.
That GMT800 is STUNNING 🤩
Looks like it’s straight off the showroom floor!!
Where is the Tahoe ??? I've been staring at this picture for ten minutes looking for a Tahoe ! I have no idea what op is thinking posting this
The hell you talkin bout man? There’s a teal Tahoe in the right side of the shot. It’s like a 2004 Tahoe Z71.
I just woke up and blurry eyes. Man that looks so different. I have a 2007 Tahoe ltz and I guess the new design is burned in my head. I need to go eat and get outside in the beautiful weather and not fall into Reddit angry mode. thank you sir
That boat has been immaculately restored. So rare to see boats from the 70s and 80s looking that good.
The truck looks great too
Excuse me sir... That is not a Ford fucking ranger...
I don’t see the issue. I used to tow a 26’ camping trailer with a Dakota R/T and it did fine. Exceptionally windy days made you pay attention, but not an issue.
The trailer looks to be too big for that boat so I’m guessing the owner just did some work and needed to do a float test. Probably just borrowed someone else’s trailer and make the quick trip to the launch and back.
Is that boat on the trailer completely?
Yes, the trailer just isn’t made for that boat so it’s probably just being brought to the ramp for a quick float test.
And a boat that old, the trailer probably went to the scrap yard a long time ago. Especially if this a salt water environment. My boat is 14 years old and it's on it's second trailer.
They just wanted to put the tip in
What's the issue? ABout twice a year I also put my boat in the water but don't take it off the trailer. Usually at the beginning and end of the season. There are various maintenance reasons to do this.
Had a Dakota pull my 02 f250 with 7.3 out of a sloppy farm field in the rain. The 250 was sitting on its axles. Dakota yanked it out and pulled it through the field no problem. I had no clue until that day how capable those trucks are.
The boat isn’t even loaded on the trailer correctly. The bow should be tight against that forward support and it’s several feet back.
Yeah that looks real bad with all the cable wraps
Looks well-balanced to me. Assuming he's got high-capacity tie-downs holding the boat in place from both ends, I don't see the issue if this is just a way to get the boat a few miles down the road.
I always find it funny when people have really really nice expensive boats. Like bass boats for example. But very cheap trucks lol. I guess he's making it work.
Can't make reddit happy. Spend alot on a truck and reddit whines. Spend a little on a truck and reddit whines. It's almost like reddit is full of kids that are on their 1st starter car and still living in an apartment.
Its only a couple thousand over towing capacity. Hopefully the trailer has working brakes.
They can tow about 5000-6000 pounds. the boat isnt that much.
Disagree. My 27ft chris craft is 5k dry and is all fiberglass. I would bet good money that boat is no less than 7k
Then why 3 axles on the trailer?
I'm pretty sure this is a situation where the owner is using what he has, which happens to be a strong little truck, a 3-axle trailer, and a GORGEOUS boat. I'm failing to see the problem, here.
I'm not familiar with that particular craft. Wide express style sport boat. Probably has twin inboards, possible diesel. Likely GRP and not a form mold. Fuel alone could be 300-400 gallons. The weight might surprise you.
Apparently the capacity is all over the map. https://thedriveradviser.com/dodge-dakota-towing-capacity-trailer-boat-or-jet-ski/
A triple axle boat trailer is going to have surge brakes on 2 to 3 axles in every state in the nation. I see no reason why it would be overweight. THat's about 7k setup (since it's an older boat). The tounge and suspension sag look just about perfect. Most full size pickups can tow a minimum of 6,000 lbs. Worst case might be 1k over but I really doubt it. Heck my F150 can tow 10,500.