Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

I have my 2011 A20 now with the 335 in it but no tower speakers. What is the weight of the boat and trailer (single axle) along with gas, oil etc in it?

My tow vehicle, Ford Explorer, (rated for 5000 lbs) transmission just went this winter and I am trying to decide if it is good enough to tow the boat for the next year and buy a F150 or Durango. I can get the tranny done for under $1,000 and recoup some of that when I trade it in/sell it next year.

What are your thoughts? The boat is usually only towed up to 30 min away but there is a very large hill that it has to be towed up (800 ft vertical).

Thanks

how far do you have to drive to the water?

can you have the tranny built stronger for a little bit more? 5000 is pushing the limits, but if you could get through this season with the tranny, then keep it. The motor is fine, I am just concerned about stopping and that hill wearing on a transmission.

how much could you get for your explorer after the trans rebuild and how much would the f150 you are looking at be?

30 minutes is nothing and a trans rebuild for less than 1k is awful cheap, the boat is probably somewhere around 4000lbs. How did it tow it before the trans went? What engine is in the explorer? What year? What trans?
Towing 30 minutes I would keep the tow vehicle you have, keep the costs down, who really wants another payment. Besides if it does break while towing you're only 30 minutes from home, call one of your buddies to come get you, I wouldn't worry a bit.

i swear that wasnt there when i read it

boat - 3200
gas (45 gal) - 270
trailer - 800- 900 (not sure but my tandom trailer is 1140)

By the time you add all your gear, other stuff, and passengers you'll likely be over 5K. How did the transmission fail.

Transmission is just starting to slip, had it checked and they said (2 shops) mechanical damage and it shifts hard on the 1-2 shift everytime.

It pulled my 2008 Bayliner 195 fine last 2 years, but have never used it on the new boat, I used my parents Durango when I went to go get it.

The Explorer is only worth $500-$1000 if it had a working tranny in it, its a 2000 model year with 125,000 miles on it.

It has a 4.0L engine in it.

I was planning on a new or year old F150 next year depending on trade in allowances etc in place at the time. I wanted to go one more year with no truck payments.

Rebuild is $1300, I was going to put a used tranny in for $1000 (520 for tranny + 450 for R&R) which comes with a one year warrenty.

I read a Australian review that stated the boat was 4700 lbs with trailer, I wasnt sure if that was wet or just boat and trailer weight.

My dad had a ranger with that same setup, and he had all sorts of transmission problems. I was pulling a flat tilt trailer with two quads with it one time, and overheated the transmission and it blew tranny fluid all over out of the dipstick! On a good note, I have heard th new eco boost is awesome!

It is really a toss up. I am pulling my A22 with a 98F150 with 200k on it about 45min to the lake and no major hills and it does fine. I had the trans rebuilt last year because the reverse gear went out(not good for towing a boat or at least backing) I think I paid $1300 with a 3year warranty on the tranny and they put in an external coolant system(I would definitely recommend adding that if you decide to rebuild the trans). That being said I will probably buy a Heavy Duty in the next year because of the strain that I know it puts on the 4.6l F150

Its a gamble. I towed my a22 with an 08 tahoe 5.3 for about a year and then had tranny problems. But I towed in 100 degree heat on steep grades. I sold that truck after GM did the warranty work on it.