What Do You Use to Tow Your Boat?
I’ve always been an SUV guy. When I started tournament fishing in the mid-90s, many of the top pros fished out of Chevy Suburbans, but since that time the trend has moved heavily toward pickup trucks. That’s true partially because Toyota has pushed the Tundra heavily in the bass world, but also for other reasons. There are certainly plenty of diesel Ford, Chevy and Dodge pickups making the round. Meanwhile, I’ve stuck with the SUV. It serves my needs better as I don’t need to pull a fifth wheel or haul a bunch of mulch, gravel, decoys or deer carcasses. I can use the third row seat if necessary (once or twice every few years) and throw the dog all the way in the back and still know how he’s doing.
I’ve also stuck with the Bowtie since I bought my first new vehicle in 1999 – a two-door Tahoe, then a Suburban, then an Avalanche, then back to my current Suburban, which I’ve now had for more than 11 years. I would switch to another brand if warranted, but all of these vehicles have served my needs, and have been reliable, with the exception of the Tahoe which started to have problems after I was in a serious accident, so I can’t really blame that on the factory. I like the Suburban over the Tahoe simply because it holds more stuff. I can lay out my spare trolling motor in the back in its box without having to fold down the back seat. Because most of my towing is close to home — with one or two longer trips a year — I’ve never needed a diesel or something bigger, but that will eventually change.
Once Hanna and I retire, if things go according to plan we’ll need two vehicles: A dually for me to pull a fifth wheel and something for her to pull the boat. If we were to reach that milestone today, I’d likely push for another Suburban (or Yukon) for her – either the V8 6.2 diesel, or the twin V6 diesels – although she’s loved the little Explorer we currently own, so she might favor an Expedition.
Of course, with a runway of at least five years until that happens, our plans could markedly change. We might decide that camping is not in the cards for us. Or we might get a truck camper so that we can ride around the country in a single vehicle. Changes in technology or gas prices could make an electric or hybrid vehicle an option for one or both rides. Fortunately, we should be in a position to take our time and make the right choice.
I’ve never really craved Skeet’s F550 or a big lifted truck, but here are a few tow vehicles that caught my attention, both realistic and not. I’m ready to hit the road tomorrow if I could find a way to finance the lifestyle despite the lost income.
They’ve been teasing us with rumors of a full V8 Suburban for years, but this 7.4 liter engine, custom build is even more badass – and it has only 42,000 original miles.
This little bucket of brown and tan metal probably wouldn’t pull my 20’ bass boat up many (or any) hills but for us children of the 70s it’s a throwback to banana seat bikes and quality mustaches.
We’ve ridden in Sprinters from the Guatemala City airport to Casa Vieja Lodge and they’re the darlings of the Wall Street set, but I love the idea of one that can go anywhere and be completely self-sufficient. You’d be a complete distraction at any campground or boat ramp.
If I’m going to go fully retro and unrealistic, I’ll pick out the one that would have Spicoli, Wooderson, AND Magnum PI drooling.
OK, this might be completely irresponsible and impossible because it’s made in Russia – even if we could get one, I’m not sure I want to pump $$$ into that economy right now. Nevertheless, you have to admit that an amphibious vehicle with a centered driving position is pretty cool. Unfortunately, it seems woefully underpowered and slow, so even if it was politically, socially and financially responsible to get one, I’d likely have to pass.
What other atypical options did I miss?
