What Can Tow a Pontoon Boat?

If you live nearby a lake or if you have frequented a few this year, you might have seen a few pontoon boats floating around. At first glance, you might not think much of them but after a while, they become quite hard to ignore. Do you ever wonder what a pontoon boat is? Or what can tow a pontoon boat?

If so, then you are not alone. Pontoon boats are interesting because although they may not look like much, they are quite mighty. They do not look like average ships so they may not look like they weigh a lot but there must be some strength to them, or else how would they be able to hold all of those passengers right?

If you have been thinking of investing in a pontoon boat and are wondering if your vehicle would be able to tow a pontoon boat, then we have you covered. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Know the Weight of Your Pontoon Boat

Before we can answer that question, we should consider how much a pontoon boat weighs. On average, a pontoon boat weighs around 2,000-2,200 pounds. Some smaller ones weigh between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds so be sure to know the exact weight of your pontoon boat. This is the first and most important step.

Step 2: Add the Weight of Your Pontoon Boat to the Weight of Your Trailer

After you figure out how much your pontoon boat weighs, you then need to add that weight to your trailer’s weight. The trailer can weigh anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 pounds.

Aside from knowing the actual weight of your pontoon boat, it is also important to know the weight of your trailer as well. If you are not sure, it is always better to overestimate than underestimate in this case.

What vehicles can Tow a Pontoon Boat?

● Midsize Pickup Trucks:

Although most people would not consider midsize pickup trucks as their first option when it comes to towing, they are actually quite nice when it comes to towing smaller boats such as pontoon boats.

Mid Size pickup trucks can tow more than the weight of most pontoon boats and trailers combined. If you have a mid-size pickup truck or are thinking of buying one, do not write them off yet. Here are some examples of great mid-size pickup trucks to tow your pontoon boat:

Nissan Frontier
GMC Canyon
Toyota Tacoma
Chevy Colorado

Full-Size Trucks:

Now, when it comes to full-size trucks, this can be a bit of an overkill if you are just planning on using it to tow your pontoon boat. This is because, as we had mentioned earlier, a pontoon boat weighs around 2,000 pounds plus let’s add another 1,500 for the trailer. That would give us a total of 3,500. Even a full-size truck that has the lowest towing capacity will yield at least 7,000 pounds.

Now of course full-size trucks are great and are more versatile but if you already have a midsize pickup truck, then you do need to pick up a new truck just for your pontoon boat. However, if you already have a full-size truck then know that it will do the job and it will do it well.

Here are some of the best full-size pickup trucks, towing capacity wise that is:

What is a Pontoon Boat?

If you have never seen a pontoon boat before, you might be asking yourself “What exactly am I looking at?” Pontoon boats are quite a flatboat with a large lounge area and are perfect for lounging around, lazily in the river.

Unlike other boats that are known for their strength and speed, pontoon boats are the epitome of taking it slow and taking at the moment. It is great if you want to just be in the lake and look at the view, with very little disturbance.

Pontoon boats are able to float thanks to these structures called “pontoons.” That is where the recreational boats got their names, but we are sure you caught onto that already.

Pontoon is a sort of floating device that is used to add buoyancy to a structure. They are airtight and hollow tubes that are both water-resistant and almost unsinkable, both of these features are very important when you are carrying passengers and items.

Pontoon boats use more than two pontoon tubes to float.

While pontoon boats are usually known for slower and more relaxing activities, some pontoon boats are now quite fast as well.

Pontoon boats are great for outdoor, water activities such as fishing, swimming, and sunbathing.

Pontoon Boat Safety Measures

Most people might not think twice about pontoon boat safety measures because pontoon boats look so inviting and harmless.

However, despite their quaint appearances, they can still be quite dangerous if not handled well. Down below are some quick and easy rules to keep in mind if you are planning to rent or buy a pontoon boat:

Be sure to check your vehicle and trailer before and after every trip:

The last thing you will want is an accident because you have a flat tire or a screw got loose. Better safe than sorry, and if done right, this checkup will only take a few minutes of your time.

Do not forget the lights:

Did you know it is against the law for trailer lights to go off while operating? Do not risk it and make sure they are working.

Secure your pontoon boat to the trailer:

This may seem like common sense but most people do overlook this because they are in a rush or they think very little of it. It does not matter if the boat and trailer were securely strapped on the last time you checked; it is best to check every time you arrive and every time you leave your destination.

Practice makes perfect:

If you are experienced in towing pontoon boats but have recently bought or rented a new pickup truck or tow vehicle, do not make the mistake and think that they are all the same.

Even if you have bought a similar size SUV or pickup truck, do keep in mind that every truck turns and drives differently.

To ensure the safety of yourself, your passengers and those around you, be sure to do a few practice runs before you hit the road.

The Takeaway

Pontoon boats are great because they do not weigh much but they add so much to a trip. They are fun and are great for the entire family, especially younger children or older adults. The best part is, they are not as expensive as regular boats and they are also much easier to tow as well due to their lightweight.

If you do not want to buy your pontoon boat, do not worry. Most places will have them for rent, and they are fairly inexpensive to rent as well.

If you have a pontoon boat and was wondering if your car could pull its weight, then we hope you have found this article helpful.

Happy boating!

What Can Tow a Pontoon Boat?