Pulling a pontoon out of the water

So I have a 2015 4.0L TRD sport. Do you guys think I will have any problem pulling a 25’ tritoon out of the water? It is a JC sport with a 250 outboard. It is my dads boat, I just need to get it out of the water and about 1/10th of a mile to dry storage. I’d be doing this a couple times a year. The ramp is maintained at a marina, but it can get slick at times. It isn’t too terribly steep

 

Forgot to post, I think the boat is around 4000 with the motor, trailer maybe at 1000, and I’ve got the tow package

 

If you got 4wd shouldn't be too bad. Slick boat ramps can get interesting especially with a heavy boat to truck ratio. But that should easily be doable.

 

Your truck will be able to tow it for short distances like you noted. I think you may be a little light on your weight estimate though. The biggest variable with be how slippery the ramp is. (Trust me, I've worked at a marina for 30 years.) Just drop it into 4 wheel drive (maybe even 4Lo) and you should be good. Get it out of 4 wheel drive as soon as you clear the crest of the ramp.

 

I am guessing on the weight. On JC website it has the 25’ sport tritoon as 3100 lbs. I figured 900 or so for motor, gear and fuel, and just random guess on the trailer being 1000.

 

You should be fine. I tow a 22 Ft sailboat, boat and trailer are about 5000 pounds.

 

You guys don't want to know what I've towed with mine.

 

Just don’t put it in Overdrive

 

No problems pulling that sailboat out of the water?

 

So now you know, maybe it will or maybe it won't. No one here knows how steep the ramp is, how slick it is, condition of your tires etc etc
Just hook it up and go for it. You'll never know until then. Your plan "B" should be have a buddy stand by with a truck known to pull the weight on the ramp you are using. Then, if something goes badly, you won't look like the nitwit, boat launch watchers enjoy laughing at. Watching boat launching is a great spectator sport LOL

 

Luckily I go to the lake on weekdays so not many people at the launch. And I know the marina owner, they will pull me out if need be. Wanted to make sure I wasn’t way out of line in thinking my truck can handle it. My dad pulls it fine with how f150. I don’t think he has ever had to put it in 4wd

 

If anything interesting happens make sure you tell us about it other then that i've towed around 4500-5000 no problem. 4 horse trailer with 2 horses and assorted tac.

 

Should be fine. I have a 24ft pontoon and have never had an issue

 

Ramps, waters, weather always factor in too. Tides and marine growth should be thought about ,too

 

It’s a controlled lake, so no tides, in a marina so usually calm water and if the weather isn’t nice I’m not going out in the boat anyway, so I should be consistent on all that. I’ll try it once and see what happens haha

 

in it for the story.... I just upgraded to a 2400lb Whaler from a 1600lb and was wondering the same thing. Keep us posted.

 

You should be fine, the tough part is pulling it back out. If the splash goes good, then you should be ok for the removal. If the splash is dicey, might want to be able to get some help for retrieval. Putting the cooler and anything heavy in the back of the bed close to the tailgate will help on pull out .

 

If you have a choice of ramps, choose the one with the least drop off at the end. Some ramps have a big divot at the end from people powering on to the trailer, instead of winching it on. Don't be that guy!

 

Agree or at least have a tow rope/chain in your truck just case there is a need.

 

I would bring a tow/recovery rope and have the marina owner hook up to your truck just in case this scenario gets a little slippery. You don't want them to pull you out after it's too late.