I have a 2007 250CR, got it last October '06. I picked up with my Cadilac Escalade, only to haul into storage. Very happy day, but sad only to put it away for the long winter. I am getting it out next week. The Cadilac seemed fine pulling it, but hope to trailer it a few differnt places, than just on the Mississippi River. Any imput on if the Caddy will do well on some long hauls. I love this forum, thank you very much.  Kathy

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Blue 2007 250CR
RUNGE'S RAFT

Kathy, my advice would be to ask your dealer if they can get you the weight of the boat as you have it configured and trailer.  Next find out how many gallons of gas the boat can carry and figure 7 lbs per gallon roughly.  Next, if you plan to fill the water tank on the boat, find out how many gallons and similar weight per gallon for water.  Add those up and compare that to what the Caddie brouchure says towing capacity is with your rear-end gear ratio.  Now, whatever the towing capacity is, subtract any anticipated load from passengers (don't include the driver in this number) and stuff like coolers, suitcases etc.  In the end, I think you will find that you are most likely over the towing capacity of the Caddie.  My thoughts are that you are more than likely in the range of a heavy duty 3/4 ton pickup or Suburban with a big block or possibly a diesel engine.  A 3/4 ton truck is safer and built stronger such as brakes and transmissions to tow a boat of that size.  It's a common question of this forum, but always interesting to see the responses.

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Un-Civil-ized 2002 230BR, MX6.2 BIII on a Prestige Trailer. Moonstone/Amethyst with silver diamond graphics

I bet the capacity of the caddy is around 4-5 thousand pounds.  Not that good.  A half ton truck pulls my 250 just fine.  I figure I'm about 6000 for the boat, 1000 for the trailer and then add in fuel and water (8.4 pounds per gallon) and that's another 1000.  Toys, coolers....etc etc. 

So I have been operating under the idea that I'm pulling about 8000+ pounds when I hitch onto my 250CR.   I just ordered me a new Toyota Tundra Crewmax Limited..... it should be here in 3 weeks.  It will tow 10400 :)

I wouldn't take my 250 on a long haul behind a SUV.... I've pulled it with my Tahoe before and it wasn't the best.  But like I said, any full size truck will do fine.  And NO you don't need Diesel.  Unless you just want to feel cool.

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2004 250 CR
"In Too Deep"

Along with what Randy said, take your boat/trailer to a truck stop....full of fuel and water and what ever you would have on the boat (life jackets, anchors, towels, clothes, etc) and weigh them without the truck attached.  That'll be your true towing weight - not including the load in the truck.  Once you know this number you can easily figure out what your boat would weigh "empty" (no fuel and no water).  Fuel is 6.45 #/gal and water is 8.33 #/gal.

If you are within your towing limits, double check your trailer hitch on the truck.  More than likely it's a Class III (5,000 pounds).  You'll need to upgrade to a Class V.  Make sure your ball mount is also rated for the proper amount.  Again a Class III ball (and ball mount) will be 5,000 pounds and 500 pounds tongue weight.

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Russ Handy
Oshkosh, WI

TYPE-A
2005 Cruisers Yachts 300 Express
1998 Merc 270 w/a Merc 4hp

I would imagine that the caddie has closer to a 6-7k tow capacity.  Is it by chance an ESV?  If it is, that has the same wheelbase as a suburban.

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Craig and Marci
Zach, Brady and Caden
2005 275CCR, 496 mag

Kathy - I have a Z71 Chevy Suburban 1/2 ton w/Vortec 5300 V8 - According to the manual, max trailer weight is about 8,000 lbs (you should have the same info in your manual and will need to know your engine size and axle ratio) - I haven't taken it to the scales, but I would bet my '95 250CR w/'01 Prestige trailer, is right about there with cargo and fuel, (I trailer with 1/2 tank or less in boat) - It really labors on steeper grades and I would not want to trailer long distances very often - There is a trailer mode option that I use and it definately helps out the tranny - I also changed the ball, hitch and carriage to class V, rated at 10,000 lbs. - Almost put on a weight distributing type of hitch but the present set up operates just fine - Ride is not bad, there is no trailer waggle and on the flats it runs 60 mph comfortably.

However, my next vehicle will be a 3/4 ton suburban with a bigger engine or truck with a diesel - It will offer a much larger comfort zone when we want to trailer longer distances - Some of the new diesels are now quiter and the pulling power is unbeatable - Hope that helps out.

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Rory Malner
'95 250CR - 7.4L W/BIII
"Parents Gone Wild"

Kathy, you can probably TOW the boat most anywhere and have few problems. The reason everyone is hedging is, it's not towing the boat, it's STOPPING it that's the problem. The Escalade has plenty of "oomph" to tow with, but it lacks the wheelbase and suspension to control that much weight behind, if problems develop -- like the car that pulls out in front of you, or trying to make it around a curve at the bottom of a long grade. If you have electric brakes on the trailer and a brake controller in the Escalade, your chances of control are improved, but there are too many other factors to consider.

The 250CR, whether the older model or the newer one, weighs a bunch (about 6000-6500#). Add the trailer (1800-2000#), fuel (~500#), water (~200-300#), more batteries (150-300#), food, clothes, cleaning gear, canvas, uh - BEER and other essentials, and the weight being towed is quickly near (or over, in my case) 9000#. If the towing rating of your Escalade is in the 5000-6000# range, you're quite a bit over. If you had an accident and it was found to be your fault for whatever reason, your insurance company has the perfect "out" to deny coverage based on exceeding the vehicle's published limits.

Your call, but I wouldn't put myself in jeopardy. If you're going to tow far, up or down hills, at highway speeds, or often, consider upgrading to a bigger tow vehicle. It's not at all enjoyable when the "tail wags the dog".

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DILLIGAF
(Does It Look Like I Give A _ _ _ _)

1996 250-CR

Thank you all for such valuable information. So many good points. Wow, never let it be said crownies are dumb!!!!! I will most definately use all this excellent information. I need to get busy on my homework, because I will be getting her out of storage next week.  I so far have towed her from the dealer, home and then into storage.  My truck is a '05 AWD and the trailer does have electric brakes. So for now I know what to look out for on the way home, it's not very far. I surprise most, men that I do the hauling!!!!!!

 Can't wait for the old Mississippi River to quit flooding and weather warming up. For now I will put all the numbers and information together. Thank you all very much.  Kathy
 

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Blue 2007 250CR
RUNGE'S RAFT

Kathy, for comparing towing capacity, SUV's like the Escalade typically have either a rear axle gear of 3.73 or 4.10.  The 3.73 is typically standard and the 4.10 is typically an option, but at no extra cost.  The 4.10 rear gear gives you the maximum towing capacity.  The Escalade might also have the option of the more powerful 6.0 over the 5.3 liter engine.  Just some things to check from your window sticker when reading the trailer towing guide in the Caddy Brouchure.

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Un-Civil-ized 2002 230BR, MX6.2 BIII on a Prestige Trailer. Moonstone/Amethyst with silver diamond graphics

Kathy,

 

I had a Yukon Denali XL (Longer wheel base version of your truck) that I used to pull my 266. I also pulled a Rinker 250 with it for a friend. It pulled both fine. Thats not to say I wan't over the towing limit though (Which I believe was around 8,000). For local trips (Under 50 miles) take it easy and you will be fine. Longer trips, buy a cheap 3/4 ton like Randy said and you will be fine. The Escalade has all the running gear of the 3/4 tons except the brakes and chassis/suspension (Most important parts). Good luck!

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Geneva, Illinois
1999 266BR powered by a 454 MPI BIII sittin' behind the Green Giant ('03 Ford Excursion)

Kathy,

The real issue is longevity of the tow vehicle.  Your unit will be working its heart out every inch of the way.  I have a 250CR and tow with a diesel dually.  It is nice to just sit back and drive and not have to worry about every move I make while driving.  My concern would be the transmission heat and the stress on the rear axle.  This is really a luxury vehicle you have and not a work horse.  The statement about stopping is another important issue.  Even with trl. brakes the stress on the suspension and frame of the tow vehicle is tremendous when you need to make a very fast and hard stop.  Also check the load ratings on your tires.  Depending upon wheel style they may not match the tow capacity of the vehicle itself.

Nick

The Escalade and the Blazer will be sitting till I decide what to do. Been looking at  different types of trucks for towing and will put all this together. For now I will get the boat out of storage and over to her spot at Dry Stack next week. So everyone will have to come here for a Mississippi River Rally!!!! Thanks so much to all for such great help.

 Kathy

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Blue 2007 250CR
RUNGE'S RAFT

Kathy,

 We have a real sport utility tow vehicle, Excursion with V10 Gas, this thing would pull anywhere, anytime.  You dont even know our 202 is back there, and when towing our 31 ft Travel trailer, it just purrs along, best part about towing with the big beast, we dont even seem to suffer the mileage loss as in other vehicles.  Our old durango when pulling the boat would dip from 18-20 mpg to down around 12, with the old camper it would dip below 10 on the highway.  the excursion stays right about 13-15 towing.  If your like us, need the room of an SUV and want the towing performance, there isnt a better rig out there.

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Wouldnt be without our Crown....
03 202 BR Spinel Wine/Gold Diamond
Monster Tower w/Racks & Speakers

Our pics.....
My Gallery

I tow my 95 250CR and loaded up is right under 9k lbs.It's heavier than you think.I pull it with a 99 Yukon Denali.The poor truck is rated at 6500lbs...The size is fine.I have no sway to speak of but braking really is an issue.I take it easy and NEVER put myself in a bad spot.I can run 65mph if I try out of OD and 60 is pretty easy.I just give her time.

 

With that being said I am still in the market for a 02-03 Diesel Excursion.It's the way to go for towing without going dually.Plus the diesel just owns the V10 in fuel mileage...20mpg empty is easily done and 10k lbs will net you a solid 14mpg.Power is not an issue.

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Kathy

If you post the last 8 digits of your serial number, I can tell you which axle ratio you have, and your tow rating

 

Greg Flom

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2001 202BR
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada