Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 vs Lowe TR220SD 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 vs Lowe TR220SD 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe TR220SD 2005 measures 22,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 at 18,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe TR220SD 2005 tips the scales at 2 913 lbs — 2 818 lbs less than the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 at 95 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 135 hp, the Lowe TR220SD 2005 has a 45-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe TR220SD 2005 carries 24 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe TR220SD 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe TR220SD 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe TR220SD 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFrontier 1860 Tunnel Jet
ModelTR220SD
Model Year2013
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam85 in. (2.16 m)
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.43 m)
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches85
Beam - Inches96
Depth - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters60.96
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches24
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail950 lbs. (431 kg)
Weight - Detail2,913 lbs. (1,329 kg)
Weight - kg430.91
Weight - kg1321.31
Weight - lbs.95
Weight - lbs.2913
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]27 in. (0.69 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet22
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters6.71
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches264
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]21 ft. 8 in. (6.6 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.7
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.54 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeTunnel
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. (72 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (90.8 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal19
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Engine max135 hp (100 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,552 lbs. (704 kg)
Maximum capacity2,200 lbs. (998 kg)
Maximum people7 / 950 lbs. (431 kg)
Maximum people12
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in. (.58 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge.080 in
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all28 ft. 6 in
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 0 in