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250 WK towing

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/28/2006 : 13:47:10

I should have my new (to me) '98 WK Tuesday and have some concerns about towing. Having never owned a trailerable boat I have no idea about the tow vehicle, what do I need? I assume a standard size pickup or SUV with a V-8? What does a 250WK with trailer weigh? I don't own a truck and have no plans to buy one for the rare tow, I'm hoping to rent a truck when necessary or bribe my truck owning friends with beer.
Thanks for advice.

1998 250WK #331
CILCIA
Steve
Pensacola, FL

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2006 : 19:20:06

Steve,
the WK is quite a bit heavier than the WB. We successfully pulled JD out with our Chevy blazer SUV, but it was about the limit. We thought that Towing was fine, the blazer felt a little on the light side, but we regularly pulled the boat from home to the black point (1.5hours), even down to John Pennekamp State park(2.25 hours)

However, we recently bought a new Ford 150 Pickup 4x4 5.4 Triton.. Urrrrrgh! It pulls the boat effortlessly, some times I have to look back to make sure it's still attached (kidding, you cannot miss it back there!)

So the Beer fuel option sounds like a winner.

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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2006 : 22:43:06

The boat and trailer weight about 6200 lbs including the motor, sails, etc. This thread tells about how I handled the question.

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10877

I would check your vehicle's towing capacity. Less than 7500 - 8000 lbs, the vehicle is probably not up to it. Also, unless your engine has more torque than mine, or you live in completely flat country, I think a 5.9L engine is near the lower limit for power.

I suggest you also make sure the vehicle is set up for towing. Having heavy duty brakes is as much an issue as engine size, and a transmission cooler will be important in the summer.

Edited by - kevinmac on 01/28/2006 22:44:37

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2006 : 10:55:55

Kevin, thanks for that link, it answers alot of questions. It all looks too complicated and expensive for the once or twice a year that I would tow. Buying a large gas sucking truck is not an option, I drive 160 miles round trip to work, I think I'd come out ahead just hiring a professional to tow it for me.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.