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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts
Initially Posted - 02/27/2007 :  21:00:29  Show Profile
Found this little goodie in my latest BoatUS magazine.
[url="http://boatus.com/trailerclub/suvoa/"]Tow Vehicle Guide[/url]
1997 250 TR WK (sold)
1984 O'Day 28 (sold)
1979 SISU 22
Bath, NC.
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 02/28/2007 :  11:35:09  Show Profile
This article was in last Sunday's Detroit Free Press...

[url="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070225/COL14/702250581/1081/COL"]The Truth About Towing[/url]

February 25, 2007

BY MARK PHELAN

FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies and towing capacity.

Nineteenth-Century British politician Benjamin Disraeli may have said the last type of lie was statistics, but he never went shopping for a pickup truck.

Automakers can virtually make up the towing capacity they claim for their trucks and cars, rendering a key performance statistic all but meaningless.

That may be about to change.

DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota are working to create a standard test for the towing capacity they advertise to attract buyers.

Ironclad standards already control the claims automakers can make about fuel economy, horsepower and torque, but each company currently sets its own rules to evaluate towing capacity. Several automakers were publicly humiliated when they got caught using inflated horsepower numbers a few years ago, but there's no universally accepted objective measure of towing capacity.

This is no small deal. Towing capacity means as much to truck buyers as horsepower and torque do to speed freaks.

Towing capacity currently works on the honor system, but there's not much honor in the cutthroat pickup market. Virtually every time a new truck hits the market with class-leading towing capacity, its rivals magically rise to match it.

"Towing capacity is an incredibly powerful marketing tool," said GM trailering engineer Rob Krouse, who chairs the Society of Automotive Engineers committee that's developing a standard towing test.

The committee, which also includes representatives of trailer manufacturers, could have the new rule in place by the end of this year, Krouse said.

"A common standard means the customer will be able to compare apples to apples. People will know what they're getting," said Peter Frantzeskakis, vehicle engineering manager for Ford's Super Duty pickups.

The standard will define the minimum acceptable performance in a number of areas that affect safety and driving comfort, including:

• Acceleration to freeway speed.

• The ability to drive at a set speed for several miles up a defined slope.

• Braking capability from a set speed.

• Handling and stability in lane changes.

The standard will also specify what kind of trailer automakers must test with and will require automakers to test with vehicles that match the models they sell, rather than testing with lightweight stripped trucks that lack common features like power seats and windows. The new standards will also apply to SUVs and cars.

"If we all test the same way, the customer can use the knowledge to make informed decisions," Krouse said. "In the end, he will get a better product."

Contact MARK PHELAN at 313-222-6731 or phelan@freepress.com.
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Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts
Response Posted - 03/01/2007 :  11:16:52  Show Profile  Visit Chris Z's Homepage
So, this brings me to my next question. What would be the recommendation for a C25 SK SR with a tandem axle trailer with surge brakes? Total towing needed and other considerations.
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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts
Response Posted - 03/01/2007 :  19:53:26  Show Profile
Get the heaviest, longest vehicle you can live with. IMHO - size of motor isn't all that important.

I tow with a GMC 2500, long wheel base 4x4.

Main thing is to equip yourself so that the tail doesn't wag the dog, which in my basic understanding of towing means, drive 55 MPH or slower, transfer as much weight as possible to the tow vehicle. Don't be in a hurry. Check connections twice, make sure trailer is travelling level and that 10% of towed weight is on the hitch.

I fretted about towing much more than I needed to. Best thing I did was stop by an RV dealership and have them make sure I was doing all the right things.

I have a 1981 SK SR with TrailRite dual axle with surge brakes...I had no problems towing over the Rocky Mountains.
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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts
Response Posted - 03/01/2007 :  21:46:11  Show Profile
What's your expected towing venue?
Flatland?
Mountains?
Short annual haul?
Steep ramp or sling launch?

Want to tow and launch the boat comfortably and safely anywhere?
My ideal rig would be a 3/4 or 1 ton 4x4 long-bed pickup... diesel.

Below that, most anything with a 8,000 lb tow rating should do the job safely... given some prudent driving. A very important concept is to never tow 'right up to the rating' of a vehicle, hitch, trailer, tires, brakes etc... good way to invite troubles.
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Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts
Response Posted - 03/02/2007 :  14:17:17  Show Profile  Visit Chris Z's Homepage
So, I was at the Cleveland Auto Shoow the other night and was quite impressed with the Toyota Tundra. They seem to layout their plan for handling your towing needs much better then the big three. They identify the keys to towing correctly and have addressed them. One example is four wheel vented disc brakes, where as the Chevy still has drums in the back.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.