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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Pulling the boat

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Kallista
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/28/2007 : 18:56:36

We have a Catalina 25ft swing keel boat. We would like to pull the boat to various lakes in the Midwest. We think that the boat and trailer weights about 6,500lb. We are having trouble deciding what type of vehicle to purchase. We have looked at both ½ ton and ¾ ton trucks (Ford, Chevy, Dodge & Toyota) and have become very confused. The ½ ton seems to teeter on the edge of what we need with a total maximum tow average of about 8500lbs. The ¾ ton seems to be more than enough truck, towing an average of 12,000lbs. Do we really need that much of a truck for towing? How do other Catalina 25ft owners pull their boat? How does the vehicle perform? Do you have any suggestions? Any knowledge and/or past experience would be greatly appreciated.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2007 : 19:46:21

IMHO stuff here: A C25 gets pretty big when it's on the trailer behind you.

For anything beyond towing 'around the neighborhood', I 100% recommend a 3/4 ton chassis (or better). You will have lots more peace of mind and fewer problems over the long haul. If you're going to ramp launch, 4x4 is a good thing to have too. With today's fuel prices, and a big truck, you want a diesel and a manual transmission.

Every bit as important as the tow vehicle, make sure your trailer is in perfect shape. Most of the C25's came from the factory on trailers without a lot of reserve capacity. Get the heaviest-rated tires you can find and make sure your bearings and brakes are fully up to snuff. Be sure to check the mechanical components of the trailer too... a poster here recently had a horror story about the U-bolts that hold the axle to the springs failing.

Edited by - on

DoubleD
1st Mate

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USA
61 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2007 : 21:13:57

I have a 3/4 ton Chev with a Duramax. I have been towing for over 30 years and had been using a 1/2 ton on smaller boats. There is no comparison between the two, once you use a 3/4 ton truck, you won't get another 1/2 ton truck.

Dave

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2007 : 04:08:31

A long wheelbase is a big contributor to safety when towing.

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2007 : 11:17:47

I have a '99 F-150 extended cab with 5.4L and tow package. That is the minimum tow vehicle I'd ever want to use. There's no relaxing while towing the Catalina; I have to be "on" all the time.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2007 : 15:00:34

You can never have too much truck. The ideal vehicle would be a 3/4 ton with the diesel engine. I have a one ton Chevy with the Duramax/Allison combination. I'll have to disagree with ClamBeach on the transmission...doesn't get any better than an Allison. My truck tows a 14k 5th wheel effortlessly.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2007 : 15:03:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by At Ease
 You can never have too much truck...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2007 : 15:51:07

Kallista,
This is a recurring topic, so there are lots of archives you can search for and read about this. I went through the same decision process when we bought our C-250 WK.

We decided on a F-250 w/ the 7.3 liter diesel & 4WD. I would have liked to have gotten a long bed, but this one is hard enough to park as it is.

It tows our boat like it's hardly even there. The only time I notice a big difference is when we're stopping and the trailer wants to push you, and when climbing a steep hill, my exhaust temp climbs pretty high, but other than that, nothing much. Climbing long hills at high elevations doesn't slow it down, nor does it raise the engine temp noticeably, even with the AC running, even while towing the boat. The mileage is kind of poor, but I've added wider intake & exhaust, as well as a chip, and I'm getting about 16 MPG reliably, 17-18 if I take it really easy, but only about 10 while towing the boat. I got 10 while towing before I added any modifications, but I use this as my commuter as well, so getting decent mileage was important to me.

Don,
I saw one of those Chevy's down the street while walking to lunch the other day. A very impressive truck indeed.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2007 : 21:21:28

"I'll have to disagree with ClamBeach on the transmission... doesn't get any better than an Allison"

They are great transmissions and that the only automatic I'd have in a truck, but you will give up nearly 3 mpg for it. (which was my point).

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bear_tm4
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2007 : 22:32:18

HI, I have a Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 with the hemi, I have not trouble what so ever pulling and trailer my boat where ever I go, I would guess my whole rig fully loaded is at least 7000, my trailing is the on heavy side, I have a fin keel......not that really makes much difference, but my trialer is a homemade affair, so is little beefy...plus I carry a 25 ft extension for launch and recovery. Well, my point is that my truck is more than enough to pull my boat and trailer. I have pulled in one haul as far as Kansas to Kentucky thats min 10 hour drive, and I dont mess around, I pulled at highway speed, 65 mph to 70, and no probs what so ever, up n down hills....I guess I am saying dont get more truck than you need. they are expensive the more truck you get. Now not to sound to biased, my ability to pull the way I do could have something to do with my engine and truck...a Dodge, but that gets us into my FORD, my Chevy lol...but I seem to think that my dodge does have great low end tourqe, Just a foot note, I pulled a water ballast huneter 26 out this weekend for a guy, and not problems at all.....By the way, Catalina is a way better boat, his boat was so cheap in so many ways....My Catalina is so tuff well built n desinged...well another thread...lol...thats my two cents on trucks n hunters.
Bear,

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2007 : 22:39:08

Then there's the pickup from Freightliner...

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2007 : 01:44:49

There are lots of numbers but I would look at the brakes. No comparison of brakes of a 3/4 ton versus a 1/2 ton. You also have to be sure it's a real 3/4 ton and not just going by the numbers, what the company puts on the specs. I can't justify a newer model so a used 3/4 ton with automatic with overdrive, extended cab, largest gas engine possible is my choice. I get 8.8 mpg driving at 55 when possible. I have the truck tuned up for the cruise in a couple of weeks and hope to have a following breeze.

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Placeo
Deckhand

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USA
1 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2007 : 10:46:00

Good Morning

NEW MEMBER, I recently joined and already my membership paid for its self. "Placeo" is in a slip at Shell Point Fl. She is a swing keel and you good folks just answered almost all of the questions I had. I am looking for a trailer to pull Placeo out should a storm head our way and trips, for extended time in different ports. I agree about the set-up times. I had a couple of 22s and one 25 before. The set-up time is a lot different. Any suggestions on a trailer? I have a quote of $4,750. disk breaks all around. I have a Dodge Ram with Hemi. It has a short wheel base heavy suspension and the Dodge heavy duty tow/haul transmission. Four wheel disks on the truck too rated at 9,700 lbs.

Your thoughts?

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