Association Forum - what do you tow with?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

what do you tow with?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

cessnapilot
Deckhand

Member Avatar

2 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/28/2010 : 22:47:36

I'm looking at purchasing a c-25 swing keel but looks like I may need to lower my sights to the 22ft. I have a 4x4 truck with a tow capacity of 6100 lbs. It will be kept mast up on the trailer at a local lake in AZ but would like to go over to catalina once a year. Does anyone tow with a truck other than full size? thanks for any input.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2010 : 06:09:54

There's been a lot of debate about this topic over the years. I think the general consensus is that you should have at least a 3/4 ton truck. A "tow capacity of 6100 lbs" would be right at or a little under the weight of the boat and trailer. It might be OK for moving around the marina or short trips, but I don't think I'd use it on a highway for long distances. Remember, it's not as much the pulling but the stopping that you need to be very concerned about.

Others will disagree. Check the archives and settle in for a long night of reading.

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2010 : 06:36:23

John's right - your truck is ok for around the marina. But, there's a good chance that the boat and trailer weigh more than 6,100 lbs.
Solution - rent a full sized truck for the trip to Catalina. That's way less expensive than buying another/bigger truck.
Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2010 : 10:42:59

Up until 4 years ago I pulled my C25 from my yard to the launch ramp with a Chevy Silverado 1/2 ton short box, about 3 miles. As long as you have functional brakes on your trailer you should not have a problem with short hauls on less traveled roads. I actually hauled my boat from Milwakee to Houghton MI, about 650 miles, when it was new, with a Ford 1/2 ton without incident. I now have a 3/4 ton GMC that I had hoped to use to attend Catalina championships in the Midwest. The cost of gas has become a problem though. Maybe next year at Wyzatta Nationals.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2010 : 11:01:52

I haul once a year Ohio to Florida and back with a Jeep Grande Cherokee with 6800 pound capacity. 4 wheel discs on the car, 2 wheel drums on the trailer, electronic sway control (which I turned off and went 70 and stopped once just to see how it handled it), limit my speed to 60 - 62 and less in traffic with no problem. Opinions will vary, and some will be strong. I promise not to re-enter this thread.

Edited by - on

cessnapilot
Deckhand

Members Avatar

2 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2010 : 11:16:46

thanks for all the input so far, i know it has been talked about in older posts but I havent found much info on people towing with smaller trucks like mine. I think my truck is a bit bigger than a grand cherokee so that helps but is only a 6cyl. My biggest concern is going down a wet steep ramp!

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2010 : 11:17:09

OK, is anyone pulling over hilly terrain with a Chev Avalanche? I remember it was one of teh options discussed when I was thinking of tow vehicles in the past. If anyone is, what are the limitations with this rig? I am looking at about a 60 mile trip each way, fin keel, cradle bolted to flatbed.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2010 : 11:53:43

The slippery ramp issue can be resolved with the "Strap Launch" technique that has bee describe here often. The truck never leaves flat ground under load.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2010 : 12:25:17

Hah, you don't launch on my ramp then...

FWIW, I tow/launch (strap) with an F-250 4x4 with a 7.3 liter diesel. I think it's overkill to an extent, because I'm reasonably sure I could tow my house with it at freeway speed. I sold my Toyota 3.0 liter six cylinder 4x4 because I thought it would be too small to tow our C-250. I still think this, but wish I still had that truck. One thing I don't have to worry about is the boat & trailer wagging the dog. My F-250 weighs around 7500 lbs unloaded (as measured at the dump after unloading).

For what you're going to be doing 99.9% of the time, I think your truck will be fine. As already said here, rent a towing vehicle the once a year you want to go to Catalina, just don't tell them you're going to use it for towing.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

Members Avatar

672 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2010 : 13:47:36

As noted before, ACTUAL tow capacity is the truck's GCWR minus the weight of the truck when ready to tow.

Edited by - on

klassi1
1st Mate

Members Avatar

88 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2010 : 15:18:01

A 6 cyl may be able to pull your boat but can you stop with it? Will it pull you out of a fishtail? Weight of the tow vehicle and wheelbase are factors you also need to consider in a tow vehicle. If you wheelbase is too short or your vehicle too light, you will be unstable and more likely to get pushed around. There is nothing worse than feeling like your load is pushing your truck.

Of course, Dad pulled an Aquarius 23 with a '77 Ford LTD 500 miles one way. Those were the days...

PS. I tow with a F250 ext cab, long bed, 4X4. Probably overkill for the boat but I haul alot of heavy loads.

Edited by - klassi1 on 07/29/2010 15:20:31

jhinton
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2010 : 19:33:00

Just my $0.02... We just returned from a trip from Michigan to Cape Cod (860 miles) and back and had absolutely no problems. We towed our C25 SK/SR the whole way at 60 - 65 mph with our '06 5.4L V8 4x4 F-150.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2010 : 04:29:51

<center>What I tow with

Why bother with big tow rigs?

On a more serious note, here's my diesel dually.

</center>

I actually did tow my C-25 with my Nissan a few miles between my house and the nearest travel lift. I don't particularly recommend it. I'll be looking forward to the trip much more with the dually.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2010 : 06:37:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Leon Sisson

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Leon, the raised fenders keep sand from building up when you are cruising the dunes?

Edited by - OJ on 08/04/2010 06:38:34

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2010 : 06:37:50

Leon, you scared me there

--till I scrolled down!

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

Members Avatar

921 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2010 : 07:27:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">rent a full sized truck for the trip to Catalina.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The Island? You'll need a submarine to pull the trailer for the second part of the trip unless the baot will hold the trailer up

I have a 3/4 ton Avalanche. They only made them from 2002 - 2005. And while I haven't towed my C25 with it as yet, it is rated for 10,100 lbs towing. It has the 8.1 liter engine and an Allison transmission. It's made to pull. That's why I bought it.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2010 : 03:39:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 Leon, the raised fenders keep sand from building up when you are cruising the dunes?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Well, you know what they say about some of the best gunk holing spots being the least accessible.

Being only two wheel drive, the Nissan didn't drag mud clogged trailer wheels and fenders through gumbo with the ease I'd expected from watching truck commercials on TV.

When I replaced the rusted undercarriage of the thoroughly used motorboat trailer with all new parts from Champion Trailers, some reconfiguration and spacers were required to get swing keel clearance over the axles as I recall.
<center>

</center> I haven't yet gotten around to modifying the middle fender brackets to reduce the startled eyebrows look. The trailer rebuild became a continuous work in progress, sort of like boat maintenance.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Happy D
 I have a 3/4 ton Avalanche. ...rated for 10,100 lbs towing. It has the 8.1 liter engine and an Allison transmission. It's made to pull.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Good call on the Allison trans. The diesel in my dually was factory detuned to keep it from breaking the Mopar A/T behind it.

I was amused to see it came with a "Factory Towing Package," as if it was a station wagon. I'm having trouble picturing the following exchange between a truck salesman and new diesel dually buyer.

"Now if you think you might ever do any towing, it's essential you order the optional Factory Towing Package which includes a stronger rear axle and suspension."

"Oh no, I wouldn't dream of towing with one of these. They're just not well suited to it."

(The 'towing axle' appears to be a 4.10:1 limited slip Dana 80, rated around 11,000#.)

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - Leon Sisson on 08/05/2010 04:16:08

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2010 : 05:50:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Leon Sisson
 The trailer rebuild became a continuous work in progress, sort of like boat maintenance.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">and sort of like people

Edited by - OJ on 08/05/2010 05:51:24

fineg
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
18 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2010 : 22:52:56

Hello potential AZ C-25 sailor! I purchased a C-25 WK this year and spent a lot of time looking at towing options. I wound up looking at towing from 3 perspectives. Which works for you depends on your needs, but you more or less outlined your interest and it is similar to mine. You can rent some robust tow vehicles in the Phoenix area. I don't remember the name or the place, but I've spoken to some guys who rent them. They are fully aware you'll use them to tow, and they are heavy duty vehicles. They also aren't cheap - about $125-$150/day and this isn't Hertz, so you also pay milage too. I figured a 3 day weekend to San Diego would be minimum $750 with rental fee and milage. Maybe more. So, that said, my options were: 1) buy something that works for the lake (in your case keep what you have), then rent the big truck when you want to go to CA; OR 2) buy something that is minimally capable of safely towing the boat to CA. Should ideally have 7,000# tow capacity, as your boat and "stuff" will likely be around 6,500#, and should have an acceptable wheelbase. Many will suggest the Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon is a bit short even though they have the rated tow power. Suburban/Yukon XL is better. This is the option I chose since I only expect to go to CA once or twice a year - I bought a 2007 Avalanche rated for 7,000# (different configuration can be rated for 8,000#). Same wheelbase as the Suburban. But, I have to upgrade the hitch mount before taking it on the highway; the factory hitch mount is only rated for 5,000# unless you have a weight distributing hitch; OR 3) buy the monster truck that will pull the boat and the entire West Marine store to and from CA any day of the week but pay the penalty when not towing of really bad gas milage and harsh ride - but you'll look super tough!

Good luck. Hope to see you at the lake!

Edited by - fineg on 08/06/2010 22:59:57

vholmstrom
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2010 : 07:18:37

You may consider just renting a boat for your once a year trip to Catalina http://www.harboryc.com/. Then your current tow vehicle would suffice for local use.

Vic

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2010 : 08:36:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by vholmstrom
 You may consider just renting a boat for your once a year...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Good point! $270/day for a C-270, $465/day for a C-320...

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/07/2010 08:38:41

Tjarnold
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2010 : 07:39:46

I towed my 25 SK from Salt Lake City to Boise, ID with a 1/2 Ton GMC Suburban. Transmission overheated. Always tow in 3rd gear, never in OD!!! I now have a 3/4 Ton F250 TD. I have to tow over grades and I can hardly tell that the boat is behind it.

Edited by - on

Sailor Sam
Deckhand

Members Avatar

7 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2010 : 11:01:44

Towed our 1985 C-25 swinger with my 2002 GMC 1500 p/u, 70 mi from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, California, over the Santa Cruz Mountains without issues. Well, other than the non-functional trailer brakes, which made things a bit interesting at one point.

The main thing to consider is not necessarily the tow capacity of your vehicle. Hell, most anything can get the rig rolling. It's the stopping. Without trailer brakes the rig damnear pushed me through an intersection at the bottom of an offramp near Palo Alto when I pulled off to check my load. Got my heart a thumpin'.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2010 : 14:27:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Tjarnold
 . . . with a 1/2 Ton GMC Suburban. Transmission overheated . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">If your tow vehicle doesn't have a transmission cooler, it is always a good idea to add one . . . really cheap compared to a rebuild. Heat eats transmissions.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

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.