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Towing Catalina 25 WK

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arkayp
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/26/2003 : 01:00:21

I will be potentially purchasing a 1987 Catlina 25 wing keel. As part of this purchase I will buy a new trailer. The vehicle I have to tow with is a 2003 Chevy Avalanche 1/2 ton with traction control and factory towing package. I'm concerned I will be pushing my luck given the weight of boat and 7200 towing capacity of the Avalanche. This is my first time participating in forum. It has been an excellent source of information. Any recommendations or thoughts regarding towing, trailer or boat? Thanks

arkayp

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2003 : 06:30:32

I highly recommend 4 wheel stainless steel disc brakes on the trailer. I too have a wing keel, and you need lots of water. See if you can get a tongue extension too. I didn't get one with mine, and I'm currently having a custom steel fabrication made so I can add one to my traailer.
Where do you live?

Edited by - on

cch
Navigator

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202 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2003 : 08:05:16

Hi Rick,

We pulled our 1980 swing keel for years with a 93 GMC Suburban 1/2 ton with a 350 V8. I appreciated the 4 wheel drive, but feel it was not necessary. The Suburban pulled the boat really well and that was in Colorado over mountain passes etc. Our new tow vehicle is an 03 GMC Yukon (same size as a Tahoe) which works okay but I miss the weight and length of the Suburban. Your Avalanche is the same wheelbase as a Suburban isn't it?

My guess is that a wing is a little harder to get on and off the trailer than a swing (trailer further in the water?) Please pay attention to Frank Gloss' comments on that regard.

Edited by - cch on 10/26/2003 08:05:50

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2003 : 09:31:37

I tow with a 2000 Mountaineer with tow package, it is rates at 6800lbs. I live on a pool table called Kansas. In town I have no issues at all with stop and go traffic, in the county I have no issues. I would not want to cross the Rockies but I would not be afraid to drive to you or Texas. A while back there was a forum member who rolled his Tahoe and Cat 25, at the time he was told that the Tahoe was too light and that miss match might have contributed to the incident. Bottom line; If you are simply using your tow vehicle for a land tug then use what ever will pull it, (like me) if you are looking to trailer the continent then a Suburban class vehicle is the answer. I have always thought that if I every decide to “see the USA” I would buy one of the old short Brave Winnebagos to tow with.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 10/26/2003 09:32:11

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2003 : 09:56:52

I tow my fin keel boat with a 1977 Chev. 1/2 ton pickup with a 350 cu. in. V-8 engine and air shocks, and it pulls the boat just fine. I don't have a tongue extension for my trailer, but at the last national regatta I learned that, if the truck had 4 WD, I could launch and retrieve without a tongue extension.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 10/26/2003 09:59:43

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2003 : 10:16:05

The truck you describe is a pretty stout vehicle. Just heed the previous advice. The total package has to work for safe highway use.Ie tounge wt,brake capacity,sway control. The results of it NOT working were posted here a few months ago and resulted in a high speed rollover crash. Not good! Good luck.

Edited by - on

arkayp
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2003 : 10:56:04

Thanks for the information. Very helpful. I live in Phoenix, AZ and would be towing to nearby Lake Pleasant and the coast. Both routes don't pose extensive extreme hills (if I stay away from the Phx to San Diego via Yuma route).

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2003 : 11:10:47

I think it you have the towing package you'll be "OK"... a half ton 2WD is not not ideal, but adequate to task if you're not in a hurry.

Your satisfaction and safety with the package will depend a bit on the terrain you tow over and the qualities of the launch ramps you use.

At any rate, get the best trailer you can afford.

You'll see why when you get the boat hitched up behind the truck... It's er... BIG. I have a F250 4X4 extended cab LONG wheelbase... and the C25 makes it look rather small.

Hot trailer setup.. (IMHO stuff)

All galvanized/stainless construction.. (I's consider aluminum too)
Torsion suspension (no springs to rust)
Stainless disks on all 4 wheels.
Purpose built trailer radials.

For a saltwater trailer I prefer surge brakes with reverse lockout, but there is current discussion elsewhere on this board regarding newer 'saltwaterproof' electrics.

IMHO a tongue extension is must unless you will always be at a venue that has a sling launching facility. My trailer tongue goes out almost 12' and I still have to get my rear tires right to the waters' edge to float off a swing keel on a pretty standard ramp.

An alternative to a tongue exension is fabricating a 'dolly' for the trailer tongue. You back the trailer part way down the ramp, chock the wheels and un-hitch the tow rig and attach the dolly. A long line or tow strap is then hooked to the tow vehicle which lets the trailer down into the water.

Gloss, what kind of trailer do you have?

Edited by - on

Randall
Navigator

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123 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2003 : 08:40:09

Brakes, Brakes, Brakes!! On both axles! You can eventually make it go with any vehicle, but it can be nightmarish to stop in a panic situation without dual axle brakes. I had brakes on only one axle when I towed from Georgia to Texas with a 360 powered, extended cab Dodge 4X4, and it almost cost me the game in Houston traffic.

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2003 : 15:34:20

As I said before, I used our Jeep Grand Cherokee to tow the boat to SF bay, about 90 miles over the altamont pass. The jeep engine had no problems pulling the boat. The problem was the size of the vehicle. If I went anything over 50 I would really start to feel things, 55 was a definite maximum that I tried to stay well low of. Mass and wheel base were the problem. We now have a 1 ton duellie, however that is spelled, that pulls with out a hitch. Well you do need a hitch. On a trip to Huntington Lake and a couple of weeks ago to Monterey Bay I'd hit 70 and not even know it. I would slow down to avoid a ticket, but not because the truck was over burdened. By the way the manual says truck weighs in at 10K and can pull the same.

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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.