PDA

View Full Version : Odd Towing Rigs



DUCKY
12-09-2001, 12:43 AM
I just thought you guys might get a kick out this pic. And yes, I do tow it with the Saturn. All 1.9L's and it tows very well!!:eek:

pyro
12-09-2001, 10:25 PM
I agree, no need for a truck, nothing wrong with towing a 20' boat with a small car.

Flat Out
12-20-2001, 04:34 PM
Got a buddy in the club (PBCC), tow his 20' Stoker 2.5SS with a 4dr. Golf Diesel. Sometimes we have to help him out if the ramp is bad or steep.Says it tows OK. He towed from Barrie ON Canada to Chicago.

tombrown
12-25-2001, 04:44 PM
I tow with my Nissan Maxima. There's no question the car is sluggish with the boat on the back. The only problem I've ever had at a ramp is when a 4x4 truck digs huge ruts in the dirt and gravel before I get there. Those things would probably get decent fuel mileage if the drivers would keep the accelerator off the floor. Anyway, when there are 18 inch ruts I have to be careful not to fall into them. That can be easier said than done when backing a boat into the water. I've never had trouble getting in or out though.

One thing about towing with a car; I get about 30 mpg (Imperial gallons) if I keep it around the speed limit. There's no need to be in a hurry when your towing in comfort. :D

By the way Pyro, every front drive Chrysler product I've owned had transaxle problems. How do you keep transaxles in that thing when you tow? Do you tow far? That must be a sweet setup with the top down on a beautiful day. <img src=http://forums.screamandfly.com/images/icons/icon14.gif>

wattalaser2.4
12-28-2001, 12:07 AM
hey my lil' ranger v-6 does just fine, the colors even match. as long as i can get my Laser to the water i'm fine.
bryan watt.....

MICHO
12-28-2001, 04:57 PM
I was thihking on selling my 72 1.6L Beetle to buy a truck for towing a 21 foot Checkmate.
NO WAY NOW!!!! I'll tow with a smaller vehicle (not the beetle, but thanks for preventing me from money expenditure I didn't need)

typhoon
12-28-2001, 06:36 PM
Thought I'd post this for you guys..you've probably never seen a Valiant ute! Couldn't find a photo of it with a boat on it.Had a 318/Torquflite, limited slip diff, P/steer and air, leather seats and cruise control. I got the fibreglass canopy for free, and whacked on some vinyl roof material(the gelcoat was history). I have another car now...the price of fuel was killing me(our fuel prices went up 40% in 6 months over here), miss the old beast though.
Was a nice towing office!

Regards, Andrew.

pyro
12-29-2001, 10:36 AM
The Jesus Chrysler Supercar has a 4-speed auto, so it gets going even with the 20 footer in tow. The trick is to run it in "3" instead of "D" so it never goes into overdrive. It's easier on the transmission. Once I'm on the freeway, I put it into overdrive so it's right in its best torque band. I can keep up easy. I launch my Father's MasterCraft with the Lebaron, too. That is one HEAVY boat. When I pull it out, I have to roast the tires for a couple seconds to soften the rubber enough to get traction. It pulls the Vegas XT out OK without spinning the tires. I would never tow more than 60 miles, that would be cruel to any smaller car's tranny, even if it's got a ballsy engine.

The attached picture is the 17' Baja I used to own, towed be the red Lebaron I used to own. That car matched to red in the boat, it was nice, but I totalled it last March, and replaced it with a green one, which doesn't match either boat. I was thinking about adding some stripes...

Stray Kat
01-13-2002, 02:02 AM
I had a 1988 20' Sleekcraft with a 200XP Evinrude I towed with a 1991 Cavalier - it towed O.K. but I did have an occassional problem getting up wet ramps.

ALLISON7710
03-13-2002, 11:57 PM
THIS IS MY Z71 BOAT TOWER.

Karl817
03-14-2002, 09:57 AM
I know I'm pretty new here, and I know I'm going to get flamed, but I must speak out.
Men drive trucks. Men drive boats. Men ride motorcycles.
Towing a beautiful boat with a Saturn? That's your wife's car - right?
BTW, my boat puller is a Nissan Crew Cab.

LaserModVee
03-14-2002, 03:55 PM
Nissan makes trucks?:eek: :D

Just kidding!

You knew you had some coming!!

pyro
03-14-2002, 04:34 PM
Trucks are cool, but I like my car. It accelerates faster with the Hydrostream in tow than my friend's F350 does with no load! I get better mileage, room for passengers, and it's a RAG-TOP!

I might break down and get a truck someday, I'll get a silver one and put matching stripes on it to go with the boat.

Jones Racing
03-15-2002, 12:14 AM
My Tow Car

Unloaded Racing
03-15-2002, 05:00 AM
Neat rig, ought to be great for those long hauls. I tried to send you some pictures of my 1/4 Master and your E-mail has changed. Send me your new e-mail address.
Tim

Laker
03-15-2002, 08:27 AM
smaller car but I have more horsepower and better brakes than most trucks on the road!
She Rocks!!

AnthonySS
03-15-2002, 01:22 PM
HEY GUYS,

I got a ton of respect for those of you that tow with your smaller tow vehicles...

...Like Sean G. Says are best buddy tows his Stoker with his Gulf Diesel....

...but on more then enuff, occasions, guess who is helping him out...in and around the launch ramp....the 4x4 guys!

Don't get me wrong...I love helping him out, thats what it is about!!

I am sure some of you boys have some tales to tell us about the launch ramp woes...Lets hear them....

pyro
03-15-2002, 05:21 PM
I would be embarrassed if I had to ask for help. Here's what I did one time:

I Set the parking brake to keep from rolling back any further.
GUN IT! Smoked the hell out of the tires for about 3 seconds, then dropped the parking brake. Tires kept spinning, but I gained enough ground and got the thing out of the water!

Laker
03-15-2002, 06:16 PM
The good news is my Ventura V4 combo is 1123lbs so I can easly get it out of messy launch ramps.
Hell last labor day I had to splash it on a sand and gravle ramp where the water was only 2 feet deep. I ended up pushing it off like the queen marry on the maden voyage.
The bow went straight up in the air and I got some water in the boat over the splash well.... If I had the truck or Van I would have just backed in more but its much more fun to tow with the Mustang!

Boaterbum
04-28-2002, 02:23 PM
Hey, nice truck... I as well have the RedNeck thing going on for the tow rig... 93' Silverado 3/4ton... blew that 35o off road though, so opted for a stroker,(383) no more computer though!! lol... I Like spending all that gas money!!! hahaha, not really,. but I can't find a way to hitch up to the sport bike, so it'll have to do.. Plus, with some of the crap launches, I'd be nervous without the 4x4 and tyres.... Anyway, Iw as curious to what ya do for the boat hull when towing, toi keep the rocks and stuff from the road from hitting off the tires??? I am going to rig up a removable piece of rubber, like a conveyor belt to the bottem of the reciever, wanna stay away from cheezy mudflapps! any other ideas???
Take it easy,
~Tony~
no pic with boat in tow yet, will get one soon.....

Boaterbum
04-28-2002, 02:28 PM
You are going to ripp on a guy towing with the wifes saturn ??? well, yea, I suppose, that big bad NISSAN does have quite the horsepower advantage, right??? Such a manly tow rig. hahaha You said men drive TRUCKS, is that really worthy of being called a truck?!?!?! Let me guess, the motercycle ya have is a Honda rebel 250?!?!??!?!!?! hahaha
Hey man, it's all in good humer, so relax!!!!!! lol........:D :D :D

Boaterbum
04-28-2002, 02:34 PM
hey, to all you with the cars, thats all good, and I'll surely lend a hand with a lil' yank strap at the ramp if ya need... We all love boating, as long as we get the damned things in the water, thats all that matters, right?!?!
My only question is how are the brakes and all with the little cars?? Minus the 'Stang..... lol... drive safe, and get the boat in the water, worry about getting them out after words!!!!!!!!!!!!!

typhoon
04-29-2002, 02:49 AM
For those of us with only two wheels doing the pulling, you can easily make an extension out of some steel tube to get the wheels out of the slippery stuff.
Just bolt couplings at either end to suit your particular car and trailer, and let the jockey wheel keep the front of the trailer off the ground.
Works great. You can make it as long as you want.
I have even seen front drivers over here with small towballs under the front bumper, but front drive is just wrong!

Regards, Andrew.

CDave
05-16-2002, 07:18 AM
I towed my Glastron HVP175 w/ a modified 89 Mustang GT. Handled ok, pulled the boat out of the water better than my buddies F150.

I've got a 95 Z71 now, biggest POS I've ever owned. Soon to be towing an XB2002. Anyone want an 81' Glastron HVP175 w/ weak transom?

The strangest I've ever seen was a guy in town who towed a 25' offshore fishing boat with a CJ7. Talk about an accident wating to happen.

lyle
06-19-2002, 01:34 PM
i use to tow a 32' sunshine with and 1987 s-10.

LaserLTV
07-06-2002, 08:21 PM
I don't have any problems with using a car to tow trailer, but I'll stick with tow vehicle. I have an S-10 with a ZZ4 crate engine, 175 shot of nitrous, a 3000 RPM converter, 3.73 gears and so on. We use this to tow the boat and the race car. I'll send some pics after I get my desktop running again.

ghind
08-21-2002, 11:53 PM
My rig is attached:

I'm not so sure about small cars towing 18-20ft boats. Horsepower is my smallest concern. Brakes aren't even the biggest concern. Risk to others is my biggest concern.

If you were going around a corner, even slowly in your small car/big boat rig and HAD to stop, what are the chances that your boat would not push your car around to the point that it spun out. What if it were wet? When the boat is heavier than the car (espeically if it is a lot heavier), the boat's mass can take really away your control of your car. What if it is windy? What about a passing big truck.

Yes, to a certain extent you can take it easier and that will help, but I'm still worried about risks to others. Your transmission might bust or whatever, but that is only damage to your own property. Hurting somebody else is my real concern.

Yes, I sort of find it funny and cute to see a small car/big boat combo, but when you think about the risks, it isn't fair to take a risk that could end up hurting somebody else.

I'm only talking about situations where the boat is lots lighter than the car, is underbreaked or the like. For example, a modern family sedan may be a safer tow vehicle than a 1970's F Truck (I've never driven an F).

Greg

gaineso
08-22-2002, 03:36 AM
Towed with a short bed V6 Ranger and that was good. Even towed a 4,000 lb trailer with it. Trailer had brakes and it was fine except for going 35 MPH up some of the hills in NE Tennessee. 25 MPG

Then used a Crown Vic for many years. Even in West By God Forsaken Virginia. That's where I saw people with CJ's and Rav4s and Geo Trackers roll right on into the Kanawha River because the ramps were too long and steep. Crown Vic just walked right on off with my 2,500 lb rig. 25 MPG unloaded, 18 towing

Got a Durango now. Unloaded, that 'Stang will take me easily. I really doubt it would towing and my suspension and brakes are designed for it. 16 MPG loaded or not. Doesn't get any more comfortable either. Very good seats, great A/C, CD changer, room for whatever I want to carry, 318 has enough power for whatever I might want to do, especially with a boat behind me.

The safety of having a tow vehicle designed for towing and heavy enough to maintain control of the load in just about any conditions is well worth the gas mileage. Going on a trip without a load, the SO's '92 Accord get 35 MPG and is very comfortable. Need to handle a load, The Durango is it.

Barefoot Bob
09-03-2002, 10:16 PM
I used to have more money tied up in my boat than my tow vehical also. One way to really make people look, and get out of a tough landing in a hurry, is to have a friend drive the vehical and you fire up the boat. It will launch you out of the water in a hurry. Just make sure you have the jack plate up high enough.

bulldogdaddy
10-05-2002, 08:46 PM
does it really mater what you use as long as the boat gets to the water!:D

PKRBKR1
11-17-2002, 11:20 PM
My tow vehicle is a 2002 Ford Super Duty V10 - but I'd rather have Lakers GT. I'd attach a picture, but can't figure out how to use the new digital camera.
:confused:
:o

I was watching the final Winston Cup race today and saw the new Mustang Mach 1 - limited edition, only 6,500 made - I wouldn't mind having one of those, either, but I don't think I'd pull the boat with it.
:D :)

nitemaher
11-20-2002, 09:45 AM
my wife thinks it is too much overkill. what do you guys think?

Barefoot Bob
11-20-2002, 10:18 AM
That you could park it at my place for a while so I could see for sure if it's overkill or not:D Looks like a fun boat:)

gemini
12-16-2002, 07:57 PM
I use my 1972 Suburban that has a mild custom job to tow to my 60's and 70's boats to shows. 10mpg down hill

Flat Out
12-17-2002, 08:39 AM
Whats under da hood ? By the time anything is that old up here you need a broom to move it.
Rust never sleeps.

gemini
12-17-2002, 08:59 AM
This unit belonged to a fire dept. and was only a 68K mile vehicle. It has a late model 350 motor and original 350 trans. with the usual power and A/C. The interior is out of a 1996 Suburban.

TNT
12-17-2002, 09:18 AM
Nich 1/4 Quarter master
:cool:

ProComp
12-17-2002, 10:10 AM
Love those old trucks. Here's a 68 GMC I restored from the ground up. A guy in North Dakota now owns it.

ProComp

AnthonySS
12-17-2002, 10:43 AM
Love those 68-72 GM Trucks. My Father-inlaw still has his 68 which is converted to a Stake Truck....the first pick-up I ever drove was a '72 C-10.

Brad man...I bet you wish you still had that thing. I still wish I had my 86 C-10...It would be a slammer too

Techno
12-17-2002, 08:09 PM
I still say it has to be a rag top ( visability and & climatization for using the boat.) and have enough engine to pass cars up mountains and semi's down them. Most definately able to leave the light to get away from the idgitts.
A pumpkin as large as a trucks and drive shaft that is beefier. Don't want anything breaking.
Large discs that last several sets of pads and not changed with them. ( double brake booster optional, mine takes about 10 lbs to lock them up)
Suspension that allows driving what pass as paved roads here without having to slow down to 20mph.
Simple mechanics that means... got spark , got fuel , got air. No multi computers and special wiring.
Something where you can see the engine if there is a problem on the road and still be able to fix it without NASAs test instruments and mission controllers.
Quiet! So's you can here the stereo.
Be cheap, not cost a 4th of my houses mortage.
Easy to get into with out the use of a man lift.
Traction in the snow.
Be able to stop in the snow.
Enough mass to get into the driveway without plowing it first.

The truck is the trailer hitch, it's called a utility trailer for heavy stuff and the trunk for the lighter stuff.

BTW thats a BEE-utifal boat there Anthony. Heh Heh.

Barefoot Bob
12-17-2002, 08:17 PM
You got a good point there. I used to come into the moto X race with my 16' inclosed behind my Chevy truck. And a couple of guys come pulling in with a Caddy like yours. Both there bikes were in back. Front tires sitting on the back seat,and back tires sitting on the trunk. Looked pretty cool!!!

baddjonny
12-27-2002, 10:31 AM
I just picked up a 93 sl2 twincam 5speed did not think it would tow my 21' cmate starflite.

PS what brand Hitch are you useing ?

Thanks
baddjonny

Ron V
01-14-2003, 05:16 PM
For me a truck would be a waste. I can only afford to own and insure one vehicle, and I drive too much to make it worth the gas mileage. Especially to tow a lightweight performance boat. Most of our boats could be towed with a Dodge Omni. I drive a 2000 Buick Century Custom with the 3.1 V-6. Tows the boat great. A little weak on braking because the trailer has no brakes, but no real problem. Front wheel drive is not the first choice for wet ramps, but neither are two-wheel drive pickup trucks. I haven't had any real problems, every now and then the tires slip just a tad going up the ramp. Main thing is don't floor it - ease it up.

Barefoot Bob
01-15-2003, 03:57 PM
I had the same problem you did and towed by 2800 pound boat with a 90 Lumina. The boat is 2800 pounds and I did have brakes on the trailer. I nursed the transmission along by adding a good trany cooler. I always changed the fluid at 30,000 and added lube gard to the trany at that time. I also had the 3.1 engine and its a real good puller for short trips to the lake. The week link for towing was the trany. But if you service it regularly like I did, you will have good luck also.:)

motexas
01-22-2004, 05:56 PM
Dad added some air shocks and bigger wheels on the vette, but after a couple trips to Austin with it, he decided it was not the best idea, wanted to get a little to warm in traffic. Plus he still had to bring an extra vehicle for the tools. It did make a lot of people turn thier heads. This was back in the middle 70's.

MO