Long Distance Towing

[Enzo Spennato]

Hi there Im new to the boating world and would appreciate any insight any members could provide in regards to towing a 25ft 4000lb cruiser from Canada to Tampico Mexico. I drive a 1990 gmc conversion van with a 5.7litre 350. Is this a reasonable venture with a triple axle trailer or not recommended. Thankyou

 

[Ross J]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Canada to Mexico seems a long trip. Might one respectfully suggest sending it as cargo on a train after stripping all valuables off. Anything at the weight you say the trailer is would be a big undertaking.<br />Ross

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Dear Enzo, I have to agree with Ross J. <br />I don't know where in Canada you are from but I am sure you would be going through MORE than one mountain range. The wear and tear on the van's engine, tranny, brakes and rear axle plus the wear on the trailer bearings and brakes are ingredients for trouble! Are you a mechanic in case you do have trouble?<br />If the van was a newer 1 ton with a bigger engine and heavy duty transmission - it would make the round trip much safer and easier.<br />If you do go, try to lighten the boat as much as possible. Take out all the fuel and water. Make sure the brakes and bearings are good to go with fresh greese and take at least one set of bearings and a GOOD SPARE TIRE for the trailer. <br />Watch out for construction!!!

 

[singerjr]

Re: Long Distance Towing

A conversion van most times with all extras and passengers included you come close to the GVW limits (add tongue weight to that)<br /><br />Beyond that with boat weighing 4000lbs plus trailer weight you may be over max towing weight of the vehicle.<br /><br />Even if the 4000 included trailer I would still check out: MAX GVW, hitch/vehicle tongue weight max lbs, hitch limits and towing capacities of the vehicle.<br /><br />Good Luck, have a great trip!

 

[bsrigley]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Enzo,<br />Have to agree with the rest. One more thing to consider: Ross J's comment about checking into freight was a good one. Remember that your your fuel economy will be cut in half on your vehicle. The extra fuel cost of towing the boat certainly won't be as much as the cost to have the boat transported by train or semi-truck, but when you consider the cost of the wear and tear on your van and the safety aspect, it might start to make sense.<br /><br />Best of luck

 

[stevward2001]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Need your feedback. Is towing a 3500 lb load (trailer, boat and engine) over 350 miles troublesome? Is it something that only a novice would think of doing? Like to hear from you experienced boaters...<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Long Distance Towing

 

[JB]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Hi, Steve. See my reply to your other post.<br /><br />IF you have an adequate vehicle and surge brakes, long distance towing is not a problem.<br /><br />I routinely tow my Montauk to Canada (1500 mi.) every summer and towed my Outrage home from FL (2200 mi) even though I drive slower (55-60) with the bigger boat.<br /><br />Many states will require you to have surge brakes on anything over 3000lb and some states if it is over 1500lb.<br /><br />For your 3500lb load "adequate vehicle" would be a full size, V8 Pickup or utility. I would choose a Suburban.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[DJ]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Enzo,<br /><br />I think you would be shocked to find out that your conversion van is already at or above it's rated GVW. The conversion van companies were, some still are, notorious for building vehicles that were overweight before a person got in them.<br /><br />Check out the stickers on the inside of your driver door jam. There should be two weight ratings there. 1. GVW-that is the the weight of the vehicle, plus passengers, etc. 2. GCWR-that is the weight of the vehicle, passengers, etc., plus any weight that can be towed.<br /><br />Also, do not mistake the GVW for the weight of the vehicle, it is a capacity. <br /><br />If I were you, I would go weigh the van. I think you'll be surprised. Also, weigh your boat-another surprise!<br /><br />You're on the edge with this package. Rent a heavier duty tow vehicle or ship it.<br /><br />BE SAFE!

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Howdy Gents:<br /> Heat is the biggest threat that towing presents to a vehicle. Tow within manufacturers recommendations for weight, install the largest trans cooler you can fit in, along with a trans oil temp gauge. <br />>NEVER tow in Over-drive!<br />>tailer your driving habits to keep the engine temp and trans temp gauges happy.<br />>change trans oil often (be sure to cut filter open and inspect for debris)<br /><br />just my .01 worth...

 

[stevward2001]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Schematic, I'm curious: how do you keep an auto transmission from going to over dirve? Is there a way to disengage the lock up converter? My theroy is that there is a solinoid that locks the converter and by inserting and "on-off" switch in the circuit that activates the solinoid, one could stop the converted from locking up... Would doing so damage a transimission?<br /><br />Steve

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Yo Steve<br /><br />Most auto transmissions either have a O.D. lock out switch, or they will not shift to O.D. if they are shifted to either the plain D, 3 or 2 on the selector. Can't think of a trans. that doesn't give you the option.(not one that is capable of decent towing) Disabling the lock-up is not the answer. To disable it from locking up would actually increase trans heat. Its application is decided mostly by throttle position and engine load. If you're pulling a trailer, its likely disengaged anyway, except when coasting down hill. Its easy to determine if lock-up occured. Just reach over with left leg and gently tap the break pedal, while maintaining the speed with your right. If RPM flares momentarily, it was in lock-up. If RPM is unchanged, it was unlocked. The secret to reduce heat is to increase gear ratio to reduce lugging and reduce torque convertor flow which will result in less heat. Most overdrives in transmissions are the weakest link, and are prone to failure if used for anything more demanding than cruising or coasting with low or no load. <br /> The oil takes a beating if long pulls are frequent. Change oil often. Light ends are evaporated off, and the oil is actually scorched by extreme temperatures created from the torque convertor flow.<br />If by chance your trans has no provision to keep out of overdrive, simply install a switch in the temp circuit that determines when OD will function. Most recent vehicles prevent OD until vehicle is up in temp.<br /><br />We have these issues of heat in Canada......and we don't even know what hot weather is....LOL imagine down south!<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[araiha]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Just pick the right towing vehicle. I tow my 23 foot boat with a Dodge Ram (Diesel). Dual axle trailer, weight about 6000. Tow at 70 for as long as you please!! Longest pull was from Kodiak, AK (with a little ferry assist to Homer, AK) to NYC. Total distance was 6000 miles. Trailer rig has 15K miles on it now. Only trouble I have had is brakes. They are a definite wear item iun distance travelling.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Alaskaskiff<br />that'll be a good towing vehicle. If she's an automatic trans, keep an eye on the cracking flex plate.....(flywheel)

 

[dtro]

Re: Long Distance Towing

schematic, I have always (not very long) towed my boat with my olds bravada 4.3 liter in overdrive. The boat and motor weigh approx 1000 lbs. Most trips are short, but I do take a couple of 500 mile (roundtrip) trips a year. On one occasion I noticed the trans felt hot (inside the cabin through the console). I hadn't realized I shouldn't be towing in OD! Whoops.. Thanks for the tip! I already see about a 5 mile per gallon drop gas mileage when towing. How much more of a dip can I expect in the "3" location?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Hi dtro<br /><br />Odds are good you'll use less fuel towing in 3rd rather than OD. The engine will not lug as much and actually be closer to its horsepower effecient RPM. The amount of difference will of course be subjective to the driver. <br />Hey, don't forget the trans cooler you can add in. Remember the old saying? Pay me now....or pay me double later....<br />If you tow, change your trans oil as often as you change your engine oil. Most auto trans don't give the provision for a complete trans oil change. A large portion of oil (1-3litres) stays in the torque convertor when the trans is drained. This means you can't get it all out. Therefore, the best defence is to change often, to keep diluting the remaining tired oil.<br /><br />Careful towing!

 

[araiha]

Re: Long Distance Towing

Schematic,<br /><br />My truck is a five speed with 4.10 gears. Don't like and don't trust automatics. Even took the precaution of rebuilding the transmission with a full spline mainshaft, since 5th gear is known to fall off the mainshaft. when put behind a Cummins Diesel. the full spline shaft takes the one weakness out of the NV4500.