New to Towing

[Flotsam]

Hello,<br />I have some concerns about towing my boat.<br /><br />First of all, could someone tell me if I have more than just emergency brakes on my trailer? It has a place for brake fluid, and looks like it has drum brakes. There is also an emergency cable that hooks loosely to the hitch. Outside of that, I can't see how it would have regular brakes.<br /><br />My other big concern is my vehicle. My truck is supposed to have a towing capacity of 3,500# & 350 tongue. It has a frame mounted hitch, a 5 speed manual trans, but is only a 2.4L 4 popper. I intend on getting something with a v8 asap, but would like to be able to use the current vehicle for towing to the river (1.5 miles away) about 15 times before I get a new truck.<br />The boat & trailer weigh a whopping 2,700#, and I haven't tried towing it w/ my own truck yet.<br /><br />Would I be crazy to attempt this?

 

[JB]

Re: New to Towing

A mile and a half Flotsam? <br /><br />I think you will be okay getting there and back if you drive as though there is a child on a bike in front of you and every other vehicle on the road is trying to kill you.<br /><br />BUT<br /><br />If the ramp is steep and/or wet you will be unable to pull her up the ramp. I burned up a couple of clutches on a Toyota 2.4 2wd 5speed pulling a MUCH lighter boat up ramps. For that you WILL need more power or 4WD, or both.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[JB]

Re: New to Towing

OOps! Forgot.<br /><br />Read the thread on surge brakes. That is what you have. You need them. The cable locks the trailer brakes if the hitch breaks away.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[495v]

Re: New to Towing

Yeah, I didn't reply because I figured I'd keep my comments to my self on this one, but since you opened it up J.B.----- Once I heard this I thought about that recent post with the guy hauling wood from Home Depot on top of his toyota. Sounds risky and dangerous if you ask me. If I was you Flotsam, I think I would find a buddy with a suitable tow vehicle and make him your first mate for now.

 

[DJ]

Re: New to Towing

Flotsam,<br /><br />Ditto the others. The ramp is going to bite you. Might not the first time, but it WILL get you.<br /><br />You have surge brakes. As you slow the vehicle, the trailer tongue slides forward and actuates the drum brakes.<br /><br />When you look for another vehicle-go automatic. Clutches in lighter duty trucks are the "weakest link". Thus you'll see tow ratings for manual transmission vehicles at half or less than those of an automatic. The ratings do not balance out until you get into vehicles with GVW's at 8500 # or greater.

 

[Flotsam]

Re: New to Towing

Thanks for the responses, I figured as much.<br /><br />I did forget to mention that it is a 4x4, but that probably makes little difference.<br /><br />One thing I still don't understand is the tow rating though. Is that just for the frame of the vehicle? And, what size motor would be adequate for a 2,700# setup?

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: New to Towing

Hi Flotsam<br /><br />I have found that 4WD makes a BIG positive difference to a vehicle's performance on the boat ramp. You said in your first post that the rated towing capacity of your vehicle is 3,500# and your boat & trailer are 2,700#.<br /><br />Given that you're 4WD and the boat & trailer's weight is under your vehicle's towing capacity - my 2 cents would say you'd be OK so long as you don't use a ramp that is too steep. You'll be thrashing the clutch and possibly the motor, so it's not a good long term solution. I would pay heed to JB's comment about burning out the clutch.<br /><br />I think something the size of a Ford Explorer(auto trans) or larger SUV would handle that size boat OK - of course this is very subjective and others may disagree... It depends on what sort of performance you expect when towing and obviously the bigger the better in this regard. As per the saying - no replacement for displacement.<br /><br />BTW, I tow a boat of about that weight with a 4WD Ford Explorer V6 and I'm happy with it's towing performance. Although I don't set any land speed records...

 

[WHorizonAirSkyPimP]

Re: New to Towing

Howdy,<br /><br />I'm new to boating and was wondering how a toy. tacoma 2.4L 4 banger would do w/ a 2100# boat. I would primarily use it on a very shallow ramp, or a lift system to get into the sound. My intent is to try to get a boat w/ the existing vehicle I have and upgrade at a later date. I'm also planning on installing trailer brakes on whatever kind of boat/trailer combo I get if they're not there already. Thanks.<br /><br />-------------------------------------------------<br />WHorizonAirSky****

 

[JB]

Re: New to Towing

Howdy, WASP.<br /><br />See my post above. I ruined a Toy 2.4 towing a complete package of less than 2000#. <br /><br />You need a vehicle rated for at least half again the weight of your entire tow load. The extra 50% is for the ramp.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[DJ]

Re: New to Towing

JB makes some very good points. The 4X4 will help with the ramps-since it has a low range.<br /><br />Engine size really has very little to do with a vehicles tow rating. It certainly makes a difference in the vehicles ability to to "comfortably.<br /><br />There are alot of things that go into a tow rating.<br /><br />1. Chassis. (frame and or body construction)<br /><br />2. BRAKES!<br /><br />3. Powertrain-more importantly, transmission. Automatics multiply torque. Light duty vehicles have "light duty" clutches!<br /><br />4. Electrical system. Todays electrical systems are VERY sensitive and use smaller guage wires controlling computers, many of which are "networked" throughout the vehicle. Hooking a trailer wiring up wrong can "poof" alot of expensive components.<br /><br />5. Cooling system.<br /><br />6. Wheel end components: bearings, wheels and tires.<br /><br />All in all, the vehicles "ability" to pull it has very little to do with its ability to pull it safely with reasonable life.

 

[DJ]

Re: New to Towing

Sorry all,<br /><br />A restatement of my last post sentence. The vehicles ability to pull the load, has very little to do with its ability to tow safely and comfortably.<br /><br />(my arms are tired from sanding)

 

[WHorizonAirSkyPimP]

Re: New to Towing

Thanks for all the info. I will let y'all know what I end up doing. This is a great forum especially for us n00b boaters . See ya.<br />--------------------------------------------------<br />WHorizonAirSky****

 

[DaleT]

Re: New to Towing

Quick question(s) regarding hitches. I have a 16' Sea-Nymph with console, live well, 35hp elec. start, full decking, elec. troll motor, and 3 seats. My question is will a class I hitch suffice or should I just ante up for the class II, or other. Either way I have to buy new and was planning on class II for safety. Incidentally(sp?), I'll be towing with a '91 Jeep Cherokee, Inline 6, 4X4, automatic. Any advice would be appreciated as I am new to towing.

 

[ThatHadToHurt]

Re: New to Towing

Your cherokee will do fine. I towed a 3500# load from Virginia to Chicago with a 91 XJ. Get a class 3 hitch, no questions.

 

[DaleT]

Re: New to Towing

Thanks ThatHadToHurt,<br /> Actually started pricing them, and figured for the small amount more I would probably go III. The confirmation is a big plus though. Like I said I've never towed before. Should be an interesting expierence.

 

[mike_v2v98]

Re: New to Towing

WOW<br />i never relized there are so many people new to towing trailors<br />i guess your better off asking questions on a forum first rather than going out and doing the trial and error thing<br />may i suggest going into a big empty parking lot and practice backing up too<br />it can be frustrating and quite embarrassing to do the first few times with a line of people at the boat launch<br />as for towing your 27oo lbs boat with your 4 banger i wouldnt worry about it<br />the amount of times you pull it around wont justify the cost of a bigger better truck<br />and the low range 4wd will be all you need to get it up the steepest launch without harming your clutch<br />i pull an 18000lb backhoe around on a 22 foot trailor behind a 1 ton pickup<br />it feels heavy and unsafe but you drive accordingly and your fine<br />and yes it is legal<br />i have to go through the scales daily<br />as for your surge breaks look into the locking pin too<br />it will be hard to back your trailor up a steep grade with the trailor brakes on<br />just a note<br />the pin locks the brakes in the off position so u can back it up<br />as soon as there is presure on your hitch your brakes will be on

 

[Búzios]

Re: New to Towing

Hi, Flotsam, welcome to boating!<br /><br />I am very grateful to this foram! I bought a bayliner capri 160 in july, and started towin it with a Kia Sephia (!!!). Then, out of ignorance, got a Mazda Tribute with a 4-banger and manual shift. Then, I noticed every time I went up the ramp, I noticed a putrid smell...THE CLUTCH!<br /><br />I then consulted with our fellow mates in the foram, and sure enough reality snapped in: my new toy SUV was just that, a toy! Better suited for pickin up groceries than anything else. <br /><br />Luckily, i was able to trade it in two weeks later for a Ranger 6-banger. The best decision ever! Now, I'm wonderin if it'll be enough to upgrade to a bigger boat! <br /><br />See post:<br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=22;t=000129 <br /><br />Do your homework first and be ready for any surprises...I wasn't!

 

[Flotsam]

Re: New to Towing

Hello again,<br /><br />Just wanted to chime back in and say thanks for the advice. <br />I wound up trading in my little 4x4, and got a Dodge Ram with a 318 V8 & AT. I think i'll be fine with that.<br /><br />...and mike, the trailer, thankfully, came with a a release tab for backing the boat without triggering the surge brakes.