New tow vehicle

[fishguy]

I retired the astro van, and we bought a Saturn ION. Front wheel drive, 5-speed. <br />I've talked to people that own them and they've pulled small trailers without any problem at all.<br />Okay, it's not a freightliner, but should have enough power to keep up with traffic.<br /><br />The boat and trailer (gear and all) likely weigh in at about 650 lbs or so. The only thing I just thought of was another post where someone mentioned a front wheel drive 'unloading' the front wheels on the ramp. That was a small van, and a much bigger trailer/boat combo, but I'm looking for feedback from anyone that's had experience launching with a front wheel drive car.<br /><br />The 2 ramps I use are in good shape, and not slippery, so I don't really thing traction will be a factor. <br /><br />I read a few posts that people were talking about a wheel chock on a hunk of rope, so you can block the rear wheel, then drive away dragging your wheel chock dragging behind you. Kinda gets rid of the touchy-clutch chugga chugga stall glub glub problem....<br /><br />Anyone have firsthand experience?

 

[fishguy]

Re: New tow vehicle

Okay.....I confess, it's winter, the boat's buried under snow, and I just want to participate. <br />But I really would like feedback on boat ramps and front wheel drives.<br /><br />There's next to no tongue weight..I can grab the tongue and lift it up, move the boat and trailer around the driveway, whatever.... Just so you know I'm not seriously underestimating the weight...<br /><br />Is it spring yet?<br />Is it spring yet?<br />Is it spring yet?

 

[roscoe]

Re: New tow vehicle

I've launched/retrieved with a front wheel drive a couple of times. Let's say that it was very interesting, 2.2L engine, 5 speed, 1400# rig.<br />I never did tow this on the road, and would never try. Just launched a friends boat at his cottage.<br /><br />What type and size boat do you have?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: New tow vehicle

Never launched with a stick, with front wheel drive, but I have launched my pontoon with my Dodge Caravan with a front wheel drive automatic many times and never had any problems other than a little wheel slip at wet asphalt ramps. Before I got my current Pick-up(F-150), I had a GMC S-15 pick-up (Small) 6 Cylinder, with a stick and didn't have any problems with that either. At the ramp, I'd just set the parking brake and put it in gear when retreaving the boat. Then when ready to go I would just barely start moving from the water with the parking brake still on, then release the brake and go. Never used the wheel chock idea, but it sounds like a good one. You just get one of those plastic ones from Walmart and tie a small rope to it and put a hook on the other end and snap it to whatever you can under the back of the car. Chock the rear wheel at the ramp and when you're ready to retreave your boat, just drive away and the chock will follow along. Then when you are on level ground, remove the chock hook, store it and be on your way. 650# should pull right out of the water with no problem! Sounds like a plan!

 

[JB]

Re: New tow vehicle

Howdy, AC_NB.<br /><br />I think that a 650lb trailer would be no problem with the ION. Over 1,000lb might be pushing it.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: New tow vehicle

AC_NB_Canada,<br /><br />Thanks for this post - I've been curious about my same situation. I have a Ford Escape with tow package - front wheel drive with 4WD that I've never used at the ramp. I tow a 12 foot aluminum boat - I have no idea how much it weighs, but I can move it anywhere I want by picking up the trailer tongue - the only time it gets hard to move around like that is when I have my 2 batts in the front of the boat.<br /><br />That wheel chock sounds like a good idea and cheap insurance to make sure that a disaster doesn't happen.<br /><br />Anyone else have any input?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[DJ]

Re: New tow vehicle

Chocking the wheels is always a good idea. I just tie a rope to one and tie it to the trailer hitch. That way, when I go forward, it follows along behind me until I get to the top of the ramp.<br /><br />It's amazing how many people will run up to me frantic and say "you're dragging something"--idiots. <br /><br />The Escape does well as a tow vehicle. It is rated for 3500.<br /><br />The Ion, I can't speak for, but anything under 1K should be OK.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: New tow vehicle

(edit) post posted twice. Hmmmm....

 

[JasonJ]

Re: New tow vehicle

You'll be alright with a 650 pounds set-up. I see a guy all the time here that launches/retrieves what looks like about a 1100 pound boat with a Ford Taurus wagon, and he never has problems. It does depend on the steepness of the ramp, but if you try to keep the wheels on dry concrete instead of wet wheel paths from prior retievals you'll be okay. If you have a hand actuated E-brake, you can grab it, holding in the button, and started up the ramp while releasing the E-brake. That works pretty good for keeping you from rolling back, and it does not hurt anything.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: New tow vehicle

djohns19, great...now I have to get a bigger boat! Thanks!

 

[fishguy]

Re: New tow vehicle

Happy holidays, and thanks for the feedback.<br /><br />Someone had asked what kind of boat and trailer...<br /><br />The trailer's home-made, looks like 1/8" wall pipe, and a K-car (shudder) rear axle.<br /><br />The boat's a '64 (still up for arguement) Comet Traveler or Arkansas Traveler Comet...I sure wish someone could identify the darn thing once and for all. (Fiberglassics was a big help, but I can't find my boat in any of the brochures...)<br /><br />Please have a look...it's come a long was since the pics of it sitting in the driveway...<br /><br /> http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/fishguy/ <br /><br />I've exchanged emails and pics with some other people with similar boats, but I've never been able to put a definate year on it. My email's at the bottom of that web page, give me a shout if you have any info, or just want to say that you saw one like it..whatever...it's a long winter <br /><br />I'd love to take credit for that wheel block idea, but I have seen it mentioned in other posts...seems like a great idea.... For the price of a plastic wal-mart block, a piece of rope and a clip-beener...I'm going to give it a shot. <br /><br />First boat, and I made all my mistakes in season #1....looking forward to a trouble free season #2. (Yeah, right....)

 

[BillP]

Re: New tow vehicle

If you have a good ramp the 650lb rig isn't likely to give any front wheel drive a problem. However, pulling a 2000lb boat out on a steep ramp can be a totally different situation. I see guys spinning their front wheel drives all the time where rear wheels don't.<br /><br />To get better traction at bad ramps, angle the car so it is pulling out a little sideways. The trailer can go in straight but the car offset about 20 degrees. I do this when the ramps are steep and slick but also have rear wheel drive.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: New tow vehicle

When I first got my 12' boat with honda 7.5 all I had was a 1995 honda civic with manual. I put a drawtite hitch on it and towed it all over the place. several hundred mile trips to the high sierra lakes. I had no problems except at a gravel ramp. Even then if you set your parking brake and let off on the clutch until the back end starts to squat and let off on the brake I had no problems. My first cluch lasted 178000 miles too.my boat and trailer combo was very light just like your.

 

[wayne h]

Re: New tow vehicle

my rig is about the same as your i tow with a 1991 chevy lumina car front wheel drive. i never had a problem eather seems to tow and ramp nicely but its a work car so i dont care if it ends up in the water lol

 

[DJ]

Re: New tow vehicle

From the pictures I've seen, I would be REALLY surprised if that boat rig is 650 pounds. The boat alone, maybe.<br /><br />Add gear, gas, stuff, I'll guess it's weight at 1200-plus!<br /><br />Want to be sure-weigh it!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: New tow vehicle

I'm bettin' its down around the high 600s-mid 700s. My old 17 foot 1963 Pacific Mariner with Merc 850 was around 1100 pounds (around 1400 on the trailer), and I had all sorts of junk built into that thing. His boat looks pretty light. His trailer is pretty light looking as well, I can't imagine his total towed weight is more than 800 lbs, still within the capabilities of his rig.

 

[envy83]

Re: New tow vehicle

I've worked with a couple of older starcrafts about that size and hp, and 650 is probably right on for boat and motor. In any case I've also pulled a number of things with my front wheel drive dodge dynasty (including those starcraft) and never had a problem. You should be just fine, especially with a rig that small (no offense ) a couple buddy's could push it out of the water!

 

[jtexas]

Re: New tow vehicle

I regularly launch my boat (about 1000 lbs w/trailer) with my Pontiac Montana van, front-wheel drive/auto. After reading the Stupid Human Tricks forum I've been using a wheel chock whenever I'm alone & have to leave the van on the ramp, but I chock the front wheel so I don't have to get in the water. It's also convenient - I just stop on the way up the ramp, open the door and pick it up.<br /><br />jtw