Towing questions from a newbie

[Scaaty]

Re: Towing questions from a newbie

I want to be around (I have a 24 footer)when he backs into the water on a steep launch and the boat and trailer drags the Titan into the water, tires smoking and driver screaming.......

 

[Seaboo2]

Re: Towing questions from a newbie

David L. Moore stated my oppion very well. I like electric brakes myself and I have the same controller (expensive but well worth it). The tranny cooler routing is right on, it is amazing how many mechanics do not know that fluid can be overcooled. They do make a (for lack of better wording) "system" to lock out the electric brakes when in reverse (no more forgetting to unplug the trailer lights).<br /><br /> If you do go electric brakes with a brake away brake check the brakeaway from time to time (amazing how easy the battery conections will corode and it will stop working.....hopefully you never need the system but if you do you want it to work).

 

[rtfolse]

Re: Towing questions from a newbie

I tow with a Chevrolet Avalanche. My son just bought a Titan with the V8. He tows a race car on a trailer, and I tow a boat and we trade once and awhile. Actually his Titan is as capable as my Avalanche. He has electric brakes and I have surge. He hates his electric brakes because of the threshold setting problems that is not always right for all situations. I love my surge/hydraulic and they are disc brakes. <br /><br />I have towed for three decades with everything from a motor home to a four banger Toyota. The biggest single piece of advice is to drive carefully and conservativley, and think ahead. In three decades I have not had any need for any hysterical maneuver. I watch out my mirrors continuously, always am aware of what is around me, stay well behind the car in front, drive the speed limit of 55 no matter what, plan where I park for an easy exit and so on. The most important part of the tow rig is the brain behind the driver. I am like the poster above, it scares the bejezus out of me every time I pull out of my driveway and I use that anxiety to keep me on top of what is going on.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Towing questions from a newbie

In Over My Head said, "The most important part of the tow rig is the brain behind the driver." <br /><br />This can't be emphasized enough.<br /><br />My grandfather taught my mother to drive and gave her this advice, "Drive as if everyone else on the road is a da*n fool and you'll be alright," NEVER count on anyone but yourself, because they are all idiots. <br />And yes I know that I just implied that to you, I'm an idiot. But to me you are an idiot too, so we're even.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Towing questions from a newbie

My 2 cents...<br /><br />Thanks to sites like this it is easy to find out what is going on and where. <br /><br />If you go someplace just find out what is going on, ramps, terrain etc.<br /><br />I fish a lot here in NC where the lakes are all man made and the ramps are pretty flat. I know the coastal ramps can be steep especially when the tide is out.<br /><br />The perfect truck to pull with would be that new navistar pickup, but the titan should do fine<br /><br />One thing you might want to do is take the rig out in a big parking lot and try it out, acceralation, stopping, turning, backing up etc.<br /><br />Just realize that it is a big boat to tow and that if you are not used to towing something this size you should always take extra care.<br /><br />Especially at the END of the trip, tired and just wanting to get home is always a recipe for disaster.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Towing questions from a newbie

I have a 24' cruiser. It's supposed to weigh 4,437 lbs "dry" (according to their website). I had it weighed, loaded with gas, water, and the normal things that would be on a cruiser such as anchors, tools, clothing, bedding, etc. It was on the trailer. The actual weight was 7,220lb! The dealer's service manager had casually stated that it would "probably weigh about 6,000 lb loaded".<br /><br />Based on Glastron's published specifications and the dealer's statement I purchased a Toyota Tundra with towing package to tow the boat. I believe the tow rating is 7,000 lb. I didn't get the actual boat/trailer weight until more than a year had gone by.<br /><br />In spite of what has been said above, I've towed the rig over 7,000 miles without incident. I have had occasion to make a few panic stops and the truck and trailer stopped quickly and remained under control. I wouldn't win any drag races especially starting on a grade but I can maintain the speed limit on all the roads and highways in my area (no mountains). I have had no problems launching or recovering the boat at the ramps I use. Driving defensively, avoiding speeding, staying out of potentially dangerous situations, and avoiding heavy traffic whenever possible are important when trailering.<br /><br />I believe there are some situations where the rig can be slightly over the limit and there are other situations where it should be well under the limit. Certainly if you are towing cross country or in the mountains you will need a heavy, powerfull tow vehicle. If you are in a relatively flat area and tow shorter distances you can tow safely with a smaller vehicle.<br /><br />Bottom line: If I didn't feel safe and in control I would park it.

 

[gewf631]

Re: Towing questions from a newbie

Folks, just a quick reality check.<br /><br />Even though these later comments are relative, this post was started on July 23rd

 

[travism]

Re: Towing questions from a newbie

I started the thread and I'm still here listening. I stopped replying once the thread was hijacked from my original questions about brakes and weight distribution to the merits of 1/2 ton pickups. Everyone will have different experiences and opinions by towing with different trucks, different distances in different terrain. That's the beauty of the board - getting opinions from different points of view. I appreciate everyone's comments and understand that common sense is a big key to trailering. Isn't that the case with almost everything in life?<br /><br />I did buy the cruiser and have towed it, but not a lot yet. The longest trip was about an hour on the highway to get her home, then lots of trips to the lake at about 10 minutes a piece on surface roads. The trailer came with surge brakes that are in working order. The truck does fine, especially for the short trips. I've just been towing with caution and there haven't been any problems. I haven't had any problems at the ramps in my area. On the highway trip home there was some swaying, so I'm going to have it weighed and the tongue weight verified before towing on the highway again. With the weight checked out I feel pretty comfortable with towing with what I have for the short trips and then for the one or two times a year that I'd take a longer trip to another lake with her.