"timW" wrote in message
ups.com...

Half-the reason we're thinking all this is that the van is nearly paid
off and we can put the same money towards a 23' - 25' day cruiser or
weekender, but it's going to be a little self-defeating if we have to
get another vehicle just to tow the boat the 30 miles or so to the
nearest luach facility at Sanford, here in Central Florida. Permanently
berthing the boat at a marina is of course a possibility, but I'd like
the flexibility of being able to tow it directly to either the east or
west coasts at need.

Thanks........Tim


My opinion as follows:

First ... do a little homework. If your conversion van the GM 1500 series,
it is the lightest of the light duty ratings, even with a "big" engine.
Does it have a factory tow package including an aux transmission cooler?
(noticed you are towing in hot Florida). What is the rear end ratio? What
is it's rated GVW, towing rating and CGVW (total of van, trailer and boat).

What does the boat weigh? What does the trailer weigh? You can plan on the
boat being heavier than the factory specs once you have your personal gear
aboard.

Most important ... think about brakes. Don't even think about towing a
23'-25' cruiser type boat unless the trailer has a good, working braking
system .... either surge or electric. Your van's brakes are rated to stop
your van, not an additional 5-7k lbs. I once towed a boat of approximately
that weight on a trailer that's surge brakes were not working. Towed it
with a Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty truck. The damn boat just about pushed me
through an intersection at a red light while trying to stop.

Eisboch