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Ignoramus12555 wrote:
On 6 Jul 2005 09:17:31 -0700, wrote:

Ignoramus12555 wrote:

For a typical 29-30 ft powerboat on a triple axle trailer, what would
be the necessary tow vehicle capacity to tow it? My BIL suggested that
I buy a bigger boat and my wife was actually receptive to the idea.

The only way of owning a boat, for myself, is to trailer it around. No
slips and marinas. I like to work on my boats and I do not like
spending money on mechanics, marinas etc.

i

Rear wheel drive. Frame. Full floating rear axle. HD electrical and
cooling systems, including tranny cooler. Auto trans, (or at least 8
closely-spaced ratios in a manual gearbox- so for most folks that's
back to an auto trans). Axle ratio will be very, very, important. You
will want something in the high threes, at least, and maybe even a bit
deeper.
Big brakes.Consider a diesel engine, and beware of anything with
extremely short wheelbase. That adds up to a 3/4 ton or even a 1-ton
pickup from most sources.

Figure out what your boat and trailer weigh, all fueled up and ready to
go. Add a chunk, maybe 20%, for personal gear. See the truck
specialists at your local Ford, Chevy, and Dodge dealers and ask them
what model you will need to safely tow your boat. Gross Combined
Vehicle Weight Ratings
(GCVW, not GVW) will be important clues whether you're being scammed or
not. See if you can get access to the fleet salesperson- that case of
juvenile acne and hormones that "upped" you as you got out of your car
will quickly assure you that the 1500 series, (with a big spiff on it
that particular weekend), will tow the Empire State building across the
Atlantic Ocean if that's what you think you need to do- and if you're
ready to "buy now". :-)

I watched a guy in a pickup haul a big Grady White, with a stainless
"tower" up I-5 yesterday. If he could see, from the cab, what I saw
from the lane next to his as he blew past me (going way, way, too fast)
he'd park that toy truck at the next exit and get something serious
enough to be safely adequate for the job. Talk about the tail wagging
the dog.....wow! Maybe it's my "liberal" bent, but there ought to be
some sort of highway safety laws that prohibit stupid towing choices.
When that boat trailer finally breaks loose from the undersprung little
SWB "tow vehicle" and starts flipping sideways down the freeway, it
could take out a lot of innocent bystanders.

Thanks... this seems to be a much bigger project than what I am
willing to handle...

i

I say...keep it minimal unless you plan to do long cruises. (more than a
wwekend) I have an 18.5 foot sailboat that I trailer. It's fine for
daysails, overnighters and the occasional weekender. (two people &
maybe a rugrat or two)

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