timW wrote:
Hi there,
My wife and I are looking to purchase a small cruiser in
the near future, and one of the things we're considering when it comes
down to the size of the boat is the ability of our vehicle to
succesfully tow it and put it in the water.

I've read that with bigger boats you need a pickup, but would a large
conversion van do? We own a big Chevy conversion with the larger of the
two 8 cylinder engines in it, so for power and weight I don't think we
have a problem. The only difference perhaps might be in the automatic
gear box and drive train - would it be less sturdy than that of a
truck?

If anyone could give us a bit of advice it would be much appreciated,
as it may help determine our limits as to what we can get size-wise.
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


Here's a good source for tow ratings...

http://trailerboats.com/towrating/

Dan

timW wrote:
Hi there,
My wife and I are looking to purchase a small cruiser in
the near future, and one of the things we're considering when it comes
down to the size of the boat is the ability of our vehicle to
succesfully tow it and put it in the water.

I've read that with bigger boats you need a pickup, but would a large
conversion van do? We own a big Chevy conversion with the larger of the
two 8 cylinder engines in it, so for power and weight I don't think we
have a problem. The only difference perhaps might be in the automatic
gear box and drive train - would it be less sturdy than that of a
truck?

If anyone could give us a bit of advice it would be much appreciated,
as it may help determine our limits as to what we can get size-wise.
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

One thing many have found, in fresh water anyways is that a steep ramp
and algae or other growth can make it impossible for a rear axle only
drive vehicle to pull the boat and trailer out of the water. The one
exception might be a duallie with limited slip.
I've had to pull several rigs up the ramp, a few years ago, that only
had a rear wheel drive. I've also seen some of them go into the water
with tires spinning for dear life trying to get off the ramp.
Get a crew cab duallie 4x4 optioned out. Everyone needs a Country Cadillac.

Eisboch pretty much covered it.
Your conversion van is built on a truck chassis, so forget that pickup
comment. Chevies are 1500, 2500, 3500: the bigger the number the stronger
the vehicle. If it came with a tow package it should already have a
transmission cooler. Florida's pretty flat - use overdrive unless it's
constantly shifting.
Don't go without trailer brakes .

"john" wrote in message ...
timW wrote:
Hi there,
My wife and I are looking to purchase a small cruiser in
the near future, and one of the things we're considering when it comes
down to the size of the boat is the ability of our vehicle to
succesfully tow it and put it in the water.

I've read that with bigger boats you need a pickup, but would a large
conversion van do? We own a big Chevy conversion with the larger of the
two 8 cylinder engines in it, so for power and weight I don't think we
have a problem. The only difference perhaps might be in the automatic
gear box and drive train - would it be less sturdy than that of a
truck?

If anyone could give us a bit of advice it would be much appreciated,
as it may help determine our limits as to what we can get size-wise.
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

One thing many have found, in fresh water anyways is that a steep ramp and
algae or other growth can make it impossible for a rear axle only drive
vehicle to pull the boat and trailer out of the water. The one exception
might be a duallie with limited slip.
I've had to pull several rigs up the ramp, a few years ago, that only had
a rear wheel drive. I've also seen some of them go into the water with
tires spinning for dear life trying to get off the ramp.
Get a crew cab duallie 4x4 optioned out. Everyone needs a Country
Cadillac.

timW wrote:
Hi there,
My wife and I are looking to purchase a small cruiser in
the near future, and one of the things we're considering when it comes
down to the size of the boat is the ability of our vehicle to
succesfully tow it and put it in the water.

I've read that with bigger boats you need a pickup, but would a large
conversion van do? We own a big Chevy conversion with the larger of the
two 8 cylinder engines in it, so for power and weight I don't think we
have a problem. The only difference perhaps might be in the automatic
gear box and drive train - would it be less sturdy than that of a
truck?

If anyone could give us a bit of advice it would be much appreciated,
as it may help determine our limits as to what we can get size-wise.
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


First I would take it to dealer and see what the tow rating is for the
van. The conversion may make it a little less precise since the weight
of the van will make a difference.

But this will mostly depend on the engine and rearend on the van. We had
a Chevy van with a 5.7 /373 posi rearend and it was great towing a
3900lbs boat with a 1500lbd steel trailer under it. I think it was
rated at 6500 total.

So you may be able to increase the towing capacity by changing out the
differential. The Chevy guys can tell ya for sure what the
possiabilities are.

One other thing I would toss out to ya is a little boat that i would
liek to get someday for just spending a relaxing day on the water that
is very trailierable. check out http://www.c-ranger.com/
When I retire I would love to get one of these and tow it around the
country. Run the Erie canal and go other places.

Good luch:

Capt Jack R.