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

your van should do the job nicely. After all, it is the same drive
train, brakes, and frame weight as a Chevy half ton pickup. The
transmission should be ok too, though I wouldn't recommend pulling in
overdrive. Too much strain ont he transmission, and will lug your
engine a lot. Another thing, you should have an additional
transmission cooler added. its like a mini-radiatior that fits in front
of the radiator, and helps to keep the trans. oil a bit cooler.


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

wrote in message
ups.com...

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


your van should do the job nicely. After all, it is the same drive
train, brakes, and frame weight as a Chevy half ton pickup. The
transmission should be ok too, though I wouldn't recommend pulling in
overdrive. Too much strain ont he transmission, and will lug your
engine a lot. Another thing, you should have an additional
transmission cooler added. its like a mini-radiatior that fits in front
of the radiator, and helps to keep the trans. oil a bit cooler.


I'll add this: My mechanic says that when he reminds customers about
changing the tranny fluid and filter according to the maintenance schedule,
half his customers give him a blank look. They've never heard of it. If the
OP hasn't done this stuff on schedule, things could get interesting.

Agreed. many people believe in changing the engine oil, religiously,
but never once think about changing the trans. fluid and filter. Nor,
do they ever inspect the diferential (rear end)grease!


JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...

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


your van should do the job nicely. After all, it is the same drive
train, brakes, and frame weight as a Chevy half ton pickup. The
transmission should be ok too, though I wouldn't recommend pulling in
overdrive. Too much strain ont he transmission, and will lug your
engine a lot. Another thing, you should have an additional
transmission cooler added. its like a mini-radiatior that fits in front
of the radiator, and helps to keep the trans. oil a bit cooler.


I'll add this: My mechanic says that when he reminds customers about
changing the tranny fluid and filter according to the maintenance schedule,
half his customers give him a blank look. They've never heard of it. If the
OP hasn't done this stuff on schedule, things could get interesting.

wrote in message
ups.com...

your van should do the job nicely. After all, it is the same drive
train, brakes, and frame weight as a Chevy half ton pickup. The
transmission should be ok too, though I wouldn't recommend pulling in
overdrive. Too much strain ont he transmission, and will lug your
engine a lot. Another thing, you should have an additional
transmission cooler added. its like a mini-radiatior that fits in front
of the radiator, and helps to keep the trans. oil a bit cooler.


I'll add this: My mechanic says that when he reminds customers about
changing the tranny fluid and filter according to the maintenance
schedule,
half his customers give him a blank look. They've never heard of it. If
the
OP hasn't done this stuff on schedule, things could get interesting.


Agreed. many people believe in changing the engine oil, religiously,
but never once think about changing the trans. fluid and filter. Nor,
do they ever inspect the diferential (rear end)grease!



Hell....they don't even know the tranny filter exists. My own son said 3
weeks ago "When I get my car, I'm gonna take such great care of it!" A week
later, he got the car (used, but nice). Do you think he's opened the manual
and asked any maintenance questions?

In the early 80'sm I pulled my 27' ChrisCraft Cavalier about 130 mi,
using a '78, 1/2 ton Chevy Blazer. I only ran about 50 mph, but the
engine didn't strain, and handling was ok. Any faster than that and
things started to get a bit squirrely, but otherwise, no problems.



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

"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

Eisboch wrote:
"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



Not to mention that it's 'the law' to have brakes on a trailer load over
3500 lbs. Maybe even lower in some areas.

"Don White" wrote in message
...
Eisboch wrote:
"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

Not to mention that it's 'the law' to have brakes on a trailer load over
3500 lbs. Maybe even lower in some areas.

One other point.... I know Florida has many well built and maintained
launch ramps and four wheel drive down there is a rarity. However, a steep,
wet ramp with a heavy boat may find the OP wishing he had a 4x4.

Eisboch

"timW" wrote in news:1161454565.902491.260930
@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

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.

Power's not your problem with the conversion van....WEIGHT is!...

Light duty chassis with lots of tonnage and very little overhead for more.
(Notice how it's NOT on a 1-ton truck chassis.)

Of concern in a GM van, what transmission is in it? What rear end ratio?
Today we're all trying to make those MILEAGE numbers with the government
bureaucrats with low-ratio rear ends turnin' 'em slow.....not much towing
power in that.

I'd be more afraid of its BRAKES than its power. A half-ton van loaded
with all that party van stuff is pretty close to its rated load on the
brakes, too. Add a few thousand pounds of boat shoving it along at 70 may
make STOPPING it another problem.

--
There's amazing intelligence in the Universe.
You can tell because none of them ever called Earth.