Wheelbase and towing (again !!)
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gwmoore
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2004 10:39 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Marina del Rey, CA
Wheelbase and towing (again)
I tow my X with a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan. It has a 6 cylinder, not sure of the horse power. Maintains 55 all day long. Don't like to get it around 60 though because it starts to sway some. Uphill on long runs I have to get the RPM to around 4000-4500 to keep up the speed. MPG towing is 11. With out the boat I get 20 in town.
I was thinking for a while should I reply or not 
, but I have to, and I might outrage some. Moe's opinion is that Tuareg will barely tow a Mac (factory rated for over 7000#). I tow (only short distances in the marina area) with Honda Civic (factory rated as not for any towig). Towed over 1000 miles one way with chevy Astro (with very bad original factory 12 years old shocks) factory rated to 5500#. Please end me one Tuareg as a present.
I always think that the driver is the most important link in that chain.
Zoran
, but I have to, and I might outrage some. Moe's opinion is that Tuareg will barely tow a Mac (factory rated for over 7000#). I tow (only short distances in the marina area) with Honda Civic (factory rated as not for any towig). Towed over 1000 miles one way with chevy Astro (with very bad original factory 12 years old shocks) factory rated to 5500#. Please end me one Tuareg as a present. I always think that the driver is the most important link in that chain.
Zoran
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PeteC
- First Officer
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2004 7:06 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Hampton, VA...2001 Mac 26X, Honda 50
Some of you guys may not realize you are living dangerously. Towing with an underated or marginally rated vehicle is very dangerous. You can get away with it most of the time but there will likely come a day when you are marginal at best on towing safety. Kinda like wearing seatbelts or PFDs; don't normally need them but when you do it is a life saver.
There is no way I would tow a Mac 26 any distance with a Dodge Caravan (or equivalent). I have a Caravan (3500 tow rating) and used to tow a large popup camper (~2300 lb). That is about all I would want behind it. Yes there is enough power to pull it but braking and steering are marginal. What I tow with is overkill (F350 crewcab truck) for the Mac but I used to tow a 35-ft 5th wheel trailer.
By the time you load the Mac you are probably close to the 3500 lb trailer limit. Then you have the extra weight of passengers and gear in the tow vehicle.
Another factor is the wheelbase; the longer the better. Some of the SUVs have wheelbases that look a little short to me.
If you are going to pull a Mac please get a vehicle with at least a 5000 lb tow rating (more is even better). Again, it is the beefier brakes and stability that you need to be sufficiently safe. I also view the larger vehicle as extra safety insurance in case of an accident.
There is no way I would tow a Mac 26 any distance with a Dodge Caravan (or equivalent). I have a Caravan (3500 tow rating) and used to tow a large popup camper (~2300 lb). That is about all I would want behind it. Yes there is enough power to pull it but braking and steering are marginal. What I tow with is overkill (F350 crewcab truck) for the Mac but I used to tow a 35-ft 5th wheel trailer.
By the time you load the Mac you are probably close to the 3500 lb trailer limit. Then you have the extra weight of passengers and gear in the tow vehicle.
Another factor is the wheelbase; the longer the better. Some of the SUVs have wheelbases that look a little short to me.
If you are going to pull a Mac please get a vehicle with at least a 5000 lb tow rating (more is even better). Again, it is the beefier brakes and stability that you need to be sufficiently safe. I also view the larger vehicle as extra safety insurance in case of an accident.
I only tell folks things one time. Listen to me or not, I don't care. In a previous message, I explained towing from the perspective of one who once did it for a living. There are, IMHO, fools here who THINK they're towing a Mac safely with a short wheelbase Class II vehicle, or less. I wish them the best.
deamc is smart enough to realize that it isn't just about advertised towing capacity. He wisely considered wheelbase, and my response to him was about that. The ignorant can't see that.
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Moe
deamc is smart enough to realize that it isn't just about advertised towing capacity. He wisely considered wheelbase, and my response to him was about that. The ignorant can't see that.
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Moe
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Jeff S
- First Officer
- Posts: 371
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:13 pm
- Location: Cherry Point, NC 2000 26X Tohatsu 50
I fly an aircraft with an ejection seat. I have never needed the ejection seat (knock on wood) in 7 years. Doesn't mean I don't or won't need it. It only takes once. Towing around the marina is probably fine with anything. A Yugo could get the Mac moving on a level smooth surface. Heck there are people who could pull it with a rope in their teeth- doesn't mean that is a good way to do it.
A shorter wheelbase will be less stable. At what point it becomes unsafe- I don't know. I remember gettting licensed in an M151 military jeep back in my early days in the military and I had to parallel park a short square little trailer. That short wheelbase made backing up a real pain as it was really sensitive to inputs.
There are vehicles designed to tow things that are adapted to driving around, and vehicles designed to drive around tow that are adapted to tow things. There are vehicles that are designed for driving around tow not adapted to tow things. It all depends what you will use it for the most. I think the Toureg would do ok with the Mac unless you plan to tow a lot or long distances regularly- and you may not want to subject a relatively expensive driving car to the wear and tear imposed by towing at near max capacity. Just my opinion.
Jeff S
A shorter wheelbase will be less stable. At what point it becomes unsafe- I don't know. I remember gettting licensed in an M151 military jeep back in my early days in the military and I had to parallel park a short square little trailer. That short wheelbase made backing up a real pain as it was really sensitive to inputs.
There are vehicles designed to tow things that are adapted to driving around, and vehicles designed to drive around tow that are adapted to tow things. There are vehicles that are designed for driving around tow not adapted to tow things. It all depends what you will use it for the most. I think the Toureg would do ok with the Mac unless you plan to tow a lot or long distances regularly- and you may not want to subject a relatively expensive driving car to the wear and tear imposed by towing at near max capacity. Just my opinion.
Jeff S
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Duane Dunn, Allegro
- Admiral
- Posts: 2459
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 6:41 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Bellevue, Wa '96 26x, Tohatsu 90 TLDI and Plug In Hybrid Electric drive
- Contact:
I think also thing the VW would do fine, just make sure if the suspension is to soft it's not to hard to upgrade.
I would never tow my boat with my wifes Grand Caravan. It's V6 has plenty of power, probably more than the older V8 in my Suburban has, but the rear suspension is no where near good enough, the brakes are marginal, and I don't trust a the transmissions Chrysler puts in them at all.
Almost anything can tow a mac, see the Civic comments above, but towing safely is far more than making the wheels go around. Without a doubt those who use a Civic or a Outback are unsafe. There can be no argument otherwise. They have exceeded the Mfg ratings and have no recourse when they have a problem. Their insurance company will also refuse to cover any claim from an accident where the vehicle is used to to a Mac. They can drive on blind dumb and happy ignoring reality, but they are clearly behaving in an unsafe manner that endangers not just themselves, but everyone else on the road around them. They are risking losing everything they own when the S**t hits the fan.
If you're happy with a vehicle that is good enough most of the time, in the normal day to day conditions, then a mid-size SUV or a minivan will work. If you want something that can tow the boat safely anywhere you might want to go, in any and all conditions and situations you might encounter you just have to suck it up and buy a real truck or full size van.
I would never tow my boat with my wifes Grand Caravan. It's V6 has plenty of power, probably more than the older V8 in my Suburban has, but the rear suspension is no where near good enough, the brakes are marginal, and I don't trust a the transmissions Chrysler puts in them at all.
Almost anything can tow a mac, see the Civic comments above, but towing safely is far more than making the wheels go around. Without a doubt those who use a Civic or a Outback are unsafe. There can be no argument otherwise. They have exceeded the Mfg ratings and have no recourse when they have a problem. Their insurance company will also refuse to cover any claim from an accident where the vehicle is used to to a Mac. They can drive on blind dumb and happy ignoring reality, but they are clearly behaving in an unsafe manner that endangers not just themselves, but everyone else on the road around them. They are risking losing everything they own when the S**t hits the fan.
If you're happy with a vehicle that is good enough most of the time, in the normal day to day conditions, then a mid-size SUV or a minivan will work. If you want something that can tow the boat safely anywhere you might want to go, in any and all conditions and situations you might encounter you just have to suck it up and buy a real truck or full size van.
Actually, Duane, as many candidates for the Darwin Award have discovered, insurance policies don't have STUPIDITY clauses. Kill, or injure someone, even while DUI, and they'll pay... once... but don't plan on getting insurance after that. About the only time they DON'T have to pay is when you've misrepresented something, like telling them your horsepower doesn't exceed the boat manufacturer's rating. In that case, there never was a "contract" between you, and you are left with 100% of the liabilitity.
Darwin would love family activities like RVing and boating. Those who've procreated and continue to do stupid stuff, usually take their defective spawn with them when they go.
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Moe
Darwin would love family activities like RVing and boating. Those who've procreated and continue to do stupid stuff, usually take their defective spawn with them when they go.
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Moe
Moe,
You have crossed the line... Please do post your opinions as opinions, not facts. We value your opinion.
Please keep your foul, ignorant (see definition below) statements out of the discussion. I dont want to hear it, and I am sure most of us on this site do not want to hear it.
.
Moe writes: IMHO, fools here who THINK they're towing a Mac safely
Contrary to your statement, you have made it clear you do not have a humble opinion on this subject. This statement express your idea that all who do not fit in your OPINION are fools. Not the statement of a humble man. You should educate yourself to the meaning of such words like Humble, before you label yourself as humble, or some may view you as ignorant.
Your lowly view of the people here, (who have stated the FACT, not opinion, that our vehicles have been clearly ENGINEERED to accommodate the capacity of the vehicle we are towing) is patently offensive. The FACT, not opinion, is that we have verified the MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERS recommendations, by real world experience of the stability of our vehicle combinations, and have made statements of opinion of our findings with regard to deamcs request.
No one, other then deamc, has asked you to qualify your opinion of their choice of tow combination.
Moe writes: deamc is smart enough to realize that it isn't just about advertised towing capacity
I have NOT found in this posting that deamc has concurred with your opinion. This is merely speculation on your part.
The above statement of your opinion is taken by me, to mean everyone that does not concur with your opinion is stupid. This is a highly offensive as well as unsupportable statement. You could not possibly have knowledge of any given persons level of intelligence by reading a statement they have made. Your statement fits all of the definitions of the word ignorant > adjective 1. Lacking knowledge or awareness in general. 2. Uninformed about or unaware of a specific subject or fact. 3 informal rude; discourteous.
Moe writes: The ignorant can't see that.
What irony! You have stated your opinion that includes My tow vehicle. Moe, have you towed Sylives Folie with my Xtera? No. So you are 2. Uninformed about or unaware of a specific subject or fact. Have you towed any Sailboat, or anything else with my Xtera? No. So you are 1. Lacking knowledge or awareness in general. How could you possibly know anything about my towing stability and safety? I can confidently state that your opinion about the safe towing capacity of my vehicle is an uninformed opinion. Because you have made these statements unprovoked by anyone on this site, you are 3 informal rude; discourteous. Moe, in my OPINION, based on the statements you have made here, you have chosen to display yourself as the perfect picture of IGNORANT!
Moe writes: Actually, Duane, as many candidates for the Darwin Award have discovered, insurance policies don't have STUPIDITY clauses. Kill, or injure someone, even while DUI, and they'll pay... once... but don't plan on getting insurance after that. About the only time they DON'T have to pay is when you've misrepresented something, like telling them your horsepower doesn't exceed the boat manufacturer's rating. In that case, there never was a "contract" between you, and you are left with 100% of the liability.
So you are an insurance underwriter too! Or maybe a lawyer who specializes in insurance risk? Or have you actually done the things above and found that you can no longer obtain insurance?
Or is this another opinion that you have stated as a fact?
Get over yourself.
You have crossed the line... Please do post your opinions as opinions, not facts. We value your opinion.
Please keep your foul, ignorant (see definition below) statements out of the discussion. I dont want to hear it, and I am sure most of us on this site do not want to hear it.
.
Moe writes: IMHO, fools here who THINK they're towing a Mac safely
Contrary to your statement, you have made it clear you do not have a humble opinion on this subject. This statement express your idea that all who do not fit in your OPINION are fools. Not the statement of a humble man. You should educate yourself to the meaning of such words like Humble, before you label yourself as humble, or some may view you as ignorant.
Your lowly view of the people here, (who have stated the FACT, not opinion, that our vehicles have been clearly ENGINEERED to accommodate the capacity of the vehicle we are towing) is patently offensive. The FACT, not opinion, is that we have verified the MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERS recommendations, by real world experience of the stability of our vehicle combinations, and have made statements of opinion of our findings with regard to deamcs request.
No one, other then deamc, has asked you to qualify your opinion of their choice of tow combination.
Moe writes: deamc is smart enough to realize that it isn't just about advertised towing capacity
I have NOT found in this posting that deamc has concurred with your opinion. This is merely speculation on your part.
The above statement of your opinion is taken by me, to mean everyone that does not concur with your opinion is stupid. This is a highly offensive as well as unsupportable statement. You could not possibly have knowledge of any given persons level of intelligence by reading a statement they have made. Your statement fits all of the definitions of the word ignorant > adjective 1. Lacking knowledge or awareness in general. 2. Uninformed about or unaware of a specific subject or fact. 3 informal rude; discourteous.
Moe writes: The ignorant can't see that.
What irony! You have stated your opinion that includes My tow vehicle. Moe, have you towed Sylives Folie with my Xtera? No. So you are 2. Uninformed about or unaware of a specific subject or fact. Have you towed any Sailboat, or anything else with my Xtera? No. So you are 1. Lacking knowledge or awareness in general. How could you possibly know anything about my towing stability and safety? I can confidently state that your opinion about the safe towing capacity of my vehicle is an uninformed opinion. Because you have made these statements unprovoked by anyone on this site, you are 3 informal rude; discourteous. Moe, in my OPINION, based on the statements you have made here, you have chosen to display yourself as the perfect picture of IGNORANT!
Moe writes: Actually, Duane, as many candidates for the Darwin Award have discovered, insurance policies don't have STUPIDITY clauses. Kill, or injure someone, even while DUI, and they'll pay... once... but don't plan on getting insurance after that. About the only time they DON'T have to pay is when you've misrepresented something, like telling them your horsepower doesn't exceed the boat manufacturer's rating. In that case, there never was a "contract" between you, and you are left with 100% of the liability.
So you are an insurance underwriter too! Or maybe a lawyer who specializes in insurance risk? Or have you actually done the things above and found that you can no longer obtain insurance?
Or is this another opinion that you have stated as a fact?
Get over yourself.
I suppose that someone, who as I clearly stated, in my opinion, is foolish enough to tow a near 30' MacGregor rig with a vehicle with essentially the same wheelbase as a Honda Civic sedan, and someone ignorant enough to base tow vehicle selection only on weight without regard to length, might also not be able to comprehend that it could be difficult to obtain insurance after injuring or killing someone while DUI.
It doesn't take an insurance or legal professional to figure that out. Read your policy. There are no exclusions for doing STUPID things, such as driving too fast for conditions, exceeding the speed limit, following too closely, trying to beat a train at a crossing, DUI, or towing with an inadequate tow vehicle.
While I may disagree with Duane that your insurance company won't pay out, what doing these things can get you, however, is assignment of partial liability, even in an accident that isn't your fault. The at-fault's insurance or legal team investigator is going to try to find anything you might've been doing wrong, to reduce the judgement against them and their client. My ex worked for a firm that did that for every defendant, and that included obtaining depositions from subject matter experts.
All this being said, I'd hope you'd be able to read well enough to determine I never "speculated" deamc agreed with anything I said. I guess you were just running out of arguement, and threw that in for effect.
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Moe
It doesn't take an insurance or legal professional to figure that out. Read your policy. There are no exclusions for doing STUPID things, such as driving too fast for conditions, exceeding the speed limit, following too closely, trying to beat a train at a crossing, DUI, or towing with an inadequate tow vehicle.
While I may disagree with Duane that your insurance company won't pay out, what doing these things can get you, however, is assignment of partial liability, even in an accident that isn't your fault. The at-fault's insurance or legal team investigator is going to try to find anything you might've been doing wrong, to reduce the judgement against them and their client. My ex worked for a firm that did that for every defendant, and that included obtaining depositions from subject matter experts.
All this being said, I'd hope you'd be able to read well enough to determine I never "speculated" deamc agreed with anything I said. I guess you were just running out of arguement, and threw that in for effect.
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Moe
Whoa fellas !! We've all obviously been off the water too long lately (at least us in the northern states) and have lost the benefits of its calming effects.
In fact implied in my original email was how important really IS wheelbase vs just the manufacturers ' claims of towing capacity.......and then THAT within the context of a tandem axle trailer to boot!
In the end I am trying to find the vehicle that will best combine
1) Safety/Wheelbase: (wind and semitrucks on the interstate and sway) on a tandem trailer with a boat and trailer that weighs close to 5000 lbs
2) Fuel economy: If I'm ditching my Jetta diesel and Ford F-150 for just ONE vehicle then this becomes important for everyday driving
3) Power: I know, I know I can't have this AND fuel economy but my 4.6 liter Triton V8 on the F-150 is just a tad wimpy on long grades and other situations
4) Price: Would be nice if it didn't cost any MORE than a Toureg
5) Size: Must still fit in my garage (a Ford F-250 Ext cab is about the outer limit there)
So let's try this again without it becoming a WWF Match.
Thanks
Deac
In fact implied in my original email was how important really IS wheelbase vs just the manufacturers ' claims of towing capacity.......and then THAT within the context of a tandem axle trailer to boot!
In the end I am trying to find the vehicle that will best combine
1) Safety/Wheelbase: (wind and semitrucks on the interstate and sway) on a tandem trailer with a boat and trailer that weighs close to 5000 lbs
2) Fuel economy: If I'm ditching my Jetta diesel and Ford F-150 for just ONE vehicle then this becomes important for everyday driving
3) Power: I know, I know I can't have this AND fuel economy but my 4.6 liter Triton V8 on the F-150 is just a tad wimpy on long grades and other situations
4) Price: Would be nice if it didn't cost any MORE than a Toureg
5) Size: Must still fit in my garage (a Ford F-250 Ext cab is about the outer limit there)
So let's try this again without it becoming a WWF Match.
Thanks
Deac
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Jeff S
- First Officer
- Posts: 371
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:13 pm
- Location: Cherry Point, NC 2000 26X Tohatsu 50
Deac,
A shorter wheelbase and high center of gravity of the tow vehicle both contribute to instability. I would recommend some type of added stabilization (much like Dmitri has for his van) to reduce sway. You may go a long time and be fine, but the one time you start to sway and the bow wave of a semi passes you could be the one time you lose control.
For horse trailers 114 in Wheelbase is considered about the minimum recommended for safe towing. It depends on other factors though such as the CG of the vehicle. The VW looks to me like it has a lower CG than many SUV's. Adding a quality sway control system on the vehicle will go a long way to reducing dangerous sway and may make it safe- I would look into that if you chose the VW (my opinion).
For power while towing torque will be one of the best measures to determine how well it deals with pulling the excess weight. The lower RPM the torque is developed the easier it will be to pull up hills and the easier it will be on the engine. Diesels are generally the best here.
Since you asked for opinions I recommend a full size extended cab Dodge truck with a Cummins diesel and manual tranny (auto derated since it can't handle the full torque of the Cummins) decent gas mileage (16-20), tows well, lots of room, should fit in your garage- just not the quietest (or cheapest) thing on the block and not real good for quick trips to the store. (the auto tranny version has less power since it can't handle all the torque generated by the engine). That is what I want anyway. (As a side note I tow with a '93 F-150 5.8L Ext Cab with 204k miles on it- so I am looking as well- she is getting old).
Jeff S
A shorter wheelbase and high center of gravity of the tow vehicle both contribute to instability. I would recommend some type of added stabilization (much like Dmitri has for his van) to reduce sway. You may go a long time and be fine, but the one time you start to sway and the bow wave of a semi passes you could be the one time you lose control.
For horse trailers 114 in Wheelbase is considered about the minimum recommended for safe towing. It depends on other factors though such as the CG of the vehicle. The VW looks to me like it has a lower CG than many SUV's. Adding a quality sway control system on the vehicle will go a long way to reducing dangerous sway and may make it safe- I would look into that if you chose the VW (my opinion).
For power while towing torque will be one of the best measures to determine how well it deals with pulling the excess weight. The lower RPM the torque is developed the easier it will be to pull up hills and the easier it will be on the engine. Diesels are generally the best here.
Since you asked for opinions I recommend a full size extended cab Dodge truck with a Cummins diesel and manual tranny (auto derated since it can't handle the full torque of the Cummins) decent gas mileage (16-20), tows well, lots of room, should fit in your garage- just not the quietest (or cheapest) thing on the block and not real good for quick trips to the store. (the auto tranny version has less power since it can't handle all the torque generated by the engine). That is what I want anyway. (As a side note I tow with a '93 F-150 5.8L Ext Cab with 204k miles on it- so I am looking as well- she is getting old).
Jeff S
It's this simple. You have an adequate tow vehicle for a near 30', 4,000-5,000 lb MacGregor. Don't replace it with anything less. Converting the trailer to tandem axles just puts it where it should be for that much length and weight. I'd bet if accident statistics reported such a thing, they'd show most accidents occuring while towing an RV or boat involve tandem axles... simply because there's so many of them out there. Tandems (and triples) DO sway, and can sway badly. BTDT.
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Moe
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Moe
German name SUV made in USA
The M-Series http://www.mbusa.com/brand/models/ML350.jsp.
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A year and a half ago, my tow vehicle 3.2L manual 5 speed Isuzu Trooper was rear ended and totalled. As I looked around for a replacement, I noticed and interestingly large number of Mercedes ML350 for sale by owner. I had a lot of respect for Mercedes, so I wanted to learn more, and maybe pick up on for my own. I found out that these ML350 were all due for a major maintenance, one with a huge price tag, people were selling to avoid the cost of maintenance. So Mercedes are not for me.
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A new guy at work is a BMW man. He has helped two others here to make the switch to BMW. One of them already is unhappy about the required high speed rated tires that wear out at < 10K miles and cost a fortune twice a year. So BMW are not for me, unless I ever get a motorcycle again, I like the horizontal oposed twin BMW bikes.
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So, after searching far and wide, I found another 5 speed manual 3.5L Trooper to tow with and drive daily (17.5mpg commuting, 20mpg hwy., 11mpg towing). The Trooper has a stiff frame and suspension good for towing, and it takes up the same amount of parking lot as a Toyota Camry, but turns sharper. For the towing I do, a few hundred miles <70mph without major mountains (it has enough power to use 5th gear and cruise control all the way home), I am quite satisfied with the towing ability. I never had a sway problem towing the Mac26X, and in 4-low the engine could idle right up the ramp with the Mac26X on the trailer, had to give it a touch of gas the one time I pulled the boat with ballast still in.
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Happy Towing
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A year and a half ago, my tow vehicle 3.2L manual 5 speed Isuzu Trooper was rear ended and totalled. As I looked around for a replacement, I noticed and interestingly large number of Mercedes ML350 for sale by owner. I had a lot of respect for Mercedes, so I wanted to learn more, and maybe pick up on for my own. I found out that these ML350 were all due for a major maintenance, one with a huge price tag, people were selling to avoid the cost of maintenance. So Mercedes are not for me.
..
A new guy at work is a BMW man. He has helped two others here to make the switch to BMW. One of them already is unhappy about the required high speed rated tires that wear out at < 10K miles and cost a fortune twice a year. So BMW are not for me, unless I ever get a motorcycle again, I like the horizontal oposed twin BMW bikes.
..
So, after searching far and wide, I found another 5 speed manual 3.5L Trooper to tow with and drive daily (17.5mpg commuting, 20mpg hwy., 11mpg towing). The Trooper has a stiff frame and suspension good for towing, and it takes up the same amount of parking lot as a Toyota Camry, but turns sharper. For the towing I do, a few hundred miles <70mph without major mountains (it has enough power to use 5th gear and cruise control all the way home), I am quite satisfied with the towing ability. I never had a sway problem towing the Mac26X, and in 4-low the engine could idle right up the ramp with the Mac26X on the trailer, had to give it a touch of gas the one time I pulled the boat with ballast still in.
..
Happy Towing
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ken lockhart
TOWING
OK, I just have to get my 2 cents in here. I have been towing boats and trailers for thirty years. I presently tow a H26 with a Mitsubishi Endeavor. It is only rated to tow 3500 lbs. I had the hitch beefed up a little and it tows the 5200 lbs just fine. When I had my MAC 26X, I towed it with a Dodge Caravan with no problems. I have a friend who tows a Catalina 25 with a VW Taureg and he has no problems. (5300 lbs} My Endeavor has 225 HP and 250 lbs Torque, 108 in WB. The trailer does not sway and the vehicle handles great. Yes I wish I had a larger vehicle, but with 2 boys in college and one still in HS, that will have to wait, I make do with what I have. If you don"t have the trailer balanced correctly, It doesn't make much difference what your WB is. I would get the VW in a heartbeat.
I find it ironic that those who lash out at others for the type of vehicle they tow with, say nothing abot those who choose to exceed the HP rating for the 26X and 26M. Talk about a safty concern. I think the Macs are great boats, but they were not designed to go 35 mph. A new M with a 50 hp would work just fine for me.
I find it ironic that those who lash out at others for the type of vehicle they tow with, say nothing abot those who choose to exceed the HP rating for the 26X and 26M. Talk about a safty concern. I think the Macs are great boats, but they were not designed to go 35 mph. A new M with a 50 hp would work just fine for me.