question about a tow vehicle

[Augustus]

I am currently saving my pennies, hoping to purchase a used 26X. I currently drive a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 6 Cyl, which is listed as having a 3500 pound towing capacity. Do you feel that this would be adequate towing a Mac for short (less than 100 km) trips on well maintained roads? Do you feel this would work for longer trips? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Kelvin

[RobertB]

It can tow the boat - as long as you do not add any weight to the boat and you take it easy towing. BUT, you are towing at your vehicle limit and may have implications on things such as your transmission life. I did a similar thing short term, paid $4k for a new transmission and then bought a pickup truck.

[yukonbob]

Any hills in that 100km? Your vehicle will struggle with them, and if there are no trailer brakes it'll wear your pads faster than normal. Watch your warranty (if any).

[kadet]

Don't think power will be too much of an issue but they have a low kerb weight and no that big a wheel base compared to the boat so it might be a case of the tail wagging the dog. I towed with a "soft" 4x4 and even though the was within it's weight specs it never felt safe, especially in any sort of cross wind. Upgraded to a full chassis proper 4x4 and never looked back, except to the fuel station .

[kurz]

Well if you want be in legal papers you need at least 4200lb towing weight of course. And if you will weight the boat on the trailer you will see that it even will be more

But dont think you have to go to really big trucks.

I towed the for many thousend miles, crossing the alps (St. Gotthard Switzerland), took it out of the water even with ramps 18% (see video).

The old mercedes 300TD w124 is 28 years old, has just 113hp but has good old automatic transmission

video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzaJzr ... sp=sharing

[Tomfoolery]

That's got a shorter wheelbase and lower curb weight than my Highlander did, and the Highlander was marginal on the highway towing my . Oh, and the Highlander had a 5000 lb tow rating, with factory HD cooling (engine and tranny), hitch, and wiring, but no trailer stability control.

My Grand Cherokee (7200 lb tow rating, 7400 lb in the 2WD version) has a longer wheelbase, is heavier, and tows muuuuch better, though it's still not going to be as stable as a long wheelbase PU or SUV. Oh, and it has trailer stability control.

That Hyundai sounds like it would be OK around town at low speeds, but I don't think I'd want to bring it on the highway. And the is going to be 4000 lb on the trailer. Or more. Despite the 3500 lb trailer gross rating on the nameplate.

[Tenacious]

I tow with a 2012 Ford F-150 4x4 Ecoboost. This particular truck has a tow rating of 11,300 pounds. As such, I have no problem pulling the Tattoo 26.

That being said, your Hyundai will probably pull the 26x moderately ok, but, I'd be very worried about the short wheelbase and more importantly the braking. Unfortunately, people just don't respect vehicles trailering and will cut you off forcing an emergency braking situation. I have no concern in the F-150 during an emergency braking situation but I'd be quite nervous in your Hyundai.

There is also a legal concern. If you get in an accident towing more than your vehicles max tow rating, you may have problems with your insurance company. I'm not a lawyer, so take this bit of advice with a grain of salt.

If I were in your position, I'd upgrade the tow vehicle and keep it safe (if that's an option).

Best of luck,
Robert

[kurz]

I have no concern in the F-150 during an emergency braking situation but I'd be quite nervous in your Hyundai.

Sorry but do we know if his trailer has brakes? If the trailer has brakes now problems about braking, it will be done by the trailer.

Of course you can tow the mac, but as said, if you get in an accident or control you will look bad becouse the trailer weight is to heavy for your car..

[captronr]

One key factor is "what does the whole boat/trailer/motor weigh after you add all your sailing stuff (ie: Glop)?"

Our X has a Tohatsu 50HP and a lot of comfort stuff for cruising. Easily, it tops 4,500#s on the trailer (per scale weights). The OEM axles are rated for 3500#, and the tires similar. So I sprung for a new 4500# axle and 15" tires/wheels.

Tow with a 1/2 ton pickup. I would not want anything less. In cross winds at highway speeds, even the pickup moves around some on a single axle.

Ron

[kevinnem]

hmmm, .. well not to sure what to say.

You will want that mac as light as you can get it .. so where possible store stuff in car, not boat...

Maybe go to a truck stop and weigh it. Find out how far off you are.

Given the nature of what you are doing I would suggest you ensure that he hitch weight is correct, and the tires are inflated. I think the prevailing wisdom is that tires should be filled to the Max pressure. I tow with a 4 runner, and have issues with the trailer pushing me around. I found increasing tire pressure made a HUGE difference.

also, you might find you can't go more then about 80 KM/hr (what is that like 50 miles/hour+/-?) without things getting a little crazy.

transmission are $$$ , however, a possible good safety is to install a 3rd party transmission cooler. These are VERY cheap, I paid like 80$ for mine. install was another 50$ cash to a guy. Going down hill, I have chosen not to do transmission braking, . cause the extra where and tear on the transmission VS brakes is not a good $$$ tradeoff -- brakes are cheapish, easyish. Transmissions are not.

Strong winds will push you around, . and might develop a phobia of oncoming semi trailers.

[gabid]

I pulled my for 3 years with a Pontiac Aztek - 3500 lb towing capacity - but only for short rides, about 160 km twice per year. Going on moderate uphill was a struggle, but I did not have problems pulling boat out of water with empty ballast. I replaced the car with a Toyota 4Runner v8, huge difference, much safer towing now.

[yukonbob]

Another thing to consider is how many times a year it is getting towed. If you’re looking to get it to the water at the beginning of the season and then out again at the end maybe look into renting a truck for the two days a year.

[DHK79]

In a pinch, I've moved my Mac with a Honda CRV. This is not recommended, by the way, as the tow weight was approaching the GVW of the towing vehicle but it did allow me to get the boat to the storage lot.


Doug (DHK79)

[sailboatmike]

I pulled my Mac back from Canberra to Melbourne (about 650Km) with a 2 liter turbo diesel, manual 6 speed in a Renault Van.

It towed beautifully, we couldnt use 6th gear as the revs would drop below optimum turbo spinning, but it was very happy in 5th gear.

We averaged 14L/100km or around 18 miles per US gallon with the boat on the back, the terrain was reasonably hilly but had to drop to 3rd gear crossing the great dividing range for about 4km of pretty steep climbing.

Eruo diesel engines are pretty sensational for power and economy

[Augustus]

Thanks for all of your advice. Clearly, the overall recommendation is to power up to a vehicle with a higher towing capacity. So, I'll keep saving my pennies.

Thanks again,

Kelvin