Towing a boat with a car

[DougC]

Any ideas on whether it is possible or wise to tow a 16 ft. dory (est. wt. 250 - 300 lb.s) on a trailer, with a Ford sedan, 6 cyl. 2.5 liter engine, automatic transmission. We're talking about short trips and no major hills. Thanks, Doug

[JimD]

My boat is over twice that weight and I tow with a 4 cylinder 2.2 litre engine. Of course, its not a Ford :D

[Wayne Jeffers]

Doug,

I towed a boat of about that weight behind a Toyota Camry, 2-liter, 4-cylinder, 5-speed manual for many years with no problems.

Wayne

[Gresham CA]

If you can't tow that kinda weight then me and my boys couldn't ride with you. My smallest weighs 250#. Add us up and it's over 1100#

[Tar Devil]

But what if the trailer don't got wheels?

Later,

Phil

[NormMessinger]

Have U-Haul or ??? slap a Class I trailer hitch on that baby and bob's yer uncle.

[JimD]

Originally posted by Tar Devil:
But what if the trailer don't got wheels?

Later,

Philthen its a tobogan

[Sam F]

Originally posted by JimD:
then its a tobogan

That would be a drag!
:D

[JimD]

Originally posted by Sam F:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JimD:
then its a tobogan

That would be a drag!
:D </font>[/QUOTE]da truck no pull
da daaaa daa da
da boat no go
da daaaa daa da

[Mr. Know It All]

That should be plenty of power for a short haul to the water. Make sure the lights work on the trailer. Thats the fun part. :D

[gert]

Your biggest concern is your transmission, get a dedicated tempurature gage and cooler.

[Paul Scheuer]

Absolutely no problem Doug. Take a ride down to the launch ramp. Chances are that you'll see a rig just like the one you're proposing or heavier. If you have any doubts, ask the owner.

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Here's a tip:

As you turn around at the ramp to back down get out of the car and unplug the tail lights. Then as you back into the water those bulbs aren't glowing hot when they hit the cold water. They say it helps them last a lot longer. Makes sense to me so I do it, but nobody knows just who the anonymous "they" are...

[John Bell]

Originally posted by Captain Pre-Capsize:
Here's a tip:

As you turn around at the ramp to back down get out of the car and unplug the tail lights. Then as you back into the water those bulbs aren't glowing hot when they hit the cold water. They say it helps them last a lot longer. Makes sense to me so I do it, but nobody knows just who the anonymous "they" are...I've actually had bulbs shatter because of this, particularly in winter when the water temperature is around 40F. So it does happen, and I'm one of "them".

The other day I forgot to unplug both on launching and retrieving, but I got away with it. Maybe that the water temp is near 80F prevented the exploding bulb trick.

[daddles]

and of course, the next trick is to reconnect the lights before heading off down the highway...

Currently, my lights are on a board that gets strapped to the boat. It keeps it out of the water so my lights always work. It's a pain in the bum. Lights on the trailer are a better idea, if you can keep them working.

As for towing that sized boat behind your car, not a problem. Easier if you put it on a trailer.

Cheers
Richard

[Mrleft8]

I towed a friends "Hunter" Fiberglass sloop... Giant clumsy piece of junk with my 6 cylinder.... Sure I got pushed through a stop light in front of a cop.....(he just grinned and waved me on) It can be done....Trust me....