Question on towing a Hunter 23.5

[kenkindy1]

I used to tow my 240 with a 3.0 liter Ford Ranger 2wd with beefed up rear shocks. It did great in and out of the water (better than my 5.3 liter silverado) and did highway speeds no problem on level ground. Hills got quite scary with the small truck as she had trouble climbing them and the boat got the back end swaying on big downhills. I only needed to experience that once before making the trade to the bigger truck.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

use to pull the 240 with a dodge caravan and launched it too with itl

 

[kito]

I have a 4.0 L Ford Ranger 4x4. I do need to switch to 4x4 when pulling my C22 up the ramp. If I were you, if you want a pickup then get a 4x4. You would be better off with any 6 cyl or 8 cyl front wheel vehicle than a 4x2 pickup...too darn light in the back and the trailer tongue weight has less effect going up a ramp imo. 4x2's really suck when the back wheels are in the water spinning on algea. But you can always get a 4x2 pickup and put 500 lbs of sand bags in the bed

 

[Rick Webb]

No Need for Four Wheel Drive with a 23.5

I've used an '88 Mustang 5.0 Convertible, '85 and '97 Gran Marquis, '03 Town Car and a '96 F-150 long bed 4X2 at several different ramps. With and without the extension. Never would four wheel drive have helped. If your ramp is mud or gravel that would be a geifferent issue of course.

 

[Mike in Cape Cod]

The Hunter 23.5 came equipped with the worst trailer I have ever towed. Hunter really skimped when they picked that trailer. The boat is much too heavy for the single axle rated at 3500 lbs and most owners are towing more than 3500 lbs. when you consider the added weight of an outboard and all the boat gear combined.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The orignial trailers were painted versus galvanized. After some rather harsh words, galvanizing became standard. Mike, I will disagree with you on the trailer as it worked for many to include me and I have pulled more of that boat of mine than anyone else. Failures were due to improper maintenace most of the time regarding failure. The trailer was sound but it will depend on the tires one has on it if rated for the load capacity which is most important. I use to put brakes on mine in the beginning and later they were offered as an add on.

crazy dave condon

 

[Rick Macdonald]

I've been using first a 1991 Dodge Caravan and now a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country. No problem on the ramp.

I pull it up just until the drain is clear of the water and stop and let it drain.

To help center the boat I wrap bungie cords around the goal-post boat guides and the stern rail seats.