I'm sure this topic has been bandied around dozens of times already, so forgive me for re-visiting it again, however I need to know. I'm considering purchasing a 26D or S model and was wondering what you folks are using to tow your Mac's around. I currently have a Subaru Outback, but the max towing capacity listed in the owner's manual is 2000 pounds which I think would be insufficient for a 26' MacGregor. I've been looking at upgrading my vehicle to a 6-cylinder SUV (with 4x4 capablity) which has a listed 5000lb towing capacity. I've also talked to a few "experts" who insist I need a V-8. I would appreciate some straightforward advice based on your experience with towing and what kinds of cars/trucks you use. Also what do you estimate your final towing weight actually is when your boat is fully equipt for a day's sail? Any problems with getting stuck on a ramp? Any other advice on trailering would be appreciated as well. Thanks for the help.
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Doug Rodrigues
Go for the V-8
I tow my Mac 25 with a Toyota 4-Runner. I have to keep it in 3rd and 4th gear (higher rpm's) on the highway and hills. The fuel consumption is terrible! I used to own a GMC Pickup truck with the 454 ci engine. No problem what-so-ever. I think that I could have towed TWO boats without a problem behind that GMC!
I tow my Mac 25 with a Toyota 4-Runner. I have to keep it in 3rd and 4th gear (higher rpm's) on the highway and hills. The fuel consumption is terrible! I used to own a GMC Pickup truck with the 454 ci engine. No problem what-so-ever. I think that I could have towed TWO boats without a problem behind that GMC!
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David
pulling a mac 26D
I pull my Macgregor 26D with a Chevy Astro van with the 4.3 and standard automatic tranny. or My Chevy Blazer 4X4 with the 2.8 engine. Both do a good job ..... I can run 60 - 75 MPH on the interstates with no problems ... PS. both are high milage and still have power to spare. David
I pull my Macgregor 26D with a Chevy Astro van with the 4.3 and standard automatic tranny. or My Chevy Blazer 4X4 with the 2.8 engine. Both do a good job ..... I can run 60 - 75 MPH on the interstates with no problems ... PS. both are high milage and still have power to spare. David
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Jeff M.
4 wd is a good idea too
Something rated at 5000 lbs. towing capacity with four wheel drive is just the ticket for a Mac 26. You'll have power to spare and the four wheel drive can be really handy on a slippery launch ramp. The other thing to remember is that a larger vehicle is going to have not only a larger engine, but larger brakes as well. Getting it moving is one thing but getting it stopped is even more important!
Something rated at 5000 lbs. towing capacity with four wheel drive is just the ticket for a Mac 26. You'll have power to spare and the four wheel drive can be really handy on a slippery launch ramp. The other thing to remember is that a larger vehicle is going to have not only a larger engine, but larger brakes as well. Getting it moving is one thing but getting it stopped is even more important!
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John
BRAKES
I have to agree with Jeff, moving the load is half the battle, stopping and stability of the load is just as important. Towing a 5000# load with a vehicle rated for 5000# is asking for trouble, give yourself as large a margin as you can, make sure a trailer loaded that heavy is equiped with brakes and an anti-sway bar. Also be sure your tongue loading is correct. It only takes seconds for a seemingly small issue towing a trailer to turn into a possible ruined day, ruined boat, or worse ruined life.
I have to agree with Jeff, moving the load is half the battle, stopping and stability of the load is just as important. Towing a 5000# load with a vehicle rated for 5000# is asking for trouble, give yourself as large a margin as you can, make sure a trailer loaded that heavy is equiped with brakes and an anti-sway bar. Also be sure your tongue loading is correct. It only takes seconds for a seemingly small issue towing a trailer to turn into a possible ruined day, ruined boat, or worse ruined life.
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Jack Brunicon
6 cyl is not enough!
I use a 2002 GMC Envoy with a 4.2L six. This will pull my 26X ok on fairly flat roads in the midwest. But it will not stay in overdrive. The gas mileage really suffers in 3rd gear. I also have a little trouble with swaying at speeds over 60. I think I need that optional 2nd axle. Loading your gear in the front of the boat helps too. I think a heavier truck with a V8 would be better.
I use a 2002 GMC Envoy with a 4.2L six. This will pull my 26X ok on fairly flat roads in the midwest. But it will not stay in overdrive. The gas mileage really suffers in 3rd gear. I also have a little trouble with swaying at speeds over 60. I think I need that optional 2nd axle. Loading your gear in the front of the boat helps too. I think a heavier truck with a V8 would be better.
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73mensailed Mac26s
Here's what we use.......
How often or far were you going to tow? 500 miles every week or 30 miles twice a month. How much do you want to spend? Under 40k or more like 20k? We talked and test drove for 3 weeks before making our decision. Our purchase was the best for our plans. We've weighed ours before travel. With the trailer it was just at 3200# ready for a 4 day trip from Phoenix to San Diego. We have a 2002 loaded 6 cyl Nissan Frontier 4 door automatic w/ overdrive. P/U short bed. Towing Cap is 5000#. Milage is worse with 4WD. We also have a Goodyear torsion axle instead of the standard Mac trailer axle/spring setup. Just make sure your at the correct tounge weight, that's important. And our front end doesn't heighten much, I've seen other small trucks noses way high when towing. Never use the overdrive when towing. So the milage isn't that great but it's not terrible either. Watch your speed and you'll always save on gas. But,with our axle set up, at 75 our boat follows right straight behind, even after going over cattle guards and such. In California towing vehicles can only go 55, or 63 and still not get stopped, so the milage is much better. When towing uphill, be patient, you'll be passing the semi's but cars will be passing you. I guess it depends on how fast you want to get to the water and how much your willing to pay to to get there sooner. Our truck also has the racks and rails. Little hint here.... With the racks and rails you can climb out of the truck and into the bed and launch the boat without ever getting your feet wet. SUV's don't have that advantage, and that water is cold most of the time. See what I mean? We're very happy with it and I would consider buying another new one when I'm in the market again. It is also a lot more cost effective on a daily use basis than a fullsize.
How often or far were you going to tow? 500 miles every week or 30 miles twice a month. How much do you want to spend? Under 40k or more like 20k? We talked and test drove for 3 weeks before making our decision. Our purchase was the best for our plans. We've weighed ours before travel. With the trailer it was just at 3200# ready for a 4 day trip from Phoenix to San Diego. We have a 2002 loaded 6 cyl Nissan Frontier 4 door automatic w/ overdrive. P/U short bed. Towing Cap is 5000#. Milage is worse with 4WD. We also have a Goodyear torsion axle instead of the standard Mac trailer axle/spring setup. Just make sure your at the correct tounge weight, that's important. And our front end doesn't heighten much, I've seen other small trucks noses way high when towing. Never use the overdrive when towing. So the milage isn't that great but it's not terrible either. Watch your speed and you'll always save on gas. But,with our axle set up, at 75 our boat follows right straight behind, even after going over cattle guards and such. In California towing vehicles can only go 55, or 63 and still not get stopped, so the milage is much better. When towing uphill, be patient, you'll be passing the semi's but cars will be passing you. I guess it depends on how fast you want to get to the water and how much your willing to pay to to get there sooner. Our truck also has the racks and rails. Little hint here.... With the racks and rails you can climb out of the truck and into the bed and launch the boat without ever getting your feet wet. SUV's don't have that advantage, and that water is cold most of the time. See what I mean? We're very happy with it and I would consider buying another new one when I'm in the market again. It is also a lot more cost effective on a daily use basis than a fullsize.
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Dan McGuire
Agree with 73men,etc
There is no need to supersize the tow vehicle. You pay for the excess capacity every day. In general there is also no need for a 4WD. I have never had a problem getting up a loading ramp. In the unlikely event I did have a problem, I am confident I can find someone to give me an assist. By the way I lived for eleven years at almost 9000 feet in the Colorado mountains with an annual snowfall of over 100 inches. I drove down to Denver to work. Never needed a 4WD. Never ran off the road and never got stuck.
There is no need to supersize the tow vehicle. You pay for the excess capacity every day. In general there is also no need for a 4WD. I have never had a problem getting up a loading ramp. In the unlikely event I did have a problem, I am confident I can find someone to give me an assist. By the way I lived for eleven years at almost 9000 feet in the Colorado mountains with an annual snowfall of over 100 inches. I drove down to Denver to work. Never needed a 4WD. Never ran off the road and never got stuck.
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Don
Brakes Brakes Brakes!!
I agree with John. Brakes are everything. I routinly pull 14,000 lbs (not my boat)with a Cummins Diesel for a total gvw of 25,000 lbs. It will pull at 75 mph but the stopping distance is the critical issue. My advice- no matter what tow vehicle you get, keep the brakes on both the trailer and vechicle in top condition. Get rid of the surge brakes and replace them with electric brakes (just remember to disconnect them when launching or retreiving) The most dangerous part of sailing is the trip to the lake. Good luck.
I agree with John. Brakes are everything. I routinly pull 14,000 lbs (not my boat)with a Cummins Diesel for a total gvw of 25,000 lbs. It will pull at 75 mph but the stopping distance is the critical issue. My advice- no matter what tow vehicle you get, keep the brakes on both the trailer and vechicle in top condition. Get rid of the surge brakes and replace them with electric brakes (just remember to disconnect them when launching or retreiving) The most dangerous part of sailing is the trip to the lake. Good luck.
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Doug Rodrigues
What's wrong with surge brakes?
Mine work great! I even had to make a panic stop once while towing the boat. Total control.
Mine work great! I even had to make a panic stop once while towing the boat. Total control.
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Brian M
What's wrong with surge brakes
Surge brakes are reactionary and they still push against the tow vehicle. Electric brakes start to apply at the same time and (if properly adjusted) with the same pressure as the tow vehicle brakes. The trailer is then not putting added momentum agaist the tow vehicle The tow vehicle and trailer act as one unit. Much safer. Also proven to prevent jack knifes. Surge brakes are notorious for jack knifes Brian M.
Surge brakes are reactionary and they still push against the tow vehicle. Electric brakes start to apply at the same time and (if properly adjusted) with the same pressure as the tow vehicle brakes. The trailer is then not putting added momentum agaist the tow vehicle The tow vehicle and trailer act as one unit. Much safer. Also proven to prevent jack knifes. Surge brakes are notorious for jack knifes Brian M.
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Kelly C.
'98 Trooper
Thank you all for your responses to my tow vehicle question. I bought a '98 Isuzu Trooper. I needed to find what I felt was the best compromise between towing capability and daily commute utility. I like the Trooper because I'm over 6'tall and it has lots of leg room. from what I've gathered the Trooper ought to function quite well as a tow vehicle.
Thank you all for your responses to my tow vehicle question. I bought a '98 Isuzu Trooper. I needed to find what I felt was the best compromise between towing capability and daily commute utility. I like the Trooper because I'm over 6'tall and it has lots of leg room. from what I've gathered the Trooper ought to function quite well as a tow vehicle.
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rzxtc
Trooper
Yes, the Trooper should do nicely. We use a 91 Mitsubishi Montero (very similar to the Trooper) for our M25 and it has worked well.
Yes, the Trooper should do nicely. We use a 91 Mitsubishi Montero (very similar to the Trooper) for our M25 and it has worked well.
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