Does anybody tow their 23.5 with anything other than an SUV. I tow mine with a Jeep but would love to change to a few years old sedan or wagon - any thoughts? We keep it at the marina so only go in/out of the water. Thanks eamon
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Ken Koons
Small pickup
I used to tow my 240 with a 3.0 liter Ranger. No problem in and out of the water with the trailer tongue extended. I put heavy duty shocks on the rear end for eliminating the "squish" down of the tongue weight on the back end. I've upgraded trucks since then.
I used to tow my 240 with a 3.0 liter Ranger. No problem in and out of the water with the trailer tongue extended. I put heavy duty shocks on the rear end for eliminating the "squish" down of the tongue weight on the back end. I've upgraded trucks since then.
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Mike Collins
23.5 towing
I tow my 23.5 with a Nissan Pathfinder (not quite a monster SUV). I live near a lake and it goes in in the spring and out in the fall (late fall). It has no problem at all on the ramp, even with low water and water in the ballast tank. About 2000 lbs for the boat, 1000 lbs of water and about 700 lbs of trailer. Of course, everyone is impressed with the amount water that "leaks" out on the ramp when we come out and open the ballast tank. Get all kinds of interesting questions. Mike Collins Yacht "C"
I tow my 23.5 with a Nissan Pathfinder (not quite a monster SUV). I live near a lake and it goes in in the spring and out in the fall (late fall). It has no problem at all on the ramp, even with low water and water in the ballast tank. About 2000 lbs for the boat, 1000 lbs of water and about 700 lbs of trailer. Of course, everyone is impressed with the amount water that "leaks" out on the ramp when we come out and open the ballast tank. Get all kinds of interesting questions. Mike Collins Yacht "C"
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Steven Gautney
Nope . . .Only an SUV
We tow our 23.5 with either a 4.7liter Jeep or a Ford Expedition. The Expedition is four wheel drive and a bit too bouncy . . .but for 500 to 600 mile trips you can't beat the room. . .I saw a guy pulling and launching his J/22 with a Crown Victoria last weekend . . .he didn't seem to have a problem.
We tow our 23.5 with either a 4.7liter Jeep or a Ford Expedition. The Expedition is four wheel drive and a bit too bouncy . . .but for 500 to 600 mile trips you can't beat the room. . .I saw a guy pulling and launching his J/22 with a Crown Victoria last weekend . . .he didn't seem to have a problem.
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nick
Volvo Wagon
I tow an older H19 (1982) with a 1987 volvo 240 wagon. This car stock is rated to tow 3200LBS. I think newer volvos are close to that as well. Check to make sure. I wouldn't say the car has loads of power, but holds its own. It pulls hills.
I tow an older H19 (1982) with a 1987 volvo 240 wagon. This car stock is rated to tow 3200LBS. I think newer volvos are close to that as well. Check to make sure. I wouldn't say the car has loads of power, but holds its own. It pulls hills.
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Frank Ladd
1990 Chevy Caprice
It has the small 5 liter engine, but it still tows fine. I do notice the trailer over bumps and at statrs to sway a little more lower speeds than the van does. I get close to 15 mpg towing with the caprice. With the van I rarely notice any sway under 75 MPH unless I have loaded the boat with a very light tonge weight. The van pulls the boat beeter than any SUV or truck I have used. I think this is because it is longer and heavier than most anything out their. I get 7 to 10 MPG in the van depending on traffic. I think the 7.5 liter engine and the low geared three speed tranmission contribute to the poor mileage. Since the van is so tall it has tons of ground clearance. this has helped me launch in shallow ramps. Often I can back the van down the ramp until the front tires are in the water and launch when others cannot. If I tried that stunt with the caprice, the entire trunk and exhaust system would be submerged. If shallow ramp launching were not an issue I'd sell the van and the caprice and get a older general motors station wagon with rear wheel drive or a chevy atsro van with the 4.3 liter engine.
It has the small 5 liter engine, but it still tows fine. I do notice the trailer over bumps and at statrs to sway a little more lower speeds than the van does. I get close to 15 mpg towing with the caprice. With the van I rarely notice any sway under 75 MPH unless I have loaded the boat with a very light tonge weight. The van pulls the boat beeter than any SUV or truck I have used. I think this is because it is longer and heavier than most anything out their. I get 7 to 10 MPG in the van depending on traffic. I think the 7.5 liter engine and the low geared three speed tranmission contribute to the poor mileage. Since the van is so tall it has tons of ground clearance. this has helped me launch in shallow ramps. Often I can back the van down the ramp until the front tires are in the water and launch when others cannot. If I tried that stunt with the caprice, the entire trunk and exhaust system would be submerged. If shallow ramp launching were not an issue I'd sell the van and the caprice and get a older general motors station wagon with rear wheel drive or a chevy atsro van with the 4.3 liter engine.
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Rick Webb
Gran Marquis
I tow mine with a 98 Gran Marquis and previously with an 85 Gran Marquis. They both handled the boat just fine. One of the station wagons, Caprice, Roadmaster, or Crown Vic would be ideal alternative to a van or truck.
I tow mine with a 98 Gran Marquis and previously with an 85 Gran Marquis. They both handled the boat just fine. One of the station wagons, Caprice, Roadmaster, or Crown Vic would be ideal alternative to a van or truck.
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Eamon
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Joe R. Chicago-Hammond
6 cyl Taurus
I tow my H240 with a 93 Taurus. It's over maxed and you certaily know that you are pulling something. (especially up a hill) But it is do-able. I've towed it 150mi one way 6 or 8 times. I have a RV trans cooler and have had no problems with the trany (5 seasons now). I did have to replace rear supports (popped their welds). The last 3 years I only tow to and from winter storage. Joe R.
I tow my H240 with a 93 Taurus. It's over maxed and you certaily know that you are pulling something. (especially up a hill) But it is do-able. I've towed it 150mi one way 6 or 8 times. I have a RV trans cooler and have had no problems with the trany (5 seasons now). I did have to replace rear supports (popped their welds). The last 3 years I only tow to and from winter storage. Joe R.
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Ghery Pettit
23.5 Towing
We had a 3/4 ton Dodge van with the 308 ci V8 when we bought ours. It handled it quite well. Also pulled it behind a 22 foot Winnebago with a 360 V8 in it. Not so much fun. The van was replaced by a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 liter I-6 engine. Since getting the Jeep (5 years ago) I've towed the boat once - storage lot to the launching ramp and it's been in the water since. 3,000 pound of boat and trailer (ballast tanks empty) plus miscellaneous junk in the boat. You can't find a typical passenger car that can handle that load anymore, so the three serious options to replace the van were: 1. Another van. No go, wife didn't want another one (it was her daily driver). 2. Pick-up truck. No go, wife didn't want one. 3. SUV. She likes her Jeep. It's smaller than the van and is much more comfortable. BTW, it's "her" Jeep. I drive a 1999 Wrangler and wouldn't dream of towing the boat with it. The boat would take control in an emergency and we'd have a royal mess. Look seriously at something rated for at least 5,000 pounds towing capacity. That way you have some margin to work with and you're not beating the tow vehicle to death. Plus, you know you'll have more than 3,000 pounds hanging off the hitch, anyway. Good luck and have fun. Ghery Pettit Hunter 23.5, Cougar Pride
We had a 3/4 ton Dodge van with the 308 ci V8 when we bought ours. It handled it quite well. Also pulled it behind a 22 foot Winnebago with a 360 V8 in it. Not so much fun. The van was replaced by a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 liter I-6 engine. Since getting the Jeep (5 years ago) I've towed the boat once - storage lot to the launching ramp and it's been in the water since. 3,000 pound of boat and trailer (ballast tanks empty) plus miscellaneous junk in the boat. You can't find a typical passenger car that can handle that load anymore, so the three serious options to replace the van were: 1. Another van. No go, wife didn't want another one (it was her daily driver). 2. Pick-up truck. No go, wife didn't want one. 3. SUV. She likes her Jeep. It's smaller than the van and is much more comfortable. BTW, it's "her" Jeep. I drive a 1999 Wrangler and wouldn't dream of towing the boat with it. The boat would take control in an emergency and we'd have a royal mess. Look seriously at something rated for at least 5,000 pounds towing capacity. That way you have some margin to work with and you're not beating the tow vehicle to death. Plus, you know you'll have more than 3,000 pounds hanging off the hitch, anyway. Good luck and have fun. Ghery Pettit Hunter 23.5, Cougar Pride
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Mike
Small V8 Durango
I tow my 23.5 with a dodge Duango with the small V8. Don't think I would want to use anything not designed for pulling loads like the 23.5. I tow regularly to the Chesepeke in Maryland from southeastern Pa. and go up and down some pretty steep hills along the way. I bbbought the boat in NC. and towed it for the first time bringing it home tp Pa. Mike S/V Sail La Vie
I tow my 23.5 with a dodge Duango with the small V8. Don't think I would want to use anything not designed for pulling loads like the 23.5. I tow regularly to the Chesepeke in Maryland from southeastern Pa. and go up and down some pretty steep hills along the way. I bbbought the boat in NC. and towed it for the first time bringing it home tp Pa. Mike S/V Sail La Vie
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