Towing a H22

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dan cervenka

What type of vehicle do you need to tow a H-22??? I own a Jeep Cherokee and have towed my 18' Blue Wave many miles with it. Not real easy, but possible. A H-22, according to specs, weighs 3500 lbs. I assume the weight of the trailer is not included. This boat is a taller and longer than my Blue Wave and is a little intimidating. Assistance is appreciated!
 
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Mike Collins

Towing

I have a 23.5 which supposedly weighs 3000 lbs, with 1000 lbs of that the water ballast. I'm guessing my trailer weighs about 750 lbs. I use a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder to pull the boat, and I don't have any problem over the road, with the ballast drained, of course. I also don't have any problem pulling it up the ramp when the water ballast is still on board. The important issues are the towing capacity of your vehicle (should be in the mfr's manual) and the condition of the trailer, etc. Don't know if this helps, as I believe the h22 doesn't use the water ballast. Mike Collins Yacht C
 
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Rick Macdonald

My 23.5 towing weight

When I bought my 1995H23.5 18 months ago I towed it over the Rockies from Vancouver to Calgary. I lost a bearing in the middle of the mountains. Could have lost the boat, the rental truck and my life. After replacing the entire axle I drove over a weigh scale. Pretty well empty, with a battery but no outboard, the rear axle alone weighed 3300 pounds. I've towed it on 3 one-way trips of about 100 miles, with a 91 Dodge Caravan with 3.3L engine. I added a transmission cooler. It's too much for the van according to the manual but the 100 miles of highway is dead flat except for three dips through creek ravines. I can pull it out of the water with the ballast full. If I ever haul it over the mountains again I'd have to rent another truck. That's if I trusted the trailer...
 
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Travis

What motor is in your Jeep

I own a 1982 Hunter 22 and tow it with 2002 4.7 Liter V8 Dodge 1500 (Jeep company) and there are a few things you need to think about. First, does your Jeep have a 4 or 6 cylinder and how many miles does it have? Do you plan on towing this boat long distances or just from your yard to the ramp? The Hunter 22's do not use water ballast but still weigh about 3300 lbs. Remeber, this is a dry weight. Any jackets, fuel, motors, extra gear, and the weight of the trailer (magic tilts are around 500 lbs) will be added onto this weight. If you own a newer model V6 you shouldn't have any problems because these models usualy tow about 6000lbs (check your manual). Just make sure you attach a reciever and hitch that is rated for the weight of your boat (always go one weight class up on hitches for safety) and make sure your safety chains are in good shape and your trailer bearings are greased.
 
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Brian

Towing H26

This isn't exactly on topic but is similar. I have a Jeep Liberty with the V6 which is a about 25 hp more than the V6 in the Cherokee if I remember correctly. (215 vs 190) The Liberty is also about 800 lbs heavier. I have an H26 water ballast which weighs about 4,500 lbs on the trailer from what I have read. I pulled this from Pensacola Fl to Michigan (1,000 miles) and several shorter trips. The engine has plenty of power even in the mountains (which are smaller than the ones on the west cost)and never required more than 2/3 throttle to maintain 55 or better. I can merge well onto the freeway although uphill merges tend to be a little slower. The biggest thing that I notice is the weight and windage of the trailer vs the vehicle. On smooth roads I can run 70 mph but if the pavement is uneven that speed has to be dropped to minimize sway and/or hobby horsing. Fuel economy is about 9 mpg at 60 vs about 7.5 at 70. I tend to run about 65 under normal conditions and follow whatever the signs recommend for the semi trucks to do (use a particular lane etc). I have found that to be especially helpful in construction zones where pavement can be uneven. Passing or being passed by semi trucks can induce sway from the windage which takes some getting used to. It was unnerving the first few times (I was doing 50 vs 70 for the trucks) but I have found that it is less noticable when the vehicle speeds are similar. Check your tire pressures on the tow vehicle yourself. Don't rely on the oil change places to get it right because they often underinflate. It took me a few hundred miles to really get used to pulling the trailer at freeway speeds so initially I was driving 50 but that gradually increased to about 70. Driving without a trailer I can easily drive 24 hrs straight but towing the boat I have to cut that about in half because it does require more effort and more attention.
 
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Brian

Towing H26

This isn't exactly on topic but is similar. I have a Jeep Liberty with the V6 which is a about 25 hp more than the V6 in the Cherokee if I remember correctly. (215 vs 190) The Liberty is also about 800 lbs heavier. I have an H26 water ballast which weighs about 4,500 lbs on the trailer from what I have read. I pulled this from Pensacola Fl to Michigan (1,000 miles) and several shorter trips. The engine has plenty of power even in the mountains (which are smaller than the ones on the west cost)and never required more than 2/3 throttle to maintain 55 or better. I can merge well onto the freeway although uphill merges tend to be a little slower. The biggest thing that I notice is the weight and windage of the trailer vs the vehicle. On smooth roads I can run 70 mph but if the pavement is uneven that speed has to be dropped to minimize sway and/or hobby horsing. Fuel economy is about 9 mpg at 60 vs about 7.5 at 70. I tend to run about 65 under normal conditions and follow whatever the signs recommend for the semi trucks to do (use a particular lane etc). I have found that to be especially helpful in construction zones where pavement can be uneven. Passing or being passed by semi trucks can induce sway from the windage which takes some getting used to. It was unnerving the first few times (I was doing 50 vs 70 for the trucks) but I have found that it is less noticable when the vehicle speeds are similar. Check your tire pressures on the tow vehicle yourself. Don't rely on the oil change places to get it right because they often underinflate. It took me a few hundred miles to really get used to pulling the trailer at freeway speeds so initially I was driving 50 but that gradually increased to about 70. Driving without a trailer I can easily drive 24 hrs straight but towing the boat I have to cut that about in half because it does require more effort and more attention.
 
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Johnny

Took all mine to Scales

Every time I owned a Trailer Sailor I allways went to the State Line and asked the attendants if I could weigh me boat, at thier liesure. Even better one I found is take it to the Dump, (most dumps have scales now-a-days), put 2 bags of yard trash in it, (leaves or something), run it over the scales, dump your 'trash' and weigh out, you get a reciept on Totall weight in and out. My Hun-22 is 3700, trailer is 800. Figures rounded Upward for saftey. Look at your Car Owners Manual or on the VDT, (Vehicle Description Tag) on the inside of Drivers Door usually, and find out the Max Towing specs for that make/model. My Ford Ranger was to little to tow her, so I am looking at a 1972 F-100 , 300ci 6cyl, cause it can handle the Hun-22 [with ease]plus other larger stuff. Buddy of mine just bought a 03 GMC SL (lil truck) Vortek Motor, lotsa fancy looks and stuff, but it says in owners Manual that Towing Cap for that truck is 3500lbs. I personally would not wanna risk any Insurance stuff for the Just in Case it happens, so match the Towing Vehicle to the Totall Loaded Trailer weight. Just my opinion, but it makes sence, and will certainly save you $ in the repairs not needed. Johnny p.s. Any one know where a cheap old F-100 is? =)
 
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