Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that an automatic transmission should not be put in drive/overdrive when towing, because it could be damaged. Instead, they say you should put the transmission in the next highest gear (usually "3") to prevent the torque converter from locking up. From personal experience, this limits highway speed to about 60 mph. Also, because the transmission will be turning at higher revs, they also recommend adding a transmission cooler to prevent the fluid from overheating and breaking down. That's all well and good, but every day I see literally hundreds of vans and pickups hauling all kinds of trailers (including large powerboats) on the highways at 70 mph+. I know they're in top gear and I doubt they all have transmission coolers. I'm planning to start trailering long distances pretty soon (H23 Nationals next year?) and I'm curious as to what the deal really is. For the record, my trailer is about 2800 lb fully loaded and my tow vehicle is a Chevy Tahoe. Any comments? Peter H23 "Raven"
Towing a trailer long distances
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Crazy Dave Condon
Peter
Your trailer is it a KWS or Kens Welding. IF so, replace the bearings with Timken bearings, add buddy bearings and check your fenders for attachment. If you have brakes on the trailer, make sure the resivoir is full and brakes work. If you do not have brakes, please go slow as the boat will have a tendancy to sway as the center of gravity is high with the way the boat sits on the trailer. YOu many want to consider anti sway bars on your vehichle for the wing keel 23. As for the tow vehicle, get the largest radiator, extra transmission cooler and heavy duty shocks along with a damn good hitch. I hope this helps you. I learned alot towing the 23. Crazy Dave Condon
Your trailer is it a KWS or Kens Welding. IF so, replace the bearings with Timken bearings, add buddy bearings and check your fenders for attachment. If you have brakes on the trailer, make sure the resivoir is full and brakes work. If you do not have brakes, please go slow as the boat will have a tendancy to sway as the center of gravity is high with the way the boat sits on the trailer. YOu many want to consider anti sway bars on your vehichle for the wing keel 23. As for the tow vehicle, get the largest radiator, extra transmission cooler and heavy duty shocks along with a damn good hitch. I hope this helps you. I learned alot towing the 23. Crazy Dave Condon
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John C. Baumgartner
build- up tow vehicle
I tow a 260 all over the east coast, using a 69 chevy c-10 that I built just to tow the Hunter, I agree with the trans cooler, in fact I put an additional 2 large trans coolers in addition to a heavy duty 4 core radiator. I modified a TH 350 trans with a shift kit and a steel main shaft, with heavy duty clutches. The engine started life as a 4-bolt 350 now after boring and stroking it pulls the boat at about 60 in top gear at 2450 RPMs, the rear end is a 4-11 posi-traction, the kicker is I get about 6-8 miles a gal on high test gas.The brakes were drum all around, I modified the front to disks... less fade... ok so I MIGHT have gone a little overboard but what the heck....... So far I haven't had any problems... knock on wood..... John Baums Rush PS make sure you tie down the rudder to one side, thanks Dave, I put SS disk brakes on both axles on the trailer.... that works great
I tow a 260 all over the east coast, using a 69 chevy c-10 that I built just to tow the Hunter, I agree with the trans cooler, in fact I put an additional 2 large trans coolers in addition to a heavy duty 4 core radiator. I modified a TH 350 trans with a shift kit and a steel main shaft, with heavy duty clutches. The engine started life as a 4-bolt 350 now after boring and stroking it pulls the boat at about 60 in top gear at 2450 RPMs, the rear end is a 4-11 posi-traction, the kicker is I get about 6-8 miles a gal on high test gas.The brakes were drum all around, I modified the front to disks... less fade... ok so I MIGHT have gone a little overboard but what the heck....... So far I haven't had any problems... knock on wood..... John Baums Rush PS make sure you tie down the rudder to one side, thanks Dave, I put SS disk brakes on both axles on the trailer.... that works great
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Ken Koons
Question for Crazy Dave?
Crazy Dave, Speaking of brakes and trailers. This spring I broke my surge brake line on the trailer of my 98 240 (extended the trailer tongue without unplugging/releasing extra line.....ooops)After much searching and trouble my local Hunter dealer was able to find me a replacement line. I installed the new line (26 ft of it) and bled the brakes by pumping the surge head in and out by hand. After it looked like everything was bled OK I topped off the reservoir and hooked up the system. The brake system now leaks at the connection point between the brake line and the head. I guess I need to replace the piece between the brake head and the snap in female connector. Are those pieces easily available for order? I now have a bigger truck so I don't have to extend the tongue to launch and retrieve, so I won't make this mistake again.
Crazy Dave, Speaking of brakes and trailers. This spring I broke my surge brake line on the trailer of my 98 240 (extended the trailer tongue without unplugging/releasing extra line.....ooops)After much searching and trouble my local Hunter dealer was able to find me a replacement line. I installed the new line (26 ft of it) and bled the brakes by pumping the surge head in and out by hand. After it looked like everything was bled OK I topped off the reservoir and hooked up the system. The brake system now leaks at the connection point between the brake line and the head. I guess I need to replace the piece between the brake head and the snap in female connector. Are those pieces easily available for order? I now have a bigger truck so I don't have to extend the tongue to launch and retrieve, so I won't make this mistake again.
Dave & John
Thanks for the quick response. Here's some more info: The trailer is a MagicTilt with a single axle and no brakes. The tires are new 15-inch, load range D cross-ply tires (not radials) and the wheel bearings are new with bearing buddies. I grease them religiously (the gun stays in the truck along with a spare hub assembly). The full-size spare is mounted on the front post of the trailer. The rudder assembly and outboard ride either in the tow vehicle or the forepeak of the boat. There is plenty of weight on the trailer tongue. The Tahoe is 2 dr, 4WD, 5.7L V8 with a Class V hitch that's rated to 7,000 lb with 850 lb max on the tongue and it pulls like a champ. The steepest hills I have to deal with are highway overpasses. I've had the rig up to 70 mph with no sway whatsoever. However, if the boat is even 3" back from where it should be on the trailer, things get squirrely. The longest trip I've done so far was about 60 miles, but there are places farther away that I'd really like to check out. Peter H23 "Raven"
Thanks for the quick response. Here's some more info: The trailer is a MagicTilt with a single axle and no brakes. The tires are new 15-inch, load range D cross-ply tires (not radials) and the wheel bearings are new with bearing buddies. I grease them religiously (the gun stays in the truck along with a spare hub assembly). The full-size spare is mounted on the front post of the trailer. The rudder assembly and outboard ride either in the tow vehicle or the forepeak of the boat. There is plenty of weight on the trailer tongue. The Tahoe is 2 dr, 4WD, 5.7L V8 with a Class V hitch that's rated to 7,000 lb with 850 lb max on the tongue and it pulls like a champ. The steepest hills I have to deal with are highway overpasses. I've had the rig up to 70 mph with no sway whatsoever. However, if the boat is even 3" back from where it should be on the trailer, things get squirrely. The longest trip I've done so far was about 60 miles, but there are places farther away that I'd really like to check out. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Ken Koons
Peter response
Peter, I don't think you'll have any problem towing with your Tahoe. If it doesn't have a transmission cooler I'd add one. I think the recomendation to not use overdrive is due to the upshifting and downshifting from 3rd to 4th gear pulling weight if you're running over hilly ground. I think if the transmission isn't shifting in and out much then High gear is OK. I used to tow my 240 with a 3.0 liter Ranger. I put heavier shocks on the back end and I could do 70 easy. She did shift into second gear going up a long grade between home base and a reservoir an hour away. You shouldn't have any problem with your Tahoe. I just upgraded my truck to a Chevy Silverado with a tow package and the 5.3 liter so I could reach more distant waters. We towed from Indy to Lake Michigan over the fourth of July. The Silverado has a Tow/Haul mode which lengthens the shifts in the low gears for better acceleration and then keeps it out of overdrive.
Peter, I don't think you'll have any problem towing with your Tahoe. If it doesn't have a transmission cooler I'd add one. I think the recomendation to not use overdrive is due to the upshifting and downshifting from 3rd to 4th gear pulling weight if you're running over hilly ground. I think if the transmission isn't shifting in and out much then High gear is OK. I used to tow my 240 with a 3.0 liter Ranger. I put heavier shocks on the back end and I could do 70 easy. She did shift into second gear going up a long grade between home base and a reservoir an hour away. You shouldn't have any problem with your Tahoe. I just upgraded my truck to a Chevy Silverado with a tow package and the 5.3 liter so I could reach more distant waters. We towed from Indy to Lake Michigan over the fourth of July. The Silverado has a Tow/Haul mode which lengthens the shifts in the low gears for better acceleration and then keeps it out of overdrive.
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Mark Major
Towing wrong--distance
Peter, mine is a KW trailer I've towed with my 2000 GMC with towhaul features, and your truck should do fine. It's my (lack of) trailering skill that scares me. I've done it all wrong in that I've gone to and from the Keys without a spare hub or tire. My left wheel passed me in Miami on the Fla Turnpike at 70mph when the hub gave up. After 2 new hubs and tires (Carlisle "C" rated bias ply-"D" would be better) I confidently made another Keys trip (without fenders/got ticket) and various coastal trips, and then to Pensacola, still sans spare. I went shopping when I shredded my left tire on I-10 (70mph, in rain, semi alongside); got tire and spare wheel/tire. I'm qualified to say the trailer tracks well with only the right tire. SO, let this be a notice to trailer mariners: when in Florida you see a 23 Hunter with tire marks on it's bottom behind an indigo GMC, keep your distance, and you will not see me go over 60mph. I'm still learning.
Peter, mine is a KW trailer I've towed with my 2000 GMC with towhaul features, and your truck should do fine. It's my (lack of) trailering skill that scares me. I've done it all wrong in that I've gone to and from the Keys without a spare hub or tire. My left wheel passed me in Miami on the Fla Turnpike at 70mph when the hub gave up. After 2 new hubs and tires (Carlisle "C" rated bias ply-"D" would be better) I confidently made another Keys trip (without fenders/got ticket) and various coastal trips, and then to Pensacola, still sans spare. I went shopping when I shredded my left tire on I-10 (70mph, in rain, semi alongside); got tire and spare wheel/tire. I'm qualified to say the trailer tracks well with only the right tire. SO, let this be a notice to trailer mariners: when in Florida you see a 23 Hunter with tire marks on it's bottom behind an indigo GMC, keep your distance, and you will not see me go over 60mph. I'm still learning.
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Michael Bell
2700 lbs shouldn't be a problem
Having said that... A transmission cooler couldn't hurt. I burnt the trany out of my Ford Aerostar hauling home my H26 when new - but that was probabily in the 4500 to 5000 lb range. Bought a Dodge Ram PU, and glad I did. Have hit just shy of 7000 lbs when loaded for a month of cruising. But a H23 set up for racing - think a Tahoe could handle that.
Having said that... A transmission cooler couldn't hurt. I burnt the trany out of my Ford Aerostar hauling home my H26 when new - but that was probabily in the 4500 to 5000 lb range. Bought a Dodge Ram PU, and glad I did. Have hit just shy of 7000 lbs when loaded for a month of cruising. But a H23 set up for racing - think a Tahoe could handle that.
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Crazy Dave Condon
responses
Peter, you should be fine. Ken, I bet you are talking about the fittings,and if so, go to an auto parts place or trailer shop and you might try u haul too. If all else fails, call Sammy at Magic Tilt 727-535-5561 If pulling with a KWS or Kens Welding trailer without brakes, do not go over 55 and if it starts to go squirrley, first accelerate to pull the squirrley out and then brake slowly. BYE BYe Crazy DAVIE condon ew[nu0-f9fun[ou nAOU[
Peter, you should be fine. Ken, I bet you are talking about the fittings,and if so, go to an auto parts place or trailer shop and you might try u haul too. If all else fails, call Sammy at Magic Tilt 727-535-5561 If pulling with a KWS or Kens Welding trailer without brakes, do not go over 55 and if it starts to go squirrley, first accelerate to pull the squirrley out and then brake slowly. BYE BYe Crazy DAVIE condon ew[nu0-f9fun[ou nAOU[
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Mark Price
H23 towing tips
Peter, I bought my H23 in VA drove it to Ohio, then took it to KY Lake and back approx., 1200 miles. I have a KWS trailer with no brakes. The boat trailers just fine at 70MPH but I do 60-63 just to be safe. My truck is a Chevy 2500 HD with tow package. Just like others have said go as fast as you are comfortable with and when in dought slow down slowly, ALWAYS carry a spare tire or two and if you think you should change it soon, do it NOW. With the boat as for forward as you can get it she will track great. Hope to see you at the Nationals next year Mark Price S/V Wendy Lee Hunter 23
Peter, I bought my H23 in VA drove it to Ohio, then took it to KY Lake and back approx., 1200 miles. I have a KWS trailer with no brakes. The boat trailers just fine at 70MPH but I do 60-63 just to be safe. My truck is a Chevy 2500 HD with tow package. Just like others have said go as fast as you are comfortable with and when in dought slow down slowly, ALWAYS carry a spare tire or two and if you think you should change it soon, do it NOW. With the boat as for forward as you can get it she will track great. Hope to see you at the Nationals next year Mark Price S/V Wendy Lee Hunter 23
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Ken Shubert
Lighten Up
I move everything that's practical up to my pickup to remove weight from the trailer. That includes OB Motor, fresh water, extra fuel, and coolers but I haven't gone so far as to move the anchors and battery but it wouldn't hurt. Since I don't have brakes, I'd like a heavy vehicle and lighter trailer for stopping. Without any extra fluid coolers, I just watch the heat guage and slow down if it starts to climb. If you don't have a 'real' heat guage, it would be a very good idea to install one. Ken S/V WouffHong
I move everything that's practical up to my pickup to remove weight from the trailer. That includes OB Motor, fresh water, extra fuel, and coolers but I haven't gone so far as to move the anchors and battery but it wouldn't hurt. Since I don't have brakes, I'd like a heavy vehicle and lighter trailer for stopping. Without any extra fluid coolers, I just watch the heat guage and slow down if it starts to climb. If you don't have a 'real' heat guage, it would be a very good idea to install one. Ken S/V WouffHong
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Calvin
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Calvin
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