Considering a Hunter 260 WB as I need a very shallow draft boat - the bonus is the ability to trailer it around - something I've not done. Given this, anyone have any words of wisdom regarding the "best" vehicle for this boat? Also, basic question, but what is the combined boat/trailer weight and the weight on the tung of this combo? Happy holidays and fair winds!
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My vehicle
I had a Catalina 250WB which I pulled with a Dodge RAM 318V8. The truck was marginal for that boat and when I got my 260, I moved up to a Chev Silverado 322 V8 with 285 HP. It does the job admirably. One thing that I plan to add is adjustable heavy duty shock absorbers on the rear. The truck gets pulled and bounced around pretty good on bumpy roads. I do not know what the tongue weight is.
I had a Catalina 250WB which I pulled with a Dodge RAM 318V8. The truck was marginal for that boat and when I got my 260, I moved up to a Chev Silverado 322 V8 with 285 HP. It does the job admirably. One thing that I plan to add is adjustable heavy duty shock absorbers on the rear. The truck gets pulled and bounced around pretty good on bumpy roads. I do not know what the tongue weight is.
Towing H260
These are the kind of numbers you need to consider when selecting a tow vehicle. The certified boat/trailer weight on my 2002 H260 is 5740 lbs. This includes 20 gal of water. Tongue weight is exactly 600 lbs. My tow vehicle is a 2002 E-150 Ford Van with 5.4ltr V-8, with factory trailer package. The vehicle weighs 5720 lbs. Max towing capacity is 6800 lbs. The most important number, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), for my vehicle is 12,000lbs for 3.55 axle ratio and 13,000 for 3.73 axle. That means that I'm within Ford's recommendations but not by much. Load up the van and trailer with "STUFF" and I'm overweight. The E-350 would have given me a little more GCWR but it would have been a couple of inches to tall to fit in my garage. If you just plan on going back and forth to the ramp a couple of times a year you can go with less vehicle, but serious towing needs a serious truck. You know the trailer is there every minute - especially on bumpy roads. I'm buying a Equalizer hitch to help with that. Buy your vehicle from a guy that understands what it takes to properly tow a 6000 lb trailer.
These are the kind of numbers you need to consider when selecting a tow vehicle. The certified boat/trailer weight on my 2002 H260 is 5740 lbs. This includes 20 gal of water. Tongue weight is exactly 600 lbs. My tow vehicle is a 2002 E-150 Ford Van with 5.4ltr V-8, with factory trailer package. The vehicle weighs 5720 lbs. Max towing capacity is 6800 lbs. The most important number, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), for my vehicle is 12,000lbs for 3.55 axle ratio and 13,000 for 3.73 axle. That means that I'm within Ford's recommendations but not by much. Load up the van and trailer with "STUFF" and I'm overweight. The E-350 would have given me a little more GCWR but it would have been a couple of inches to tall to fit in my garage. If you just plan on going back and forth to the ramp a couple of times a year you can go with less vehicle, but serious towing needs a serious truck. You know the trailer is there every minute - especially on bumpy roads. I'm buying a Equalizer hitch to help with that. Buy your vehicle from a guy that understands what it takes to properly tow a 6000 lb trailer.
Equalizer Hitch& Air bags
I don't tow any more but when I did a equalizer hitch plus air bags made a big difference with the way the truck handles on the road even with the proper size vehicle. nick
I don't tow any more but when I did a equalizer hitch plus air bags made a big difference with the way the truck handles on the road even with the proper size vehicle. nick
I have a Jeep Liberty to tow mine
I've logged thousands of miles towing my H26 with my V-6 Jeep Liberty. This includes a run between Michigan and Florida through the mountains. I have the factory tow package and the vehicle has plenty of power to pull even in the mountains. The temp gauges do not move noticably from their normal position even towing up long grades at 60 mph. The previous posts are definately correct about feeling the boat behind you. Windage is probably the most noticable thing unless the roads are rough or uneven. In that case you my have to slow down. On good roads I can run 70 and get about 7.5 mpg. On rougher roads 55 or 60 might be more like it. If the roads are very uneven you might have to slow down more. Normally I tow about 60 or 65 because I get about 9 mpg which is a big difference when you are towing hundreds or even thousands of miles round trip.
I've logged thousands of miles towing my H26 with my V-6 Jeep Liberty. This includes a run between Michigan and Florida through the mountains. I have the factory tow package and the vehicle has plenty of power to pull even in the mountains. The temp gauges do not move noticably from their normal position even towing up long grades at 60 mph. The previous posts are definately correct about feeling the boat behind you. Windage is probably the most noticable thing unless the roads are rough or uneven. In that case you my have to slow down. On good roads I can run 70 and get about 7.5 mpg. On rougher roads 55 or 60 might be more like it. If the roads are very uneven you might have to slow down more. Normally I tow about 60 or 65 because I get about 9 mpg which is a big difference when you are towing hundreds or even thousands of miles round trip.
GMC Jimmy
My 1997 GMC Jimmy, 4 door, 4 wheel drive, handles it OK. Usually cruise about 60MPH. Have logged about 1200 miles total. I estimate about 5000 lbs for the boat, trailer, 4 stroke motor and lightly loaded with gear. Some people have indicated it can be as high as 5700 lbs. Last year I removed the drum brakes supplied with the trailer and added disc brakes on all 4 wheels. Fair winds, Tom
My 1997 GMC Jimmy, 4 door, 4 wheel drive, handles it OK. Usually cruise about 60MPH. Have logged about 1200 miles total. I estimate about 5000 lbs for the boat, trailer, 4 stroke motor and lightly loaded with gear. Some people have indicated it can be as high as 5700 lbs. Last year I removed the drum brakes supplied with the trailer and added disc brakes on all 4 wheels. Fair winds, Tom
items to consider
As I ahve always explained to everyone, when towing, you need a good hitch, heavy duty shocks of some sort and the largest radiator your vehichle can take. Anti sway bars are a personal preference. As for the power plant, I have seen so many posts over the years but generally a good heavy big 6 cylinder will do the job.. I even had one customer pull his 26 for a long time with a ford explorer. Now if they can invent a big heavy duty squirrel cage, feed is cheap versus gas.
As I ahve always explained to everyone, when towing, you need a good hitch, heavy duty shocks of some sort and the largest radiator your vehichle can take. Anti sway bars are a personal preference. As for the power plant, I have seen so many posts over the years but generally a good heavy big 6 cylinder will do the job.. I even had one customer pull his 26 for a long time with a ford explorer. Now if they can invent a big heavy duty squirrel cage, feed is cheap versus gas.
Ford Explorer
I used to tow my H-26 with a 1992 Explorer, but I had to put better tires on the trailer before i could go above 55 mph. With radial trailer tires I had no troubles going 65 mph. I did have a class 3 hitch.
I used to tow my H-26 with a 1992 Explorer, but I had to put better tires on the trailer before i could go above 55 mph. With radial trailer tires I had no troubles going 65 mph. I did have a class 3 hitch.
Transmission Cooloer
I have towed my H26 with a Chevy Blazer for several years. I would highly recommend you add a tranmission cooler for insurance against overheating the transmission. Not a very expensive addition
I have towed my H26 with a Chevy Blazer for several years. I would highly recommend you add a tranmission cooler for insurance against overheating the transmission. Not a very expensive addition
George
Dry weight of the boat is 3,000. I cannot fathom the trailer wieghing a ton so that is why I question your towing wieght.
Dry weight of the boat is 3,000. I cannot fathom the trailer wieghing a ton so that is why I question your towing wieght.
Washing Machine Motor
You can tow a freight train with a washing machine motor provided you have enough gears. However if you want to be in compliance with the rules of the road buy a vehicle with adequate tow weight rating, Key issue is do not exceed the GVWR of the vehicle and you wont have to worry about the hills or the Do Right Boys. The weight of the H-26 is as Crazy Dave pointed out is about 3000 Lbs not loaded, add motor, fuel, water, gear, food, cloths and the weight goes up fast, you can add a 1000 lbs fast if you are not careful. The trailer probably weighs close to 1000 lbs which should put your tongue weight at any given time close to 500 lbs with a gross weight of around 5K is possible. With that said you can tow it with a Ford Escort but not for long and I sure don't want 5K tied to the back of a Ford Escort when the Do Right Boys come calling. I drive a F-350 powerstroke and pull a 1990 H-27 and we don't worry about how much gear or provisions we take or command and control in traffic or power on the hills and of course the Do Right Boys. Do your homework and you'll be fine. See following links http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/Equipment/towing/if_you_have.htm http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/weight/ http://www.rvbg.com/weight.cfm http://www.interstatewest.com/safty_tips.html Good Luck Jim
You can tow a freight train with a washing machine motor provided you have enough gears. However if you want to be in compliance with the rules of the road buy a vehicle with adequate tow weight rating, Key issue is do not exceed the GVWR of the vehicle and you wont have to worry about the hills or the Do Right Boys. The weight of the H-26 is as Crazy Dave pointed out is about 3000 Lbs not loaded, add motor, fuel, water, gear, food, cloths and the weight goes up fast, you can add a 1000 lbs fast if you are not careful. The trailer probably weighs close to 1000 lbs which should put your tongue weight at any given time close to 500 lbs with a gross weight of around 5K is possible. With that said you can tow it with a Ford Escort but not for long and I sure don't want 5K tied to the back of a Ford Escort when the Do Right Boys come calling. I drive a F-350 powerstroke and pull a 1990 H-27 and we don't worry about how much gear or provisions we take or command and control in traffic or power on the hills and of course the Do Right Boys. Do your homework and you'll be fine. See following links http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/Equipment/towing/if_you_have.htm http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/weight/ http://www.rvbg.com/weight.cfm http://www.interstatewest.com/safty_tips.html Good Luck Jim
Crazy Dave; My 2001 260 weighs 5700 lbs. I pull it to the coast with a Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.8L engine at about 65 mph in overdrive with no trouble at all. Gas mileage is not too good but what the heck I'm having fun. Have no trouble stopping with the standard brakes supplied by Hunter. I do use a rear mounted camera (on the boat) to see whats behind me. Jesse s/v X*TA*SEA 2001 Hunter 260
Thanks
Reading the article earleir, I was led to bilieve maybe the towing weight was 7,000 which is no way. That is why. Thanks for your imput and what type of camera and set up as that is an interesting point.
Reading the article earleir, I was led to bilieve maybe the towing weight was 7,000 which is no way. That is why. Thanks for your imput and what type of camera and set up as that is an interesting point.
Thanks
Reading the article earleir, I was led to bilieve maybe the towing weight was 7,000 which is no way. That is why. Thanks for your imput and what type of camera and set up as that is an interesting point.
Reading the article earleir, I was led to bilieve maybe the towing weight was 7,000 which is no way. That is why. Thanks for your imput and what type of camera and set up as that is an interesting point.
The camera (Model CTCAM-CA3.6, $69.99)is available from North American Cable Equipment (800-688-9282). It reqires 12 volt power and a 75 ohm coax cable run to a video monitor in truck. I mounted the camera under the BBQ bracket on the stearn. The video monitors for automobiles are available from Radio Shack or similar stores. I would post a picture but don't know how yet but I do have a digital camera. I ran power from panel under berth to wheel pedastal for GPS, fishfinder etc. thence under deck to fuel compartment and out to camera. Camera comes with a 120v to 12v transformer, just cut the transformer off and wire to 12 volt power. Plugs and jacks can be obtained from Radio Shack. I like this camera due to cost and it is weather proof.
Old Ford 300-6
My faveorite towing vehicle is a 1970 Ford F-100 300ci 6cyl. Lots of Torque in that motor, and not alot of $ to layout for a good working truck that anyone can work on easily if needed.
My faveorite towing vehicle is a 1970 Ford F-100 300ci 6cyl. Lots of Torque in that motor, and not alot of $ to layout for a good working truck that anyone can work on easily if needed.
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