towing mac 26s with chevy astro
- Thread starter CobraEarl MAC26s
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Well,.......not an Astro
I've never pulled with an Astro, but my tow vehicles have been a 96 Explorer with a 4.0 and with a Nissan Xterra with a 4.2 (I think). I pulled my 26S back and forth from Texas to Florida 6 or 7 times. I've pulled the boat all over Texas and would not hesitate to do so again...........except for the gas prices. Depending on how you load up your boat with provisions and extras, you should have no problem. My trailer does not have brakes so I am cautious about putting myself into panic stop possibilities. Corners are no problem if you maintain enough engine to pull through with power AND, as with all trailer pulling, avoid braking in turns. I would feel sure that you have something in your Astro that would compare with my V6s. The rest is primarily just common sense.
I've never pulled with an Astro, but my tow vehicles have been a 96 Explorer with a 4.0 and with a Nissan Xterra with a 4.2 (I think). I pulled my 26S back and forth from Texas to Florida 6 or 7 times. I've pulled the boat all over Texas and would not hesitate to do so again...........except for the gas prices. Depending on how you load up your boat with provisions and extras, you should have no problem. My trailer does not have brakes so I am cautious about putting myself into panic stop possibilities. Corners are no problem if you maintain enough engine to pull through with power AND, as with all trailer pulling, avoid braking in turns. I would feel sure that you have something in your Astro that would compare with my V6s. The rest is primarily just common sense.
Well,.......not an Astro
I've never pulled with an Astro, but my tow vehicles have been a 96 Explorer with a 4.0 and with a Nissan Xterra with a 4.2 (I think). I pulled my 26S back and forth from Texas to Florida 6 or 7 times. I've pulled the boat all over Texas and would not hesitate to do so again...........except for the gas prices. Depending on how you load up your boat with provisions and extras, you should have no problem. My trailer does not have brakes so I am cautious about putting myself into panic stop possibilities. Corners are no problem if you maintain enough engine to pull through with power AND, as with all trailer pulling, avoid braking in turns. I would feel sure that you have something in your Astro that would compare with my V6s. The rest is primarily just common sense.
I've never pulled with an Astro, but my tow vehicles have been a 96 Explorer with a 4.0 and with a Nissan Xterra with a 4.2 (I think). I pulled my 26S back and forth from Texas to Florida 6 or 7 times. I've pulled the boat all over Texas and would not hesitate to do so again...........except for the gas prices. Depending on how you load up your boat with provisions and extras, you should have no problem. My trailer does not have brakes so I am cautious about putting myself into panic stop possibilities. Corners are no problem if you maintain enough engine to pull through with power AND, as with all trailer pulling, avoid braking in turns. I would feel sure that you have something in your Astro that would compare with my V6s. The rest is primarily just common sense.
Not an Astro, but
I pull my 26S with a Ford Ranger, which seems to surprise many people. In fact,when I bought it, I drove to Staten Island and pulled the boat home to North Carolina with the Ranger, and had no problem up to 70 on the Interstate. It wanted to wag a little if I got over 70. Had some difficulty with traction on a very steep slippery boat ramp on Staten Island, but none on the highway, and none on the local ramps. I have a 3.0 litre V-6 with a 5-speed manual transmission. Don't know what your Astro has, but maybe this will give you something to compare to. Where do you sail? I'm about 50 miles east of Raleigh, and I generally go to the coastal sounds or north to Kerr Lake.
I pull my 26S with a Ford Ranger, which seems to surprise many people. In fact,when I bought it, I drove to Staten Island and pulled the boat home to North Carolina with the Ranger, and had no problem up to 70 on the Interstate. It wanted to wag a little if I got over 70. Had some difficulty with traction on a very steep slippery boat ramp on Staten Island, but none on the highway, and none on the local ramps. I have a 3.0 litre V-6 with a 5-speed manual transmission. Don't know what your Astro has, but maybe this will give you something to compare to. Where do you sail? I'm about 50 miles east of Raleigh, and I generally go to the coastal sounds or north to Kerr Lake.
Not an Astro, but
I pull my 26S with a Ford Ranger, which seems to surprise many people. In fact,when I bought it, I drove to Staten Island and pulled the boat home to North Carolina with the Ranger, and had no problem up to 70 on the Interstate. It wanted to wag a little if I got over 70. Had some difficulty with traction on a very steep slippery boat ramp on Staten Island, but none on the highway, and none on the local ramps. I have a 3.0 litre V-6 with a 5-speed manual transmission. Don't know what your Astro has, but maybe this will give you something to compare to. Where do you sail? I'm about 50 miles east of Raleigh, and I generally go to the coastal sounds or north to Kerr Lake.
I pull my 26S with a Ford Ranger, which seems to surprise many people. In fact,when I bought it, I drove to Staten Island and pulled the boat home to North Carolina with the Ranger, and had no problem up to 70 on the Interstate. It wanted to wag a little if I got over 70. Had some difficulty with traction on a very steep slippery boat ramp on Staten Island, but none on the highway, and none on the local ramps. I have a 3.0 litre V-6 with a 5-speed manual transmission. Don't know what your Astro has, but maybe this will give you something to compare to. Where do you sail? I'm about 50 miles east of Raleigh, and I generally go to the coastal sounds or north to Kerr Lake.
surge brakes
maybe it also depends on if the surge brakes work or not.. (when I picked up my 26S, the hydraulic res was bone dry..) I think if the surge brakes do work, you could tow with a lighter vehicle. If they dont, a heavier vehicle is probably safer. But I have no idea where you would draw the line..
maybe it also depends on if the surge brakes work or not.. (when I picked up my 26S, the hydraulic res was bone dry..) I think if the surge brakes do work, you could tow with a lighter vehicle. If they dont, a heavier vehicle is probably safer. But I have no idea where you would draw the line..
surge brakes
maybe it also depends on if the surge brakes work or not.. (when I picked up my 26S, the hydraulic res was bone dry..) I think if the surge brakes do work, you could tow with a lighter vehicle. If they dont, a heavier vehicle is probably safer. But I have no idea where you would draw the line..
maybe it also depends on if the surge brakes work or not.. (when I picked up my 26S, the hydraulic res was bone dry..) I think if the surge brakes do work, you could tow with a lighter vehicle. If they dont, a heavier vehicle is probably safer. But I have no idea where you would draw the line..
GMC Astro Van
I used mine to pull a large ski boat and to pull a trailer boat. LTD model with 4.3 liter engine and all wheel drive. I launched my boats on lakes that had no ramp- it did very well. No problems towing, but we had the factory towing upgrade including extra transmission cooling. YMMV
I used mine to pull a large ski boat and to pull a trailer boat. LTD model with 4.3 liter engine and all wheel drive. I launched my boats on lakes that had no ramp- it did very well. No problems towing, but we had the factory towing upgrade including extra transmission cooling. YMMV
GMC Astro Van
I used mine to pull a large ski boat and to pull a trailer boat. LTD model with 4.3 liter engine and all wheel drive. I launched my boats on lakes that had no ramp- it did very well. No problems towing, but we had the factory towing upgrade including extra transmission cooling. YMMV
I used mine to pull a large ski boat and to pull a trailer boat. LTD model with 4.3 liter engine and all wheel drive. I launched my boats on lakes that had no ramp- it did very well. No problems towing, but we had the factory towing upgrade including extra transmission cooling. YMMV
THANKS..
Thanks for the info..... I have put a deposit on a 1999 with 95k and ALL the whissels and bells. Earl
Thanks for the info..... I have put a deposit on a 1999 with 95k and ALL the whissels and bells. Earl
THANKS..
Thanks for the info..... I have put a deposit on a 1999 with 95k and ALL the whissels and bells. Earl
Thanks for the info..... I have put a deposit on a 1999 with 95k and ALL the whissels and bells. Earl
some suggestions
This isn't a car forum but I'd suggest that after you take possession you do a few things before you tow. The before-purchase ideas may give you some price leverage or allow you to get them fixed per the sale. replace the transmission fluid and filter - make sure it doesn't smell burned before you buy change the engine oil and filter - look for suspicious milky (water) or red (trans fluid) before you buy flush the brake fluid. fluid takes on water after time and lowers the boiling point - a bad thing when you are towing. Check the pad wear before you buy replace the coolant. It wears out over time. Look for rust in the radiator. Also spin the fan if it isn't electric. There should be some resistance if the fan clutch is working Look for unusual tread patterns on the tires to see if you have an alignment issue. It should not vibrate or pull at highway speeds bounce all four corners to be sure the shocks work. It should settle out after 1-2 bounces. Suspension is especially important when towing consider an external transmission cooler if you don't have the tow package. You might ever look into an AirLift system to maintain ride quality when you tow or haul in it
This isn't a car forum but I'd suggest that after you take possession you do a few things before you tow. The before-purchase ideas may give you some price leverage or allow you to get them fixed per the sale. replace the transmission fluid and filter - make sure it doesn't smell burned before you buy change the engine oil and filter - look for suspicious milky (water) or red (trans fluid) before you buy flush the brake fluid. fluid takes on water after time and lowers the boiling point - a bad thing when you are towing. Check the pad wear before you buy replace the coolant. It wears out over time. Look for rust in the radiator. Also spin the fan if it isn't electric. There should be some resistance if the fan clutch is working Look for unusual tread patterns on the tires to see if you have an alignment issue. It should not vibrate or pull at highway speeds bounce all four corners to be sure the shocks work. It should settle out after 1-2 bounces. Suspension is especially important when towing consider an external transmission cooler if you don't have the tow package. You might ever look into an AirLift system to maintain ride quality when you tow or haul in it
some suggestions
This isn't a car forum but I'd suggest that after you take possession you do a few things before you tow. The before-purchase ideas may give you some price leverage or allow you to get them fixed per the sale. replace the transmission fluid and filter - make sure it doesn't smell burned before you buy change the engine oil and filter - look for suspicious milky (water) or red (trans fluid) before you buy flush the brake fluid. fluid takes on water after time and lowers the boiling point - a bad thing when you are towing. Check the pad wear before you buy replace the coolant. It wears out over time. Look for rust in the radiator. Also spin the fan if it isn't electric. There should be some resistance if the fan clutch is working Look for unusual tread patterns on the tires to see if you have an alignment issue. It should not vibrate or pull at highway speeds bounce all four corners to be sure the shocks work. It should settle out after 1-2 bounces. Suspension is especially important when towing consider an external transmission cooler if you don't have the tow package. You might ever look into an AirLift system to maintain ride quality when you tow or haul in it
This isn't a car forum but I'd suggest that after you take possession you do a few things before you tow. The before-purchase ideas may give you some price leverage or allow you to get them fixed per the sale. replace the transmission fluid and filter - make sure it doesn't smell burned before you buy change the engine oil and filter - look for suspicious milky (water) or red (trans fluid) before you buy flush the brake fluid. fluid takes on water after time and lowers the boiling point - a bad thing when you are towing. Check the pad wear before you buy replace the coolant. It wears out over time. Look for rust in the radiator. Also spin the fan if it isn't electric. There should be some resistance if the fan clutch is working Look for unusual tread patterns on the tires to see if you have an alignment issue. It should not vibrate or pull at highway speeds bounce all four corners to be sure the shocks work. It should settle out after 1-2 bounces. Suspension is especially important when towing consider an external transmission cooler if you don't have the tow package. You might ever look into an AirLift system to maintain ride quality when you tow or haul in it
coil or leaf?
I have coil springs and the kit without a compressor sells for about $80 on the street. I keep a small 12v compressor in the back. I don't know about the leaf spring kit, more probably. There have some additional hardware.
I have coil springs and the kit without a compressor sells for about $80 on the street. I keep a small 12v compressor in the back. I don't know about the leaf spring kit, more probably. There have some additional hardware.
coil or leaf?
I have coil springs and the kit without a compressor sells for about $80 on the street. I keep a small 12v compressor in the back. I don't know about the leaf spring kit, more probably. There have some additional hardware.
I have coil springs and the kit without a compressor sells for about $80 on the street. I keep a small 12v compressor in the back. I don't know about the leaf spring kit, more probably. There have some additional hardware.
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