Has anyone recently towed a 23.5 with the Honda, Grand Caravan, Pacifica, Chevy or Ford mini vans? Normaly they have a 3200-3500 towing rating, but I have heard of some doing 3700-4200 lbs. I want to get out of Pgh. PA towards the Atlantic or Fla. and am concerned about the mountains.
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Alternative
If you lived somewhere flat, it might be different. The total weight of a 23.5 on a trailer might be more than what you want to hook up to your hitch and then tow through the mountains. Have you considered a U-Haul Rentatruck, Enterprise, or something like that. I'd rather pay the extra $$ than take the chance.
If you lived somewhere flat, it might be different. The total weight of a 23.5 on a trailer might be more than what you want to hook up to your hitch and then tow through the mountains. Have you considered a U-Haul Rentatruck, Enterprise, or something like that. I'd rather pay the extra $$ than take the chance.
You have reason to be concerned...
You would really be working a mini van on the up hill, you could lose your transmission to heat pretty easily and coming down again is even more of a concern. Too much weight behind you. You would be asking too much of your breaks. The emergency deceleration ramps would be a bear to hit with a trailer in tow. Bill is right on the money: rent a good sized truck with a hitch.
You would really be working a mini van on the up hill, you could lose your transmission to heat pretty easily and coming down again is even more of a concern. Too much weight behind you. You would be asking too much of your breaks. The emergency deceleration ramps would be a bear to hit with a trailer in tow. Bill is right on the money: rent a good sized truck with a hitch.
Towing Alternatives
There has been some good discussion on this subject in recent days. Check the archives. Why guess? Each vehicle has different capabilities based on its equipment. Suggest you crunch the numbers using the data readily available in this forum and the manufacturer. Here's a short checklist to get you started. 1. Run the trailer/boat combination over a certified scale and verify the tongue weight. Add a factor for people, cargo, fluids and other stuff to get the total weights of the rig you'll be towing. Until you do this you'll be just guessing on what you need. 2. Determine the GCVW of each candidate vehicle WITH towing package. 3. Make a decision based on the facts - just because others have done it does not provide a rationale for anything....
There has been some good discussion on this subject in recent days. Check the archives. Why guess? Each vehicle has different capabilities based on its equipment. Suggest you crunch the numbers using the data readily available in this forum and the manufacturer. Here's a short checklist to get you started. 1. Run the trailer/boat combination over a certified scale and verify the tongue weight. Add a factor for people, cargo, fluids and other stuff to get the total weights of the rig you'll be towing. Until you do this you'll be just guessing on what you need. 2. Determine the GCVW of each candidate vehicle WITH towing package. 3. Make a decision based on the facts - just because others have done it does not provide a rationale for anything....
Trailer Brakes
All good advice so far. One thing I'd add to the list is to add brakes to your trailer if you don't already have them. If you have them make sure they actually work. I tow my 23.5 with a Chevy Astro van which works OK for towing.
All good advice so far. One thing I'd add to the list is to add brakes to your trailer if you don't already have them. If you have them make sure they actually work. I tow my 23.5 with a Chevy Astro van which works OK for towing.
Astro
My thanks to all for your comments. Ed, is your Astro an AWD? Anything else special? I presently have an Aerostar whid did well in the past but now with 230K, I'm looking for something newer and less miles. How many on your Astro.
My thanks to all for your comments. Ed, is your Astro an AWD? Anything else special? I presently have an Aerostar whid did well in the past but now with 230K, I'm looking for something newer and less miles. How many on your Astro.
AWD
My Astro is AWD with a class III hitch and has 140K on it. The trailer does not have brakes(yet, $850??)(stopping on a steep slope i.e.mountain grade may be a challenge)(Illinois is FLAT). Aside from adding brakes I'd also recommend extended side mirrors on the Astro. It is hard to see behind the boat otherwise. BTW the Astro is rated at 4500 lbs towing.
My Astro is AWD with a class III hitch and has 140K on it. The trailer does not have brakes(yet, $850??)(stopping on a steep slope i.e.mountain grade may be a challenge)(Illinois is FLAT). Aside from adding brakes I'd also recommend extended side mirrors on the Astro. It is hard to see behind the boat otherwise. BTW the Astro is rated at 4500 lbs towing.
Towing with a FWD vehicle - Bad Idea
Front wheel drive vehicles are NOT made to tow anything, I don’t care what small rating the manufacture gives it. Their transmissions are built to haul people and a little bit of luggage, not all that and a boat. The best tow vehicles are long wheel base, V-8 rear wheel drive like a pick up truck, or a Suburban or a full size van. Everybody wants their mini van to be the do it all vehicle but when it comes to towing something like a 23 foot boat, they are woefully inadequate.
Front wheel drive vehicles are NOT made to tow anything, I don’t care what small rating the manufacture gives it. Their transmissions are built to haul people and a little bit of luggage, not all that and a boat. The best tow vehicles are long wheel base, V-8 rear wheel drive like a pick up truck, or a Suburban or a full size van. Everybody wants their mini van to be the do it all vehicle but when it comes to towing something like a 23 foot boat, they are woefully inadequate.
Here are some figures
I went through a weigh station a couple of weeks ago with a 2001 H240, which should be in the ballpark for you: 3,620 lb. trailer axle weight 370 lb. tongue weight (measured at home) This was with most of the 4-days worth of supplies in the truck. The tongue weight is the right percentage and I have no problems with sway using a standard ball and receiver. The 98-pound outboard engine, boom, bimini, tools and electronics were in the boat, and a spare tire was mounted on the trailer. There was no water or gasoline on the boat. This is a pretty heavy load, given that the magic-tilt trailer has a 3,420 lb. G.V.W.R. My truck had 3,100 lb. on the front tires, and 3,740 on the rear tires. This, plus the 3,620 lb. on the trailer brings the load up to 10,460 lb. My truck's GCWR (fully loaded vehicle + trailer) is 14,000 lb., and is rated to tow up to 7,300 lb., so I have a good margin there. My truck's GAWR (gross axle weight rating) is 3,800 lb. front and 4,000 lb. rear, so I have a fair margin there. Hope this helps while you shop for a truck.
I went through a weigh station a couple of weeks ago with a 2001 H240, which should be in the ballpark for you: 3,620 lb. trailer axle weight 370 lb. tongue weight (measured at home) This was with most of the 4-days worth of supplies in the truck. The tongue weight is the right percentage and I have no problems with sway using a standard ball and receiver. The 98-pound outboard engine, boom, bimini, tools and electronics were in the boat, and a spare tire was mounted on the trailer. There was no water or gasoline on the boat. This is a pretty heavy load, given that the magic-tilt trailer has a 3,420 lb. G.V.W.R. My truck had 3,100 lb. on the front tires, and 3,740 on the rear tires. This, plus the 3,620 lb. on the trailer brings the load up to 10,460 lb. My truck's GCWR (fully loaded vehicle + trailer) is 14,000 lb., and is rated to tow up to 7,300 lb., so I have a good margin there. My truck's GAWR (gross axle weight rating) is 3,800 lb. front and 4,000 lb. rear, so I have a fair margin there. Hope this helps while you shop for a truck.
Towing a 240
I tow a 240 behind a Chrysler Town and Country. Tows great, although I would not want to go any great distance. I go about 50 miles to the lake and then back. It doesn't want to pull the boat out of the water when the ramp is wet and I have had to do other things like call a friend that had a truck to get it out. the front wheel drive is not the way to go to tow. The idea to rent a truck is ludicrist.I am sure you want a vehicle that will serve other purposes as well. A Tahoe or something that size will work great. I am thinking of getting a small pickup with a big 6 or small v-8. Whatever you do, add mirrors so you can see. I have the kind that strap onto the standard mirrors, otherwise you won't be able to see. Good Luck
I tow a 240 behind a Chrysler Town and Country. Tows great, although I would not want to go any great distance. I go about 50 miles to the lake and then back. It doesn't want to pull the boat out of the water when the ramp is wet and I have had to do other things like call a friend that had a truck to get it out. the front wheel drive is not the way to go to tow. The idea to rent a truck is ludicrist.I am sure you want a vehicle that will serve other purposes as well. A Tahoe or something that size will work great. I am thinking of getting a small pickup with a big 6 or small v-8. Whatever you do, add mirrors so you can see. I have the kind that strap onto the standard mirrors, otherwise you won't be able to see. Good Luck
Mini van
I've towed my 23.5 three times on flat roads. To the lake, back to the city and back to the lake. About 2 hours each one-way leg. I have a 1991 Dodge Caravan 3.3L V6. I had a tranny cooler installed when I had the hitch put on. The van seemed OK for these trips. I can pull it out of the water and up the 6 degree ramp no problem. I rented a 3/4 ton truck when I bought it and towed it from Vancouver to Calgary. I wouldn't go anywhere near the mountains towing with the van. The Rockies are perhaps bigger than your hills ;-) but I would still only tow on flat ground with the minivan. I weighed my trailer & boat once. It was empty, with the outboard not on it. Nothing but the battery and a couple of lifejackets. The trailer axle was 3300 pounds. I estimate maybe 300 at the tongue for 3600 pounds total. ...RickM...
I've towed my 23.5 three times on flat roads. To the lake, back to the city and back to the lake. About 2 hours each one-way leg. I have a 1991 Dodge Caravan 3.3L V6. I had a tranny cooler installed when I had the hitch put on. The van seemed OK for these trips. I can pull it out of the water and up the 6 degree ramp no problem. I rented a 3/4 ton truck when I bought it and towed it from Vancouver to Calgary. I wouldn't go anywhere near the mountains towing with the van. The Rockies are perhaps bigger than your hills ;-) but I would still only tow on flat ground with the minivan. I weighed my trailer & boat once. It was empty, with the outboard not on it. Nothing but the battery and a couple of lifejackets. The trailer axle was 3300 pounds. I estimate maybe 300 at the tongue for 3600 pounds total. ...RickM...
My Take
It is interesting on these message boards what people have to say---- I agree with most of the comments but there are always those that will tell you how they pulled a 32' full keel sailboat with a modified lawn tractor!! Kidding aside, I tow my H23 wing keel only short distances with a 98 Explorer equiped with the SOHC V6 with 4.10 rear end. It does a good job but as my rig is rated to tow 5000 + lbs, I'm not sure if would chance it with anything less. Two rules of thumb: Rear drive is better than front and automatic is better than a stick. I know, boat launching and retrieving are pure hell on your clutch! For the towing the h23.5, I would shy away from a mini van as tow vehicle. Good luck and fair winds B
It is interesting on these message boards what people have to say---- I agree with most of the comments but there are always those that will tell you how they pulled a 32' full keel sailboat with a modified lawn tractor!! Kidding aside, I tow my H23 wing keel only short distances with a 98 Explorer equiped with the SOHC V6 with 4.10 rear end. It does a good job but as my rig is rated to tow 5000 + lbs, I'm not sure if would chance it with anything less. Two rules of thumb: Rear drive is better than front and automatic is better than a stick. I know, boat launching and retrieving are pure hell on your clutch! For the towing the h23.5, I would shy away from a mini van as tow vehicle. Good luck and fair winds B
Weigh Station
Thanks Mike for the numbers. Don't recall seeing them printed out in detail per axle. Anything special on the tires? Trailer matching tow vehicle. I usually stop and check mine about every 2 hours. Under inflated, even by a few pounds seems to cause more heat at first, but as the heat built up so did the pressure. However, I believe if I continued at that rate, it would cause excessive wear on the tires. I believe, better to start out at the recommended pressure and just let the heat and pressure do it's thing. When it gets to high ~ 5-10 lbs., I admit, I pullover for a break. No sense risking a blow out. Thanks again everyone lots of good comments.
Thanks Mike for the numbers. Don't recall seeing them printed out in detail per axle. Anything special on the tires? Trailer matching tow vehicle. I usually stop and check mine about every 2 hours. Under inflated, even by a few pounds seems to cause more heat at first, but as the heat built up so did the pressure. However, I believe if I continued at that rate, it would cause excessive wear on the tires. I believe, better to start out at the recommended pressure and just let the heat and pressure do it's thing. When it gets to high ~ 5-10 lbs., I admit, I pullover for a break. No sense risking a blow out. Thanks again everyone lots of good comments.
another former astro vanner
I only tow my boat once a year and then leave it slipped for the summer. But the Chevy Astro did a great job at towing it. I used the std 3500 lb rated hitch and also put a tranny cooler on it. Since slipping it this summer I have traded it in on a Chevy Express which is a much nicer ride.
I only tow my boat once a year and then leave it slipped for the summer. But the Chevy Astro did a great job at towing it. I used the std 3500 lb rated hitch and also put a tranny cooler on it. Since slipping it this summer I have traded it in on a Chevy Express which is a much nicer ride.
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