Has anyone towed a Hunter 23 with a Chrysler Pacifica? If so, how does it perform? I know it has a towing capacity of 3600 pounds. Looking for something with better gas mileage than a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
C
Crazy Dave Condom
not sure what the vehicle looks like
When the concern is for gas, that is not a good excuse in my books. First, go slower and you will get better gas mileage and if not experienced and no brakes, do not go over 45.
Not sure if the boat is on a KWS or Kens welding trailer. Does it have surge brakes and if so do they work. This is most important. With surge brakes working, should you brake, the trailer will brake and you can feel it. Without brakes is a very careful situation. Let me explain.
If you are going fast and the trailer starts to wobble on you, the tendacy is to brake. You could loose the boat and car because it will cause the trailer to sway much worse to the point you could have an accident. What you have to do is accelerate and then brake slowly. This is only if you do not have brakes or brakes that are not working. I am considered the expert on this.
If the trailer is a kens or kws, then check the bearings and racers(greased) and attachement of fenders. Make sure you have 10% of the load on the trailer tongue hitch and tires are full with air.
Your vehicle is able to tow up to 3600 pounds. you are appx 3100 pounds total with boat,trailer, motor and junk or more if carrying allot of gear. If carrying allot of gear, put it foward in the boat.
When the concern is for gas, that is not a good excuse in my books. First, go slower and you will get better gas mileage and if not experienced and no brakes, do not go over 45.
Not sure if the boat is on a KWS or Kens welding trailer. Does it have surge brakes and if so do they work. This is most important. With surge brakes working, should you brake, the trailer will brake and you can feel it. Without brakes is a very careful situation. Let me explain.
If you are going fast and the trailer starts to wobble on you, the tendacy is to brake. You could loose the boat and car because it will cause the trailer to sway much worse to the point you could have an accident. What you have to do is accelerate and then brake slowly. This is only if you do not have brakes or brakes that are not working. I am considered the expert on this.
If the trailer is a kens or kws, then check the bearings and racers(greased) and attachement of fenders. Make sure you have 10% of the load on the trailer tongue hitch and tires are full with air.
Your vehicle is able to tow up to 3600 pounds. you are appx 3100 pounds total with boat,trailer, motor and junk or more if carrying allot of gear. If carrying allot of gear, put it foward in the boat.
B
Brian M H23
Really that light?
3100 lbs! My F-150 with a 5.0 V8 thinks it is heavier than that!
Seriously though - this boat is not something to think lightly of on the trailer. I've got a longbed Ford F-150, and had bad sway issues when travelling over a windy overpass. It's about at the limits for a single axle trailer, and as such the vehicle has to absorb a lot of side-to-side motion and bouncing. I feel comfortable towing the boat 1000+ miles a year with my truck, and with the surge brakes in good repair, braking is positive. Acceleration is mediocre-poor, and my truck is geared for towing.
Cars get good "fuel economy" because they are lightweight and aerodynamic. You will be neither with this boat behind you. Expect 10 mpg, be prepared for worse. Make sure you have a transmisison cooler.
Dave is correct on this issue. If the trailer doesn't have brakes, don't go over 45.
By the way - are you buying a vehicle just for towing the boat? Or choosing between the pacifica or the cherokee to take it on a trip?
3100 lbs! My F-150 with a 5.0 V8 thinks it is heavier than that!
Seriously though - this boat is not something to think lightly of on the trailer. I've got a longbed Ford F-150, and had bad sway issues when travelling over a windy overpass. It's about at the limits for a single axle trailer, and as such the vehicle has to absorb a lot of side-to-side motion and bouncing. I feel comfortable towing the boat 1000+ miles a year with my truck, and with the surge brakes in good repair, braking is positive. Acceleration is mediocre-poor, and my truck is geared for towing.
Cars get good "fuel economy" because they are lightweight and aerodynamic. You will be neither with this boat behind you. Expect 10 mpg, be prepared for worse. Make sure you have a transmisison cooler.
Dave is correct on this issue. If the trailer doesn't have brakes, don't go over 45.
By the way - are you buying a vehicle just for towing the boat? Or choosing between the pacifica or the cherokee to take it on a trip?
L
Lee Y
More details
I have a Jeep right now but my wife's car needs to be replace soon. Also, the Jeep has 190,000 miles on it. I have a Ken's Welding Trailer. How difficult would it be to add a second axle to the trailer?
I have a Jeep right now but my wife's car needs to be replace soon. Also, the Jeep has 190,000 miles on it. I have a Ken's Welding Trailer. How difficult would it be to add a second axle to the trailer?
B
BART
tow vehicle
I currently tow my 240 behind a 1994 Chrysler Town and Country. This car is front wheel drive. It is not the best towing platform but it works. My car will pull the boat up a steep ramp with the ballast tank full.
One of the must haves when towing are good tires. The newer the better.
Another must have a a transmission oil cooler. Your Pacifica should not have a problem.The tow package is rated for 3500lbs. Mine is the same.
I currently tow my 240 behind a 1994 Chrysler Town and Country. This car is front wheel drive. It is not the best towing platform but it works. My car will pull the boat up a steep ramp with the ballast tank full.
One of the must haves when towing are good tires. The newer the better.
Another must have a a transmission oil cooler. Your Pacifica should not have a problem.The tow package is rated for 3500lbs. Mine is the same.
B
Brian M H23
Just a note
The 240 is much, much lighter than the 23 when on the trailer and towing down the road - At *least* 1000 lbs lighter. It also sits 2' lower on the trailer (much lower CG)
Bart claims his minivan isn't that great pulling the 240. I wouldn't want to put my 23 behind it.
The 240 is much, much lighter than the 23 when on the trailer and towing down the road - At *least* 1000 lbs lighter. It also sits 2' lower on the trailer (much lower CG)
Bart claims his minivan isn't that great pulling the 240. I wouldn't want to put my 23 behind it.
J
Jack h23.5
I just towed my H23.5
Loaded with luggage to Key West. I'm guessing a tow weight of 3500 lbs with my BMW X3. The all wheel drive was FANTASTIC compared with the F-150 I used to tow it with. Absolutly no sway, and the suv was unaffected by trucks passing. Brakeing was no issue at all with the large BMW brakes. Plus I got 15 MPG vs 11/12MPG with the F-150. I stayed at 65 MPH the whole trip.
Loaded with luggage to Key West. I'm guessing a tow weight of 3500 lbs with my BMW X3. The all wheel drive was FANTASTIC compared with the F-150 I used to tow it with. Absolutly no sway, and the suv was unaffected by trucks passing. Brakeing was no issue at all with the large BMW brakes. Plus I got 15 MPG vs 11/12MPG with the F-150. I stayed at 65 MPH the whole trip.
C
Crazy Dave Condom
towing when high and low but not with the sauce
One thing most important to know.
When towing with a wing keel or when a boat sits high on the trailer, the center of gravity is much higher thus causing the boat to sway more which takes more concern with towing. Adding a second axle to the trailer is good on the 23 wing trailer and will make it much safer. Get an axle that has brakes is even better.
One thing most important to know.
When towing with a wing keel or when a boat sits high on the trailer, the center of gravity is much higher thus causing the boat to sway more which takes more concern with towing. Adding a second axle to the trailer is good on the 23 wing trailer and will make it much safer. Get an axle that has brakes is even better.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.