I plan on hauling from Indiana to the Eastern seaboard and Florida. Does anyone have any experience with hauling with a S-10 4x4, 6 cylinder, automatic. Is this going to be capable of making a long distance pull with the 240 Hunter?
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John Revenboer
Trailering
I have an H260 and I have trailered it from Nebraska, through Indiana to Cape Cod, through Canada and down to Miami all wwith a 6 cylinder truck. The only mod was the addition of a Transmission cooler and heavy duty hitch, all installed at the same time by U-Haul. For the most part, I can easily do 55 to 60mph but with some dificulty through the hills of New York or anything on the East Coat north of Washington. With the 240, you should be fine.
I have an H260 and I have trailered it from Nebraska, through Indiana to Cape Cod, through Canada and down to Miami all wwith a 6 cylinder truck. The only mod was the addition of a Transmission cooler and heavy duty hitch, all installed at the same time by U-Haul. For the most part, I can easily do 55 to 60mph but with some dificulty through the hills of New York or anything on the East Coat north of Washington. With the 240, you should be fine.
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BART FORD
towing
I don't do any long hauls, but my car is a Chysler mini-van with a big six. You have to have a transmission cooler or you will be asking for trouble. Make sure your radiator cooling is working. there is nothing worse than to overheat when pulling a boat.
I don't do any long hauls, but my car is a Chysler mini-van with a big six. You have to have a transmission cooler or you will be asking for trouble. Make sure your radiator cooling is working. there is nothing worse than to overheat when pulling a boat.
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Bob Johnstone
Towing W/Blazer
We used a 1994 s-10 4x4 automatic 4 door model to pull our h 23.5 from Pgh to Cape May and we didn't travel very light. Once I left the motor on the boat to transfer some weight but didn't really care for that situation. Removed the motor when staying in a motel plus the weight on the block of wood bouncing so much. Travelled about 50-55 in Drive instead of Overdrive. Going up the mountains was mostly in the slow lane with flashers and tryed to make the climb in the early morning or evening when it was cooler. The tires were of concern because they did get very warm almost hot to the touch. Even remember pulling in the rest stops to let them cool down. At 8'6 in the beam and the trailer just over that I was holding up traffic when we had to go between Jersy Barriors 3 and 4 feet high. Make sure you get mirror extensions for both sides because the width of the Blazer is much smaller than the boat. Take your time and let us know where your going. Bob "Memory"
We used a 1994 s-10 4x4 automatic 4 door model to pull our h 23.5 from Pgh to Cape May and we didn't travel very light. Once I left the motor on the boat to transfer some weight but didn't really care for that situation. Removed the motor when staying in a motel plus the weight on the block of wood bouncing so much. Travelled about 50-55 in Drive instead of Overdrive. Going up the mountains was mostly in the slow lane with flashers and tryed to make the climb in the early morning or evening when it was cooler. The tires were of concern because they did get very warm almost hot to the touch. Even remember pulling in the rest stops to let them cool down. At 8'6 in the beam and the trailer just over that I was holding up traffic when we had to go between Jersy Barriors 3 and 4 feet high. Make sure you get mirror extensions for both sides because the width of the Blazer is much smaller than the boat. Take your time and let us know where your going. Bob "Memory"
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Ron
H26 Towed with Blazer
I tow a H26 with a Blazer that has the standard V-6 and don't have any real trouble. This is probably the most I would want to try to pull with it, but I agree that you should for sure get a transmission cooler, proper size hitch, and mirror extensions would be helpful. Also, use Drive, not overdrive when you tow. You should be fine with the smaller 240 size - just remember to make your turns wider - you have something following you!
I tow a H26 with a Blazer that has the standard V-6 and don't have any real trouble. This is probably the most I would want to try to pull with it, but I agree that you should for sure get a transmission cooler, proper size hitch, and mirror extensions would be helpful. Also, use Drive, not overdrive when you tow. You should be fine with the smaller 240 size - just remember to make your turns wider - you have something following you!
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Ray Bowles
Ben, Tongue weight is going to be the most
important consideration you will have. I take it for granted that you have a add-on heave duty trailer hitch and not a bumper type. Also enough of a cooling package to eliminate over heating. I have my H26 and factory trailer balanced out to give approx. 320 to 350 lbs. of tongue weight. This can be done by moving the OB to the truck, fuel tank also, etc. Done properly you will avoid having the trailer whip the truck around which most often leads to a roll-over or jack knife. This will also steady the trailer under braking as the boat and trailer probably out weigh the truck. Your tongue weight is something any good trailer shop can advise you on for your rig. Have boat/trailer weight numbers and truck weight also. Any farm store with grain elevators can weigh your total package. Also most fuel stores. Then measure your tongue weight at the trailer shop. They'll have a trailer ball scale. If the trailer does not have a good braking system, then, just for the safety sake of other motorists you should use a larger truck. I have pulled my 26 with a 1/2 ton Ford 4x4 with the 300 six and manual gearbox with great results. The first trip was 1100 miles. My trailer and boat weighed 4360# if my memory is correct. Good luck, and I know you will take your time. With a S-10 you will have plenty. Get an audio casette book about any good sailing story to help assume the proper mental outlook. Ray S/V Speedy
important consideration you will have. I take it for granted that you have a add-on heave duty trailer hitch and not a bumper type. Also enough of a cooling package to eliminate over heating. I have my H26 and factory trailer balanced out to give approx. 320 to 350 lbs. of tongue weight. This can be done by moving the OB to the truck, fuel tank also, etc. Done properly you will avoid having the trailer whip the truck around which most often leads to a roll-over or jack knife. This will also steady the trailer under braking as the boat and trailer probably out weigh the truck. Your tongue weight is something any good trailer shop can advise you on for your rig. Have boat/trailer weight numbers and truck weight also. Any farm store with grain elevators can weigh your total package. Also most fuel stores. Then measure your tongue weight at the trailer shop. They'll have a trailer ball scale. If the trailer does not have a good braking system, then, just for the safety sake of other motorists you should use a larger truck. I have pulled my 26 with a 1/2 ton Ford 4x4 with the 300 six and manual gearbox with great results. The first trip was 1100 miles. My trailer and boat weighed 4360# if my memory is correct. Good luck, and I know you will take your time. With a S-10 you will have plenty. Get an audio casette book about any good sailing story to help assume the proper mental outlook. Ray S/V Speedy
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Ken Koons
Little truck towing in Indiana
Ben, I sail on Eagle creek in Indy and have pulled my 240 down to Monroe with my 3.0 liter Ford Ranger. I added Heavy duty load carrier shocks to the back end. Your suspension is probably "beefier" with the 4x4 than my stock Ranger suspension. Before I put the shocks on the squat and trailer sway were VERY scary. With the 3.0 liter my engine shifts down to 2nd gear going up the big hill in Martinsville between Indy and Lake Monroe. On a local note. I put the boat in at the Hardin Ridge boat ramp at Monroe over labor day. That is one long steep hill from the ramp out of the park. email me at ken.koons@ey.com if you want more info.
Ben, I sail on Eagle creek in Indy and have pulled my 240 down to Monroe with my 3.0 liter Ford Ranger. I added Heavy duty load carrier shocks to the back end. Your suspension is probably "beefier" with the 4x4 than my stock Ranger suspension. Before I put the shocks on the squat and trailer sway were VERY scary. With the 3.0 liter my engine shifts down to 2nd gear going up the big hill in Martinsville between Indy and Lake Monroe. On a local note. I put the boat in at the Hardin Ridge boat ramp at Monroe over labor day. That is one long steep hill from the ramp out of the park. email me at ken.koons@ey.com if you want more info.
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