Trailering
- Thread starter Herm
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Rent a full-size
Herm, you may be able to get away with launching/retrieving and drylot-to-ramp activity with the Suzuki, but I would not try to use it for highway travel with that kind of a load. Between the strain on the drivetrain, overload of the brakes, and likelihood of the boat driving the tow vehicle (instead of vice versa), I think it would be prudent to rent a full-size truck for your move. I pull my 260 with a 3/4 ton full size Chevy, and I still get anxious when someone decides to cut me off or a semi blows past and send the boat rocking.
Herm, you may be able to get away with launching/retrieving and drylot-to-ramp activity with the Suzuki, but I would not try to use it for highway travel with that kind of a load. Between the strain on the drivetrain, overload of the brakes, and likelihood of the boat driving the tow vehicle (instead of vice versa), I think it would be prudent to rent a full-size truck for your move. I pull my 260 with a 3/4 ton full size Chevy, and I still get anxious when someone decides to cut me off or a semi blows past and send the boat rocking.
Towing Hell
Herm, I agree with the others. I towed a 260 from Corpus Christie ,Texas to Las Vegas and the trip took about ten years off my life. I used a Toyota Sequoia with a tow package and tried to keep alot weight in the truck by putting engine etc instead of the boat. If I had to do it again I would probably rent a heavy pick-up truck or pay to have it transported. With gas, lodging, and my wife's shopping, I figure it cost about 2000 to get it home. If you do decide to tow it yourself, get a good spare, and extra bearings. A drink or two after a long day of traveling helps too.
Herm, I agree with the others. I towed a 260 from Corpus Christie ,Texas to Las Vegas and the trip took about ten years off my life. I used a Toyota Sequoia with a tow package and tried to keep alot weight in the truck by putting engine etc instead of the boat. If I had to do it again I would probably rent a heavy pick-up truck or pay to have it transported. With gas, lodging, and my wife's shopping, I figure it cost about 2000 to get it home. If you do decide to tow it yourself, get a good spare, and extra bearings. A drink or two after a long day of traveling helps too.
Towing the H26
Took a quick look at the specs for your vehicle. Could not find factory option for towing package but the standard vehicle is certified to tow 3000 lbs and carry no more than 960. Your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is about 4100 lbs. I could not find the Gross Combined Weight (the total weight of vehicle/trailer/boat). A close reading of your owners manual will help but I agree with the others your vehicle is probably not a good choice for towing the the H26. Here's another link worth visiting http://klenger.net/arctic-fox/weight/
Took a quick look at the specs for your vehicle. Could not find factory option for towing package but the standard vehicle is certified to tow 3000 lbs and carry no more than 960. Your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is about 4100 lbs. I could not find the Gross Combined Weight (the total weight of vehicle/trailer/boat). A close reading of your owners manual will help but I agree with the others your vehicle is probably not a good choice for towing the the H26. Here's another link worth visiting http://klenger.net/arctic-fox/weight/
Sounds like you are going to be overloaded
A Suzuki Grand Vitara weighs in at 3500 pounds soaking wet. The 26 and trailer is going to weigh between 5000 and 6000 pounds. That is not a good combination. I tow my 260 about 3000 miles or more a year with a Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 Cummins 6 speed manual trans. The truck weighs 6300 and the boat weighs in at 5900 pounds and I don't have alot of extra stuff in it. It tows very well with this combination. I have towed it with a 1/2 ton 2 wheel drive short wheel base and it was no fun at all. It's not like towing a short heavy trailer, the boat is 9 feet wide, 12 feet of clearance, has alot of windage and the weight is not concentrated at the center of gravity. That means that if it starts to bounce and/or sway it will be a real handful. Short distances to and from are one thing, cross country is another. I would not recommend you tow it with your Suzuki. It doesn't have the suspension or brake capacity to do this. If you have to do any sudden maneuvers or jump on the brakes in a turn you will be lucky to maintain control. Not to mention if you have and automatic trans, plan on toasting it as well. The towing capacity for your vehicle is 3000 pounds. The 26 is going to be about twice that. I don't like to be so negative, and don't get me wrong, I have towed my boat all over the western US and Mexico, but you need an adequate tow vehicle. Towing a 260 with an undersized vehicle can get you into trouble very quickly at highway speeds. You can have it hauled by a pro with a proper vehicle and probably end up saving money and peace of mind.
A Suzuki Grand Vitara weighs in at 3500 pounds soaking wet. The 26 and trailer is going to weigh between 5000 and 6000 pounds. That is not a good combination. I tow my 260 about 3000 miles or more a year with a Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 Cummins 6 speed manual trans. The truck weighs 6300 and the boat weighs in at 5900 pounds and I don't have alot of extra stuff in it. It tows very well with this combination. I have towed it with a 1/2 ton 2 wheel drive short wheel base and it was no fun at all. It's not like towing a short heavy trailer, the boat is 9 feet wide, 12 feet of clearance, has alot of windage and the weight is not concentrated at the center of gravity. That means that if it starts to bounce and/or sway it will be a real handful. Short distances to and from are one thing, cross country is another. I would not recommend you tow it with your Suzuki. It doesn't have the suspension or brake capacity to do this. If you have to do any sudden maneuvers or jump on the brakes in a turn you will be lucky to maintain control. Not to mention if you have and automatic trans, plan on toasting it as well. The towing capacity for your vehicle is 3000 pounds. The 26 is going to be about twice that. I don't like to be so negative, and don't get me wrong, I have towed my boat all over the western US and Mexico, but you need an adequate tow vehicle. Towing a 260 with an undersized vehicle can get you into trouble very quickly at highway speeds. You can have it hauled by a pro with a proper vehicle and probably end up saving money and peace of mind.
I've done similar
I tow mine SHORT distances with a Grand Cherokee. I once towed it from one slip to another, about 3 hours, and I'm STILL puckered! The vehicle towed fine, w/tow package and V-8, but when all you can see in your mirrors is hull, and people, including 18 wheelers, whiz by you, there is not a moments peace. I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER again tow any distance without a full size truck! There was a discussion a year ago or so on this subject, and I think the most insightful statement made was that you can do it with that vehicle, and you may even survive it. Then again, maybe not. Save yourself the stress, rent a vehicle, or find a buddy and trade a road trip for some sailing time.
I tow mine SHORT distances with a Grand Cherokee. I once towed it from one slip to another, about 3 hours, and I'm STILL puckered! The vehicle towed fine, w/tow package and V-8, but when all you can see in your mirrors is hull, and people, including 18 wheelers, whiz by you, there is not a moments peace. I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER again tow any distance without a full size truck! There was a discussion a year ago or so on this subject, and I think the most insightful statement made was that you can do it with that vehicle, and you may even survive it. Then again, maybe not. Save yourself the stress, rent a vehicle, or find a buddy and trade a road trip for some sailing time.
pushing the limit
I think you are asking for trouble. I pull a 240 behind a chyrsler town and country which is not the best tow vehicle, but it was free and works. You will need a transmission cooler no matter which vehicle you ends up with. A ford f-150 or larger will be better.
I think you are asking for trouble. I pull a 240 behind a chyrsler town and country which is not the best tow vehicle, but it was free and works. You will need a transmission cooler no matter which vehicle you ends up with. A ford f-150 or larger will be better.
Can you stop it?
I thought about your problem a little more and someone said to me before I bought my 240. Sure your car will tow it but can you stop it?
I thought about your problem a little more and someone said to me before I bought my 240. Sure your car will tow it but can you stop it?
Don't Do It
I tow my Hunter 240 with a 2006 Nissan Frontier with a 4.0 liter, 260 HP, 285 lbs/ft of torque,full box chassis, 4 wheel disk brakes, limited slip differential and 16 inch tires. This truck is supposedly capable of towing 6500 lbs and I can tell you, that is is MARGINAL when towing the 240. Everytime an 18 wheeler passes me by I have to work hard in order to maintain control. If I had to break and turn to avoid an accident, I would be in deep trouble. I opted for leaving the boat at the marina and forget about trailering the boat from Orlando to St. Petersburg about 120 miles one way. If you find yourself in an emergency situation towing with the Suzuki, you are going to regret it. Don't risk it. Get at least an F150 or equivalent.
I tow my Hunter 240 with a 2006 Nissan Frontier with a 4.0 liter, 260 HP, 285 lbs/ft of torque,full box chassis, 4 wheel disk brakes, limited slip differential and 16 inch tires. This truck is supposedly capable of towing 6500 lbs and I can tell you, that is is MARGINAL when towing the 240. Everytime an 18 wheeler passes me by I have to work hard in order to maintain control. If I had to break and turn to avoid an accident, I would be in deep trouble. I opted for leaving the boat at the marina and forget about trailering the boat from Orlando to St. Petersburg about 120 miles one way. If you find yourself in an emergency situation towing with the Suzuki, you are going to regret it. Don't risk it. Get at least an F150 or equivalent.
Thanks Everyone
I drove to OK, with the intend ofm pulling the boat bak with my Suzuki! I had never actually seen a water ballast Hunter 26, so I was compareing to Catalina's and Macgregors. I was surprised to find that there was a lot more boat to the Hunter, now this is a good thing as far as sailing goes. Anyway, we had a good trip, we looked at the boat and liked what we saw and bought it. The boat did have a soft spot on the deck where the previous owner had installed a track for the jib. The marina is fixing the soft spot for me and I will be heading back down with my brother-in-law and his Dodge to pick up the boat. Also plan to use an equalizer hitch. Thanks to everyone for their input. Herm
I drove to OK, with the intend ofm pulling the boat bak with my Suzuki! I had never actually seen a water ballast Hunter 26, so I was compareing to Catalina's and Macgregors. I was surprised to find that there was a lot more boat to the Hunter, now this is a good thing as far as sailing goes. Anyway, we had a good trip, we looked at the boat and liked what we saw and bought it. The boat did have a soft spot on the deck where the previous owner had installed a track for the jib. The marina is fixing the soft spot for me and I will be heading back down with my brother-in-law and his Dodge to pick up the boat. Also plan to use an equalizer hitch. Thanks to everyone for their input. Herm
Equalizer Hitch = NO BRAKES!
Unless you have an equalizer hitch manufactured specifically for actuator brakes, the brakes on your trailer are not going to work. Equalizer hitches restrict the brake actuator from working by not allowing the trailer to move forward into the actuator. That frontal movement into the actuator, is what generates the pressure to make the brakes work. There are some manufacturers of equalizer hitches that make them specifically for boat trailers and they are designed to slide in and out but they are not your average camper equalizer hitch. You NEED to have those brakes working for your trip.
Unless you have an equalizer hitch manufactured specifically for actuator brakes, the brakes on your trailer are not going to work. Equalizer hitches restrict the brake actuator from working by not allowing the trailer to move forward into the actuator. That frontal movement into the actuator, is what generates the pressure to make the brakes work. There are some manufacturers of equalizer hitches that make them specifically for boat trailers and they are designed to slide in and out but they are not your average camper equalizer hitch. You NEED to have those brakes working for your trip.
Herm, what type of Dodge???
If it is a 1/2 ton or better pickup you shouldn't need an equalizing hitch. The tongue weight on the 26 should be between 550-600 pounds. Any fullsize pickup or suv should be adequate for the task. As others have said, make sure that the trailer brakes are in working condition before you leave OK.
If it is a 1/2 ton or better pickup you shouldn't need an equalizing hitch. The tongue weight on the 26 should be between 550-600 pounds. Any fullsize pickup or suv should be adequate for the task. As others have said, make sure that the trailer brakes are in working condition before you leave OK.
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