Where I live there is no realistic alternative to trailor sailing, and I am trying to figure out what the realistic limits are for my situation. Does anybody pull a Hunter 235 or 240 with a minivan or similarly powered vehicle? My Honda Odyssey is supposed to be able to pull 3500 pounds, and the 240 weighs 2800 pounds, so add in the people and luggage and it's going to be cutting things close. One thing I'm not clear on is if the 2800 pounds includes the trailer. I think it does, but. . . Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences with a similar situation? David
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I would do it
While do not have specific experience with that van, I have towed with other light weight vans. You might also post this question to the trailer sailors website. (see bottom of main page on hunterowners.com) Specific to your Honda, I have attached a link that gives you actual experience of a couple guys towing boats with their Honda. Good Luck Ward
While do not have specific experience with that van, I have towed with other light weight vans. You might also post this question to the trailer sailors website. (see bottom of main page on hunterowners.com) Specific to your Honda, I have attached a link that gives you actual experience of a couple guys towing boats with their Honda. Good Luck Ward
Transmission question
I think the real question is how long do you want your transmission to last. Even if you are under your towing and Gross volume limits, I don't know how well your tranny is going to fare if you make a frequent habit of towing your boat with it. I would assume that your radiator has a tranny cooler built into it, but I would double check. If you depend on your minivan for other things, then I would look into getting a used 3/4 or one ton pickup or van to pull the boat with.
I think the real question is how long do you want your transmission to last. Even if you are under your towing and Gross volume limits, I don't know how well your tranny is going to fare if you make a frequent habit of towing your boat with it. I would assume that your radiator has a tranny cooler built into it, but I would double check. If you depend on your minivan for other things, then I would look into getting a used 3/4 or one ton pickup or van to pull the boat with.
I agree with Fred
You also want to think about the ramp you will be using. Is it steep? Is it sandy? I have seen ½ ton pickups sliding backwards on boat ramps with all four tires locked up while trying to back a boat in. Taking off with a boat loaded is also very hard on a transmission if its geared too high. Its not like towing something down the highway on a paved road.
You also want to think about the ramp you will be using. Is it steep? Is it sandy? I have seen ½ ton pickups sliding backwards on boat ramps with all four tires locked up while trying to back a boat in. Taking off with a boat loaded is also very hard on a transmission if its geared too high. Its not like towing something down the highway on a paved road.
240 trailer mininan
Have had the 240 for two seasons and tow with a Chrysler minivan 6 cyl. My experience. Sit on 55-60 mph, have enough stuff in it for a week away, handles fine but I don't like to get over 60-65 mpg (who does) so keep a check on it going down long hills. Brakes well but always give plenty of braking distance. Have been on all sorts of ramps, wellsfleet very steep but good condition, have needed to use the extension other times, never had trouble (shouldn't say that to loud). If a ramp is very sandy and steep I probably would not even try it. I love it, pull up to a ramp and have to give a chuckle as everyone has 4x4s, monster trucks, diesels stinking everywhere etc, and we back down and launch in the same car we use all year round. Tow it 3 hrs to RI, 4.5 hrs to cape cod, twice a year. The long hill up past Lee on I90 is the only time i drop down, it is a tough hill. Ever other week 1hr to lake George, and go 4hr, 1000 islands once a year. you get the idea. The van is rated for it and does it, but boy does it sucks the gas
But a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a dedicated another vehicle.
Have had the 240 for two seasons and tow with a Chrysler minivan 6 cyl. My experience. Sit on 55-60 mph, have enough stuff in it for a week away, handles fine but I don't like to get over 60-65 mpg (who does) so keep a check on it going down long hills. Brakes well but always give plenty of braking distance. Have been on all sorts of ramps, wellsfleet very steep but good condition, have needed to use the extension other times, never had trouble (shouldn't say that to loud). If a ramp is very sandy and steep I probably would not even try it. I love it, pull up to a ramp and have to give a chuckle as everyone has 4x4s, monster trucks, diesels stinking everywhere etc, and we back down and launch in the same car we use all year round. Tow it 3 hrs to RI, 4.5 hrs to cape cod, twice a year. The long hill up past Lee on I90 is the only time i drop down, it is a tough hill. Ever other week 1hr to lake George, and go 4hr, 1000 islands once a year. you get the idea. The van is rated for it and does it, but boy does it sucks the gas
But a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a dedicated another vehicle.Attachments
mini van towing
David,as with everthing having the right equipment means everthing! First if your van is rated at 3500 lbs it should be able to safely tow 3500 lbs.The weight includes the trailer as you assumed so yes you will be at max rating. You will most likely want to get a weight distrbuting hitch. You may also want go get a stronger tire (ply rating)Additionaly you may find you won't want to tow in overdrive. If it does not have a trans cooler get one or maybe have a larger one installed depending on how long a trip you will be making.Good heavy duty shocks are a MUST!It might cost you a few dollars to set up your van for towing but it should be fine.The right equipment for the right job! I'm sure there are good towing eqmipment shops in your area who can set up the van. Good Luck !
David,as with everthing having the right equipment means everthing! First if your van is rated at 3500 lbs it should be able to safely tow 3500 lbs.The weight includes the trailer as you assumed so yes you will be at max rating. You will most likely want to get a weight distrbuting hitch. You may also want go get a stronger tire (ply rating)Additionaly you may find you won't want to tow in overdrive. If it does not have a trans cooler get one or maybe have a larger one installed depending on how long a trip you will be making.Good heavy duty shocks are a MUST!It might cost you a few dollars to set up your van for towing but it should be fine.The right equipment for the right job! I'm sure there are good towing eqmipment shops in your area who can set up the van. Good Luck !
add an external trans cooler...
... a class 2 hitch receiver, inflate the tires to max rated pressure, turn off the over drive and you should be fine. Your vehicle uses struts, not shocks, so you can't do much with that. The suggestion to add equalizer bars to the hitch may be a good one, depending on your hitch weight, Rule of thumb (without equalizer bars) is tongue weight should be at least 10% of total towed weight, so 280+ in this case. Otherwise the boat will sway. Equalizer bars distribute the tongue weight thru the trailer & tow vehicle frame.Some states require trailer brakes on anything over 2000#. Using a receiver-type itch will also allow you to add an inexpensive sway control, which is really nice when the big rigs blast by, or in a panic stop. Talk to someone who pulls a large RV trailer, they can be a great source of information. Hope this helps.`
... a class 2 hitch receiver, inflate the tires to max rated pressure, turn off the over drive and you should be fine. Your vehicle uses struts, not shocks, so you can't do much with that. The suggestion to add equalizer bars to the hitch may be a good one, depending on your hitch weight, Rule of thumb (without equalizer bars) is tongue weight should be at least 10% of total towed weight, so 280+ in this case. Otherwise the boat will sway. Equalizer bars distribute the tongue weight thru the trailer & tow vehicle frame.Some states require trailer brakes on anything over 2000#. Using a receiver-type itch will also allow you to add an inexpensive sway control, which is really nice when the big rigs blast by, or in a panic stop. Talk to someone who pulls a large RV trailer, they can be a great source of information. Hope this helps.`
240 with Ranger
I used to tow a 240 with a 98 Ranger with the 3.0 liter v-6. I added heavy duty shocks to the back end of the truck and that helped a lot. With the trailer on the hitch it smashed the back end down and caused a lack of steering control. Going down the ramp with the light weight truck killed the brakes -trailer brakes don't operate in reverse. My worst scare was backing down a steep and wet ramp and hitting the truck brakes and having the tires lock up and the boat pulling the truck backwards down the ramp in slide mode. The van will handle it, just be careful.....and have the wife stand by with a block to throw behind the wheels if you start sliding down the hill. The Ranger is also rated to tow at 3500 lbs.
I used to tow a 240 with a 98 Ranger with the 3.0 liter v-6. I added heavy duty shocks to the back end of the truck and that helped a lot. With the trailer on the hitch it smashed the back end down and caused a lack of steering control. Going down the ramp with the light weight truck killed the brakes -trailer brakes don't operate in reverse. My worst scare was backing down a steep and wet ramp and hitting the truck brakes and having the tires lock up and the boat pulling the truck backwards down the ramp in slide mode. The van will handle it, just be careful.....and have the wife stand by with a block to throw behind the wheels if you start sliding down the hill. The Ranger is also rated to tow at 3500 lbs.
Check the owner's manuel, I have a 2000 Oddy and..
...above 2000lbs. you need a transmission fluid cooler, newer Oddys require a power steering fluid cooler also, you need a weight distributing hitch and proper reciever for one. You should consider sway bars, there are load limits for the entire vehicle and each axil which must include the tongue weight. They extended the transmission warentee due to problems so, make sure you follow all their reccomendations as to fluid change and fluid coolers. I've only towed a 1350 lbs. h26 trailer unloaded. You feel it but no control problems at 50 mph. I've been told to get brakes for any trailer above 1000lbs. total to avoid wear on your tow veh. system. Not sure but I believe that standard surge type brakes on small trailers will not work with a weight distributing hitch. I've also been told that a front wheel drive veh. could present problems on a steep slimey ramp. Hard to get more weight up front. A full size spare is a must, that donut is not reccomended. alan
...above 2000lbs. you need a transmission fluid cooler, newer Oddys require a power steering fluid cooler also, you need a weight distributing hitch and proper reciever for one. You should consider sway bars, there are load limits for the entire vehicle and each axil which must include the tongue weight. They extended the transmission warentee due to problems so, make sure you follow all their reccomendations as to fluid change and fluid coolers. I've only towed a 1350 lbs. h26 trailer unloaded. You feel it but no control problems at 50 mph. I've been told to get brakes for any trailer above 1000lbs. total to avoid wear on your tow veh. system. Not sure but I believe that standard surge type brakes on small trailers will not work with a weight distributing hitch. I've also been told that a front wheel drive veh. could present problems on a steep slimey ramp. Hard to get more weight up front. A full size spare is a must, that donut is not reccomended. alan
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