I just got a Catalina 22 that I have been only towing a couple times so far with my V6 Ford Ranger. I only have to got 2 miles, so I'm not going far. I'm pretty sure it isn't related, but rather a problem with my transmission that was replaced a year ago, I only have 5,000 miles on it. This problem was noticed before I got the boat. First, the shifting was delayed - rpms seems kind of high before the gears shifted. Then I took back to the shop, they test drove it and said it was "normal". A couple weeks later I noticed smoke and found that there was fluid burning on the exhaust pipe near the transmission. I had the oil changed, and asked them to check out the transmission leak. "Yeah, you got a good leak here!" the guy told me and tightned up some of the screws on the pan (which seemed a bit too loose). Last weekend, I was looking and still saw a lot of fluid, I checked the level and found that it was basically dry! Added a quart, drove it some more. It was working great, shifting fine and everything. Suddenly, there was a cloud of smoke while on the freeway. Get home to find more fluid had sprayed out all over. Truck is going back to the shop today. So.....I'm thinking once I get this thing fixed again, maybe I should just sell it for about $3,000 and get a used F-150 or similar? Does this make sense? I could always get the 4 liter Ranger, but wouldn't that just have the same transmission? Even if the Ranger can pull the boat, I'm feeling very paranoid about this whole thing. Advice or recommendations on a different truck? Tom
Truck problems - recommendation on a tow vehicle?
- Thread starter tegwilym
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Sounds like your "new" transmission is not what
it should be. I've owned Rangers for a number of years and it should be able to handle that load for relatively short distances. With that said, a good used 150 would provide enough extra beef (pulling and braking) to handle your chores no sweat. Keep in mind that you may in the future need to pull your boat much further than 2 miles. Just opt for a V8 and when towing, don't use the OD.
it should be. I've owned Rangers for a number of years and it should be able to handle that load for relatively short distances. With that said, a good used 150 would provide enough extra beef (pulling and braking) to handle your chores no sweat. Keep in mind that you may in the future need to pull your boat much further than 2 miles. Just opt for a V8 and when towing, don't use the OD.
trans overheating or overfilled
You'll need a transmission cooler for sure. It sounds like the trans fluid's heating up, foaming and using the overflow to relieve the pressure, spraying under and onto your exhaust. This is assuming a second opinion agrees that the trans is ok otherwise. Sounds fishy to me. If it's destined to be hauled more often or further just go for a bigger truck like an f150. Michael
You'll need a transmission cooler for sure. It sounds like the trans fluid's heating up, foaming and using the overflow to relieve the pressure, spraying under and onto your exhaust. This is assuming a second opinion agrees that the trans is ok otherwise. Sounds fishy to me. If it's destined to be hauled more often or further just go for a bigger truck like an f150. Michael
Overdrive
Yep. I know that I shouldn't have the overdrive on, and that is the first thing I always turn off. I don't tow it on the freeway, but just 2 miles home. I do have a hill that I need to climb. I can take the quick route up the steeper part (1 mile) or go a few miles farther and take a different route up the hill - longer but gradual. I did this last time I took the boat out and it felt like the truck was happier, but buy this time the transmission had already started blowing itself over the road. I never have to go any faster than 25 mph either, so I can take my time and crawl home slow and carefully. My load should be approximately ~2700 lbs. I have the 1800lb Catalina if the documentation is correct. It's one of the older "vintage" boats #880. I researched the hell out of this before buying the boat and figured the Ranger should be ok, but then this happens. *ugh!* 8/10 trailer sailors I asked said I would do fine with this truck. Then again, I'm now thinking I should sell it, get an F-150 and get rid of my paranoia. Then I would be set for a larger future boat, could borrow my parent's travel trailer for weekends, and only have to worry about feeding the beast gas. I'm so bummed right now I'm not sure what to do next.
Yep. I know that I shouldn't have the overdrive on, and that is the first thing I always turn off. I don't tow it on the freeway, but just 2 miles home. I do have a hill that I need to climb. I can take the quick route up the steeper part (1 mile) or go a few miles farther and take a different route up the hill - longer but gradual. I did this last time I took the boat out and it felt like the truck was happier, but buy this time the transmission had already started blowing itself over the road. I never have to go any faster than 25 mph either, so I can take my time and crawl home slow and carefully. My load should be approximately ~2700 lbs. I have the 1800lb Catalina if the documentation is correct. It's one of the older "vintage" boats #880. I researched the hell out of this before buying the boat and figured the Ranger should be ok, but then this happens. *ugh!* 8/10 trailer sailors I asked said I would do fine with this truck. Then again, I'm now thinking I should sell it, get an F-150 and get rid of my paranoia. Then I would be set for a larger future boat, could borrow my parent's travel trailer for weekends, and only have to worry about feeding the beast gas. I'm so bummed right now I'm not sure what to do next.
Trans cooler
The truck does have a factory installed cooler and it appears to be a heavy duty thing also. Unless it's clogged or something, it should help, but something didn't do well anyway.
The truck does have a factory installed cooler and it appears to be a heavy duty thing also. Unless it's clogged or something, it should help, but something didn't do well anyway.
I think you had problems
before you pulled a trailer. The transmission shifts because of engine vacume. There is a hose running to a valve on the trans off the intake manifold. A leak in the hose will cause slow shifting. Next, the valve on the transmission has a diaphram, if it gets a hole in it, it can cause slow shifting and dissapearing fluid as it gets sucked into the engine and burned. When it gets a big hole, the tailpipe will put out a cloud of white smoke. Alot of people sell cars thinking they have a big problem when it's a $20 valve.
before you pulled a trailer. The transmission shifts because of engine vacume. There is a hose running to a valve on the trans off the intake manifold. A leak in the hose will cause slow shifting. Next, the valve on the transmission has a diaphram, if it gets a hole in it, it can cause slow shifting and dissapearing fluid as it gets sucked into the engine and burned. When it gets a big hole, the tailpipe will put out a cloud of white smoke. Alot of people sell cars thinking they have a big problem when it's a $20 valve.
Before Catalina...
Yeah, I think you are right. Before I got the boat, I was noticing the shifting problems. I do think I should be ok with this truck as long as I'm gentle with it, but paranoia has bit me now. It goes to the shop again tonight along with a letter I wrote describing everything I've noticed with it. Seems that something popped out since fluid is all over the bottom of the tranny as well as exhaust pipe (burning) and the frame nearby. It's a big scary mess down there. ...and I'm not pleased.
Yeah, I think you are right. Before I got the boat, I was noticing the shifting problems. I do think I should be ok with this truck as long as I'm gentle with it, but paranoia has bit me now. It goes to the shop again tonight along with a letter I wrote describing everything I've noticed with it. Seems that something popped out since fluid is all over the bottom of the tranny as well as exhaust pipe (burning) and the frame nearby. It's a big scary mess down there. ...and I'm not pleased.
tow vehicle
I been towing a 22' Venture for more than two years, with no complaints or problemss and use a 2001 Toyota Highlander with a V-6 at 220 HP. I tow my boat 100 miles each time to put it into the water. This includes two significant hills. My Highlander has a button that starts the vehicle in 2nd for ease of towing out of a slick ramp. The vehicle is rated to tow 3,500 pounds. I can recommend this vehicle for towing anything up to 3,500 pounds. I also get 22 MPG without the trailer and 15+ MPG towing the trailer. Novelman
I been towing a 22' Venture for more than two years, with no complaints or problemss and use a 2001 Toyota Highlander with a V-6 at 220 HP. I tow my boat 100 miles each time to put it into the water. This includes two significant hills. My Highlander has a button that starts the vehicle in 2nd for ease of towing out of a slick ramp. The vehicle is rated to tow 3,500 pounds. I can recommend this vehicle for towing anything up to 3,500 pounds. I also get 22 MPG without the trailer and 15+ MPG towing the trailer. Novelman
Toyota...etc.
I do like the quality of the Japanese trucks. They are just a lot more expensive though. I think I'd be looking around the $4,000-ish range for something. Maybe I can get $3,000 from my 98 Ranger once it's fixed, and use my Tax return money for the rest? I'm just thinking aloud trying to figure out how to deal with my problem.
I do like the quality of the Japanese trucks. They are just a lot more expensive though. I think I'd be looking around the $4,000-ish range for something. Maybe I can get $3,000 from my 98 Ranger once it's fixed, and use my Tax return money for the rest? I'm just thinking aloud trying to figure out how to deal with my problem.
T Shop
Bring it to the shop if you are leaking fluid all over and loosing fluid the tranny is never going to shift or do any thing right. Sounds like the shop did a lousy job putting things back together. Nick
Bring it to the shop if you are leaking fluid all over and loosing fluid the tranny is never going to shift or do any thing right. Sounds like the shop did a lousy job putting things back together. Nick
I have always been a fan of manual trans
for towing and mountain driving. I know that alot of people don't work well with them, but if you are good with one they can't be beat for control when towing. I have over 75000 miles on mine and the clutch and brakes are still better than 80% new.
for towing and mountain driving. I know that alot of people don't work well with them, but if you are good with one they can't be beat for control when towing. I have over 75000 miles on mine and the clutch and brakes are still better than 80% new.
Warning, Warning
I think that truck is a problem you want to get rid of, boat or no boat. A used F150 will be a nice towing vehicle for the C22, but the short distance you're going allows all sorts of other options, too. Jeff P.S.— the weight of the towing vehicle MUST be significantly more than the weight of the trailer & load, or the inertia behind you will want to jackknife the two vehicles whenever you have hard braking (heavy pedal, or any braking downhill) to do.
I think that truck is a problem you want to get rid of, boat or no boat. A used F150 will be a nice towing vehicle for the C22, but the short distance you're going allows all sorts of other options, too. Jeff P.S.— the weight of the towing vehicle MUST be significantly more than the weight of the trailer & load, or the inertia behind you will want to jackknife the two vehicles whenever you have hard braking (heavy pedal, or any braking downhill) to do.
I had a Dodge van with a slant six
that had similar symptoms. The rear seal on the transmission was slowly leaking more and more. I could get away with a litre every few hundred miles until I towed a 19 foot Bayliner runabout, When I towed the boat, the power was there, but the increased pressure in the transmission made the fluid squirt out through the waek seal, and it would first shift funny, then lose all power. I got the seal fixed and it was still working fine when I sold it several months later. (for $100) Even if your leak is not the rear seal, the increased pressure with a heavier load may turn an small leak into a gusher.
that had similar symptoms. The rear seal on the transmission was slowly leaking more and more. I could get away with a litre every few hundred miles until I towed a 19 foot Bayliner runabout, When I towed the boat, the power was there, but the increased pressure in the transmission made the fluid squirt out through the waek seal, and it would first shift funny, then lose all power. I got the seal fixed and it was still working fine when I sold it several months later. (for $100) Even if your leak is not the rear seal, the increased pressure with a heavier load may turn an small leak into a gusher.
towing is not the problem
the transmission has a leak and that is the problem. Fix the leak and fix the problem. Your truck is more then capable to towing your boat, if the truck is operating correctly. You could sell it and buy another but most likely you will sell at a reduced value because of the transmission leak. Most buyers will not think rear seal but replacing transmission when calculating what they will pay for it. Fix the truck and be done with it. One way or the other it will cost you the same. Buy a bigger newer truck if you want but it is because you want it not because you need it. Just my thoughts
the transmission has a leak and that is the problem. Fix the leak and fix the problem. Your truck is more then capable to towing your boat, if the truck is operating correctly. You could sell it and buy another but most likely you will sell at a reduced value because of the transmission leak. Most buyers will not think rear seal but replacing transmission when calculating what they will pay for it. Fix the truck and be done with it. One way or the other it will cost you the same. Buy a bigger newer truck if you want but it is because you want it not because you need it. Just my thoughts
Gusher / replace the truck
Fred, Yes, I'm kind of thinking that is what is going one. The pressure from pulling the Catalina is making a gusher. But....it didn't happen when I was pulling the boat, but just going down the freeway carrying a mattress in the back! But I'm sure the boat may have loosened it up. I had the biggest problem (when the cloud of smoke appeared) when I was accelerating onto the freeway. I also only have to tow 2 miles on residential streets to the boat launch, but I have to go up the hill to get home. Pete, Yeah, I'm kind of thinking I should get the truck fixed, sell it, and use the money toward something else used (there seems to be plenty of F-150 trucks out there) and go with that. It's a 1998 in decent shape and when I looked on the bluebook site it came up with about $3,000 for the price. I paid $6,000 for it 3 years ago, and an additional $2300 for the new transmission a year ago. $3,000 + my tax return, and I should be set! Tom
Fred, Yes, I'm kind of thinking that is what is going one. The pressure from pulling the Catalina is making a gusher. But....it didn't happen when I was pulling the boat, but just going down the freeway carrying a mattress in the back! But I'm sure the boat may have loosened it up. I had the biggest problem (when the cloud of smoke appeared) when I was accelerating onto the freeway. I also only have to tow 2 miles on residential streets to the boat launch, but I have to go up the hill to get home. Pete, Yeah, I'm kind of thinking I should get the truck fixed, sell it, and use the money toward something else used (there seems to be plenty of F-150 trucks out there) and go with that. It's a 1998 in decent shape and when I looked on the bluebook site it came up with about $3,000 for the price. I paid $6,000 for it 3 years ago, and an additional $2300 for the new transmission a year ago. $3,000 + my tax return, and I should be set! Tom
Go with a diesel
When I use to tow my Hunter 22 I almost blew the transmission out of my ford F-150. I saw the writing on the wall and I bought a used Ford F-350 with a 7.3 liter diesel. I have not regretted the switch over. You get better milage with the diesel, it last longer, it is a much better towing platform, and the list goes on and on. The sticker price of a newer truck hurts, but look at a slightly used truck. I bought mine with 97,000 miles on it. That isn't that many miles considering the the engine will go 250,000 miles without batting an eye. You will not regret the switch. One piece of advice...If you get a Ford get a truck before the year 2003. Mid-year through 2003 Ford changed to the 6.0 liter diesel and they are problems. If you get a Ford look for a truck with a 7.3 liter engine (the best one they have made to date). If you go with Chevrolet get a truck that is after the year 2004. The Duramax in that year on was a good engine and they have the best transmission (Allison Transmission). If you go with Dodge go with a truck After 2003. They had transmission problems until then.
When I use to tow my Hunter 22 I almost blew the transmission out of my ford F-150. I saw the writing on the wall and I bought a used Ford F-350 with a 7.3 liter diesel. I have not regretted the switch over. You get better milage with the diesel, it last longer, it is a much better towing platform, and the list goes on and on. The sticker price of a newer truck hurts, but look at a slightly used truck. I bought mine with 97,000 miles on it. That isn't that many miles considering the the engine will go 250,000 miles without batting an eye. You will not regret the switch. One piece of advice...If you get a Ford get a truck before the year 2003. Mid-year through 2003 Ford changed to the 6.0 liter diesel and they are problems. If you get a Ford look for a truck with a 7.3 liter engine (the best one they have made to date). If you go with Chevrolet get a truck that is after the year 2004. The Duramax in that year on was a good engine and they have the best transmission (Allison Transmission). If you go with Dodge go with a truck After 2003. They had transmission problems until then.
I think I have your answer
The problem you are describing is one that I had also. There is a leak in the oil pipes that goes by the transmission. They are about 3/8" copper pipes. On mine somewhare just infront of the transmission they cross each other. Over the years they rubbed against each other and this wore a hole in it. I had oil sprayed all over the bottom of the truck. The transmission shop replaced the tube and all was OK. The reason that it does not shift is due to low oil level since it leaks. I was told that the oil pressure in the tubes are 6500 lbs. So the opening of the hole may be very small and it leaks only when you tow somthing since this places a greater pressure on the tubes. I hope this helps - Good luck.
The problem you are describing is one that I had also. There is a leak in the oil pipes that goes by the transmission. They are about 3/8" copper pipes. On mine somewhare just infront of the transmission they cross each other. Over the years they rubbed against each other and this wore a hole in it. I had oil sprayed all over the bottom of the truck. The transmission shop replaced the tube and all was OK. The reason that it does not shift is due to low oil level since it leaks. I was told that the oil pressure in the tubes are 6500 lbs. So the opening of the hole may be very small and it leaks only when you tow somthing since this places a greater pressure on the tubes. I hope this helps - Good luck.
Leak
Truck is back home again. No charge since it was under warrenty. The problem was a little 3 inch diameter metal plug over the overdrive servo, piston (or whatever mystery part is in there). The shop said that in the later Fords, they were getting cheap and made those covers with thin porous metal. Under pressure, the fluid would eventually blow out when the porous metal failed. They repacked it with a good thick part so that should be fixed now. I'm thinking that since it's ok again, I'll use the truck gently (as I always have) and keep my eyes open for a replacement truck with a bit more muscle. I don't have to rush into buying a new one, but just be ready if something good shows up. Suggestions helpful if you have something to toss toward me! Tom
Truck is back home again. No charge since it was under warrenty. The problem was a little 3 inch diameter metal plug over the overdrive servo, piston (or whatever mystery part is in there). The shop said that in the later Fords, they were getting cheap and made those covers with thin porous metal. Under pressure, the fluid would eventually blow out when the porous metal failed. They repacked it with a good thick part so that should be fixed now. I'm thinking that since it's ok again, I'll use the truck gently (as I always have) and keep my eyes open for a replacement truck with a bit more muscle. I don't have to rush into buying a new one, but just be ready if something good shows up. Suggestions helpful if you have something to toss toward me!
TomNew Truck??
I own a service business and I baught a lot of Ford vans. I switched to Chevy G20 in 1994 and after 275000 miles they run as good as new. Try them, you will like them. I tow my 6200 lb 1984 Hunter 25.5. I switched to Chevy since I realised that Ford required often servicing. Good Luck.
I own a service business and I baught a lot of Ford vans. I switched to Chevy G20 in 1994 and after 275000 miles they run as good as new. Try them, you will like them. I tow my 6200 lb 1984 Hunter 25.5. I switched to Chevy since I realised that Ford required often servicing. Good Luck.
Pulling is not the problem
The Ranger will pull the load OK if you take it easy - the problem comes when you have to make a panic stop or quick avoidance maneuver. If you have brakes on the boat trailer, that is a big help, but going downhill at any speed, you'd better hope you don't have to lock 'em up. Also, your insurance company will no doubt be very interested if you are towing something that weighs more than your truck or hitch is rated for and you are in an accident.
The Ranger will pull the load OK if you take it easy - the problem comes when you have to make a panic stop or quick avoidance maneuver. If you have brakes on the boat trailer, that is a big help, but going downhill at any speed, you'd better hope you don't have to lock 'em up. Also, your insurance company will no doubt be very interested if you are towing something that weighs more than your truck or hitch is rated for and you are in an accident.
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