Will my truck tow a catalina 22

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

John L

I am about to purchase a 1982 Catalina 22. My current vehicle is a 1986 Jeep Cherokee Pickup Truck. The truck has a 6 cylinder, 2.8 liter engine with a manual 5 speed transmission. The hitch I'm having installed is rated for 5000 lbs and the Cat with trailer weighs in at about 3000 so the hitch strength is no problem. My annual hauling of the boat will be a 50 mile trip to put it in the lake and a second trip to bring it home at the end of the season. I'm not too concerned about that. If I buy the boat, however, I must trailer it 600 miles from NY state to Northern Maine. I'm wondering if anyone out there has used a similar vehicle to tow their Cat 22 and am I worrying for nothing or should I not attempt this trip with this size engine. The vehicle is in excellent mechanical shape, has new brakes, tires, etc. I'm just wondering about the strength of the 2.8 liter engine up hills, etc. I've heard the boat is a "friendly" boat to trailer. Can anyone help?????????
 
E

Ed P.

Underpowered

Hi John, The answer to your question is a definate "No !" A 2.8 liter six, just doesn't have enough power to safely pull a C-22 without putting a tremendous strain on the engine. I have a 4.0 six with a 5 Speed Manual in my Ford Explorer, and pulling my C-22 from California to Washington wasn't too difficult, but I couldn't sustain it in 5th gear unless I went up to about 70 MPH which is way to fast to be towing anything. Another consideration is that since you truck is small, the trailer will most certainly be trying to drive the truck rather than the other way around. Most importantly though is that you ability to safely stop (or even slow down quickly) will be dangeously impaired. You may be able to get away with it for the 50 mile trip provided it's all flat ground. If you can't afford a bigger vehicle, consider renting one for the 600 mile tow. It could save you lots of $$$ in repairs. Good Luck ! Ed P. "See Da Moon" S/N 13106
 
B

Bob Finley

Cat 22 tow vehicle

John, I pull my Catalina 22 on a single axel trailer with 15" tires with a 98 full size Chevy pickup with the 350 V8 largest engine available in the 1/2 ton size. It handles it OK but it knows the boat is back there and you definitely have to make some provisions for getting it stopped. ie DON'T get into a tight situation! The other consideration is being able to see behind you around the boat. The fat sides of the boat definitely impede vision from the side mirrors. I have the automatic transmission and I take it out of overdrive except on very flat stretches. I agree with the other response, short runs to the lake may be OK for your vehicle, but for the longer trip consider renting or borrowing something larger. Remember also to get the wheel bearings repacked and checked before the trip as well as other things on the trailer.
 
B

Brad Williams

I towed with a 3.4 L ....wouldn't want any smaller

I was towing at elevation (Denver) so there is some loss of power. The 4Runner handled it okay but I didn't do any mountain driving....usually no more than a 200 mile drive to Wyoming or Nebraska although I did haul the boat from Phoenix to Denver when I bought it (about 900 plus miles). I estimated 3500 plus pounds for boat and trailer, I wouldn't have wanted a pound more. I will say that if the surge brakes are adjusted and you watch your speed, stopping shouldn't be a problem. I vote with the others, rent a truck to do the 600 mile trip and just take it easy on the annual commute to the marina. Brad
 
R

Randy

Make sure you can stop

Having enough power is one thing...stopping is top priority, though. My concern is that the Jeep pickup might be overcome by the weight of the 22 and trailer when trying to stop. Randy
 
J

Jay Beery

Got Truck?

I feel lucky I only have about a three mile trip to the lake twice a year. But I have an '87 Ford F250 3/4 ton with 460 cubic inches, and I still feel that boat behind me. A buddy of mine was towing his 26' powerboat to a local lake with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep has a V8 but the boat up and tried to pass him going down the highway. Bent the Jeep up a little and totaled the trailer. Boat was OK though. I would beg, borrow, or rent a truck for every trip. Don't use the Jeep. Good Luck, Jay
 
C

CHARLIE

2 trucks

When I bought my 22, my son towed it home (about 100 miles) with his GMC/350 2-wheel drive like it wasn't even there. Its on a single axle trailer with 10' surge brakes. I later towed the boat to the launch ramp with my S10/4.3 2-wheel drive amd although I could tell the boat was there, it made the 15 mile trip to the ramp with relative ease. I haven't yet hauled the boat, but my concern now with 2-wheel drive is can I get it out of the water. I'll have my son (and his truck) with me just in case. My next truck will definitely be 4-wheel drive (probably still an S10 - my son doesn't get 24 MPG)
 
J

John Buckham

Good trailer brakes a must.

Just about any vehicle will tow your 22 on level ground. Hills may be a problem. Make certain that your trailer has surge or electric brakes that are properly adjusted in working order. When you are pulling up the ramp it's not about power, but traction. A limited slip differential or four-wheel drive with low range may be necessary depending on how steep the ramp is. I've found that an automatic transmission is better at this. One other thing, visit the ramp at the end of the day before you launch and see how others are doing it and with what.
 
D

Dan Breau

Truck towing of Catalina 22

I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 cargo van, 6 cylinder, to trailer my C-22. Uphill is a bit of a drag but otherwise no problems. I don't have any brakes on the trailer, so all the stopping power comes from the tow vehicle. I have had no problem stopping -- even made a stand-on-the-brake-pedal emergency stop with no difficulty.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.