Tow Beast Roll Call

A forum for discussing issues relating to trailers and towing MacGregor sailboats.
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Divecoz
Admiral
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: PORT CHARLOTTE FLORIDA 05 M Mercury 50 H.P. Big Foot Bill at Boats 4 Sail is my Hero

Re: Tow Beast

Post by Divecoz »

Frank C wrote:
kaube01 wrote:A F-550 diesel crew cab 4wd and DRW with a 4000 bound trauck camper in a pickup bed
F-550~!!!! :o

Picture, please??
( you might enter it as Avatar, or else forward to me [or any Moderator] for posting in this thread )
Its Ford's heavy duty real work truck. Never seen one that wasn't a dually and wasn't Diesel. Most often a fifth wheel deck instead of a box on the back. We used them to haul equipment back-hoes and the like and big office trailers . I would guess they weight in at 10,000+ Lbs.
Paul Brinkley
Just Enlisted
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Location: Lucama, NC

Lightweight!

Post by Paul Brinkley »

Looks like mostly X's and M's replied here, with heavy-duty beasts :o 8) . I have a lightweight to pull my 26S: a 2003 Ford Ranger, 3L v-6 with 5-sp manual trans. Does fine for me, but would not recommend it for a heavier boat or crossing the mountains! :D Only problem is, I end up driving 2 vehicles to the ramp, because the boat carries more passengers than the truck! :wink:
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NiceAft
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk

Post by NiceAft »

Anyone who is interested in a new tow vehicle may wish to read the list from the article (2008 SUV TOWING & MILEAGE GUIDE) in the March issue of BOATUS MAGAZINE. Page 28.

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/boatus/200803/


Ray
Last edited by NiceAft on Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Gazmn
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Bayside, NY '97X, E-tec 115 Pontoon, The "Ollie Gray" & '01 Chevy Tahoe W/ Tow Pkg; AL 2X Trlr.

Post by Gazmn »

Gee, that's 550 reasons why--

Kaube wins :)
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beene
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Ontario Canada, '07 26M, Merc 75 4s PEGASUS

Post by beene »

Hey Ray, that Mag doesn't seem to be a very good source of info.

It shows my Dodge Durango has a tow cap of 3850. Meanwhile, it is actually 8950.

Unless they got their number mixed up?

Cheers

G
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NiceAft
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk

Post by NiceAft »

G,

According to the article, "The towing capacity listed corresponds with the base model. The vehicles included have a towing capacity of 3,000 or greater in their standard configuration."

Is your Durango a base model with standard configuration? If yes, then call 703-461-2864 and complain :!: You can even tell them that I told you to call :D If yours is not a base model, then :P It was nice hearing from you though :)


Ray
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Catigale
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Post by Catigale »

Not all the information on the Internet can be trusted, including this.

:P
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beene
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Location: Ontario Canada, '07 26M, Merc 75 4s PEGASUS

Post by beene »

Just so you know, I am not actually who you think I am, in fact, I am just a crazy sailor who doesn't really know anything except for how to have a good time. 8)

Tks for the info Ray, knee jerk reaction on my part. Don't know why they would print base model cap's when it is trying to inform consumers about what to look for in a tow beast. My Durango is an SLT Limited. Everything is has on it, it comes with, including the higher tow cap. The base model does not come with a hitch at all, guess that means it can't tow anything! :D With the base model, it comes with the 4.7 V8 and will tow 7350, once you put a hitch on it that is. Mine is higher due to the 5.7 HEMI with more hosspowaaa :o

Later dude. :)

G
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Bluecrab
Engineer
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Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:09 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Land of 10,000 Prior lake, MN, Honda BF50

Post by Bluecrab »

The most popular truck on the planet and yes it's red. Red and blue are both faster! :wink: :macm: "2004 S CREW"
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Wa2paa
Chief Steward
Posts: 80
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 8:20 am
Sailboat: Other
Location: Burnt Store Marina "Punta Gorda Florida" Odin 820 "Mast28" w/Honda 75
Contact:

I Love My Tow Beast

Post by Wa2paa »

:) I just love to drive My Diesel Tow-Beast, :cry: But !
Will this Graph Ever Go Down in the future :?:
Image

Jack
johnnyonspot
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Location: Elk River, MN.

Post by johnnyonspot »

I pull my 1983 Mac 25 with a 1998 Tahoe, 4WD, 5.7 liter. Am thinking about selling it and the VW Jetta turbodiesel and buying a late model Crown Vic police interceptor. I believe it would have no troubles with the Mac. Anyone have any opinions on this?
Frank C

Post by Frank C »

Jots,
The Crown Vic shouldn't have any difficulty w/your Mac 25.
I'm assuming you want the last of the RWD versions, eh?
They would be better than front-wheel drive, both extra HP and chassis ability.
Sleepy
Chief Steward
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Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:02 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Post by Sleepy »

Most Police interceptors have truck rear-ends, So that would be a good choice.
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NiceAft
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk

Post by NiceAft »

Can you get it with lights and a siren :idea: :evil:

Ray
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TAW02
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Location: Central Florida 2007 M #MACM1869F707 s/v 'Insagal'

Post by TAW02 »

johnnyonspot wrote:I pull my 1983 Mac 25 with a 1998 Tahoe, 4WD, 5.7 liter. Am thinking about selling it and the VW Jetta turbodiesel and buying a late model Crown Vic police interceptor. I believe it would have no troubles with the Mac. Anyone have any opinions on this?
If I owned a VW Jetta (surely you jest), or a Crown Vic P/I, I would happily trade (up) to your Tahoe.

I owned a 1980 MAC25 (600lb Keel Monster) that I towed down to Homestead Bayfront park south of Miami. Towed it there with a 4.0 liter inline six cylinder Jeep. She could tow it, but it definately struggled taking off up a grade. After launching the MAC at low tide, I noticed I was sliding backwards due to the slime coated ramp. Had I not swiftly chunked her into 4WD Low, I would have lost her for sure.

Same day that night (choosing a better looking ramp) I retrieved the MAC while the tide was on it's way back out again. Confidently in 4WD, I backed the trailer farther than I should have and dropped the trailer tires off the end of the ramp apron. My heart fell to the floor. I had heard nightmares of this happening to others with expensive unhappy endings. I could feel the vibration of the trailer frame grating on the edge of the concrete apron. I quickly shifted back to forward (automatic trans) and gave it the gun. Tires never broke traction as the trailer tires struck the end of the apron and bounced right back over the top and safely back to the safety of the ramp end.

That ol' Jeep was my towbeast and my beloved gal !!! I was proud of that Jeep thereverafter. Had she not been a 4WD, I would have spent plenty that day! Unfortunately she caught fire (electrical harness under the hood) and was totalled in 2004.

You Johnny, should count your lucky stars owning what you have. That's my 2 pennies worth! :wink:

Big T
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