The new tow tug

[kevinnem]

Hello, I just wanted to chime in . I bought one of these :
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/5 ... -p8601452e

I have been VERY disappointed. I think on level paved, or conc. ground, it can likely pull. however it seems pushing is harder because it wants to twist over. I have to tie the battery in to the reverse lock out soloniod, so that is a bit of a pain. The unit can not go up hill, even a little bit. my grade is 10% , but it is not even close to being able to do it.

Trying to push it up the grade in the back yard the wheel just spins. -- has the power I think, just not traction ( as has been mentioned) we ended up making about 3 feet more headway by standing on top of the unit.. both me and a buddy ... that added about 600 lbs. But then we taco'd over the tiny castor wheels. tried putting a rubber matt under it as well.

I have to get my boat in the back yard through a tight lane.

Basically what ended up happening, is I use this unit to turn the boat, . and my truck to push the boat.. this means I have to keep hooking swapping over all the time , and that is a pain. takes like 2 hours to get it in the back yard.

I am thinking about putting a winch at the far end so I can use that to provide thrust, but pulling the back end. Has its own riskes and problems, but I don't know what to do -- also thinking about getting a quad, little a small one, and getting a hitch put on that.

What a mess.

[Tomfoolery]

A 10% slope means there's 398 lb force (call it 400 lb) required for a 4000 lb trailer in addition to rolling resistance. I don't know what the rolling resistance is, but it is substantial. From what I could find online, car tire rolling resistance coefficient on concrete is in the 0.010 to 0.015 range, so a 4000 lb trailer would experience 40-60 lb resistance, not counting bearing and brake drag. 440-460 lb (or more) is a lot of force. I don't know how the rolling resistance of trailer tires at 50 psi compares to car tires at 32-34 psi, though.

Rolling resistance on asphalt is higher than on concrete, by the way. I also don't know how static rolling resistance (getting it moving) compares to dynamic resistance (keeping it moving), but I do know that rolling resistance goes up with speed, since they're elastomeric ('rubber' changes its elastic properties based on how fast it's deformed). But you get the idea.

[sailboatmike]

Rolling resistance, friction etc. would also be effected by the number of wheels wheels on the trailer, a tandem would have more resistance than a single axle.

What Im struggling with is even with the mechanical brakes locked out, my jeep pulls the trailer a lot easier than pushing it backwards, I can almost idle up the ramp with the boat loaded, but backing it in seems to take a huge amount more power.

Maybe the reverse gear is higher than first gear on the auto transmission, but that would be strange.

All in all we move the X around in the boatyard with a 1 1/2 Hp ride on mower that has had the blades removed, it works a treat

[BOAT]

Hello, I just wanted to chime in . I bought one of these :
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/5 ... -p8601452e

I have been VERY disappointed. I think on level paved, or conc. ground, it can likely pull. however it seems pushing is harder because it wants to twist over. I have to tie the battery in to the reverse lock out soloniod, so that is a bit of a pain. The unit can not go up hill, even a little bit. my grade is 10% , but it is not even close to being able to do it.

Trying to push it up the grade in the back yard the wheel just spins. -- has the power I think, just not traction ( as has been mentioned) we ended up making about 3 feet more headway by standing on top of the unit.. both me and a buddy ... that added about 600 lbs. But then we taco'd over the tiny castor wheels. tried putting a rubber matt under it as well.

I have to get my boat in the back yard through a tight lane.

Basically what ended up happening, is I use this unit to turn the boat, . and my truck to push the boat.. this means I have to keep hooking swapping over all the time , and that is a pain. takes like 2 hours to get it in the back yard.

I am thinking about putting a winch at the far end so I can use that to provide thrust, but pulling the back end. Has its own riskes and problems, but I don't know what to do -- also thinking about getting a quad, little a small one, and getting a hitch put on that.

What a mess.

Guys,

Please - take my advice - there is a guy named Grady who has more experience with this kind of thing than anyone else in the world combined - and he will tell you that the number one thing about a successful dolly for your boat is TRACTION first and a non tilting hitch second. First - traction is EVERYTHING - You can tow your boat up a hill with your 2000 pound car, but there is NO WAY your going to tow a 2000 pound boat up a hill with a 300 pound ANYTHING. Remember, the toung weight at the ball is ONLY 350 pounds! Your not going to tow your boat with only 300 pounds on the deck! Just like your little 200 pound body will just slide on the pavement before you can pull the boat up hill so will your little tractor with only 300 pounds of toung weight on it - it's just not possible with only two tennis shoes or a couple of tires because that's not enough traction.

Here is the guy you need to talk to:

http://www.powerdolly.co/

I know Grady, been to his shop, have his product, and I trust the guy. He is the person who knows more than anyone else in the world about moving a boat with an electric dolly. He may seem impatient on the phone with all your "theories" about how to do it because he has already been there and done that a hundred times already. He's autistic like me so his demeanor might seem strange (as you would also think of mine had you met me in person) but he can be trusted. If you have ever seen the movie "the Accountant" you will understand why guys like Grady and I are so weird. Just overlook his mannerisms and get the good information you need.

Talk to him. He is a genius.

[grady]

Hello, I just wanted to chime in . I bought one of these :
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/5 ... -p8601452e

I have been VERY disappointed. I think on level paved, or conc. ground, it can likely pull. however it seems pushing is harder because it wants to twist over. I have to tie the battery in to the reverse lock out soloniod, so that is a bit of a pain. The unit can not go up hill, even a little bit. my grade is 10% , but it is not even close to being able to do it.

Trying to push it up the grade in the back yard the wheel just spins. -- has the power I think, just not traction ( as has been mentioned) we ended up making about 3 feet more headway by standing on top of the unit.. both me and a buddy ... that added about 600 lbs. But then we taco'd over the tiny castor wheels. tried putting a rubber matt under it as well.

I have to get my boat in the back yard through a tight lane.

Basically what ended up happening, is I use this unit to turn the boat, . and my truck to push the boat.. this means I have to keep hooking swapping over all the time , and that is a pain. takes like 2 hours to get it in the back yard.

I am thinking about putting a winch at the far end so I can use that to provide thrust, but pulling the back end. Has its own riskes and problems, but I don't know what to do -- also thinking about getting a quad, little a small one, and getting a hitch put on that.

What a mess.

Guys,

Please - take my advice - there is a guy named Grady who has more experience with this kind of thing than anyone else in the world combined - and he will tell you that the number one thing about a successful dolly for your boat is TRACTION first and a non tilting hitch second. First - traction is EVERYTHING - You can tow your boat up a hill with your 2000 pound car, but there is NO WAY your going to tow a 2000 pound boat up a hill with a 300 pound ANYTHING. Remember, the toung weight at the ball is ONLY 350 pounds! Your not going to tow your boat with only 300 pounds on the deck! Just like your little 200 pound body will just slide on the pavement before you can pull the boat up hill so will your little tractor with only 300 pounds of toung weight on it - it's just not possible with only two tennis shoes or a couple of tires because that's not enough traction.

Here is the guy you need to talk to:

http://www.powerdolly.co/

I know Grady, been to his shop, have his product, and I trust the guy. He is the person who knows more than anyone else in the world about moving a boat with an electric dolly. He may seem impatient on the phone with all your "theories" about how to do it because he has already been there and done that a hundred times already. He's autistic like me so his demeanor might seem strange (as you would also think of mine had you met me in person) but he can be trusted. If you have ever seen the movie "the Accountant" you will understand why guys like Grady and I are so weird. Just overlook his mannerisms and get the good information you need.

Talk to him. He is a genius.

Well Ummmmmm......... I think maybe you have confused me with someone else. (As far as the tow guy not Genius!!!!)

I will have to agree on everything the tow guy said. His product appears to be spot on!!!!!

Unfortunately Boat we have never met. However if I ever get out to Southern California I will look your a$$ up! If you ever make it out to North Texas you better let me know!!!!!! Due to family visiting this March I missed out on tagging along with a girlfriend on a business trip to Manhattan beech. Maybe next year I will harass you.

[BOAT]

I hope your kidding Grady because I was not talking about you - I was talking about Grady the guy that owns the Power Movers company in Oceanside. C'mon man - read my post! I gave everyone a URL for PowerMovers and told them to talk to Grady at POWERMOVERS - I have known Grady at PowerMovers longer than I have even known about this MacGregor web site.

I never said anything about the Grady that is on this site.

[Jimmyt]

Sailboatmike,
Looks like you are correct about 1st gear being lower than reverse. Don't know if that's the only thing going on, but could be partly to blame.

According to the unreliable interweb:
Jeep Wrangler JK Gear Ratio Chart, 3.8 Liter Engine, Automatic Transmission (07-11)
1st 2.84 2nd 1.57 3rd 1 4th 0.69 Reverse 2.21

Let us know if you figure it out.
Good luck.

[grady]

I hope your kidding Grady because I was not talking about you - I was talking about Grady the guy that owns the Power Movers company in Oceanside. C'mon man - read my post! I gave everyone a URL for PowerMovers and told them to talk to Grady at POWERMOVERS - I have known Grady at PowerMovers longer than I have even known about this MacGregor web site.

I never said anything about the Grady that is on this site.

About everything, Except coming to harass you!

[BOAT]

I hope your kidding Grady because I was not talking about you - I was talking about Grady the guy that owns the Power Movers company in Oceanside. C'mon man - read my post! I gave everyone a URL for PowerMovers and told them to talk to Grady at POWERMOVERS - I have known Grady at PowerMovers longer than I have even known about this MacGregor web site.

I never said anything about the Grady that is on this site.

About everything, Except coming to harass you!

It's about time someone started harassing me! I was getting worried.

[sailboatmike]

Whats wrong with this world, so hard to get decently harassed or stalked these days!!

[Highlander]

Only solution I see for u guy,s is to buy a better Tow Vehicle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlWy6DbRWDE

J

[Phil M]

Only solution I see for u guy,s is to buy a better Tow Vehicle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlWy6DbRWDE

J

I doubt there would be any insurance company that would pay for his loss when he rolls over negotiating a corner at highway speeds. Idiot genius.

[Highlander]

Phil
I believe the idea is to tow it with the trk to desired location , then load on trk , then say drive or back down a said alley behind ur home or storage area where u do not have enough room to turn ur boat ! , then just lift it up & drop it into place maybe even over a fenced yard with no access ?

I knew a guy who had a house on a corner lot he applied to the town for an second kirb entrance for his lot & gate entrance to give him access to park his boat in his back yard as the bylaws only allowed him to park his boat in his driveway in the summer months , he was denied ?

his solution was to make-up a set of boat ramps to get the boat over the kirb & then make his fence @ desired location into two lift out sections wide enough to get the boat through into his back yard for winter storage ,
alot of townships will only allow u a man gate for back yard access , but u r allowed a removable fence for pool & yard maintenance !!
Oh & the fence must b high enough so as said boat is not visible from the street & not obstructing ur neighbors day light hrs , so as he had a corner lot that was not an issue
These bylaws r usually in place to stop people from parking huge commercial trk,s or trl,s in residential area,s or running like a construction company from ur home & using ur back yard as a commercial parking lot in an area designated "Zoned" residential

J

[Phil M]

Phil
I believe the idea is to tow it with the trk to desired location , then load on trk , then say drive or back down a said alley behind ur home or storage area where u do not have enough room to turn ur boat ! , then just lift it up & drop it into place maybe even over a fenced yard with no access ?

I knew a guy who had a house on a corner lot he applied to the town for an second kirb entrance for his lot & gate entrance to give him access to park his boat in his back yard as the bylaws only allowed him to park his boat in his driveway in the summer months , he was denied ?

his solution was to make-up a set of boat ramps to get the boat over the kirb & then make his fence @ desired location into two lift out sections wide enough to get the boat through into his back yard for winter storage ,
alot of townships will only allow u a man gate for back yard access , but u r allowed a removable fence for pool & yard maintenance !!
Oh & the fence must b high enough so as said boat is not visible from the street & not obstructing ur neighbors day light hrs , so as he had a corner lot that was not an issue
These bylaws r usually in place to stop people from parking huge commercial trk,s or trl,s in residential area,s or running like a construction company from ur home & using ur back yard as a commercial parking lot in an area designated "Zoned" residential

J

Pulling his boat behind his truck and then using the crane would make sense. Putting his boat and his trailer on top of his truck - it's just looks too top heavy. I'm guessing that he wants to use his hitch to pull something else while his boat is on top of his truck.