What's your tow rig?

[Jack O'Brien]

Rich:

Yes, I had Honda install the tow package of two coolers and hitch. Was gonna do it myself to save money but got a price half of what another dealer was asking. I did have to change the 4-conductor Honda trailer wiring plug for the 5-conductor plug I took off my Subaru Outback.

The 2005 Pilot has 255 HP and 250 torque versus the '03/04 240 HP & 242 ft-lbs. The '05 tow capacity is still 4,500 lbs for a boat, 3500 lbs for other trailers, because of wind resistance.

I found several Pilot (& MDX) owners on the internet towing big boats who were happy with the Pilot before I bought. Consumer Reports loves it. I had no doubt the Pilot would be ok because I was towing my X with the Outback and compared to it the '04 Pilot is:
27% heavier
45% more HP & torque
12% fewer pounds per HP
15% wider track
225% more towing capacity

I had been waiting for two-year-old used Pilots to come on the market hoping for a lower price but found them holding value so well the new '04s at end of model year were actually cheaper.

The only reservation I have is I plan to get adjustible airlifts for inside the rear coil springs so my headlights don't blind oncoming drivers at night.

[Greg]

I currently tow with a 2003 1/2 ton suburban but I am considering going to a 3/4 or 1 ton van. I have not needed 4wd on any ramps and the van would provide much more storage and capacity plus heavier drivetrain and brakes.

Greg

[Jeff S]

2005 Dodge Ram SLT QC 4wd SWB Diesel. Tow pkg-(rated to tow up to 12,800# or somewhere around there- much more than the Mac for sure). haven't towed with it yet. Getting 17.6 MPG with mixed driving- the engine supposedly takes 10,000 miles to achieve full "fit and finish" for full power and mileage, down to as low as 6,000 miles if moderate towing is done early on to help the diesel break in. Plan to hook up the boat soon and I will try to take the whole rig to a scale and get the axle weight of the X on my way from NC to Ft Meyers. I am mainly curious to see how much weight is on the single axle and wheels. I will post results when I get them.

I did order the SS Disc brake kit (Tiedown) from Champion trailers. I cut off the old coupler and will bolt on a new coupler this weekend plus put the new brakes on. That and the POR-15 rust prevention on the trailer should preserve the trailer for quite some time. (Salt water use).

Jeff S

[Simon]

I have 1978 chev crew cab which is on propane...

Into which I am putting (custom built for propane) 1969 stage 1 Buick BB 430 with crane RV cam which = BIG power 500 lb's of torque at 2500 rpm and is more economical then a diesel (I also like diesel)..

S

[Robert]

S,
How is it possible that running propane is more economical than diesel?
..
Propane has less stored energy per liter than gasoline and gasoline has less stored energy than diesel. So your propane MPG should be lower than gasoline MPG should be less than diesel MPG.
..
You did not say you would get better MPG, so, I wonder is Propane a lot less expensive than diesel where you live? Also, I expect a fuel shortage for heating in the USA this winter, that will drive the prices up, my local natural gas utility has asked the government regulators to approve a 22% price increase.
..
Propane is extremely clean burning, do you expect extremely long engine life?
Thank You
R

[Simon]

Here in Canada propane is 58 cents liter and diesel is 1 dollar a liter...

To obtain power from propane you must have high compresion "10.5 - 1 is ideal" as propane is 104 octane or higher, the MPG is as good as gas if the compresion is high.

Propane engines, if built right can live very long, 500000 kms is not unnormal as there is very very little carbon build up.

S

.

[Simon]

R

There are other factors to consider with propane.

There is mixer not carburetion and no fuel pump therefore less moving parts propane needs less lubrication to some degree as oil stays clean tho it does break down. Octane is a major consideration i.e. You can run top fuel dragster on propane, also propane can be very good for diesel if injected into it in small amounts.

Diesel engine will rule tho because of the "vegi factor".

Thanks

S

[RandyMoon]

I drive a Chevy Trailblazer. 4-wheel drive, factory setup for towing, etc.

The weird thing is that I have been a longtime Corvette guy and my last Vette got better gas mileage than the Trailblazer. But my body just got to the point that climbing in and out of a car inches off the ground was not fun anymore.

There is no way I would ever go back to a sports car. I really like the Trailblazer. I have never had a problem with it (knock on wood).

[PGE]

I wonder what you all think about a prospective tow rig. I am thinking of purchasing a Mac 26X and towing it with a 2004 Saturn VUE. The VUE has factory installed transmission cooler on the 4-speed auto. Gas V-6 from Honda, with 3.5L, 250 hp. I also have recently installed a draw-tite class III hitch myself. Most of the towing would be 1-2 hour drives to local lakes on fairly flat Alabama interstates. Perhaps as long as 4 hours to the Guld of Mexico.

Owners manual for the VUE says 3500 max trailer weight. Am I cutting it too close?

[DLT]

In a word, yes, you are cutting it close...

Your boat and trailer almost certainly weigh more than 3500 lbs.

But, I'm not sure I wouldn't do it myself. Just take your time and be careful. Know that you are cutting it close (if not overloaded) as you make your way on those twisting roads and go slow, stopping frequently, and watching your temperature like a hawk.

What I'm saying is that I'm not sure that I'd buy another vehicle just to tow the Mac. Anything beyond the 4hrs to the Gulf, and I'd look to borrow a truck from someone. Might even to that for those 4hr trips. Might also take a whole day and turn that 4 hr trip into two 2hr trips...

By the way, War Eagle!

[Win]

PGE wrote:

Most of the towing would be 1-2 hour drives to local lakes on fairly flat Alabama interstates. Perhaps as long as 4 hours to the Guld of Mexico.

Welcome to the Board. I live in Birmingham but keep my 26M in Pensacola. Where will you be sailing?

Win

[PGE]

PGE wrote:

Most of the towing would be 1-2 hour drives to local lakes on fairly flat Alabama interstates. Perhaps as long as 4 hours to the Guld of Mexico.

Welcome to the Board. I live in Birmingham but keep my 26M in Pensacola. Where will you be sailing?

Win

Thanks Win! I live in Helena. What I really like about the Macs is the versitility. So for day trips, I expect to sail Logan Martin or Lay Lakes. But with the trailer, I can do weekend trips down at the gulf. So let me ask you: how do you feel about the seaworthy-ness of the Mac design out in Gulf waters?

[Robert]

Chevrolet Bruin
http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/autosho ... bruin.html
..
Ford Super Crewzer
http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/news/supercrewzer.html

[Captain Steve]

Hummer H3....16 mpg around town, 22 on the freeway, so far, small trips at 15 mph towing. Off road 30 mpg at 10 mph! Cool factor unmeasurable. My wife has a new found affinity with the Governator!

[Simon]

I like crew cabs....

You climb out of one boat into another....

S