Just bought a 2003 26M and need towing advice!!

[Chip Hindes]

YOu can rent a Truck from Uhaul with a towing hitch and tow your own thing...BTDT...thats how Catigale came home, and it was all above board with Uhaul

Yes, I talked with the Uhaul rep in Houston, TX. They would let me tow the boat legally. Maybe thats the best bet.

This appears to be a matter of luck more than anything else. Four years ago I couldn't get any rental company including Uhaul to rent me a vehicle of any sort to tow a trailer. Not a Mac, but still...

As recently as summer '05 one of the Conch Cruisers had the same answer (no towing) from every rental company.

I think you are wise to not attempt such a tow with your Mazda MPV. Though I'm nearly certain there are some out there who have towed a Mac with an MPV (and every other indequate vehicle you can name) towing with an inadequate vehicle is little more than an accident which hasn't happened yet.

I don't know your situation otherwise, but UHaul is going to hit your $$ big time no matter how you do it. Unless you're planning on never towing again, you might consider taking that $$ and instead putting it toward an adequate tow vehicle.

I am one of those admittedly few who have gone the tandem axle route and I would recommend it to anyone who tows frequently, particularly long distances. However, it isn't the only solution to tail wagging, which is almost certainly caused by inadequate tongue weight. If you don't like shifting all the movable weight forward and leaving the fuel locker tanks empty, you can move the existing axle aft for a fraction of the cost of a second axle.

[baldbaby2000]

I trailered my boat for a couple years without the 5th wire and never had to use the brake lockout tool. The connector fits either way.

BB

[Chip Hindes]

I trailered my boat for a couple years without the 5th wire and never had to use the brake lockout tool. The connector fits either way.

Could be something wrong with your trailer brakes, or at best a testimony as to how inadequate the stock single axle brakes are. Perhaps others with M's can confirm.

With my tandem axle and four wheel disc bakes, on level ground with the boat off the trailer and backup lockout solenoid disabled, I can back my trailer only by applying most of the Expedition's 330HP, in 4WD low range, and sliding all four trailer tires. Makes a heck of a racket on pavement as you might imagine and I only did it once. Slightly less racket on grass, though the result is the same: sliding all four trailer tries and tearing up the lawn.

With the boat on the trailer, the wheels simply lock up and I get nothing but the noise; no actual rearward motion.

[Paul S]

When I backup my M trailer without the harness and it hits a bump, pothole, or incline (and the actuator engages) the trailer brakes locks up tight as a drum...The only way to move it is to hook up the harness (or use the lockout tool). VERY effective brakes on the M trailer.

[DLT]

I haven't done it in a while (learned not to, I guess). But the only times I can remember backing the trailer without the wiring being hooked up, the wheels locked up and I was worried about wearing flat spots on the tires...

This was with a V10 Excursion. So, no the trailer brakes weren't going to stop me, but they did stop the trailer wheels...

[Gazmn]

Congratulations JJ,

On your purchase and the wisdom of not towing your new investment with the MPV. I too have an MPV, 2003, with the tow package. And I did tow my new investment home some 3 or 400 Miles. But I had a lot of luck rolling with me.

1- Mine came with dual axles
2- I was basically traveling on even to downhill terrain from MA to NY
3- ...Did I say I was Very Lucky?

I saw my future involved getting another tow vehicle - Used and something I could abuse;

IMHO, Keep your Mazda nice - It's tranny will thank you.

Best of L...


-Gaz

[JJ]

I aslo have a 2004 crown Vic. After reading the users manual though I am not sure of the tow capacity. I will call the Ford dealer tomorrow. Surely this big car with a V-8 could tow it??

Also, this appears to be the vechile used in the MAC video (or similar car).

Anyway, I will use U-haul for the long haul home and then perhaps the Crown Vic for the local transport.

Gazmn- Do you use you Mazda MPV for local trailering?

[JJ]

Chip- Thanks for your comments. U-Haul is charging me $580 for the rental from Houston to Richmoind (1 way). I didn't think thast was too bad.
What type of used vechile do you guys recommend for low $$$??

If the Crown Vic can't do it then I too will be forced to invest in a tow vechicle. I can't afford much though with all my $$$ going for the boat!!

[Divecoz]

Chip- Thanks for your comments. U-Haul is charging me $580 for the rental from Houston to Richmoind (1 way). I didn't think thast was too bad.
What type of used vechile do you guys recommend for low $$$??

If the Crown Vic can't do it then I too will be forced to invest in a tow vechicle. I can't afford much though with all my $$$ going for the boat!!

Local towing all depends on . .How far? How many and How Big are the hills? Do you HAVE to tow at Highway speeds. Whats your ramp going to be like where you launch.

[Frank C]

U-Haul is charging me $580 for the rental from Houston to Richmond (1 way). I didn't think thast was too bad.

That's a bargain for a one-way tow of 2,000 miles. Better make sure of that price.
It wouldn't be surprising to hear there's an ADDITIONAL mileage charge of 89c per mile.





Yeah, yeah, you're right ... gross pessimism.
Been too long in the rainbow land of freaks, fairies and rip-artists.

[JJ]

Guys, I doubled checked with U-Haul. There is no problem towing a boat and trialer and the rate includes up to 1,634 miles. After that they will start tacking on .40 cents/mile.

I think this is a great deal.

I also, found out that my Crown Vic can tow up to 4,000 lbs. So, this will be my ticket for local trailering.

Thanks for your help and thoughts.

[Gazmn]

Sorry this is late JJ,

Re:

Gazmn- Do you use you Mazda MPV for local trailering?

I don't since I bought a dedicated Tow Monster. However, I also have a Camper, so when I have to do the "Driveway shuffle" I still appreciate the investment I made in the MPV tow pkg.

Actually, the latest Kewl thing I did was add a front receiver to the Tow Monster. Should be great for more surgical "Toy" placement on my little 40 x 100 postage stamp of property.

Get a hitch on that Crown Vic & tool that Puppy around!

Uhaul can put a hitch on for you if you prefer to delegate. However I recommend getting, at least, the flat light plug to hook up the trailer lights. I paid $500 extra to get the Class 2 hitch and 4 pronger switched to the 7 pin round and Class 3 Mazda cheated me out of.

Regarding launching and picking the boat up. Use lowest gear with the Vic, try not to spin your tires, and mind the weight of your boat.

When you decide on a TV for long distance trailering,
I bought my Monster on Ebay [used is not a bad word - it's cheaper]. Somewhat a gamble yes, but I use them alot and have been satisfied.

Best Regards,
-Gaz

[JJ]

Gaz- Thanks for the response. Yeah, I think the Crown Vic will do the job.

Hey, do any of you guys launch the boat by yourselves? If so, what are the proper steps? My main concern is when to release the winch cable as to not lose the boat! This may seem trivial, but I want to think it tru before doing something stupid.

[DLT]

Actually, the latest Kewl thing I did was add a front receiver to the Tow Monster. Should be great for more surgical "Toy" placement on my little 40 x 100 postage stamp of property.

Yeah, makes a huge difference trying to get the thing into a tight spot...

Hey, do any of you guys launch the boat by yourselves? If so, what are the proper steps? My main concern is when to release the winch cable as to not lose the boat! This may seem trivial, but I want to think it tru before doing something stupid.

Almost exclusively!

Here's what I do:
- I back the boat down the ramp until the stern is just in the water (or just about).
- Then I go back and loosen the winch a quite a bit, lots of slack, but still connected to the trailer. If it slides off at this point, it just launched itself...
- I try to stay as close to the dock as possible and back the trailer all the way up, until the boat is pretty much floating free (but still tethered).
- Then I walk down the dock and step out on my back bumper, carefully down the tongue, grab the bow line, and disconnect the winch. Back out onto the dock and tier her down until I get the trailer parked...

The trickier part is getting her back on the trailer. Let me save you some serious heartache: Just walk/rope/pull the boat onto the trailer. Don't bother trying to drive it on... Can it be done? Yes, I've done it. But, its soo much easier, and consistently so, to just walk it on...

[JJ]

Picked up the boat and made the 1400 mile journey home. The U-Haul truck worked flawlessly. No trialer weaving, no scary moments. I drove between 65 and 70 mph- no problems. The trialer tires were warm to the touch, but not extremely hot. I checked the lug nuts and tire pressure before departing Houston- all looked good.

We took 2-1/2 days to get from Houston, TX to Richmond, VA. The toughest part of the trip was backing into my driveway (I need trailer back-up advice!!)

Now, she sits in my driveway waiting for mods and the first sail!!!

I have 1 photo here: http://home.comcast.net/~wkfried/wsb/ht ... 01153.html

Thanks for all the helpfull comments..Now to the mods page!!!