MacGregorSailors.com

I bought a new Mac 26M and will pick it up in spring. I've read a lot on the towing truck subject on this site. Before I was looking at a Rav4 V6 105 in wheelbase 269 HP rated for 3500 lbs towing capacity. The Toyota dealer reinsured me that it will do the job but I am now skeptic. What do you think? Is somebody using it?

Thank you, Calin

They use small tow vehicles in Europe all the time, but I think the RAV says 3,500# for a reason. Nevertheless, somebody here probably IS towing with something similar. The 26M plus trailer, outboard and gear is easily 4,200#, or 120% of your rating. You also need to consider GVWR, and the combined weights undoubtedly blow that away. Some here are using the mid-sized SUVs like Explorer and Envoy ... rated at 5,000#, and maybe not much more costly than the RAV?

My ideal tow vehicle would be the new diesel Mercedes SUV, but can't swing the ~$75,000(?).
When I've tired of my 2003 Sierra pickup, I'll probably get his Duramax diesel brother @ ~$45k.

Frank's ideal tow vehicle raises an interesting point. I am one of those that falls into the 'small, but competent is OK' crowd. That's alright for smallish trips (my largest has - and will be 2,000 klms/1,200 miles return), but won't be any good for the epics.

So what we always intended was that when we decide to go to the Great Barrier Reef/Whitsunday Islands (5,000 klms/3,000 miles return), and to the awesome coast of Mid North Western Australia (8,500 klms/5,000 miles return), we will have the boat transported by truck, or train. Whilst the notion of the mega road trip might seem romantic to some, the reality with children is more akin to National Lampoon's Vactaion.

So truck the boat, take a plane, and spend more time on the water. From where I stand it all adds up to more economic sense than ploughing heaps of money into Colosso-Car (or was it the 'Wagon Queen Family Truckster'?').

Calin,

I was in the trucking industry for most of my adult life, and when I bought a truck I always purchased something that exceeded my needs.

The Rav4 could do the job, but at what expense to the Rav4? There are enough things which can go wrong with a tow, why complicate the process by placing any more strain on a vehicle than is needed. My belief is that you can cut down on the life of the vehicle by pushing it so hard.

If you do this, at least have a transmission cooler installed.

The first time I towed a trailer was using a 24 foot U-Haul towing a 12' trailer. I was more that a little concerned. My father would say "the tail does not wag the dog!" A Mac and trailer can go for almost 4,000 lbs. That is a mighty big tail!

Ray

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To about 4500 lbs. Thank you to all of you who kindly provided me with useful information. I do indeed intend to tow a lot. Ontario - Florida maybe once a year, grand lakes (300 km) few times a summer.

eric3a wrote:
We need to start a "swap your Mac" club.
(Wife not included )

If you want to sail in a far away place, find a local Mac and see if he's interested in sailing your area for a while.
Don't tow anything... Just swap boats.

Eric

I know someone might chime in about swapping white for blue to experience that extra speed.... but I wouldn't

Swapping is an appealing option but who would want to sail on a 40x1 lake in Ottawa ? This is the reason I went for a Mac, it is the possibility to hop from lake to lake. But we can easily end up paying for the boat towing more than we paid for the boat itself. Actually this bring a good question, how much do you estimate your invest for the boat alone and how much for the trailer and the car/truck/??? ?

Congrats. on the purchase of the new Mac-M

We tow our Mac-X with a Ford F150, 6 cycl, std. shift. I was told the towing capacity is 3500#. I have no trouble towing, but its the pull out up the ramp out of the water that becomes a serious issue. I think you'll have serious issues retrieving the boat at the ramp.
We've decided to step up to a full time in-water Marina, which has been a great experience.

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Calin:
How I see it is.
How far will you be towing your Mac? Over what type of terrain will you be towing? Flat, hill's, mountainous or high speed turnpikes? AND how often ?
I have a vehicle that does tow our Mac. I have looked and looked and thought and deliberated selling an Explorer I own and its long ago paid for and fits most every purpose I have pretty well indeed. Except for Towing the Mac.
I have the HP and the Torque just not the Rear Springs and the Wheel Base. I could bite the bullet and by a REAL Truck and the problem would be solved. But I believe from what all have read here for going on 2 + years is . . . . By adding a 2nd axle for about $1000 complete, adding Air bags to the rear springs about $250 , installing a bigger Trans cooler ?$? and one of those Chips ?$? for the on-board Computer. I believe all total to be around $2000.
OR . . sell a truck I like add another $15000.00 to the pot and be able to make those tows with better peace of mind. However then I find myself to be stuck with truck, the other 360 days a year, that is more than I need or really want. I must be the poorest paid guy on this board , because dropping another $15,000.00 just to tow this boat a couple times a year is really a tough decision for me to make. If I go ahead and add the above and I am still dissatisfied with how it tows. I am out the money in the truck, but the dual axle trailer is said by those who have them to be a real plus.

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Hello'
Most rental places don't allow towing. You can buy an older rig that doesn't cost too much and tow with it. Lower purchase price & insurance but more maintenance.

my .02

Don T wrote:Hello'
Most rental places don't allow towing. You can buy an older rig that doesn't cost too much and tow with it. Lower purchase price & insurance but more maintenance.

my .02

The Board members seem to have found just what you Stated above. You can tow a trailer of Theirs, with Their Truck, but you cannot rent a tow vehicle per say.
An older tow vehicle may well work for some as well. Again how far do you desire to tow? If you'll be an hour or so from home I see that as doable . If your contemplating a cross country trip, well each to his own.
One that I see as a very nice older tow vehicle is Scotts, Man Truck!
But I owned and drove those for many years and as I have gotten into my 50's, I have found I really like these "Girlie" Trucks
But again, Scotts is very Cool older truck and it brought back a lot of Good memories . I might add there are Not, too many of those Cream Puffs, out there to be had for a good price now a days either. So like so much in life its all about choices and desires and needs offset by the realty of Cash on Hand, for yet another ??? Need want or desire.

U haul will rent you a towing suitable vehicle which can use - for towing a few times a year this would still be cheaper than purchasing any vehicle.

Most rental car companies a la Hertz specifically exclude towing in the use contract.