Towing a 25 ft. cruiser

dave · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:04 am Post subject:

Pay attention to what CW has to say. Also, make sure you never have an accident if your trailer weight is over your 8700# limit. Then guess who is liable. Personally I would not even think about hauling a boat that heavy with a 1/2 ton truck. I like a larger safety factor.

helm · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject:

We towed our new CD-25 from Seattle to Medford last week with our Ford F 350 diesel - no problems with that truck. I would suggest using a weight distributing hitch , the equalizer brand can be used with hydraulic surge brakes as it makes the ride much better over long distances and the load just feels more stable.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:53 pm Post subject:

Equalizing hitch, you mean like this:

There are more photos of various systems and ideas in the Library section under Trailers and Towing.
Works great, but best to keep the tongue weight within 6-10% of the trailer weight for smooth operation. Some have converted to electric over hydraulic to avoid the surge brakes from engaging the brakes down long hills, expensive but it solves the problem for those that need it.

helm · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:17 pm Post subject: equalizer hitch

Hi Steve, I believe the easy-loader weight distributing hitch you have in your post won't work with a hydraulic surge brake.
We use a weight distributing hitch from equalizer www.equalizerhitch.com that allows the surge actuater to work. For a pole tongue trailer you need a pole tongue adapter, if you have an A-frame trailer you don't need the adapter.
We have towed our sailboat 26 feet and 4500 pounds with a 2500 pound trailer all over the Northwest with no problems. Our C-Dory 25 was rock solid on the 500 mile trip down from Seattle. They are expensive up front put don't wear out and worth the expense.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:49 am Post subject:

Helm wrote:

helm · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:12 am Post subject:

My mistake, I just saw the chains ala easy-lift which is a system that won't work with surge brakes, your system looks great. I think I still like equalizer, less complicated, provideds sway control, and easy to move from trailer to trailer

Dreamer · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:30 am Post subject:

Helm,

Here's the Equal-I-Zer hitch installed. Spendy, but works well.

Doryman · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:26 am Post subject:

I have a setup like Roger's too. Had my trailer modified after purchase with electric over hydraulic brakes and equalizer hitch.

I like it because now my boat trailer and my travel trailer hook up the same way.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:49 am Post subject:

Helm, yes, I forgot the name and I did 'borrow' them from my travel trailer, they are EZ-Lift. But this system (by Pacific) does let them work good. But like I said, if your tongue weight gets too high and you crank up the tension, the Atwood actuator begins to bind with all that torque placed on it.

Kena B · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:17 pm Post subject: I told ya so......

For all who contributed advice on my question to tow a 25 ft C-Dory with a 1/2 ton truck..... I FINALLY got my boat and drug her to Valdez last weekend and with my 2006 Chevy 1/2 ton 4x4 (350 Alaska road miles). She towed GREAT! I did about 55 average other than the areas that have been know to swallow tourist's motorhomes. Had the back of the truck FULL of stuff to! Made it in 8 hours. On fairly flat roads it pulled great, will admit that going up some of the long steep hills she slowed down to 45 but I sure expected worse!! I did add an equalizer hitch and am covinced that helped consderably. Going down Thompson pass ( a VERY long grade, about 5 miles) the surge brakes worked great! Never felt as though I needed anything else. If I wanted to slow or stop, no problem. For those interested, I have a few pics in my photo album!

So.... for those who said "no way!" to my original question, sorry but you were wrong! For those who said go for it, "You have chosen wisely"

Thanks for the help!!

Don

C-Yalater

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jennykatz · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:37 pm Post subject: towing with a Honda

I just picked up my cape cruiser 23 from melbourne fl to Naples fl about 230miles We used my 4100lb single axcel trl with brakes . The Honda Pilot did great about 11-12mpg almost the same mileage as towing the c-22 cruiser.You definatly know it s back there but going about 55-60 it worked great . I might end up with a tandem alum trl we will see depending if the duck sells with or without the trailer I love my Honda and my c-dorys

gljjr · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:53 am Post subject: Re: Towing C-25

john schuler · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:40 am Post subject: Tail wagging the dog.

I aggree with most posters here. I think you need 3/4 ton or better. I have a
1 1/2 ton dulley. I don't think dulleys are the best for pulling bumper pull
trailers either. When trucks have worn grooves in the highway they tend to wander. With the high prices of fuel you should be able to find a good price.
Good luck.
CoolSmile

john schuler CoolSmile

jimandlaurie · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:

This towing thing has been visited before ,but is is always good to have someone bring it up, as it is timely with the newer CD owners out here.
That being said....as mentioned in the past we primarily tow our CD-25 with our 2004 V-8 powered VW Touareg. It tows it fine as the Touareg is a really heavy ,almost 6.000 lb vehicle itself, it has plenty of power and the short wheel base helps in tight backing situations. We also have a F-250 4X4 Ford with a 460 in it that we use sometimes. but it uses a lot more fuel than the Touareg. We do get a lot of looks when we go down the road with the Touareg, and of course some glassy-eyed looks when asked what we tow our CD with, but it works for us. Money not being a problem I would use my 2008 T-850 Kenworth that I drive at work if I could, I could then tow the CD and our Travel Trailer at the same time.

Jim