different ideas for tow vehicles

S

stevie

New member
Hi all. I'm planning to buy a C-Dory with trailer. My only vehicle at present is a sports car, so that ain't gonna work as a tow vehicle. I understand a C-Dory on a trailer should weigh about 4000-5000lb (?). Can anyone suggest alternative tow vehicles to a truck (ie. have any of you used a small SUV, van etc.?)

Thanks for any advice and details you can give me!
 
I was in a similar situation as you, but driving a 4-cylinder station wagon as opposed to a sports car. No way was it going to tow a C-Dory 22, so I had to choose something new to me. I planned to travel around for awhile, using the rig/boat as my home on wheels. Since "boaterhoming" is a possibility, I considered several trucks and SUV's. But then in thinking it over, I remembered that in times past, I have really appreciated being able to sleep/camp in the main rig (vs. the towed vehicle). Also, sometimes I figured I'd not be towing the boat, but would still want to have my "home base" with me.

So, all things considered, I ended up with a 3/4 ton camper van. I've been very happy with it. It handles the 22 with aplomb, gets around the same mileage as a similar truck, and for a camper gets "good" mileage when not towing (12 or so towing; 16 or so not towing). I really like having the van/camper space, and have used it quite a bit when not towing as well. I would consider going bigger (Class C) for long term, but for myself don't see any reason to go "smaller" (such as a pickup truck). On the other hand, to each their own so I wouldn't expect everyone to feel the same way. And too, there is a slight hassle factor in either duplicated items (dishes, etc.) or moving them back and forth ("darn, the coffee is in the boat!") when changing back and forth from road mode to water mode (vs. camping in the boat all the time).

I think one fairly universal thing is that the longer the wheelbase, the steadier the tow. Of course then too, the larger the turning radius. My van has a 136" wheelbase and is pretty relaxing to drive when towing (as that goes). I ruled out a few smaller SUV types for long-distance towing based on shorter wheelbases (would have "boaterhomed" on the road if I'd bought one of those). (They were closer to 110" wheelbase or so.)

My 22, fairly loaded up and on a galvanized tandem trailer, weighs in at around 4600# (that's including the tongue weight). I would guess that is typical.
 
I tow my CD-22 (double axle trailer) with a 2006 Toyota Sienna van. The 2004-2007 vans come with the tow package as standard equipment. I find that the Sienna tows the CD-22 just fine. I towed it for some time without the trailer brakes working (unknown to me) and didn't have any problems. I normally drive this combo on normal terrain for the east coast (no big mountains) and in city/suburban traffic for 50 miles each way when we go out.

There are some posts here of someone who had the first gen Sienna van and towed a CD-22 all over the place out west without any issues (that he reported anyway).

One reason for getting the CD-22 was that it was possible to tow it with the vehicle I already had (the Sienna). So far we haven't gone out for extended periods so we don't have all the stuff that some people have on board. We also try to limit the fuel load we tow by gassing up near where we launch and consuming most of the gas we buy during the trip (with some reserve).

Having a van is also handy for all the things people have vans for. We also use it as a camper at times (we normally have the seats in the back removed).

I used to tow a 16' RIB on a trailer. The CD-22 tows more comfortably than the RIB because it doesn't bounce around as much since it is heavier.
 
stevie":33m4d48x said:
Thanks Sunbeam. Good idea. Do you mind me asking what make/model of camper van you have?
Click to expand...

It's a late 90's Ford van (regular length - there is also a long body) with a Sportsmobile conversion. Conversion-wise, it's somewhat akin to the VW Westfalia pop-top, only the top goes straight up instead of making a wedge shape. Also, mine has a layout wherein the center aisle goes all the way to the rear doors, which has come in handy for hauling/loading certain items.

The van I have is considered a Class B camper van as opposed to a "conversion van." The Class B has a "real" (if small) sink/stove/refrigerator/furnace/cabinets/etc. whereas the latter I think of more as just captains chairs and maybe a bed - more of an "executive/office" traveler type thing but not meant to "live" in. Some Class B's have a toilet/shower; mine has just a Porta Potti (I guess it's the "22" of vans :D) With the pop top down, it's basically "just a van" from the outside. Not overheight or super RV-ish looking or feeling. One can still use the back with the top down, but just not with standing headroom.

I wanted to buy something used (but in good condition) because I really wasn't sure if I would want to keep it or maybe change to something else after some use. Sort of testing the waters without a huge outlay and potential loss. I set my "must be no older than" limit at late 90's because I wanted the passenger side airbag and the newer generation/electronic engine so that I could use a Scangauge to monitor things as I went. For Ford, this meant 1997 or newer.

I have thought about "moving up" to something a bit larger; but then (as in boats) there are other compromises, and so far I haven't decided to make those (yet).

Sunbeam
 
Thanks Sunbeam. Most helpful.

With several variables to consider, I wonder whether I should just begin in this way:
1 buy a 22' with trailer
2 find somewhere to store it
3 rent a truck or find a friend who I can hire to launch it when I need it in the water (as a starting point)
4 enjoy boating!
5 consider replacing my sports car with a van

In other words, take it one step at a time, trusting that solutions will emerge to various issues as I go along, rather than trying to do it all at once (ie. buy the boat/sell my car/buy a van - all at once)

Comments/suggestions?
 
I've also seen CDs towed with GMC "contractor" vans (don't know the model). They're heavier duty than the Sienna van but still have the advantages of a van versus a pickup truck.
 
stevie":1leqp2yx said:
In other words, take it one step at a time, trusting that solutions will emerge to various issues as I go along, rather than trying to do it all at once (ie. buy the boat/sell my car/buy a van - all at once)
Click to expand...

That sounds like a good plan to me if you are planning to stay pretty much local at first and not tow a lot. Plus it has a good feel to it :thup In my case there were really no local C-Dorys to buy, and I also wanted to start traveling, so I needed to do both at once (I even managed to buy the "horse" before I found the "cart" in this case; but that's mostly because C-Dorys were hard to come by out east and tow vehicles less so).

I did rent a truck to move my boat around 50 miles just after I bought it; I had driven my car to look at the boat - then I ended up buying it and needed to move it to a storage garage. I rented the truck from a Hertz that specializes in contractor/equipment (different than a Hertz car rental). Some "normal" car rental type places don't want you to tow; a contractor type place expects it.

Sunbeam
 
just tossing my hat in the ring;
we use a 2005 Hemi Cherokee to tow our CD22. It tows like the boats not even there and because its a "car" it is a very comfortable road trip vehicle.

I also tow it occasionally with my dad's 3/4 ton cummings which has no problem pulling at all, but is a bit lengthy and being that it has 3/4 ton suspension often causes my coffee (which I'm never without) to spill.

and lastly, Sunbeams use of the word aplomb temporarily caused my mind to explode. :mrgreen:
 
Towing a boat requiring a tandem or larger trailer, you're going to want a vehicle with a V8 engine. SUVs are OK but my best tow vehicle was a Silverado 2500. New diesel 240 hp (over 400 ft lbs torque) in Jeep Grand Cherokee and VW Toureg I have my eye on for a CD 26Venture/trailer for 6-7K lbs total.

Aye.
 
I use a ford E250 for highway towing the cd and a kubota 26 hp
tractor for moving the cd around the property. One of the fishermen in our area uses his tractor for getting to town. I am around 4 miles from the boat ramp.
Either can do the trip but its alot quicker in the van.
 
Thanks Hemingway. I noticed Sunbeam's use of the word "aplomb" too - He mentioned his tow vehicle "handles the 22 with aplomb". I've spent the morning phoning marine supply stores to ask where I can buy "a plomb", because it seems that's part of the equipment necessary needed to tow a 22. So far I've been hung up on 9 times... :(

Thanks for the tip about the Cherokee. I shall look those up.
 
thanks 1Tuberider for the tip on the 2500.

I live in the small seaside town of Sidney, BC. I wonder whether the local authorities would mind if I towed the boat to the ramp with a Kubota tractor? It would sure get all the car traffic out of the way in a hurry. :) :thup
 
For the 22 there are a large number of vehicles you can use. We towed ours some with a Honda Pilot--and a little with a Road Trek Class B (but that was a one ton chassis--however loaded with the interior of the van--such as head, galley and king size bed. I have also used plane van in the 1/2 ton size. The pick up trucks ride too stiffly for my back, plus I like to be able to lock gear in the truck when I am off in the boat. I currently have an Yukon XL 4 x 4 with the heavy duty tow package. Don't know the 22 is back there. Rides very well and I can even lie down in the back and take a nap while Marie drives. (even with boat gear). It would also easily tow a 25, although the Tom Cat (10,000 lbs) would be a bit more than I would want to tackle. There were times in my life when I owned both a sports car and a van conversion for camping--so don't rule out a nicely used simple van, and keep the sports car.
 
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