Tow vehicles...

[Steve Ullrich]

Hello Folks,

As my Ranger is a 1999 with 130,000 miles on her I've been giving some thought to what I might want to buy as a new tow vehicle.  I'd buy another Ranger as I've never had any problems with this one but I would kind of like to drive something different for the next decade. 

What new vehicles are you folks considering, or already using for that matter, that you would heartily recommend?

Thanks,

Steve

[Potcake boy]

Steve - I used to tow my 16 with a Mitsubishi 4 cyl compact with no problem.  I'd think you might be able to take advantage of the Cash for Clunkers deal but not sure.  In any case it seems dealers are offering up some of the best deals ever just now.  If you decide to go on the small end, perhaps you may wish factor torque ratings into your decision.  Then there's always my favorite, a VW TDI diesel which is exactly what I'd be driving if I was lucky enough to be sailing a 16.

Happy trailing and sailing,
Ron

[kchunk]

Honda Ridgeline! Bought ours brand new almost two years ago and it's been completely bullet proof. Probably have more than 2000 miles towing my CP23 without the slightest issue. Funny thing, at gas stations or parking lots, we get people all the time asking us how we like our Ridgeline. I tell them if I had to buy a car tomorrow it would be a Ridgeline. My wife and I both agree, our next vehicle will be a Ridgeline, without a doubt!

--Greg

[brackish]

Some good information on the subject, particularly if you are buying used:

http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175

I use an '07 Toyota Tacoma prerunner (quad cab, 2WD) to tow my P23.  Tow rating is 6500# and gross combined is 11,100#.  You have to look at both.  You can load up your vehicle to the point that you would be within the tow rating but exceeding the gross combined.

The truck does fine, however my experience is limited.  I've only towed it about 200 miles from the point of purchase to my home.  However, went through those northeast Alabama hills without incident.  Next week if the back orders clear, I'll tow it another 30 miles and do my initial launch (finally).

I picked that truck specifically because, in it's class it had both the highest tow rating (Dakota higher but with an eight) and the best fuel economy. 

My personal philosophy is that I don't want to exceed 70% of either tow rating or gross combined.  I'm right there with the Tacoma.

Frank

[Steve Ullrich]

Great link. The downloadable towing guides make comparisons easy. 

Thanks!

Some good information on the subject, particularly if you are buying used:

http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175

I use an '07 Toyota Tacoma prerunner (quad cab, 2WD) to tow my P23.  Tow rating is 6500# and gross combined is 11,100#.  You have to look at both.  You can load up your vehicle to the point that you would be within the tow rating but exceeding the gross combined.

The truck does fine, however my experience is limited.  I've only towed it about 200 miles from the point of purchase to my home.  However, went through those northeast Alabama hills without incident.  Next week if the back orders clear, I'll tow it another 30 miles and do my initial launch (finally).

I picked that truck specifically because, in it's class it had both the highest tow rating (Dakota higher but with an eight) and the best fuel economy. 

My personal philosophy is that I don't want to exceed 70% of either tow rating or gross combined.  I'm right there with the Tacoma.

Frank

[brackish]

Well Skip, this is taking it off topic a bit but I actually tried to buy American.  My first choice was a Chevrolet Silverado or the GMC equivalent.  That was when the new model was introduced at the same time as the left over "Classic".  So I had a choice of what was left over of the classic model (no nearby inventory that would meet my specifications) or the new model.  Dealers would not even talk with me on price with regard to the new model.  "going to be selling this great truck at near list" is what I kept being told with a high degree of arrogance.  Well you see where we are with this a couple of years later.

So I went back to my philosophy of specify what meets the need and look for the very best fit.  My Toyota replaced a Dodge Dakota, and I would have bought another Dakota but no tow capacity without specifying an eight and settling for dismal fuel economy for the 90% of the time I would not be towing.  Not the right vehicle for the times.  No other U.S. offerings in that class.

I ran a union operation for many years.  The union is not the problem.  Someone on the Management bargaining committee has to sign that contract.  Short term greed resulted in them signing away rights and economic issues that would help them control cost.  And Management is responsible of making sure the vehicles that hit the show room floor are right for the times.

My Union was appropriately cooperative, understood the pressures of the global economy and the balance necessary to represent their membership but not wreck the business.  However, we all found ourselves out on the street because of very dumb corporate management.

1000% duty on import brands would just guarantee that you get high priced junk down the road and it would increase rather than decrease corporate incompetence.

BTW my truck was assembled in California.  A lot of the U.S. production is assembled in Mexico and Canada.

Didn't mean to rant but, but since I lived through this outsourcing thing, you touched a nerve.

Frank

[Steve Ullrich]

Hello Folks,

I'm interested in what people are using for tow vehicles, and what they think of their vehicles.  Please don't hijack this thread... Start a thread in "Off Topic" if you want to discuss labor unions.

Thanks

[sedover]

Seems like a good topic for my first post.

Just picked up a very clean 1983 CP16. I have wanted one for years, well the time was right. My full size 01 Dodge van (360 engine) has been GREAT for general utility and travel because it can also be my lodging while on the road. However, at $3+/gallon some of the fun is taken out of using it for travel. It will get 17mpg on the highway. Not so bad I guess but in my VW Jetta TDI wagon I'll get 53mpg which has spoiled me rotten. The Jetta is not really set up for towing though many have done so and view it's capability at 1000lbs. I have opted to not tow with my Jetta because if something went wrong I'd hate to trash the car. The van is superior for travel to the Jetta in all regards other than economy. Using the van I carry the mast on a set of "cartoppers" with everything else inside.

Ideally I would like my full size van with a 3-3.5L diesel that would give me about 20-25 city and 30=32 hwy. Don't say Sprinter because they look way to commercial to me. There are people out there doing diesel conversions with the Mercedes engine in some of the Dodges and Ford is supposed to be bringing out a diesel F150 this fall. Sorry, but I have to have a van and I will only go diesel. I've had many miles on the road with gas and diesel platforms towing boats to Florida and other eastern coastal states and back.

My requirements are modest in comparison in that all I wish to do is travel around the Great Lakes.

[Steve Ullrich]

Welcome to the forum seadover. Thanks for the information.  A van does have it's appeal, always wanted a conversion van when I was younger...  Quarters are pretty tight on the 16. 17mpg isn't much to write home about but if you are only using the van when you are going sailing it isn't so bad. I only get 18-20 on the highway with the Ranger. I would have to use my tow vehicle as my every day commuter, like I do my Ranger, so a van isn't practical for me.  Maybe I should just keep the Ranger and get a topper for it and sleep in there? 

Seems like a good topic for my first post.

Just picked up a very clean 1983 CP16. I have wanted one for years, well the time was right. My full size 01 Dodge van (360 engine) has been GREAT for general utility and travel because it can also be my lodging while on the road. However, at $3+/gallon some of the fun is taken out of using it for travel. It will get 17mpg on the highway. Not so bad I guess but in my VW Jetta TDI wagon I'll get 53mpg which has spoiled me rotten. The Jetta is not really set up for towing though many have done so and view it's capability at 1000lbs. I have opted to not tow with my Jetta because if something went wrong I'd hate to trash the car. The van is superior for travel to the Jetta in all regards other than economy. Using the van I carry the mast on a set of "cartoppers" with everything else inside.

Ideally I would like my full size van with a 3-3.5L diesel that would give me about 20-25 city and 30=32 hwy. Don't say Sprinter because they look way to commercial to me. There are people out there doing diesel conversions with the Mercedes engine in some of the Dodges and Ford is supposed to be bring out a diesel F150 this fall. Sorry, but I have to have a van and I will only go diesel. I've had many miles on the road with gas and diesel platforms towing boats to Florida and other eastern coastal states and back.

My requirements are modest in comparison in that all I wish to do is travel around the Great Lakes.

[Craig Weis]

Ford Expedition. CP-19~skip
Honda CR-V. CP-19~Sreve.
Chevy Van 1/2 ton.~CP-19~Gerry.
Ford Pinto. CP-16~'Mr.' Bob Burgess [Handbook of Trailer Sailing]

skip.

[Steve Ullrich]

That Expedition would be a nice tow vehicle. Plenty of room for the family, plenty of power. I looked at a used one I found on Craig's List just last week.  I liked it. 

Ford Expedition. CP-19~skip
Honda CR-V. CP-19~Sreve.
Chevy Van 1/2 ton.~CP-19~Gerry.

skip.

[TeamSlacker]

Hey Steve, I had a brand new Ranger (05) with the 5speed auto. I'd have to look back at my docs, but I think the best mpg I ever got empty was about 21-22mpg, and only 15-17 commuting in town. I pulled a 18' toyhauler with it, and it did ok, and I liked the truck, but I wanted something else.
Ended up with a 02 Dodge 3/4 with the Cummins, and I'll never look back or worry about what I'm pulling. On the same exact trips that gave the ranger 21-22mpg, the diesel gets 20-21mpg, and that's hand calculated, gps calibrated miles, no BS.

Little overkill for daily commuter and pulling the CP16, but I love it anyway.

[don l]

We pull our CP16 with a Silverado 2001, 4.8,  2 wheel drive, 19 mpg.  Also use 5' extenion to help keep tire out of water.

[ka8uet]

I have pulled my CP23/3 with my Dakota, 1994.  She was made right in Toledo, Ohio, the last year they made them there.  I didn't pull in the mountains with her, but she did well on a very steep ramp I use a lot.  However, now that she's 15, her mileage has dropped to 19MPG combined, and I'm not so sure she would be up to pulling the boat through the mountains.  I think I will rent a truck for that job.  But for 14 years she did very well.

[sedover]

Welcome to the forum seadover. Thanks for the information.  A van does have it's appeal, always wanted a conversion van when I was younger...  Quarters are pretty tight on the 16. 17mpg isn't much to write home about but if you are only using the van when you are going sailing it isn't so bad. I only get 18-20 on the highway with the Ranger. I would have to use my tow vehicle as my every day commuter, like I do my Ranger, so a van isn't practical for me.  Maybe I should just keep the Ranger and get a topper for it and sleep in there? 

Steve;

I had an 86 Dakota and a 95 Dodge 1/2 ton short box pickups both with caps. They were great then but I eventually needed something to carry my motorcycle inside. I opted for a van this last time and it has been the best in terms of utility. My van is a custom contractor style with captains chairs, a nice headliner and sides but a clear flat floor behind the seats. I put carpet down over the floor.  For long haul trips regardless of the purpose it is great; for when I need a break I just pull over to a rest area hit the mat and catch a wink with considerable privacy. Try that with a car or even a pickup. I also have a porti-potti as well as other creature comforts inside that I can use.

Because of the van's footprint and weight the CP16 is insignificant. Evasive maneuvers are not a problem whereas a marginal sized vehicle opens a whole new can of worms, be safe. Going down the street for a local launch is one thing and traveling across the state is another. Sometimes things just happen no matter where you are. Think like as if you were at sea. It might take a bit to sort out your best compromise vehicle, good luck.

Steve (yes, another one)