Pierson Jacquelin
Posts:28
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| 12/18/2006 11:22 PM |
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I was just curious what people out there are using. I was thinking about getting a Chevy Blazer with the 4.3L engine or a Nissan X-Terra, non-supercharged.
I won't be going across the Rockies, pretty much just from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara or San Diego.
Cheers,
Pierson
#591 |
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Scott Waterhouse
Posts:42
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| 12/20/2006 8:28 AM |
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I would not suggest using an Xterra. I have a 2006 (first year with the 265HP non supercharged motor). The Xterra has plenty of power but a J24 is too heavy and long to tow safely. I haven't towed my boat but have towed trialers that were pushing 4000 lbs and it was a scary ride. I have towed lots of trailers with many differnt vehicles but this is one combination I would not use. The Pathfinder is not that much more than an Xterra but a much better combination.
Scott |
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Hull #970 (1978)
No Sailing Yet - Still Rebuilding! |
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Pierson Jacquelin
Posts:2
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| 12/20/2006 11:21 PM |
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Thanks for the input. Having never towed anything the size of a J24 before, I'm curious about the Xterra vs. Pathfinder difference--is it a matter of towing power, stopping power, vehicle length, vehicle weight? I've seen a local sailor tow his J with a Jeep Cheeroke... Do you guys think I need a Suburban for local (100 mile) jaunts?
Thanks,
Pierson |
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"Slippery When Wet", USA 21859
1978 Hull #591 |
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Scott Waterhouse
Posts:42
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| 12/21/2006 1:25 PM |
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The Pathfinder has a longer wheelbase and is a beefier truck than the Xterra. The longer wheelbase helps in towing stability. The Garnd Cherokee is another good vehicle choice and comprable to the Pathfinder. Another issue with the Xterra is it has a maximum tounge weight of 350lbs so any trailer over 3500lbs really should have weight distrubution. I have the Xterra but used my dad's GMC Yukon to tow my boat home when I bought it. If I was just towing around town and not getting on the highway I think I would use the Xterra, otherwise I will borrow a truck. Once my lease is up I am going to either back to a Pickup or upgarding to the Armada.
This site below is meant for RV's but also includes some guidelines on boat tralers as well. Lost of good info there.
http://www.rvtowingtips.com/
Scott
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Hull #970 (1978)
No Sailing Yet - Still Rebuilding! |
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Daniel Borrer
Posts:12
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| 12/27/2006 6:51 PM |
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I used to have a 2000 Toyota Tundra, automatic (4.7L I think, V-8 ) and it towed like a dream, except for the fuel ecomony. <I also used to have a single axel trailer with out brakes, AND I used to own J~Lo usa 1208 before loosing it on the high way (bec. of bad coupler and chains!) Now the B.Crampers sail her and tow with a new trailer...
Currently, I tow with a 2006 Toyota Tacoma, short bed double cab- manual transmission, V-6 with more hp than the 2000 v-8 tundra had. It has enough power to tow (Jesus Lizard, usa 2436) in florida and the surronding states but I would not want to go to California in it.... Since I tow about 1% of my time in the truck, it makes sence for me to have the smaller vehicle and better fuel economy 99% of the time.
FYI, Personaly- I will never tow any thing less than a dual axel trailer with brakes (electric, dual axel Triad currently)...
Good Luck
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Bruce Hubble
Posts:18
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| 12/28/2006 7:52 AM |
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Rule #1: the tow vehicle needs to weigh more than the trailer being hauled if the trailer is single axle and none or weak brakes
Rule #2: read #1
Braking and stability are the key ingredients.
My 4x4 F 150 pulls my single axle 70mph without a thought of braking/stability problems. 11 mpg while towing. It weighs over 5000.
An x Terra is underpowered, small brakes, short wheelbased and a terrible choice except for short, low speed trips. Trailblazers/Explorers would be the smallest wheelbase I would consider.
Think of the "tail wagging the dog". A 4,000 lbs tail.
Some Tacoma & Tundra's have wheelbase, but power and brakes? Short, level trips only.
Spar Wars
3246 |
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David Taylor
Posts:1
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| 01/03/2007 11:40 AM |
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If I remember right the J-24 magazine had an article on towing. I can't find the article but think the minimum towing capacity was suggested at 5,000 lbs.
Also, the wider the wheelbase the better. |
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Alan Ouellette
Posts:3
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| 01/05/2007 1:15 PM |
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| I towed my J24 about 100 miles once with an Xterra. Traded it in after the trip for an Ford F250. |
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steven clough
Posts:30
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| 01/06/2007 12:29 AM |
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| I would have to agree with Alan. I bought a Ford F350 long bed with tandem axle trailer and never have to worry about pulling the boat. I have burned through a set of front brakes (prior to getting the trailer brakes repaired) and based on that, there is a lot of weight with boat and trailer. I would not feel comfortable pulling it with smaller vehicles or SUV's. |
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Pierson Jacquelin
Posts:28
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| 01/23/2007 11:49 AM |
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Thanks for the responses, this has been a great thread. I guess bigger is better.
-Pierson |
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Steven Adams
Posts:5
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| 02/06/2007 10:09 PM |
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I have towed my J24 from Atlanta to Florida and back a couple of times with a 2005 Toyota Tundra V8 crew cab and at 70 mph no problem with a single axle trailer...no problems with braking, etc.
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Lambert Lai
Posts:17
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| 02/12/2007 2:00 PM |
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| I have a Toyota Tundra crew cab also. This model is 21 inches longer than the standard Tundra length. Tows really well, enough power to keep moving, 10 miles per gallon when towing. I think the added length helps in towing but takes a little getting used to when backing up, making right hand turns, etc. I don't think the mileage can be much better for any vehicle when towing a J/24. Anyone out there getting better mileage? |
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Jeff Earl
Posts:3
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| 02/12/2007 9:14 PM |
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I tow with a 2002 Suburban 1500. 11 MPG towing. Perfect tow vehicle as is fits the whole crew and all the gear as well! Although daily driving can be a chore.
jeff |
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Dan Webb
Posts:55
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| 02/13/2007 8:27 AM |
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2004 Avalanche 1500
10-12 MPG when towing and average 17 MPG when not towing.
Very comfortable tow vehicle for a crew of 4 and all the gear. |
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Ken Shores
Posts:2
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| 08/12/2007 5:13 AM |
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| Anyone's diesel pickup will work. Of course I have an F250 which can haul 16,000 lbs, so a 3100 lb J24 is not a problem. She trailers well. I could only feel that the boat was behind me when I would go through a low spot in the road. I towed the boat 800-900 miles. |
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Bryan Wutzke
Posts:6
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| 02/05/2008 8:09 PM |
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We brought our J/24 home from Connecticut to Minnesota through Pennsylvania on I-80 with our Toyota 4Runner V-6. The 3.4L works like a charm (never less than 50 mph even on the longest, steepest grades).
The trick with most any vehicle is to keep the transmission from trying to engage the overdrive and run the RPMs a little higher. Push the little button to turn-off the O/D or shift down to "D" (drive). Also engage the "power" switch if you have one available to force the transmission to shift at higher rpms as well. The O/D can be engaged down the long hills when it will lock-up for you.
Even large engines trucks and SUVs risk burning-out their transmissions if you can't guarantee the transmission locks-in the O/D. Watch your tach closely and you'll see when the transmission slips yet is still in O/D. Finally, a quality oil (like the synthetics that handle the higher temps) and clean filter are essential to trouble-free towing.
Good luck! |
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Bryan Wutzke
#3801 - Maybe
There's more to life than sailing. Let me know when you have figured it out. |
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