Yet another question;



A few years ago I towed my CL 16 cross country and had some heavy turbulence from the big trucks. The camper was shaking and the boat held on for dear life. I'll probably have to tow a catamaran a fair distance on the highway soon and am wondering what safety precautions can I take? I'd assume that the underside of the tramp would catch ALOT of wind.



Robert

Drive very fast and minimize your time on the highway!



On the other hand there is not much you can do. The boat dosen't weigh very much compared to its windage. That will be the biggest factor as the trucks pass you the headwind will blow you to the side. Actually I have found that if I am doing the passing the turbulence is less as I am pushing through their headwind instead of getting knocked by it. This could work only up to safe speeds for your vehicle and boat. The other option would be having more weight on the trailer to hold it down. (Then your fuel economy goes to hell)



Don't know if this helps but good luck.



Clayton

I don't know how far you're going, but I just got back from a trip to Puerto Penasco, Mx from Los Angeles, CA - about 500 miles. I tow my H16 with a Dodge Durango and had no problems with my cat or trailer. The only extra weight I had on the trailer was the weight of the rudder system and sail bag (full of sails, boom and hiking stick). We ran down the road for 80 mph for most of the trip. No problems. Just make sure the boat is securely strapped to the trailer. On trips, my boat becomes one with the trailer with ratchet ties.



Good luck-

John

I drive to the eastern shore of maryland from north carolina about twice a month during the season with my h17. The only hairy part is when the lane narrows during construction.

One other thing you might look at is the attitude of your boat when towing. I'm talking about making sure the bows aren't higher than the sterns. I've seen people towing their boats with the bows so high its amazing the things stay on the ground.I have mine set up so the bows or the front crossbar is slighty lower than the rear. I think this and removing the tramp are your best bet.

I have towed a number of boats: large sailboats, small motorboats, Nacra60s, A-cats, etc. 2 years ago, I was towing a Nacra60 with a Nissan Sentra! Now I tow an A-cat here in Europe with a turbo Passat (up to 100+ mph on the Autobauns). My conclusion is that the only important factor is the quality of the trailer. With the same vehicle, I have two two different trailers with wildly different weights and I am always suprised how much of a difference the trailer quality makes.



For Catamarans, no one makes a better trailer than Trailex. It was the only way I could tow a Nacra60 with a Nissan Sentra. Invest the money and you will forget you are even towing.

A related question.



I am towing my P16 with a Ford Escort, manual transmission. A friend was shocked, and suggested that *probably* with an automatic transmission I would be OK towing with such a small car, but that this is a really bad idea with a manual transmission.



Is there anything to this?



Jonathan

The difference betwen an automatic and a stick is the manual clutch and you shift the gears . If you handle the clutch & shifting properly there should be no problem.



ASK YOUR FRIEND HOW MANY 18 WHEELERS HE HAS SEEN/DRIVEN WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION????



thom

Re: manual vs. automatic shift

In fact, manual is way better for trailing. Everything else being equal, automatics decrease the power available at the wheels. Sometimes, particularly under heavy load, automatics keep shifting back and for between gears. With manual you are always in control.

m

When I forget to turn on "power mode" on my trooper, it does what you described Marco. It irritates me to no end.

come on. we are talking about a trailer and boat that together weigh about 500 pounds with a tongue weight of about 60 pounds. i used to trailer my p16 with a manual transmission mazda miata (roof down, of course). it pulled the boat without a problem. it did get tricky getting the miata off of the beach without getting stuck, but that is a different issue all together.

I towed my N6.0 from Houston to Destin this year for RTI 2002.

I do have a Dodge Dalota Quad Cab, with 5spd, v-8, and the trailer towing package factory.

We pulled it at 85mph, NO PROBLEM. My boat and traler probably weigh close to 800ish, then my box, another 1-200ish, I figure the entire thing is about 1,000 lbs, +/- 200.

Although I know people who have had the boat picked up by crosswinds, it has to be pretty extreme.



Personally, and this is personal, auto tranny's aren't worth it. Lucky for me my wife also drives a manual. They're heavy, less efficient, slow, etc. I want to be in the gear I put it in, not what some engineer wants me to be in.

Yeah, but I can eat a sandwich and a drink while driving through town!

...and write, talk on the phone, read a map, and yell at the guy in the car next to me who just cut me off.

...and write, talk on the phone, read a map, and yell at the guy in the car next to me who just cut me off.



ya, but I do all those things with my five-speed. Of course, it means planning shifts ahead of time, and occasionally driving with my knees, so if you see Crazy Horse on the road, I may cut you off, but I dang sure won't run you down with my 4-banger!

Dave-

What year was your Miata? I've got a 1993 w/ the "little" engine and was wondering if it was up to the task-

Getting boats up ramps/out of sand is one other thing autos are good for, as well as towing heavy loads from dead stops uphill- You do pay in efficiency though-



Thanks!

Kirt

You know, an auto shifts all the time. If I shifted in traffic like an auto, doing things I shouldn't be doing anyway while driving would be difficult. But, as in town, you take your foot off the gas pedal, the tranny goes to the higher gears. Then you press it again, it downshifts AGAIN, and so on. With a manual, you don't shift it THAT often. And yes, I can drink etc. while driving.

Whether auto, or what, I try and use my headset anyway for the car. MUCH safer, MUCH. Try it, even with an auto tranny.



Have a good day,

Todd

1991. it felt like a truck pulling a 23 foot powerboat, but it didn't have any problems. like i said. the problem was more with the car getting stuck in the sand.

Make sure you do a thorough check on the condition and lubrication of the wheel bearings as well as the tread and inflation of the tires. Lights, of course shoul be all checked as well.



Be sure that the tongue of your trailer has a good amount of weight on it; too little can lead to trailer sway.