Towing CD-25's

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uvicgrad85

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C Dory Year
2005
C Dory Model
16 Cruiser
If you were in the market for a truck that could tow a CD 25 on a 2006 King 7000 B2VR Tandem Axle Galvanized Trailer with ease, as well as lighter loads, where total annual mileage was under 3,000, what would be your choice?
 
uvicgrad85":1u2zyo3y said:
If you were in the market for a truck that could tow a CD 25 on a 2006 King 7000 B2VR Tandem Axle Galvanized Trailer with ease, as well as lighter loads, where total annual mileage was under 3,000, what would be your choice?
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Will you be towing on freeways? Up and down mountain grades? If not, a good choice would be just about any good old 3/4 ton pickup or full-size SUV. Throw in the freeway or mountains and it gets more complicated. I assume that you are trying to minimize your expense for a tow vehicle?

Warren
 
I'd go for any full sized 1/2 ton pickup with a 350 (or equivalent) V-8. Disk brakes fore and aft. You may need an equalizer hitch, but try it first. That'll get you through the flatlands and over the mountains.

To get my comments in first, I've been towing and launching boats since the 70's and never needed 4-wheel drive. A lot of people feel more comfortable with it, though.

I've found that surge brakes work well with equalizer hitches, but I didn't know better. However, electric/hydraulic brakes are wonderful, and can be added to any boat trailer.

Boris
 
The boat would be based on Vancouver Island about 10 miles inland from Mill Bay, which is about 15 miles due west of Sidney BC.

It's unlikely the boat would be towed any further than 100 miles to Port Alberni or 140 miles north to Campbell River. I simply don't see towing it off Vancouver Island. We have a pretty big playground here.

My existing European SUV can tow 6,000lbs, but I figure the CD 25 with trailer could easily weigh 7,000lbs++

The towing vehicle would double as a utility vehicle for lugging dirty, nasty stuff around, which seems pretty common when one lives outside the city.

As mentioned, even with all the other requirements, I doubt the truck would see more than a total of 2,000 miles a year, (with under 750 miles towing). None of my vehicles average more than 5,000 miles a year to begin with.

With this requirement, it makes no sense to buy new. However, I do want a truck that can handle the towing requirement with ease and a truck that is reliable.

So. What would buy? And more importantly, what truck brands would you specifically avoid?

Thx
 
I bought a used 2000 Toyota Tundra with 4-wheel drive for $9999.00. We need the 4-wheel drive to pull the CD-25 out of the boat slips here in Florida with the sand and algae on the boat ramps. I do not use this truck for much else and it is only used to pull the boat from the house to the boat ramp. 17 mpg driving and 10.5 mpg pulling the boat. I am really pleased :lol: with this purchase.
 
My favorite is the 7.3 L Diesel Ford Excursion. You can pick them up in good condition for around $10,000 (occasionally less). Mine has 155,000 miles on it and still runs like new. They have a 10,000 lb towing capacity (with a equalizer weight distribution hitch)--for the short runs I don't think you need a weight distribution hitch. I towed my c Dory 25 for over 5,000 miles with out. It tows better with the WD hitch.

The Excursion is the biggest SUV--bigger than the Suburban, but a good Suburban would be a second choice for me.
 
I have a 2003 Ford Super Duty F-250 4x4 w/ the 6.0 Turbo Diesel + towing package and it pulls my 25' Cruiser w/ no problems. The diesel is exceptional for over the hills (when required). The one thing I would certainly get on any truck pulling a 25' Cruiser is the towing package. Not only do you have the braking ability of the engine/transmission, but you also have the heavier duty radiator & transmission. IMO, the trailer package is a must.

My only additional option I will invest in on my next truck is dual wheels. Even though the F-250 pulls that amount of weight with no issues, and the stability is pretty darn good (I have the Super Crew w/ an 8' bed), dual wheels add a significant amount more stability and virtually remove all sway. Yep, dualies on the next truck pulling the 25' Cruiser.

If you've ever pulled a horse trailer with dualies, and then pulled the same trailer without dualies, you'll know why dualies are far more superior.

m2cw
 
eNORMous":d0llmmeo said:
If you've ever pulled a horse trailer with dualies, and then pulled the same trailer without dualies, you'll know why dualies are far more superior.
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Interesting. This contradicts other information I have read, which basically says that the dually setup is the hot ticket when carrying heavy loads, but is actually detrimental when towing heavy loads.

The main reason given is that without the heavy load, the contact patch of the rear tires is half of what it is with a single, and thus you have less traction on ramps, rain, snow, etc.

I'm open to being convinced otherwise.

Warren
 
Ditto what Warren says. When I was full timing one winter in Saint Louis I got caught in a snow storm. Most of the duallie's had a heck of a time manuvering around the campground where the single axle's could easily go. I would wonder how the dualies do on a steep ramp? I would think 4 wheel drive would be a must.
 
Warren wrote:
the dually setup is the hot ticket when carrying heavy loads, but is actually detrimental when towing heavy loads.
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Agreed, the primary reason for going dual wheels is to increase load carrying capacity - no argument - more weight distributed across a greater contact surface w/ less weight/sq inch than single tires (of the same weight).

However, I know of no article nor have I spoken to anyone where dual wheels are detrimental to any towing configuration. To the contrary, dual wheels make cornering easier, reduce sway, and provide greater overall stability in a towing configuration where the towed vehicle exceeds 7500lbs - how about we say in normal road conditions. :mrgreen:

Again, I agree on snow, ice and mud - the duals would tend to 'float' more so than single wheeled axles - no question. If snow and mud are not in play duals win IMO. In windy conditions, duals far out weigh singles IMO.

I'm rather meticulous about towing as I'm sure most are; and, I'm probably overcautious about tire pressure than most. Depending on road conditions, terrain (sand in particular where I live), ice, mud, etc - I increase or decrease the tire pressure to accomodate.
 
In staying with the original question, I think a dually truck would be real overkill for3,000 miles per year. Decreased mileage and increased parking problems. Plus, I find myself singing "I like big butts..." everytime I see one without a load. :wink:

Big Red (GMC Sierra w/Duramax and Allison) has been a real champ towing the CD-25; but we tow a lot. We like the truck so much that we decided to go with a 5th wheel when we decided to get another RV. It's not a dually, and it does just fine with a load AND a tow. And while it's a very comfortable daily driver, it also seems like overkill for a vehicle that will see only 3,000 miles per year.

I think Dr. Bob's idea of a diesel Excursion makes a lot of sense, especially with the current demand/price being low. IIRC, Scott (that used to work for the C-Dory factory and previous owner of C-Puffin) on occasion pulled his CD-25 with a diesel Jeep Liberty! That seems like UNDERkill (if that's a word), but for such limited miles, I'd try to find the least expensive option that is still safe.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

CDNewABeGMC.jpg
 
We pulled the C Dory 25 with the 30 foot RV last summer, which has dual rear wheels, but it is heavily loaded (and rated for that road). No problem pulling up steep ramps, but again the weight is on the rear axle, and there is a very low gearing. One of the problems with pickups is that when towing they are light in the back. Often putting several people in the bed or even carrying sand bags etc, will increase the ability to pull up a ramp without spinning the rear wheels. I would only consider a dually pickup if I was carrying a camper on the back--otherwise, single. I haven't noticed any perticular sway problems or cornering issues with any boats I have towed. But I have the trailer set up with a bit more tongue weight than some others may.
 
Well, here is what we used for a year to pull Journey On. the only problem was from the passenger seat, so now we have something modern (and more expensive):
Boat_Truck.sized.jpg

Boris
 
journey on":28h9h255 said:
Well, here is what we used for a year to pull Journey On. the only problem was from the passenger seat, so now we have something modern (and more expensive):
Boris
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From the passenger seat? You got a more modern and more expensive first mate??? :twisted: :mrgreen:

You like livin' on the edge, don't you, Boris?
 
Let's see Jim, I don't know who sits next to you, but in my situation, that's the Admiral, and we respect her thoughts. First mates don't give orders to Capn's


Still Boris

Jim, I've been over the edge
 
I pull mine w/ a 2005 F-250 4X4, 6.0 liter turbo charged diesel with a tow package. More than enough IMO and I bought it used, with 36K miles, from the original owner, for $25K. The truck is comfortable, quiet and I'm getting about 12 mpg towing and 18+ when not.
 
Living on Vancouver Island and only using a truck for a few thousand miles 2000-3000 . and taking $ into account I think a c-2500 chevy or GMC (3/4 ton) would work real well they seem to get the best economy for gas rigs anyway . The c-1500 with air bags would also work .I would probably go 4 wheel drive if possible although GM products have the posi-traction on a lot of their 2 wheel drive trucks .

If you can get a Ford or Dodge for the right price that would be good also since you will not be driving that many miles .

I'm still looking for the perfect tow car using a Honda Pilot 4whl drive for a cc-23 tows real well in Fl.
 
Thanks for all the good advice.

I picked up a 2006 F350 5.4l XLT with 11,700lb tow capacity and 46,000 miles on it.

That should do the trick!
 
Now I know the truck, how about the boat and the trailer? Don't put the questions in different threads!! :lol:


Charlie
 
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