Short tow with minivan

[green]

I don’t have a boat (yet), but I’m looking now that I have a place at the beach. Wet slips are hard to find and out of my price range. I could keep a boat in the driveway for short periods (days), but not long term.

There are several convenient and low cost dry parking options for the boat and trailer about 3 miles away. Flat roads, no highways.

Would you feel comfortable towing an X or M this short distance with a 2019 Honda Odyssey, rated to tow 3500? Could it get the boat out of the water? Assume that neither the boat or van are very full because of the short distance.

[Tomfoolery]

I’ve towed my X with a 2003 Honda Odyssey. No problem. Read about it here.

https://macgregorsailors.com/forum/view ... 95#p349295

[green]

Very helpful Tom. Thanks

Eric

[Tomfoolery]

FWIW, it towed very nicely. I just took it easy on the gas and brakes, but that long wheelbase made it tow very stable on the highway.

[Be Free]

When I was still shopping for a Mac I looked at one in south Georgia. The owner had pulled it long distances with a small mini van that I would not have pulled a small utility trailer behind. He said he had no problems. As I've mentioned before, pulling is easy; stopping may be a problem. You said it was a short distance on flat land. I'd try it. How steep is the ramp?

[green]

Here’s the ramp I’d be most likely to use.

[WinSome]

That’s nice gentle ramp. You’ll be able to pull out just fine. Take it easy on low.

[green]

Great to hear. Thanks for the encouragement

[Starscream]

Piece of cake if there's no algae on the ramp (and even that is less if a problem if the vehicle is awd). Make sure the ballast is OUT when hauling out, if you buy a water-ballasted model, it will make things that much easier.

I would be more concerned about the liability of towing with an underrated vehicle. Ask yourself: if something bad happens and you are involved in an accident on that short trip, what are the potential consequences? Are you willing to take the risk?

[Tomfoolery]

That’s nice gentle ramp. You’ll be able to pull out just fine. Take it easy on low.

Agreed. Open the ballast valve and vent before sticking the bow onto the forward vee bunk and it’ll start draining as soon as the bow is raised even a little. Or, if you can, open the ballast valve and vent and motor at 7 kts or so for a while to drain the ballast. Then load the boat with very little ballast in it.

The van will pull it up that shallow ramp like nothing. Being front wheel drive, just try to pick a slot that doesn’t have a bunch of slime on the ramp, if you can.

Accelerate on the road gently to get up to speed. The driveline won’t experience any more stress than hard acceleration (with no boat) with a load of people and ‘stuff’, which is just normal for a passenger car that can hold 7 people (1000 lb, more or less).

[green]

How much weight would a basic trailer add to an M or X? Van and boat would always be nearly empty.

[Be Free]

I don't think you will have any trouble pulling up that ramp.

My dual axle aluminum trailer is 660 pounds.

[green]

Thanks. That’s helpful.

[Be Free]

Just checked with my brother. His steel 2 axle is 1800 pounds.

[NiceAft]

Starscream's comments seem to be ignored. They are quite accurate, and should be considered when pulling your Mac.


On the other hand, your choice of tow vehicle will do adequately, but it is a cr#pshoot when it comes to the potential insurance claim.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration show the following about car accidents: roughly 50% of all car wrecks happen within a 5-mile radius of home and almost 70% of all car wrecks in the United States happen within 10 miles of car accident victims’ homes.

I'm just saying.