Longest Round Trip Tow

[the daydreamer]

We have towed the v 4 or 5 times down to key west. 2100 miles round trip. If hubs and bearings have been done go for it. Its not that bad. Or even carry a spare hub so if you have a problem just stick new assy on and keep trucking. We tow with a 95 burb. Mph 9 to 10 any way you do it. I have thought about renting a boat also but just cant get over the cost. Have not put a pen to it (cost of towing less mpg) but i like having my own boat there!!!!!!

[inaforty]

Interesting comments.
Our plans are to spend two weeks in the Port Charlotte area.
Doesn't make sense to try to rent a boat for that length of time.

[captpete13]

I say go for it Rob. There's nothing like having the bragging rights about taking your boat that far. The only cooler thing would be if you actually drove the boat by water to Florida. Just do your bearings before you go. Bring a spare tire. When I trailer that far I check my bearings every time I get gas. Just give the trailer a little wiggle to check for sloppiness and put your hand on each hub to see how hot they are.

[phatdaddy]

capt pete, i have one of those lasar temp guns. every stop i go back and shoot the hubs checking temp.

also use it to know when the grease is ready when we fry fish down there

[bradford]

Y'all are changing my mind, lol. I say go for it.

The only thing that concerns me really is the single axle. Is the trailer set up right with the proper tongue weight etc., makes a huge difference when towing, especially that far. Too much tongue weight is bad, and not enough is a whole lot worse. Got good heavy duty tires and springs? Loosing one on a single is a whole lot worse than on a tandem. Could you justify trading up to a tandem? Then again a tandem has more weight, more rolling resistance, twice the maintainence. I would rather have a good heavy duty, properly set up, single axle than a cheap flimsy tandem. Just thinking off the top of my head.

If you like to read check out some Randy Wayne White novels from the library, especially the Doc Ford series, all take place in that area. John D. MacDonald and James W. Hall novels are excellent as well.

[RWilson2526]

Great information guys....I must say I am surprised there were more Yay's than Nays. Even "Captain Cautious" (AKA Destroyer) was saying go for it

I've gone back and forth at least three times....Ferm...great info on the craigslist ad. I am going to call them today. Those are much better boats and much better prices than what I was seeing at local marina's down there. I'm sure I'll spend more in gas than what I am estimating but below is a spreadsheet I put together to calculate differential cost....havent towed enough with the new truck to get a good number but ran it at 10,11,12, 13 mpg.

$/gal miles mpg w/ mpg w/o Gal w/ $ w/ Gal w/o $ w/o $ diff
$2.62 2674 10 18 267.40 $700.59 148.56 $389.22 $311.37
$2.62 2674 11 18 243.09 $636.90 148.56 $389.22 $247.68
$2.62 2674 12 18 222.83 $583.82 148.56 $389.22 $194.61
$2.62 2674 13 18 205.69 $538.91 148.56 $389.22 $149.70

With the money I'll spend in gas and what I'll probably spend making sure the trailer is completely perfect I dont think it will come down too much to a money thing....I do like the comment about putting money into my own rig if I have to spend it. Would need to be done anyway sooner or later.

I am also spending 3-4 days on the east cost visiting my family so could get some boating in on that side too which would be fun.

Will keep you guys updated.

[smokeonthewater]

Also keep in mind the possibility of problems w a strange boat..

You drive 1000 miles and pick up someone else's boat... The motor blows, they double book a weekend, for whatever reason they bail...

Do they try to blame you for the engine prob?.... Do they refund your money right away? Do they have another boat? Is all of their safety gear up to USCG standards?
Is your vacation ruined because you counted on a stranger and a strange boat? Do you WISH you had brought your own boat?????


On the mpg.... Possibly if you slow down 5 mph you will make up for towing the boat.

[steplift20]

From parsippany nj to Atlantic highlands nj with my 94 pick up it would be ok but them friggin tolls nj is robbing the working man can't afford to tow it longer, can't afford the nj tolls