Should I bring the V?

nipper · #1 09-24-2007, 06:52 PM

I am driving up with my wife, 3 kids and dog to visit my Mom on the Massachusetts coast--south shore, Scituate, MA. I will be there from Saturday the 29th through the following Saturday. It is 1000 miles from Indianapolis, IN to Scituate, MA. My question: am I completely insane to think of trailing the V along with me? It sits on a pretty nice dual axle trailer with surge brakes. Trailer is a 5 Star brand and it is galvanized. It is a 2002 model. I just hate sitting there right next to the ocean, looking out at Scituate Harbor on the front side of the cottage and the beach at the backside and not being able to get out in a boat. Plus, this was my boat's old stomping grounds when my Dad owned it. Your thoughts, please?

tsubaki · #2 09-24-2007, 07:26 PM

Other than the stomping grounds, it would probably be just as cost effective to charter something. Frigure ;D it out money wise and possibly not have a headache from trailering and equiptment needs.
Something tied to the back of a vehicle that many miles to and fro might be something not worth remembering.
HEY, keep us posted as often as possible about this. ;D ;D

Blue_Runner · #3 09-24-2007, 07:35 PM

Figure $300 extra for gas in the truck to get you there and back....that might be a conservative estimate. Then figure fuel cost in the V. You might actually come close to the price of a charter once you add it all up.

I tow mine 5 - 6 hrs one way about once a year and its expensive!

All depends on what you would rather do. If you have extra cash and enough confidence in your trailer I'd say go for it! Just don't give us that "I forgot my camera" excuse when you get home ;D

macojoe · #4 09-24-2007, 07:35 PM

Wow you are goingnto be right there with CB he lives like the next town, thats were we go out of when I trailer to see him.

I am 1 hour away on the Cape. Maybe the new boat will be ready for a ride?? You and CB can come on up for the big splash!!

tsubaki · #5 09-24-2007, 07:38 PM

Hell, just poormouth to go with them! ;D ;D

randlemanboater · #6 09-25-2007, 11:16 AM

Wow, 2000 miles is a long way to drag a V-20. *But it sure would be a great experience having you boat back on the same water your Dad used it in.

I guess the deciding factor will be, what does the wife say?

nipper · #7 09-25-2007, 11:20 AM

I might just go for it. I have a 1998 Suburban I will be towing with. You hardly feel the V back there when you tow. I figure it will only cost me about an extra $125 for gas to get there and back. The Suburban can get about 16 mpg without the boat. This would take 62.5 gallons per trip, or 125 gallons. At $3.00 per gallon, gas would cost me $375 for there and back. If I get 12 mpg with the boat, it would take 166.6 gallons @ $3 per gallon = $500. Am I off here on the gas prices for east coast?

nipper · #8 09-25-2007, 11:38 AM

Ahhh yes, the wife factor. She would probably be ok with it. However, we dragged our 20' Formula up there back in probably 2000. We typically drive straight through, which ends up taking about 20 hours with rest stops/gas stops, etc. Everything went great until our last gas stop on the Mass. Pike (Natick area). As usual, I got out of the Suburban and went to check the hubs on the trailer. One of the hubs on the passenger side (dual axle) was literally smoking, and I probably would have lost that wheel but for the stop. So, we had to stay the night in the car in the rest area until the morning when we could get a flatbed wrecker to pick up the boat and trailer and take it to a place to put in a whole new hub--not just bearings. If I can convince her that was an isolated occurence, she'll go with it. I will, of course, inspect the bearings thoroughly before going out and returning.

randlemanboater · #9 09-25-2007, 12:53 PM

Good luck on the sell. ;)

Monkey Butler · #10 09-25-2007, 01:02 PM

I'd say go for it! We are having a remarkable spell of weather for New England. If I were towing that distance I'd carry a spare tire, rim, hub, and bearings though.

I'm just off the Mass Pike exit 10. If you decide to do it and you run into trouble again in my neck of the woods I'd be glad to help out. Let me know if you want my cell#. Maybe we could line up other good Sams along the route? Might help put the wife's mind at ease.