What should I trailer with??

billmetroc · Jun 17, 2002

Am looking for an open bow or cuddy between 17-19 feet have a 2000 Chevy Venture Mini van w/3500LBS towing capacity boats i have seen run under this limit with trailer included want to keep within 85% of total towing capacity, have read that is a good safety margin any thoughts about using this as a tow vehicle in northern california also have a 24' class C motorhome, and know that it could tow the boat/trailer ok, but am a little gunshy about using something that bit to back into the water and put it back into the storage yard or driveway. maybe I should use the van for tight quarters and easy tows, and the rv for longer distance tows.. i have not installed a traile hitch on the van yet. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

JB · Jun 17, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Howdy, Bill. First of all, get a trailer with brakes. CA requires brakes on all trailers over 1500lb gross weight. 85% is a safe margin ONLY because it will have brakes. If you are concerned about maneuvering with your motor home, mount a ball on the front bumper. You will be able to see exactly what you are doing, keep your drive wheels on dry pavement, and you can park the trailer on a dime. Good luck.

billmetroc · Jun 17, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Thanks very much!!! Does the ball hitch on the front of the rv need to be of similar set up as a full weight bearing hitch on the rear of the vehicle, or is it a different type of ball/hitch all together???? where does the front hitch usually mount to? thanks again bill

JB · Jun 17, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Hey, Bill. "Mount a ball on the front bumper.." was a poor choice of words. Go to your friendly neighborhood trailer hitch shop, tell them you want to be able to maneuver and launch the boat from your front end. They will do the rest. Good luck.

MIKE F · Jun 17, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Bill, I tow a 20'boat, on a tandem axle trailer, with a 22', class C, motor home. It's really not that big a deal, backing the boat down a ramp, or anywhere else. I wouldn't bother, with a hitch, on the front of your RV. I find that the guide posts, on the back of my trailer help. You might have to back up, by using your side mirrors, again, no big deal. Try it you'll like it.

JB · Jun 17, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Right, Mike. It is no big deal AFTER you have mastered it. Until then it is like riding a unicyle. Hang around a launching ramp for a few hours and watch the hardware destroyed.

billmetroc · Jun 17, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Thanks all for the great information I tow airplanes around an airport ramp, both pushing and pulling and hope that experience for the past 12 years will help with the trailering/towing aspect of the boat/rv use i have more posts to make in other categories better get typing thanks again

MIKE F · Jun 18, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

JB, I think, I'd be more afraid, backing up the ramp, with the boat in front of me than doing it the NORMAL way.

If bill, can push and pull planes around, I don't see where a boat, would be a problem.

JB · Jun 18, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

It's an option. If he wants the flexibility, he'll get it. If he's too macho to have an easier way available, he wont. My suggestion started "If you are concerned about. . . ".

sproz · Jun 18, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Hi,I tow a 20ft bayliner bowrider on a braked trailer here in the uk with a new volkswagen passat diesel station wagon (do u have the passats there?)it tows great, pulling the boat out of the water ok and climbing freeway inclines in 5th gear,the downsides are the front wheel drive does lose grip on occasional quick starts and you can feel the boat pushing and pulling you over bumps,also it returns 35mpg when towing which is good with UK fuel prices!!

6MISFITZ · Jun 18, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

ShadyAde. 35mpg is great. I don't even get that without my trailer on. Yes we do have Passat sedans and wagons in North America but I have not seen any Wagons with Turbo Diesel. Forgive my ignorance, but I have to ask what side do the U.K. boaters consider the correct side of the canal to travel on?

sproz · Jun 21, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Forgive my ignorance!! but I'm not totally sure!!! I usually go on a lake so just try to avoid crashing in general!! I think on the rivers/canals its the opposite side to our roads i.e. right on the river. Cheers.

6MISFITZ · Jun 21, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Appology for asking a question on another's string. Thanks for the reply ShadyAde

RG · Jul 4, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Bill-The Venture will pull a boat but it's life will be short.The reaction shell in the trans. is a weak link that will give you early failure.Here are some numbers...boat 1800LBS. trailer 1000LBS. outboard 400Lbs. 30gals. fuel 210LBS. misc.gear 200Lbs.=3610LBS behind the Venture...if you tow 10 miles to the lake no big deal but if towing hundreds of miles look for a larger tow rig.

billmetroc · Jul 5, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Thanks very much for the good info! I pretty much am planning for using the van for towing locally,with greater ease and manuevering etc, couple miles to the water and thats it for the van, as far as longer distances I'm hoping to use the RV. Would a transmission cooler on the van help, if i can fit it under the hood? Thanks again, you guys are great!!! bc

6MISFITZ · Jul 5, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

A transmission cooler is a must especially for anything front wheel drive. Yes they will fit, I have a friend with a 2000 venture and there was no problem with his kit but then it was installed by the same people who did the hitch. Another rule of thumb is to change the transmission fluid every year when you tow with a front wheel drive vehicle. Mike.

billmetroc · Jul 8, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Thanks very much! Great info as always What did your friend tow with the Venture? How did he find the towing experience with it...? thanks bill

magellan · Jul 9, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

This is for Billmetro132 and RG. What model is your Venture 2000 ? The LS, LT models come with touring suspension, not the Value or Plus models. I want to install a towing package on my Venture 2000 Plus, but I don't feel confident that I'll be able to tow a 2650# Chaparral 205 SSe. I'm still investigating. In advance, thank you.

billmetroc · Jul 9, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Mine is the LT w/touring suspension I have looked at the manufacturer specifications on towing and it refers to a towing rating of 3500lbs with touring suspension and an options package that I am still getting the particulars on, I think its numbered 039 something like that, I would believe it might be an options package with a transmission cooler and might be the hitch as well, I can't think of any other options to put on the vehicle for the tow package. As per the previous post the transmission cooler as an aftermarket add on will work, mine is a 2000 venture also, but as far as what not having the touring suspension does to towing rating, I am not sure... GM says its part of the towing package required. I am making a call to my dealer to find out. I'll post back once I find out. bc

6MISFITZ · Jul 9, 2002

Re: What should I trailer with??

Magellan, are you sure that 2650 lbs includes trailer and fuel on the boat? 2650 sounds like a boat only weight for a 205 SSe.

What should I trailer with??

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