1500 Miles, MA to FL, Another Adventure Done...

[ChuckW]

We hauled the boat from our home in MA to our place in FL this weekend. Since I do all the driving when towing, it takes 2 days. I must sleep at some point ya know..

NYC was a nightmare, took 2 hours to go 10 miles.

Sunday, we hit the 99 degree heat in SC and GA. I was in southern GA when one more of my Carlisle tires blew. The Goodyear Marathons (which I'm rotating in as the Carlisle fail) have been solid. When she blew, it was loud, but with the triaxle I run, very stable. Another reason to have all those axels. I'd hate for this to happen to me on a tandem or single :smt009

So, since I've done this all too many times already, I have the whole change over down to less than 30 minutes. Kinda like being my own pit crew.

Back on the road, almost there. Then on I-75 in FL on the home stretch, I notice something else. My Glomex frisbee is gone...

I've got over 40k miles towning this boat on the hiways. Never had a problem until this trip, except for the one time on my street when a low lying branch sheered the frisbee off. :smt013 So I knew right where to order a new one from this time. :smt038

So with all these new projects and expenses added to my list, I figured I'd knock off a quick fix before splashing her. The skeg on the out drive is showing bare alluminum.

I sanded it up, cleaned it with vinegar (mild acid) and put on some primer. Not worried about the gouges in skeg this time around, just wanted to keep her from becoming sacrificial while sitting in the water this month.

Then a final coat of black to keep her shiny and protected from the elements.

So what did this haul south cost me?
183 gals of gas towing = $485.00
1 nights hotel for fam = $110.00
1 tire for trailer = $90.00
1 Glomex Frisbee with shipping = $125.00
2 cans of Merc paint = $17.00

Total = $827.00

I could have shipped her via freight for about that, but that's no fun. Think of all the memories I'm building for the kids. :smt101

PS - for those following my latest fun, there's still this little structural matter with the joint along the sheerline. :smt021 http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20234

 

[Lazy Daze]

Blown tires? I have the worst luck. For the past 3 years, I've blown one every year. It's always been on a highway doing about 70mph. My 260 is on a tandem ShoreLand'r, but the funny thing is, I barely even notice it. Other people in the truck always ask me why I'm pulling over. There's barely even a shimmy being transmitted to the Suburban. 2 years ago I didn't notice it till I saw smoke! The trailer handled it great. The tread was still there (in one continuous piece) but it was totally separated from the sidewall.

It looks like you had you hands full during the trip! Good that you made it safe, though. In about 4 weeks, I'll be cruising up past your MA home on the way to Maine. I'll honk as I go by! :smt001

Vinegar, huh? Never thought of that one!

Nothing wrong with leaving the grooves. You're probably just going to make more, right?

 

[Alex F]

Chuck,
This sure sounds like interesting trip. It reminded me times when I towed my previouse two boats. I also had pretty much guarantied thread separation when towing my single axle 175BR. I towed it twice from NJ to FL and both times had to change at least one tire. 240DA with dual axle had no issue on the same trip.

Glad you reached the destination safely. Enjoy the time.

 

[ChuckW]

Thanks Alex and Dennis for the wishes. Yes with my world inside the suburban, safety is important.

The vinegar is a trick from my construction days. Works very well. Just enough bite to ensure the primer takes.

 

[ChuckW]

Blown tires? I have the worst luck. For the past 3 years, I've blown one every year. It's always been on a highway doing about 70mph. My 260 is on a tandem ShoreLand'r, but the funny thing is, I barely even notice it. Other people in the truck always ask me why I'm pulling over. There's barely even a shimmy being transmitted to the Suburban. 2 years ago I didn't notice it till I saw smoke! The trailer handled it great. The tread was still there (in one continuous piece) but it was totally separated from the sidewall.

It looks like you had you hands full during the trip! Good that you made it safe, though. In about 4 weeks, I'll be cruising up past your MA home on the way to Maine. I'll honk as I go by! :smt001

Vinegar, huh? Never thought of that one!

Nothing wrong with leaving the grooves. You're probably just going to make more, right?

Only had 2 blow in 40k miles, then 1 that was showing the belts, so I pulled it. Another had a sidewall defect that I pulled before she blew, too. The scariest part of the whole ordeal was changing the tire on the side of the interstate with cars and trucks roaring by my back. Seen too many "Cops" films where whackos aren't paying attention, or worse yet drunk.

Maine, brrrrrrrrr....beautiful, but brrrrrrrr..... You will be passing me, I495 is the route through MA to Maine. I'm right off that hi-way.

 

[Kendall]

Excellent report.

May I ask what your tow vehicle is?

I'm looking for a tow vehicle as we speak.

Thanks,

Kendall

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yea, gotta luv changing a tire on those highways! Last year, I thought I got lucky 'cause a cop pulled up behind me and angled his car a little to help shield me. He got out, asked if everything was OK, I said "yup - just gotta change this tire". He said "Good" and got back in his car and took off!!!!! :huh: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, you know?

Yup, we always take 495 around Boston. Usually we stop and overnight at the Red Roof in Southborough. Very occasionally I can sometimes convince my better half to to just pull into a parking lot and sleep in the boat... very occasionally.

 

[ChuckW]

Excellent report.

May I ask what your tow vehicle is?

I'm looking for a tow vehicle as we speak.

Thanks,

Kendall

Thanks.

It's a 2007 Chevy Suburban K2500 - 3/4 ton, tow package.

 

[ChuckW]

Yea, gotta luv changing a tire on those highways! Last year, I thought I got lucky 'cause a cop pulled up behind me and angled his car a little to help shield me. He got out, asked if everything was OK, I said "yup - just gotta change this tire". He said "Good" and got back in his car and took off!!!!! :huh: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, you know?

Yup, we always take 495 around Boston. Usually we stop and overnight at the Red Roof in Southborough. Very occasionally I can sometimes convince my better half to to just pull into a parking lot and sleep in the boat... very occasionally.

WTF is right, if you were a babe, he would have rolled up his sleeves and helped :huh:

That's about 20 minutes south me. Check out the Holiday Inn at Rt. 111 in Boxboro, but probably a bit more than RRI, but if you're not in a hurry, nice pool and Sunday brunch as well. Oh and the parking lot is huge, no problem sleeping on the boat there...:grin:

 

[sprink56]

Thanks.

It's a 2007 Chevy Suburban K2500 - 3/4 ton, tow package.

Chuck,

That's a sweet looking rig. Looks like the Suburban is 4 x 4...bet you're a "Champ at the Ramp":thumbsup: I used to tow a '86 272LS Formula on a tripple axle float on with a '89 3/4 Suburban 454, 4 x 4 & tow package. Best and most comfortable tow vehicle I ever owned. The new ones must be super nice. Do you have brakes on 1: axle or 2 ? Covering that trip in 2: days speaks volumes that you know what you are doing.

 

[ChuckW]

Chuck,

That's a sweet looking rig. Looks like the Suburban is 4 x 4...bet you're a "Champ at the Ramp":thumbsup: I used to tow a '86 272LS Formula on a tripple axle float on with a '89 3/4 Suburban 454, 4 x 4 & tow package. Best and most comfortable tow vehicle I ever owned. The new ones must be super nice. Do you have brakes on 1: axle or 2 ? Covering that trip in 2: days speaks volumes that you know what you are doing.

Yes, it is 4x4 (that's what the K means in Chevy speak for the K2500. C2500 would be a two wheeler). I've never had to use 4 wheel drive at the ramp. It just grunts and goes on two.

This is a suite ride. We ordered it to spec, so it's loaded with everything they offer, Nav, leather, seat heaters for all, DVD/TV, and even a backup camera, so I can single handedly park the ball under the hitch every time. :thumbsup:

Trailer has disk brakes on all 6 wheels, surge activated (my preference, others not so much in agreement). The suburban is 4 wheel disk brakes, too. This thing stops on a dime, well maybe a quarter, but it does halt in a hurry.

I'm a traveling fool. I do this trip 3 or 4 times a year. (round trip that is).

 

[Kendall]

That is a nice ride! May I ask what the rated tow capacity is for the Suburban equiped like you have it? I have been looking at Diesels and the 3500's ride like a tank...

What gas mileage does your Suburban get towing the 260? I assume yours is gas.

Thanks.

 

[ChuckW]

That is a nice ride! May I ask what the rated tow capacity is for the Suburban equiped like you have it? I have been looking at Diesels and the 3500's ride like a tank...

What gas mileage does your Suburban get towing the 260? I assume yours is gas.

Thanks.

Rating was 9600 lbs. It is gas, 6.4 liter, and hauling I get about 8mpg. Depends on the terrain though. Hill climbs will drop you to 6mpg. Unfortunately in '07 or earlier they dropped the diesel option on the suburban. I'm hoping it comes back, but not at all optimistic on it. THe reason being, they tend to give your a higher towing capacity in the diesels which I really needed, but didn't want to ride in anything other than a suburban.

The wife uses it for our everyday soccer mom trips, it's a bit "truckier" than the 1/2 ton, but we love it. It pulls this thing well, plenty of power and torque to do the job well. I have the weight distribution hitch, which is required to get the rated tow capacity. They are great though, if you've never used one try it. They really distribute weight forward onto the front truck axle and make for a solid connection at the hitch in that you don't get the hinging effect at the hitch over bumps, so the whole unit bounces as a rigid frame over the bumps.

Happy to share/help with any info need. Good luck!

 

[Lazy Daze]

If you're looking for a diesel, the last year it was used in the Suburban was '99 (the more "squarish" body style). Mine is a '98. There is a smaller Duramax diesel (4.5L compared to the current 6.6L) that was slated to come out with the 2010 Suburban. But with every thing that's been going on, it got pushed back "indefinitely" at this point.

However, there are companies that will convert a newer body style (2000 and up) Sub to a diesel. It involves a 2" body lift so the Ally can clear the floor. The Sub's floor is lower than a truck's.

Just some FYI!

 

[Kendall]

Rating was 9600 lbs. It is gas, 6.4 liter, and hauling I get about 8mpg. Depends on the terrain though. Hill climbs will drop you to 6mpg. Unfortunately in '07 or earlier they dropped the diesel option on the suburban. I'm hoping it comes back, but not at all optimistic on it. THe reason being, they tend to give your a higher towing capacity in the diesels which I really needed, but didn't want to ride in anything other than a suburban.

The wife uses it for our everyday soccer mom trips, it's a bit "truckier" than the 1/2 ton, but we love it. It pulls this thing well, plenty of power and torque to do the job well. I have the weight distribution hitch, which is required to get the rated tow capacity. They are great though, if you've never used one try it. They really distribute weight forward onto the front truck axle and make for a solid connection at the hitch in that you don't get the hinging effect at the hitch over bumps, so the whole unit bounces as a rigid frame over the bumps.

Happy to share/help with any info need. Good luck!

Thanks! This is great information.

We have been looking at used diesels and especially hard at the new Toyota Tundras (tow rating 10,300 lbs). I will be test driving a 2009 (new) Tundra double cab 4X4, 5.7 L today. The guys at the dealership swear it would have no problem towing our 260 DA. We really don't want to buy such a large truck as the 2500/3500 Ford diesels when I only tow maybe 4 times per year....the rest of the time this truck will have to be my dailey driver. The online community gives the new Tundras great tow ratings so I'll give it a try. We love our 2004 Tundra but it for sure would not tow this boat.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Kendall, of course the Toyota guys said it would tow your boat! The short answer is no, a Tundra won't do the job. But, don't just take my word for it, read about it - not just here - go to other towing forums (towing specific forums - not just the Tundra forum).

Here's a link to a discussion about the question you asked. Otherwise, Chuck's thread is going to turn into another tow vehicle "can I do it?" war.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18707&highlight=rating

If you use the search tool and search for things like "tow" and "rating", you'll come up with more reading material, too.

 

[ChuckW]

...The guys at the dealership swear it would have no problem towing our 260 DA...

Don't trust anyone, especially dealers. Its your life, your money, do the math.

Boat weight (don't believe the SR brochure)
Trailer weight
Fuel
Water
Gear and tools/equipment
Passengers in tow vehicle
Gear in tow vehicle

It adds up quick, get the numbers and make sure you know what you have up front.

I did the math, then when I had it all set on the trailer, went to a truck scale and confirmed my findings. I was light 300lbs in my math. :smt013 Engine option and genny added a lot of weight over published numbers.

 

[Lazy Daze]

That's so true, Chuck. I run into people at the store all time that don't take the time to figure everything out. They forget about what water and fuel weighs, what optional equipment to add in, even sometimes forgetting about the trailer! I had one guy insist that the trailer doesn't count "because it's on it's own wheels!" How do I argue with logic like that? :huh::grin:

Truth be told, the engine is really only a small part of how to pick a tow vehicle. Frame, suspension, brakes, transmission, wheel base. To operate safely, one really needs to do their homework. If someone is only pulling a 18 footer, well obviously it makes for an easier decision. But, when you're towing 10,500+ lbs (like the newer 260's) your choices become limited. And, quite honestly, no 1/2 ton truck is up to that task.

Sorry Chuck, I'm getting off task here - this is not what you're post was about.

 

[Kendall]

Kendall, of course the Toyota guys said it would tow your boat! The short answer is no, a Tundra won't do the job. But, don't just take my word for it, read about it - not just here - go to other towing forums (towing specific forums - not just the Tundra forum).

Here's a link to a discussion about the question you asked. Otherwise, Chuck's thread is going to turn into another tow vehicle "can I do it?" war.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18707&highlight=rating

If you use the search tool and search for things like "tow" and "rating", you'll come up with more reading material, too.

Chuck:

Sorry.....didn't mean to hijack this thread but this information is great to have.

The Toyota guys are telling me I can "test drive" the Tundra down to the house and pull the 260 for proof....maybe a test pull is what is needed to see if the new Tundras have what is required. Most all of the online forums (rv, boat etc.) report that the new Tundra pulls 10K no problem, that 860 lbs tongue weight is no problem.....one guy is even pulling 16-20K weekly. Please remember the truck I'm talking about is the new 2007+ Tundra with 5.7L and tow package. Not my 2004 6500# tow capacity Tundra.....this truck would not pull anything close to the 260.

I understand a 2500/3500 series truck would be best but I will test drive the Tundra and report my findings.

We used an older (1998) Dodge with 5.9 cummins to pull the 260 down to the beach a few weeks ago and it drove fine. I would just buy an older diesel if the wife would let me keep two trucks in the driveway.....

 

[gerryb]

Nice post. Forget the glomex, btw. You'll get better MPG on the boat and with the truck without it... it's good for nothing IMO.