Pulling Boat Long Distances With Suv

[PotomacBassin]

I was wondering all of your opinion on whether it's ok to pull by boat with the SUV that I have from Washington D.C. down to Lake Guntersville.  My wife's friend is getting married in Alabama so I was going to take off a few days and fish while I'm down there.  So I have a Bass Tracker 190 and I pull it with a 6 cylinder Mercury Mountaineer (equivalent to a Ford Explorer).  It's rated to pull the boat and everything but I've never hauled it over 3 hours before.  I always see the pros pulling with big V8 trucks, but I'm hoping for good feedback from others that pull with just SUVs over long distances... thoughts?  The main thing I'm worried about is the tranny, obviously.

 

 

[BassnChris]

I will not tell you to pull it or not.......that is a decision you will need to make.

The things I consider are:

condition of the tow vehicle? (tires, overall)

does the vehicle have a tow package? (larger radiator ect)

what is the weather and terrain expected? (hot/hills)

condition of the trailer? (wheel bearings tires, ect)

I drive a 2011 nissan frontier club cab....6 cyl...auto and I will be pulling my boat (fiberglass) from Tulsa to Pickwick (not as far as you)......the thought to 'not' take it never entered my mind.

If the vehicle is in good condition I would probably take my boat if I were in your postion.

But you know the condition of your vehicle and boat trailer better than anyone......but you must be prepared for any unforseen developments.

hope to see you there.

[PotomacBassin]

Thanks for the feedback.  The condition of the vehicle is pretty good.  I just had new tires put on and It has about 45k miles on it, so I'm probably going to replace the tranny fluid here pretty soon since I tow so much.  I'll definitely be taking the overdrive off when the roads aren't flat to reduce heat in the transmission.  I don't have a tow package so the radiator is standard, but I don't think I'm worried about it overheating.  Also the trip will be in late March/Early April so the heat won't be an issue yet. The trailer itself is in great condition since it's a 2013 and I just bought a spare tire and mount for the trailer so that won't be an issue.  The hubs will be freshly greased as well. 

[slonezp]

Not sure what the terrain will be like on your trip but I used to have a V6 Dodge that struggled going uphill thru the mountains when traveling south. If the truck is rated fow towing, and is mechanicaly fine, you should be without too much issue.

[Fishing Rhino]

I'm guessing you'll be travelling south along I-95 to I-85 south, or I-81 south to I-40 then south on I-75 to Chatanooga.  I forget the route you'll take from Chatanooga to Guntersville. 

 

Keep in mine, I-81 has more, longer, and steeper grades than anything you'll encounter on I-95 to I-85, to I-40 west.  From Mass, I take I-81 even towing a boat because if I take 95 south, I have to deal with the traffic between New York and D.C.  It's not only traffic.  It's also the tolls.

 

If you've towed for three hours with no problems, you can certainly tow the ten or eleven hours to Alabama and Guntersville.  As someone suggested, make sure your trailer bearings are well lubed.  Feel the wheels at every stop.  They should be warm, but not hot to the touch.  Take the sun into account as well.

 

The first time I towed to Pickwick I got concerned when my left wheel was noticably warmer (but not hot) than the right wheel on my trailer.  I pulled the grease cap and there was plenty of grease.  Then it hit me.  It was a hot sunny day, and I was southbound.  The morning sun was shining on my left wheel, while the right was shaded by the boat.  Around noon, they felt the same. 

 

I wouldn't hesitate to use overdrive on the level or downhill runs, then drop it back to D when you encounter a steep or long grade.

[PotomacBassin]

Thanks guys.  But now you have me worried about 81. Ha.  I really don't want to go down 95 even though I'm on the south side of DC where the traffic kind of lets up.  95 is almost two hours longer.  It would be nice to take 81 since it's a straight shot down but it follows the mountain range down south which may mean more steep grades like mentioned above.  I might be alright... I guess I'll just have to make a decision.

[BassnChris]

Since trailer is new.....make sure you have a lug nut wrench and jack that will work with the trailer.....assuming it might be different that the truck.

[Fishing Rhino]

Thanks guys.  But now you have me worried about 81. Ha.  I really don't want to go down 95 even though I'm on the south side of DC where the traffic kind of lets up.  95 is almost two hours longer.  It would be nice to take 81 since it's a straight shot down but it follows the mountain range down south which may mean more steep grades like mentioned above.  I might be alright... I guess I'll just have to make a decision.

 

If it's two hours difference, take I-81.  I saw your favorite fishing haunt was the Potomac and guestimated that they would be about the same.  The area with the serious elevation changes are between Roanoke, VA and Bristol, TN/VA.  After that stretch, it begins to level out.  It's still hilly, but not bad.  I-75 isn't bad.  The area as you approach Chatanooga gets a little hilly.  I've never travelled from Chatanooga to Guntersville. 

 

You'll be running by the "mountains" of northwest GA, so you might get into a few hilly areas, but nothing serious.

[BKeith]

When you change your fluid, do two things, add a bottle of Lube Guard http://www.lubegard.com/~/C-113/LUBEGARD+Platinum+Universal+ATF+Protectan (most parts store sell it) and see about adding a temp guage so you can monitor the temperature.  The guage is worth it's weight in gold because you can see when the temp starts getting over 200 (thats very hot for an automatic) and and lets you know you need to back off some.  Really good to have when pulling a lot of hills/mountains.

 

If it didn't come with the factory towing package, with external cooler, I would also recommend having one added, this would be needed even for you normal three hour trips. 

 

What you may not realize, even on you normal trips, the transmission could be over heating just a little and everytime it does, you are baking the seals inside the clutch packs and all.  Eventually, they get so hard, they loose their flexibility and then you start loosing pressure.  The trans starts slipping, even though you may not feel it at first and then it start over heating even more until it finally puts you down on the side of the road.  This can easily happen in less than 100,000 miles if it's not properly cooled and monitored.  

[TomB]

I just retired as VP of Engineering for a global auto company and 38 years in the auto industry and here's my input.

Smell the transmission oil and make sure it doesn't smell burnt. You'll know. If yes, there is already a tranny problem. Most likely the fluid will be ok. Make sure the fluid is at the correct level when hot and engine running. Your manual will advise on how to check it. Low or high will be problematic.

Don't add any additives and don't replace the fluid "just in case" since both can trigger problems. Draining tranny fluid can loosen dirt and particles and cause new problems. Modern methods are to leave the tranny systems alone.

If stuck in traffic always shift to neutral when stopped to avoid the heat generated with torque converter slip. When climbing steep grades slow down, shift down, use four ways, and climb with the engine at higher revs but less strain. Don't worry about tranny cooling if the vehicle is rated for the load. You can turn off the a/c to reduce heat load into the radiator and allow better tranny fluid cooling.

Make sure your tires are good and inflated properly.

[Wayne P.]

You will have no problem pulling that lightweight boat with a V-6 to "G" going I-81, I-40, I-75, I-24, and Rt. 72, Rt. 79, Rt 431.

 

I go that route a couple times a year from central Va.

[NBR]

So long as you don't pull with the trannie in overdrive and the vehicule's GVW is equal or larger than your total boat/trailer/stuff weigh you should have no issue. I've pulled from New England to MN and to Alabama many times. Not a problem.

[PotomacBassin]

I just retired as VP of Engineering for a global auto company and 38 years in the auto industry and here's my input. Smell the transmission oil and make sure it doesn't smell burnt. You'll know. If yes, there is already a tranny problem. Most likely the fluid will be ok. Make sure the fluid is at the correct level when hot and engine running. Your manual will advise on how to check it. Low or high will be problematic. Don't add any additives and don't replace the fluid "just in case" since both can trigger problems. Draining tranny fluid can loosen dirt and particles and cause new problems. Modern methods are to leave the tranny systems alone. If stuck in traffic always shift to neutral when stopped to avoid the heat generated with torque converter slip. When climbing steep grades slow down, shift down, use four ways, and climb with the engine at higher revs but less strain. Don't worry about tranny cooling if the vehicle is rated for the load. You can turn off the a/c to reduce heat load into the radiator and allow better tranny fluid cooling. Make sure your tires are good and inflated properly.

Thanks for the info and advice.  Ford recommends changing at regular intervals, but I've heard what you said before that changing the fluid can cause additional problems. 

[PotomacBassin]

You will have no problem pulling that lightweight boat with a V-6 to "G" going I-81, I-40, I-75, I-24, and Rt. 72, Rt. 79, Rt 431.

 

I go that route a couple times a year from central Va.

Awesome, thanks.  It definitely looks like you know the way. It is a light boat compared to a glass boat. 

[3dees]

thats a light boat. I pulled my VT19 tin with a Ford Edge (rated for 3500 lbs.) with no problems. of course there are no mountains in Illinois.

[MacTier]

I haven't checked this site for a couple of days.  Sorry to have a late reply to your post.  I recently hauled my 16 ft  Lund about 900 miles with a Toyota Highlander, and had an unusual problem.

 

After I arrived,  I thought I would replace the gear oil in the lower unit.  When I took the screw  out, there was no oil in the lower unit.  It was completely dry.    If I had gone fishing, I would have ruined the lower unit.

 

I had the unit pressure tested, and it was fine - no leak.  My best guess is that when the marina serviced my boat, they reused the old washer (gasket?) instead of using a new one.   With an imperfect seal and 900 miles of bouncing on the trailer, the gear oil very slowly leaked out.

 

I will never again put my boat in the water after a long trip without checking the lower  unit.  

 

 

 

[retiredbosn]

IMO don't just change tranny fluid, which is typically 5qts and filter if equipped. Have it pressure flushed that way you are changing the entire fluid closer to 15 qts

[jhoffman]

I pull my 17 footer here at home with a suzuki grand vitara, you know where I live , every direction is up or down

[Teal]

Hey I have a 2005Ford Explorer. Mine is 4x4 with a tow package tho. I tow my 20ft javelin with it all the time. I have not driven 10 hours with it but I have driven4 hours with it and it does just fine. I just turn the overdrive off. You should be fine.

[BKeith]

I will first say, I'm not an engineer, the most education I have is an associate's degree in electronics, so by no means to I claim to have any type of scientific studies or knowledge on the subject. 

 

I have been towing boats and bunches of other things since 1965.  I built my first car engine in 1962 and first transmission not long after that.  Since then I've done more than I could begin to recollect, so I will base how I prepare my vehicles for towing on past experience, whether it be right or wrong, but so far, it has always been right for me.

 

First off, if it's an older vehicle, I usually go ahead, pull, overhaul and modify automatics.  I have built and modified the 4L60E in my 98 4WD Chevy pickup so it will easily tow 6,000 pounds in overdrive.  I have towed my 20ft Javelin over 1,200 miles to south Texas in the summer heat at 70 - 75 mph and the trans temp never reached more than 195 degrees.  About all that truck is used for is towing and that transmission has over 80,000 miles on it now.  It has made numbers of trips to south Texas and several to Arizona, and hualed a** doing it, always with at least 3,200 pounds behind it.

 

On all my vehicles I tow with, I add at least a 7,000 btu with bypass, external cooler and for larger pickups and loads I will go as much as 24,000 btu, I install a external temp guage, I change the fluid every 50,000 miles and I add a bottle of Lube Guard.  So far, I've never had a transmission failure on any vehicle, so I will keep doing things my way. 

 

If you get a vehicle with a factory towing package, some will already have external coolers and if you get a pickup that's rated as 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton, they usually have a larger transmission and much more suited for towing, but I still add an external guage.

 

I will say, no matter the make or model, most transmissions are not designed to tow in overdrive, unless you have an Allison or something similar.  I modified mine to do so. 

 

Also, what you might find suprising, it's a good chance you will bet better gas milage if you don't use OD towing.   

[scrutch]

Don't panic. Be prudent. You'll be fine.

Might be a good idea to take some spare trailer bearings and seals with you as we'll as the necessary tools to do a quick roadside trailer bearing repair. It's relatively easy and might add a few hours of fishing time to your trip if you are unlucky enough to have a bearing fail on the way. Rhino's advice to feel the hubs every stop is great advice.

It's probably not gonna happen, but its always good to be prepared.

One thing often overlooked on trailers is to check all your u-bolts and fasteners on the trailer suspension. Make sure they're tight. Also check the u-bolts at the winch stand at the bow (if you have them). It's a very bad day if they fail.

[Traveler2586]

From reading your description of your rig you should be fine.  If you in the D.c. Metro area try 66 to 81 south as Fishing Rhino suggests, I've done it and it was a good drive.

 

Two suggestions, 1. keep a open distance in front of you on the interstates and look out for truck tire tread flying at you    2. insure your trailer tire pressure is correct. Low pressure is the main cause of trailer tire blowouts.  Get a good tire pressure gage that's easy to use and read.

 

A tip I'm trying is using a Infer Red Thermometer (Fluke 62 Mini) to read hub and tire temps at rest stops.  Hopefully I'll spot a problem before it gets out of hand.

[Nitrofreak]

Towing any vehicle, service is always the most important thing for both the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed.

 

Only you know the condition of both vehicles, if you are confident that both are in the safest and best condition possible then you can be more relaxed behind the wheel, the more relaxed you are the better the trip will go.

 

One thing you need to keep in mind, and from being in the DC area you should already know, keep a great amount of distance between you and the other drivers around you, I don't think your boat trailer has any kind of breaking system on it so it will take you longer to stop with a vehicle pushing on your tow vehicle.

 

Don't push your tow vehicle, let it climb the mountains at whatever pace it and you feel comfortable with, you don't need to be at wide open throttle trying to get up a steep grade, it's hard on a vehicle, so take your time.

 

Good luck and be safe !!!