Glen-L.com

I'm looking at the Zip, Flying Saucer, and Squirt designs... trying to decide on a first build, and the question of towing has come up.

I drive a short-wheelbase SUV, a Hyundai Tuscon. The engine is powerful enough, but the car has a pretty low-rated max towing capacity at 1,000 pounds for a trailer without brakes (2,000 with brakes). I've been told that the low max towing capacity is because of the short wheelbase, not because of the vehicle's power. So, I wanted to ask the Squirt and Zip owners among you... What do you tow your boats with? Anyone use a similar short-wheelbase SUV?

Thanks!

Michael

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-Michael

my boatbuilding blog:
http://barnaclemikeboats.blogspot.com/

I used to tow my malahini with a Tuscon 2.0 CRDi no probs.

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Malahini, SEAN-NÓS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6vkPjEy4U
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crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow

I used to tow a 14'Glass SK boat with 150 Merc with a Toyota Corolla 1.8, and later a pinto powered 1929 Ford Hot Rod with no problems

I don't think you will have any problems with what you are contemplating.

Boat with Model A in background

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Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

I had a new Tucson for a rental car a few months back for a week. I think youll be near that limit with a Zip. Im not sure but I think my Zip may be over 1000lbs towed but have not weight it to be sure. The Tucson had decent power and gearing from what I remember especially if youre just towing on flat-ish terrain. If that mounting area is only designed for the 1000# rating I wouldnt go over that even if the hitch is rated higher. The Zip is going be near and maybe even over that weight. I really should weight mine sometime.

We tow with my wifes 3.7L 2002 Jeep Liberty which has a similar wheel base but is body on frame not unibody construction and has a 5000# towing capacity.

I have been looking at getting a new vehicle that can tow the Zip also and not have to rely on the wifes vehicle but one that still gets good gas mileage the rest of the time. The smallest vehicle I've been looking at is the Ford Escape 6cyl 4WD. Its rated at 3500lbs towing.

Anyway, I think youll be OK but just know a Zip would be right around that limit.

Chris

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My Zip build log...
http://www.vupilot.blogspot.com
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"Nothing screams poor craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."

You can tow a Squirt with a Snapper Riding mower

Seriously, I use a Nissan Crew cab for mine but I have towed it with a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Convertible. I would not have wanted to tow it far with a Rabbit. But it did get it to the ramp and back.

I've driven a Tuscon. A Squirt won't be a problem. I'm sure the other guys will chime in on their boats.

KB

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"I'm not trying to get it perfect. I'm trying to get it finished!"
Squirt Build: http://www.tubbytug.com/SquirtHome.html

I would definitely pay attention to the manufacturer's Gross vehicle weight capacity. You should definitely make sure you have a transmission cooler if you tow something at the limit. Your vehicle may be equipped with one already.

A few years ago, we sold a 21ft camping trailer to a family who towed it with a Honda minivan. I was concerned from the beginning, but they insisted it could handle it. The trailer had electric brakes and I included a weight distributing hitch with anti-sway bars. They blew out three of the four tires on the trailer before they got 200 miles. I think they used the weight distributing hitch to take weight off the back of the minivan but that overloaded the trailer tires. The boats you mention are all light but make sure your vehicle can handle it. If you kill your transmission, the warranty won't cover it if you go over the towing limit. It's also dangerous.

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2011 MALAHINI - KICKED IN THE HEAD

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning
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I have a 2011 Ford Explorer for my tow vehicle. I think an average Zip will be about 1000+ lbs. at gross with an average trailer and motor.

Roberta

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Roberta
Built Zip "Oliver IV" and Super Spartan "Jimmy 70"

When a lot of these topics come up, a lot of the details are not always addressed. There are many vehicles that tow boats down the highways and byways that are not good vehicles for boat ramps. Front wheel drive vehicles are probably the worse in hilly conditions and can create some issues.

Another issue that needs to be considered is towing in the summer time and the actual size of the package thats being towed. Transmission fluid has a really bad tendancy to break down and even boil out when experiencing high temps on the highway along with interstate speeds too in areas other than the flatlands too when you ask some of the marginal use vehicles to be multi=use vehicles.

So its important to consider some of these two factors before you get yourself in a pickle even while getting by with some of the smaller vehicles unless you want to shorten the life of your only main vehicle anyway.