I pulled my new M17 on its Pacific trailer from Montgomery Boats in Ontario California last year to my home in northwest Wisconsin without a problem. I have a Dodge Nitro, with a towing capacity of 4000 lbs. and I have to admit that it was a little bit of a struggle coming through the mountains in Colorado. Mileage dropped, but I expected that and the tongue weight is more than I can lift. However, it pulled like a dream and I would not mess with the trailer's set up. Randy Sommerfeld M17 No Worries -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Gary M Hyde Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 11:58 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: M17 Trailering weight ready to cruise Moving the trailer axle forward 12-13 inches will reduce the tongue load to about 200 pounds for an M17 on a Pacific trailer, and it is easy to do. Hitch up to your vehicle, block the trailer wheels, loosen the U-bolts that clamp the axle assembly to the trailer frame, and back up. Make sure both sides slide the same amount. Then, of course, retighten the U-bolts! --Gary Hyde 2005 M17 #637 sailboat 'Hydeaway 2' On Aug 24, 2010, at 1:35 PM, Tom Jenkins wrote:
Bill, I don't know whether it matters, but the Monty hull seems to flex a bit when it is not on the bunks properly, so I would not mess with the location unless you alter the bunk configuration. 360 pounds tongue weight should be fine for your pickup. As for mileage, my 3/4 ton V-8 4x4 pickup gets 13 or 14 empty and 10 pulling the boat. It got about 6 pulling my 6 ton Nor'Sea 27. Big diesel pickups probably get the best towing mileage for any trailer due to their huge torque, but they might not be as good for the daily trip to the market. I took a trip in a friend's 3/4 ton Dodge pulling a 3000 lb bass boat, and I doubt that the mileage dropped more than one or so miles/gallon. Tom Jenkins M17 Scintilla
On Aug 23, 2010, at 6:29 PM, Bill Wickett wrote:
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the check weight. So I am in the ball park.
I think you could move the boat back slightly by just moving the winch post aft, a small amount. Yes/No? Might affect the fit and curve of the bunk boards, but much easier than moving the axle. Any opinions or experience with this?
That being said, the whole rig runs very well. Good balance, no sway. Just would like better fuel economy. Cruising at 60 mph on fairly level, the Ranger V6 runs at about 1800 rpm. Sure seems to suck the gas. Must be the 4 wheel drive gear, even when in 2W. Have been into some rough ramps, so appreciate the 4W when pulling out.
Bill
On Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 9:03 PM, Tom Jenkins <tjenk@gte.net> wrote:
Bill, I weighed my boat twice at just over 3000 lbs., without the motor, but with 10 gallons of gas and the usual light cruising gear. I measured the tongue weight directly at about 360 lbs. This is pretty close to your results, considering your full cruising gear (libations included). The tongue weight can be reduced if desired by moving the axle forward, according to someone who has done it. Tom Jenkins M17 Scintilla (2004)
On Aug 23, 2010, at 12:41 PM, Bill Wickett wrote:
Since we bought our M17 last year, I have always been curious about the
"all up" trailering weight we are pulling. On our way north to Georgian Bay 2 weeks ago, we stopped at a scale to check it out. Not sure if many of you have done an accurate weigh up when you are ready to cruise. Here is what we got on the scale ticket
Boat on trailer only, 3160 lbs Boat on trailer hitched to the truck, with only the trailer on the scale, 2800 lbs Calculated tongue weight 360 lbs Combined weight of boat on the trailer, hooked up to our 2009 Ranger pick up, 7780 lbs for the complete rig.
The outboard, tool box with larger tools and boat spares, small doctor tool bag with rigging tools, 2 small Oscar coolers, 8 foot rubber dinghy were in the truck box. Once we launched the dinghy stowed very well, rolled up in its bag across the stern seat below the tiller until day 2 when we reached the Bustards.
Everything else was on board the boat,Group 24 battery, a 600 Watt power pack box, 4 gal gas, safety gear, stove, stove alcohol, nesting pots, dish box, meals and food for 10 days, extra chocolate, personal gear, bedding, all lines, extra shore lines, 2 anchors, each with 10 feet of chain, a small folding rock hook, rudder, boom with main already on, 3 headsails, 24 cans of beer, numerous tetra paks of wine, a few books and magazines, etc etc. We don't take a lot of water on board, as we can pump freshwater direct from Georgian Bay, through our MSR Minworks EX purifier. For pasta etc, we don't use the filter as it is boiling for a while. I think enough to kill any boogers :) So far, so good!
Anyone have any numbers to compare from their experience?
Bill Wickett Makin' Time M17 #622 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boa ts
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