Trailer brakes are definitely a plus. The Mazda stops the rig safely enough without them, but whatever vehicle you use will stop in a shorter distance with them. As every driver knows, sometimes even a foot or two can make a BIG difference in how your day goes. Trailer brakes are on my Christmas list. Jim M-17 "Spirit" On May 20, 2009, at 8:04 AM, Howard Audsley wrote:
This seems to be one of those recurring threads that comes up about once every year. Good to review now and then.
I started towing my M17 with a Chevy S10 4WD. Had the horses to pull it, but not the brakes or size to stop it in a panic situation.....like when somebody pulls out in front of you, or slams on their brakes to miss a squirrel. If you are towing "light", you need trailer brakes. Getting it up to speed isn't the issue. Getting it stopped is.
Don't know if it was related or not, but the S10 also dropped it's tranny at 60,000 miles. Coincidence? Well, it was a GM product and had it's share of other problems unrelated to towing anything.
But after that, I started towing with a 1989 3/4 ton big block Suburban. You would be vaguely aware something was back there.....mainly because it was blocking the rear view mirror. Now tow with a Tundra and it's about the same.
Bottom line for me is.....brakes and tranny. Will they take it?
Howard
On May 20, 2009, at 9:51 AM, James Poulakis wrote:
Hi Bill, My M-17's tow vehicle is a 6 cylinder Mazda Tribute 4WD (same as Ford Escape) with a 3500# tow capacity (no trailer brakes). On the rare trip up a mountain the speed gets down to 45 mph, but for local towing it's fine. I've never needed 4WD for launching or retrieving. Overall I'd rate it as "adequate". I think the key here is the rated tow capacity - nothing less then 3500# for me.
Jim M-17 "Spirit"
On May 20, 2009, at 7:22 AM, SALGLESSER@aol.com wrote:
Hi Bill,
We regularly towed our 2,000 lb boat + trailer with a V6 Toyota P.U. Up & down Colorado mountains. Sometimes we were down to 50 MPH, but we always got there, launched and retrieved the boat.
sal
In a message dated 5/20/200Hi Bill9 8:18:16 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, cparrish@fafnirnet.net writes:
Hi Bill,
I would check the owners manual for your truck and see what the towing capacity is. I pulled my M17 one summer with a 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler and didn't have issues. Adding trailer brakes was a nice upgrade and I would recommend it.
--Chad
_______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!