Chad and all you others: A belated thanks for all your useful comments on tow vehicles. My conclusion is that anything that can pull a boat from the water and amble up the hills can pull an M17, provided the trailer has surge brakes for descending grades and making emergency stops. Honestly, for fuel economy and shear manliness, you can't beat a 3/4 ton Dodge Ram Diesel 4x4, that can't even feel a boat at its rear. Unfortunately, they won't fit in a normal garage, and they look fuelish to the unknowing. Tom Jenkins M17 Scintilla -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chad Parrish Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2007 10:29 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: towing Hi Tom. We have been towing our M17 with a 4 cylinder jeep wrangler. I wouldn't recommend it unless your trailer has trailer brakes because of the short wheelbase on the jeep but it has done reasonably well. We have been shopping for a new tow vehicle and plan on buying a jeep cherokee. There are a bunch of these around and used ones sell for pretty cheap at least here in the midwest. They have 4 wheel drive and are available in either a 4 cylinder or a 6 cylinder and expect 18-22 mpg. Thats at least our plan anyway. --Chad On Nov 17, 2007, at 12:19 PM, Tom Jenkins wrote:
While the subject of towing is fresh in peoples minds, I weighed my M17 with full electrical package, Pacific trailer, 5 HP Honda with full fuel tank, sails, running rigging, etc., and it came out at 2950 pounds. Filled with reasonable personal gear for a boat this size, I would guess less than 3500 tow weight. My question: what is the lightest and most fuel efficient vehicle (with 3500 lb or better tow rating) that would pull an M17 without white knuckles and serious slowing on hills? I am using my ¾ ton 4x4 truck at present, but it is vast overkill, and a real gas guzzler.
Thanks,
Tom Jenkins
M17 Scintilla
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