Jeff here. Still lurking although I haven't posted for awhile. I'll be sure to check my centerboard pin on "Clarity" after the recent posts on them coming out I'm going to be purchasing a truck and want something to tow my M23 (possibly for long road trips). The boat is listed at 3600 lbs displacement. With the trailer and misc. gear I'm thinking its probably at least 5000 lbs I'm looking at a 2002 chevy silverado 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8. I believe the 5.3L engine is comparable to a 327 cu in. Since I won't be towing the boat all the time and I need a work truck, the 5.3L gets better mileage than the traditional 5.7L (350 cu in). Anyone have any thoughts on towing with this particular truck? I've been thinking that it would tow it fine even if I did have to slow down on hills a bit. I loved towing it with a friend's diesel pickup, but not sure I want to drive a diesel everyday. What other suggestions for a truck might someone have? By the way, projects for this year are lining the inside of the hull in cabin with wood. Building shelves all around on the inside. And building a fold down table. The cabin was left unfinished when built. This should add the comforts that I want for longer trips. I have great photos of other 23's with completed interiors thanks to all you out there that have posted them online. :-) Thanks, Jeff M23 Clarity Marcus WA
I would think you'd be a bit underpowered. A 1500 truck has smaller brakes and softer springs too. If you're going to use that truck, I'd make sure the surge brakes on the trailer work well and maybe add a rear sway bar and heavy duty rear springs. This will help with sway in crosswinds. The 5,000 lb estimate might also be low. When you start adding a cooler and all the living aboard gear, actual axle weight could be higher. 5,500 or more lbs. -----Original Message----- From: Jeff Packer <cjpacker@theofficenet.com> To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Sun, Feb 28, 2010 7:40 pm Subject: M_Boats: Tow vehicle for M23 Jeff here. Still lurking although I haven't posted for awhile. I'll be sure to heck my centerboard pin on "Clarity" after the recent posts on them coming out I'm going to be purchasing a truck and want something to tow my M23 (possibly or long road trips). The boat is listed at 3600 lbs displacement. With the railer and misc. gear I'm thinking its probably at least 5000 lbs I'm looking t a 2002 chevy silverado 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8. I believe the 5.3L engine s comparable to a 327 cu in. Since I won't be towing the boat all the time and need a work truck, the 5.3L gets better mileage than the traditional 5.7L (350 u in). Anyone have any thoughts on towing with this particular truck? I've een thinking that it would tow it fine even if I did have to slow down on hills bit. I loved towing it with a friend's diesel pickup, but not sure I want to rive a diesel everyday. What other suggestions for a truck might someone have? By the way, projects for this year are lining the inside of the hull in cabin ith wood. Building shelves all around on the inside. And building a fold down able. The cabin was left unfinished when built. This should add the comforts hat I want for longer trips. I have great photos of other 23's with completed nteriors thanks to all you out there that have posted them online. :-) Thanks, eff 23 Clarity arcus WA ______________________________________________ ttp://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!
Jeff, We pulled our M23 across some truck scales and the combined boat/trailer/gear weight was 5,875 lbs. You better figure on a weight close to 6,000. We tow with a Toyota Sequoia which is equivalent in power and weight to the 1/2 ton pickup you are considering. I think it is barely adequate for the job but it was the vehicle we owned when we bought our M23. I did add air bags inside the rear coils and they work great for load leveling. If I was buying a vehicle I would opt for a 3/4 ton pickup or something equivalent with at least an 8,000 lb tow rating if possible. Actually, my personal preference would be for a 2008 or newer Toyota Tundra (11,000 lb tow rating). The smaller engine works hard when you pull all that weight and gas mileage suffers accordingly. We only get 9 to 9.5 mpg pulling the boat and we hold the speed down to 60mph. A heavier rig with a big gasoline engine would probably achieve 12 mpg or maybe better and a diesel might get 17 or 18. These figures are anecdotal from talking to others towing various boats and camp trailers with different tow vehicles - your mileage may vary. In short, you can get by with the vehicle you are considering but a bigger engine and a higher towing capacity will make towing safer and easier. I guess it depends on how much you would use the vehicle for everyday driving as opposed to towing the boat. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working order, especially if you choose the 1/2 ton pickup - your life may depend on them. Mark Dvorscak M23 Faith -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Packer Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 6:40 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Tow vehicle for M23 Jeff here. Still lurking although I haven't posted for awhile. I'll be sure to check my centerboard pin on "Clarity" after the recent posts on them coming out I'm going to be purchasing a truck and want something to tow my M23 (possibly for long road trips). The boat is listed at 3600 lbs displacement. With the trailer and misc. gear I'm thinking its probably at least 5000 lbs I'm looking at a 2002 chevy silverado 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8. I believe the 5.3L engine is comparable to a 327 cu in. Since I won't be towing the boat all the time and I need a work truck, the 5.3L gets better mileage than the traditional 5.7L (350 cu in). Anyone have any thoughts on towing with this particular truck? I've been thinking that it would tow it fine even if I did have to slow down on hills a bit. I loved towing it with a friend's diesel pickup, but not sure I want to drive a diesel everyday. What other suggestions for a truck might someone have? By the way, projects for this year are lining the inside of the hull in cabin with wood. Building shelves all around on the inside. And building a fold down table. The cabin was left unfinished when built. This should add the comforts that I want for longer trips. I have great photos of other 23's with completed interiors thanks to all you out there that have posted them online. :-) Thanks, Jeff M23 Clarity Marcus WA _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet! No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2712 - Release Date: 02/26/10 11:39:00
Mark, Are they putting bigger engines in the Toyota Tundra now? I'm really not looking to buy new or near new. The used Tundras I have seen have had a 4.8 liter V8. Thats a smaller engine than the Chevy I was considering and one reason I have not considered them. But maybe I'm mistaken. Jeff ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roberta Dvorscak" <edarts93@earthlink.net> To: "'For and about Montgomery Sailboats'" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 8:28 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Tow vehicle for M23
Jeff, We pulled our M23 across some truck scales and the combined boat/trailer/gear weight was 5,875 lbs. You better figure on a weight close to 6,000. We tow with a Toyota Sequoia which is equivalent in power and weight to the 1/2 ton pickup you are considering. I think it is barely adequate for the job but it was the vehicle we owned when we bought our M23. I did add air bags inside the rear coils and they work great for load leveling. If I was buying a vehicle I would opt for a 3/4 ton pickup or something equivalent with at least an 8,000 lb tow rating if possible. Actually, my personal preference would be for a 2008 or newer Toyota Tundra (11,000 lb tow rating). The smaller engine works hard when you pull all that weight and gas mileage suffers accordingly. We only get 9 to 9.5 mpg pulling the boat and we hold the speed down to 60mph. A heavier rig with a big gasoline engine would probably achieve 12 mpg or maybe better and a diesel might get 17 or 18. These figures are anecdotal from talking to others towing various boats and camp trailers with different tow vehicles - your mileage may vary. In short, you can get by with the vehicle you are considering but a bigger engine and a higher towing capacity will make towing safer and easier. I guess it depends on how much you would use the vehicle for everyday driving as opposed to towing the boat. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working order, especially if you choose the 1/2 ton pickup - your life may depend on them. Mark Dvorscak M23 Faith -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Packer Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 6:40 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Tow vehicle for M23
Jeff here. Still lurking although I haven't posted for awhile. I'll be sure to check my centerboard pin on "Clarity" after the recent posts on them coming out
I'm going to be purchasing a truck and want something to tow my M23 (possibly for long road trips). The boat is listed at 3600 lbs displacement. With the trailer and misc. gear I'm thinking its probably at least 5000 lbs I'm looking at a 2002 chevy silverado 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8. I believe the 5.3L engine is comparable to a 327 cu in. Since I won't be towing the boat all the time and I need a work truck, the 5.3L gets better mileage than the traditional 5.7L (350 cu in). Anyone have any thoughts on towing with this particular truck? I've been thinking that it would tow it fine even if I did have to slow down on hills a bit. I loved towing it with a friend's diesel pickup, but not sure I want to drive a diesel everyday.
What other suggestions for a truck might someone have?
By the way, projects for this year are lining the inside of the hull in cabin with wood. Building shelves all around on the inside. And building a fold down table. The cabin was left unfinished when built. This should add the comforts that I want for longer trips. I have great photos of other 23's with completed interiors thanks to all you out there that have posted them online. :-)
Thanks, Jeff M23 Clarity Marcus WA _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
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When we sold our 17FD Monty a few years ago, we become summer RVers and now pull a 32' fifth wheel from AZ to Washington and Oregon and back every summer. We started out with a 1/2 ton Dodge Pickup, which had a 5.9 litre gas engine. The engine was adequate, but the brakes, suspension, tire size, etc were not. After three years, we swapped to a 3/4 ton Chevy Silverado HD, with a 6.0 litre gas engine. The difference in safety, control and pucker-factor are all significant. A 32' fifth wheel is not a 26' Monty but the safety on the road is. Prior to getting my 17FD, we hauled a 26' fixed-keel 6800 lb sailboat back and forth to Mexico for about 10 years. I used a 454 gas Suburban, and had no problems during that time, with the exception of one brake job. The reason I went to a gas motor rather than a diesel for the RV was the noise and accessibility of diesel fuel. When you figure the higher cost of diesel engine maintenance, the diesel used part time does not measure up to the civility of the gas model during non-towing times. This is my sun-baked opinion only. John in Tucson Former Coyote owner. -----Original Message----- From: Jeff Packer <cjpacker@theofficenet.com> To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Mon, Mar 1, 2010 7:41 pm Subject: Re: M_Boats: Tow vehicle for M23 Mark, Are they putting bigger engines in the Toyota Tundra now? I'm really not looking to buy new or near new. The used Tundras I have seen have had a 4.8 liter V8. Thats a smaller engine than the Chevy I was considering and one reason I have not considered them. But maybe I'm mistaken. Jeff ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roberta Dvorscak" <edarts93@earthlink.net> To: "'For and about Montgomery Sailboats'" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 8:28 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Tow vehicle for M23
Jeff, We pulled our M23 across some truck scales and the combined boat/trailer/gear weight was 5,875 lbs. You better figure on a weight > close to 6,000. We tow with a Toyota Sequoia which is equivalent in power and weight to the 1/2 ton pickup you are considering. I think it is barely adequate for the job but it was the vehicle we owned when we bought our > M23. I did add air bags inside the rear coils and they work great for load leveling. If I was buying a vehicle I would opt for a 3/4 ton pickup or something equivalent with at least an 8,000 lb tow rating if possible. Actually, my personal preference would be for a 2008 or newer Toyota > Tundra (11,000 lb tow rating). The smaller engine works hard when you pull all > that weight and gas mileage suffers accordingly. We only get 9 to 9.5 mpg > pulling the boat and we hold the speed down to 60mph. A heavier rig with a big gasoline engine would probably achieve 12 mpg or maybe better and a diesel might get 17 or 18. These figures are anecdotal from talking to others towing various boats and camp trailers with different tow vehicles - your mileage may vary. In short, you can get by with the vehicle you are considering but a bigger engine and a higher towing capacity will make towing safer and easier. I guess it depends on how much you would use the vehicle for everyday driving as opposed to towing the boat. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working order, especially if you choose the 1/2 ton pickup - your life may depend on them. Mark Dvorscak M23 Faith -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Packer Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 6:40 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Tow vehicle for M23
Jeff here. Still lurking although I haven't posted for awhile. I'll be sure to check my centerboard pin on "Clarity" after the recent posts on > them coming out
I'm going to be purchasing a truck and want something to tow my M23 (possibly for long road trips). The boat is listed at 3600 lbs displacement. With the trailer and misc. gear I'm thinking its probably > at least 5000 lbs I'm looking at a 2002 chevy silverado 1500 with a 5.3 > liter V8. I believe the 5.3L engine is comparable to a 327 cu in. Since I > won't be towing the boat all the time and I need a work truck, the 5.3L gets better mileage than the traditional 5.7L (350 cu in). Anyone have any thoughts on towing with this particular truck? I've been thinking that it would tow it fine even if I did have to slow down on hills a bit. I loved towing it with a friend's diesel pickup, but not sure I want to drive a diesel everyday.
What other suggestions for a truck might someone have?
By the way, projects for this year are lining the inside of the hull in cabin with wood. Building shelves all around on the inside. And building > a fold down table. The cabin was left unfinished when built. This should > add the comforts that I want for longer trips. I have great photos of other 23's with completed interiors thanks to all you out there that have posted them online. :-)
Thanks, Jeff M23 Clarity Marcus WA _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet! No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2712 - Release Date: 02/26/10 11:39:00
_______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
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http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!
3/4-ton minimum largest engine you can afford. bigger is better. i've driven the ford V10 ... smooth and powerful. i've also done time on the powerstroke diesel: top notch motor for hauling. my folks have an F250 with the 460 (7.5 liter?). this is a good combo for their 24' 5th-wheel ... that weights LESS than the M23. this rig has been across the country twice. i've also taken trips with the setup and it is an excellent combo. the folks old rig of a chevy 2500, 454 engine and a 22' trailer crossed the country three times. be sure the rig has the proper towing coolers for both the transmission and engine. some 'street rigs' have big engines but CANNOT haul a load ... ex., the F150 (and similar chevy, dodge, honda, toyota): looks like a truck, smells like a truck, engine like a truck, but NOT set up to haul real loads over hills, mountains and for long distances. as a WA native, you will run the MANY hills and mountain passes and you need BOTH engine power and brakes. in eastern WA you need engine power to overcome the STRONG winds ... my prior truck was a ranger with the 3L engine. i couldn't run a highway speeds in over a 25MPH headwind. i spent many years fighting the winds in eastern WA (when i lived in cheney); and minnesota (when i lived in morris). horsepower IS YOUR FRIEND. IMO a must have is posi-traction rear end on slime-covered ramps. if you plan on doing many ramp launches a 4x4 would be good insurance. dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site - http://www.m17-375.webs.com --- On Sun, 2/28/10, Jeff Packer <cjpacker@theofficenet.com> wrote: Jeff here. Still lurking although I haven't posted for awhile. I'll be sure to check my centerboard pin on "Clarity" after the recent posts on them coming out I'm going to be purchasing a truck and want something to tow my M23 (possibly for long road trips). The boat is listed at 3600 lbs displacement. With the trailer and misc. gear I'm thinking its probably at least 5000 lbs I'm looking at a 2002 chevy silverado 1500 with a 5.3 liter V8. I believe the 5.3L engine is comparable to a 327 cu in. Since I won't be towing the boat all the time and I need a work truck, the 5.3L gets better mileage than the traditional 5.7L (350 cu in). Anyone have any thoughts on towing with this particular truck? I've been thinking that it would tow it fine even if I did have to slow down on hills a bit. I loved towing it with a friend's diesel pickup, but not sure I want to drive a diesel everyday. What other suggestions for a truck might someone have? By the way, projects for this year are lining the inside of the hull in cabin with wood. Building shelves all around on the inside. And building a fold down table. The cabin was left unfinished when built. This should add the comforts that I want for longer trips. I have great photos of other 23's with completed interiors thanks to all you out there that have posted them online. :-) Thanks, Jeff M23 Clarity Marcus WA
I have a 3/4 ton 4wd Chevy 2006 classic diesel. I tow and haul RV trailers, overhead campers, and various boats. I love it. It is quiet, gets good gas mph. Compared too the 2000 Chevy 6l gas engine it replaced, way better. Of course the power is awesome. What I really like is the Allison 6 speed transmission. When you move big loads, the transmission matters. The options a good transmission offers makes a big difference. It is hard to test a transmission on a standard road test. Ask around and read up, its worth your time....Brad
participants (6)
-
Brad & Jackie Evans -
Jeff Packer -
jslubliner@aol.com -
Roberta Dvorscak -
sandyal55@aol.com -
W David Scobie