New Tow Rig for the C22's!!

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 5:06 am

I've been casually searching craigs list for about a month for a basic truck with around 100K miles and no wrecks with towing capacity for the C22's. Must be reasonably priced!

Yesterday my coworker/friend and I were chatting like every morning and he asked what I was looking for.

Well by golly he says he has just the rig! LOL!

Today I'm driving a 98 Ford F150 with 109K miles. No wrecks or major issues. Plain, no carpet but has air, cruise, and intermittant wipers!

If she checks out as nice as I think she will, I'll have a new tow rig!!

No more using our family Explorer as a tow vehicle!
KEWL!!

Scott

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 12:43 pm

Is that a 4.6 or 5.4? Our '98 E-150 with 5.4 tows our C26 without any problems. Towing a C22 with a F-150 should be a breeze with either engine.

Mario G · Post by **Mario G** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:04 pm

My new tow vehicle is a 91 f150 with a 5.0 v8 and works great , its even blue& white like the boat.

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:17 pm

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:21 am

Hey Alan, it NEVER STOPS!!! LOL!!!

Every dang dime I make sailing goes right back into my boats! LOL!
Yeah that was the intent but sheesh, ya think I'd get some cash from it! LOL! Seriously! I have a completely separate account for my sailing funds! All income $ go directly into it and anything I need that is boating related comes from that account! I have a small surplus in there now but only because it does not cover my next purchase! LOL! It will be emptied soon!

The truck is a 1998 F150 4.2 ltr V6. I've been told to put air shocks in her for towing. Anyone here do that or agree with it? I'll transfer the title today and immediately start shopping for a Class 3 hitch for her. I'll be pulling Lady Jo out this month and I hope to have the new truck ready.

Hey F150 guys, do you have tranny coolers on your trucks? Seems like a good idea to me. This truck does not have one. I may add one though.

Scott

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:41 am

My E-150 (F-150 under the skin) has a trans cooler. Never a bad idea. Now that I tow a C26 I'm planning on adding a transmission temp gauge as well.

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:44 am

WOW, good thread, I plan on using a old fullsize Ford Bronco 5.0L ( 302 V8) essentialy the F150 platform. to pull my C-26 when I get the trailer ( still in GA...anyone want to pull an empty trailer North for some cash? ha ha... anyway I have a small oil and tranny cooler on it.... I plan to add a tranny filter and tranny temp guage as well..... I might also replace the tranny and transfer case with a lower mileage used on just to be safe.... it is the tranny I am most worried about with towing .. not so much the motor..

sbleeke · Post by **sbleeke** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:52 am

Just to make it interesting, I thought you guys might get a kick out of my tow vehicle.

It is an E350 with the 7.3 liter diesel. I put some seats in it and it has lots of room for gear LOL.

Working on a paint job.

Steve.

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:05 am

Sbleke, I used to tow my track car with this...

Hmmm, maybe I should look for a smaller diesel ambulance...

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:43 am

Okay don't get me wrong, I hope I never NEED to see an ambulance around my boat.

But that would be a cool tow vehicle.

Mario G · Post by **Mario G** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 11:51 am

Traded this truck for a different one that cost me very little.

works great for launching the boat.

clair hofmann · Post by **clair hofmann** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:29 pm

You should always have a trans cooler when towing over 1000#. They're easy to install, but don't use the plastic fasteners that come with them. Take the time to fab a bracket off your rad support. This will help save your AC condensor from chafe. Advice from a good AC shop. A trans temp gauge is also a good idea.
You diesel guys might also consider an exhaust gas temp gauge. On the Cummins, you want to stay below 1100 degrees. Power strokes might be different , but its worth checking out.

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 6:51 pm

Excellent info folks! Thanks!!

On a side note,
Today I transfered her over to me so she is mine.

I went to Uhaul on the way home to see about a Class III hitch. 260 bucks. I asked if I installed myself how much. 160 bucks but I need to drill several holes. Hmm, does not sound right so I left.

On the way to the emissions testing facility I spotted a truck parts/wrecking yard. Stopped in.

45 bucks plus tax I had a nice new looking 5K lb hitch including all mounting hardware, the ball and slider thing that goes in the hitch! Why so cheap you ask? It is used and the slider thing is locked to the hitch! They have no key! SO WHAT! Now no one will steal it!!! LOL!

20 minutes to install and no holes drilled. Simply bolt it up with 8 bolts and 4 backing plates with welded nuts!

Looks like the new rig is about ready! The truck has a factory wiring harness already installed and seems to match my Explorer! Tomorrow I'll test the lights!

I need to pull Lady Jo this month. Looks like I'll be ready!
My bride will be relieved that I will no longer be using our Explorer for towing!

Scott

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:26 am

Finally I took a shot of my tow rig! Here she is!

Basic Ford F150 standard cab 2WD Scratches in bed finish but oh well! She's a truck! LOL!

Scott

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:25 am

real nice...looks new! shame to get it wet

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:01 am

I reteived Lady Jo with this truck. The tires got a little wet but the rims did not. I think I'll be able to launch without getting wet too.

I'm thinking about some progressive spring helpers which would raise the bed another inch or two so I think all is well!

Scott

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:11 am

Just don't ever tow the 'Vette with that. You'll never hear the end of it.

2nd generation · Post by **2nd generation** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:02 pm

Just don't launch his way!!!

Bubba had just bought a new boat and decided to take her for the maiden voyage. This was his first boat and he wasn't quite sure of the exact Standard Operating Procedures for launching it off a ramp, but figured it couldn't be too hard.
He consulted his local boat dealer for advice, but they just said "don't let the trailer get too deep when you are trying to launch the boat".
Well, he didn't know what they meant by that as he could barely get the trailer in the water at all! Anyhow, here's a picture below.

2nd generation · Post by **2nd generation** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:05 pm

All right I still don't know how to post a picture yet!

Here is the link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36306823@N04/4069832606/

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:59 pm

Oh, the horror of it all.

sailbob · Post by **sailbob** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:09 pm

Hey Guys;
I've got a 2001 Chevy (2 wheel drive) pickup that has a V8 and auto trans with an oil cooler and progressive overloads on the rear axle. Class III hitch of course and a spotting hitch on the front end. This rig launches and pulls my Chrysler 26' "CHRYSTA" real nice. And I can cruise down the freeway at 70mph without any problem. My trailer does have hydraulic surge brakes, though, and I have never had any problem stopping the truck and trailer w/boat loaded when the trailer brakes malfunctioned. Been up and down steep ramps and had the tires do a half spin but always made it up the ramp.

FranS · Post by **FranS** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:45 pm

Is it wrong that I love "stupid ramp tricks" sotires so much?

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:18 am

Tow my vette?? Good Lord no!! I even considered getting a window sticker for the window that stated :
"If the vette is being towed dial 911. It is being stolen!"

Actually I did tow it once. Took it to a car show at Long Beach Wa. Teased my brother that I'd have to stop twice for gas because she was in race trim. I did the math and indeed I would have to get gas twice since she was only getting 8MPG!!! It was cheaper to put her on a trailer and tow her with my brothers truck than to simply drive her! LOL! I've since fixed that problem!! 350HP 400ftlbs torque 373 rearend, and 20 MPG freeway! Yeah baby!

Hey Fran, I knew I liked you for some reason! LOL! Now I know why!!

Scott

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:29 am

I drove my Mustang Cobra to tracks all over the country (towing a 4x8 trailer with tires, tools and spares) but eventually decided that towing it would offer a lot less stress on me. Occasionally something would break and it was sometimes a scramble to get it fixed for the drive home.

Sorry, I just assumed the Vette might be towed occasionally.

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:46 am

LOL! No reason to be sorry!

She's an active driver! Rock chips, dirty undercarriage, and dirt to show it! LOL!

I know to many folks that go buy a pretty car only to put in a garage and let it sit. Not my style! I'll drive her until she breaks, then I'll fix her and drive her more!!! I always buy parts with a life time warrenty! I keep the receipts and get my moneys worth!! LOL!

Yes, my vette buddies give me a hard tome for driving mine over mountain passes in the rain but hey, she's got wipers, a soft and a hard top! Might as well exercise those too!

Scott

PS:
Do you find it strange that your a Ford guy, I'm a Chevy/Ford guy, and our boats are Chryslers?? LOL!

Chrysler Sailors Forum

New Tow Rig for the C22's!!

New Tow Rig for the C22's!!

Just for interest