George Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Hi guys, Over the next week or so i'm about to purchase a boat that is 6 metres in length has a weight of roughly 1300.I've spoken to guys where i'm about to install a heavy duty tow bar and they say i wouldn't have a problem towing the boat.The car is a 92 model commo with irs it's a 6 cyl.Any of you guys have something similar or are you guys using a 4wd and would i have any problems towing it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy0884 Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Hi Mate, there are a number of guys towing 6m boats that are closer to 2 tonnes on these forums, and they dont have any problems. i tow up to 1400kg with my Suby Forester, you just need to make sure that the towball down load weight is within the specified maximum of the towing vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathan74 Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 towing should not be such a problem but if it is an auto you may need to fit a tranny cooler, or larger one. one problem that you may encounter is sliding at the ramp when retreiving at low tide. have a good wheel chock and lock the trailer brakes and you SHOULD be ok. but as my2cents said, check the towing capacity is within specs. alot of 6mtr boats get up in the high thousands in weight. remember esky, fuel, fishin gear and purse gear all add extra weight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger_shark Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I'm sure you wouldnt have any troubles in pulling it along a road...the problems that you will encounter with such a largish boat is pulling out of the ramp with rear wheel drive, and freeway driving when the wind picks up with a lightish car...If i was you i would buy a 4WD...i wouldnt have my family in a commodore towing a boat that is larger than 6m. My boat is 6.5m but weighs closer to 2 tonne and it still get a bit shakey in high winds on the freeways, and thats towing it with a landcruiser... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big-Banana Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 My boats a bit bigger, 7m and weights 2.5 tonnes. You wouldnt pull it off the ramp with anything less than a 4wd I reckon. Id really consider buying a 4wd as you'll find you'll make the commy work real hard on the freeway and especially on the ramp. You cars going to get quite wet too so make sure you give it a good clean after every trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bashir Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 a 4wd is always a better tow vehicle, they have superior stability, its not just about pulling power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger_shark Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 a 4wd is always a better tow vehicle, they have superior stability, its not just about pulling power. Thats what I was trying to get across...when the boat gets blown around when im in my landcruiser i would hate to think what would happen if i was in a smaller car... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big-Banana Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I dont get any wobble on the freeway? I speak to plenty of other blokes who always get it. Either Iam lucky or ours is setup differently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bashir Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I have towed our boat with a landcruiser 100 series and now recently with a Pajero, the pajero still pulls it fine, but it is nowhere near as stable on the road, with much ligther steering. Big heavy cars are more comfortable when towing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grantm Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 You can fita genuine 2100kg tow bar to a Commodore Sedan and it will tow that size boat no worries. The 2100 bar has heat shields, extra braces inside the boot, an auto cooler, and upgrade shocks. You can go a 1600kg job if you like but it doesnt come with shocks or a cooler, but a cooler can be added. 4 wheels drives are obviously better but i dont think you need to go buy a new car just cuase your getting a new boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger_shark Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I dont get any wobble on the freeway? I speak to plenty of other blokes who always get it. Either Iam lucky or ours is setup differently? I ussually get a little bit wobbly on long corners at high speeds (110 km/h)...its fine when I do 80km/h though, which is suppose to be the speed limit for cars pulling trailers.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger_shark Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 You can fita genuine 2100kg tow bar to a Commodore Sedan and it will tow that size boat no worries. The 2100 bar has heat shields, extra braces inside the boot, an auto cooler, and upgrade shocks. You can go a 1600kg job if you like but it doesnt come with shocks or a cooler, but a cooler can be added. 4 wheels drives are obviously better but i dont think you need to go buy a new car just cuase your getting a new boat. If its blowing a gale there is no way that you would wanna be towing a largish boat on the freeway with a sedan...and if you think you can pull a 6.0M boat out of the water with a rear wheel drive then you kidding yourself. Sure you will pull it out sometimes, maybe most of the time, but you wont pull it out all of the time. I know someone who has used a 5.0L premier, he had to push the car up the ramp with his boat. He obviously had some peices taken out of his prop from hitting the ramp on the way out... For safety reasons and for peace of mind i would suggest you trade your car in for a 4WD...and i dont mean a big shopping trolley either....by saying a big shopping trolley I'm refering to the CRV, RAV4, Pathfinder, Pajero etc....look at getting yourself a Landcruiser, Patrol, Explorer, maverick, or Landrover.... Might be a hassle, or something that you dont want to hear...but its better to be safe than sorry.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted October 4, 2006 Author Share Posted October 4, 2006 Thanks for your help guys,i think i might get rid of the commo and upgrade to the 4wd,my wife has been hounding me for a 4wd for a while now. I don't think i'm in her good books at the moment either after telling her that i'm upgrading my boat to a bigger boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger_shark Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Thanks for your help guys,i think i might get rid of the commo and upgrade to the 4wd,my wife has been hounding me for a 4wd for a while now. I don't think i'm in her good books at the moment either after telling her that i'm upgrading my boat to a bigger boat. Good decision mate...Oh, BTW, dont go near explorers...i shouldnt of mentioned them in my last post...the timing belts are a joke to replace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted October 4, 2006 Author Share Posted October 4, 2006 Good decision mate...Oh, BTW, dont go near explorers...i shouldnt of mentioned them in my last post...the timing belts are a joke to replace. Funny you say that because that's exactly what my wife wants,an explorer.Just my luck not only does she get a 4wd but it's not the one she wants. I'm in deep deep shit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger_shark Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 (edited) Funny you say that because that's exactly what my wife wants,an explorer.Just my luck not only does she get a 4wd but it's not the one she wants. I'm in deep deep shit. Mate...stick with the landcruisers or patrols, you cant go wrong....the 80 series landcruisers is value for money and arguably one of the best 4WD ever to be made... Edited October 4, 2006 by tiger_shark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big-Banana Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 80 Series? The 3 blokes I know with them have all dropped gearboxes after 80K. We have a 100 Series Turbo Diesel, perfect for towing. Explorers are too light anyhow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buz Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 G'Day Guys, While on the subject what's your opinions on hilux's for towing. Buz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuffy Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Buz, Hilux's are great------------------------------for box trailers and and kayaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnno Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 (edited) My Hilux,s Have never stopped or given me hassles People have said for hard time 4x4ing you need the full axle front as they track and climb better in offroad use more (but that is climbing big things ) which these where the older ones not the newer ones(90 ish i think). I had a 1990 hilux dual cab 4x2 sold it with 118,000kms on it The wife currently has a 03 sr5 4x4 and she came from a charade she loves it. I find this shape to be the narrowor of the bunch. approx 380km out of a 65litre tank the motor is starting to lossen up now with 58000km on it keep them serviced and you will be right Probably look at something with a wider track as has been sudjested Brother girlfriend has the latest shape Hilux for work and has the turbo diesel version and it gets off memory 800km to a 70litre tank I currently drive a 1999 2x4 v6 rodeo which tows my 5m quinnie okay but these things cost a bit in parts. A mate had a 02 patrol turbo diesel and that was a nice 4x4 good torque and space in cab I will stop typing now sorry so long Edited October 4, 2006 by johnno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuffy Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 By the way, guys, I forgot to mention that I'm selling my Pajero. 2000 model NL series Exceed ( leather etc and all the trimmings.) Rego till June 07, 3.5 V6 auto 150000 kms, new rubber never been off road, asking $17500. Good truck, just updating. PM me if anybody's interested or 0402 110 666. Sydney based, live at Ryde, work at Brookvale. Cheers, Russ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjbink Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 (edited) Are you sure it weighs 1300 kg, thats very light for a 6m rig? It might be worth putting it on a weighbridge. Even at 1300 kg its near the upper limit for comfortable towing with a Commodore or Falcon. Much heavier and there is too much chance of the tail wagging the dog. Swaying could be a problem if you don't have sufficient downforce on the towbar (7 - 10% of rig weight). To handle this downforce pump up air shocks or similar are necessary. I would be fitting anti - sway or torsion bars as well. These stop swaying and also help handling and breaking by maintaining a normal ride height for you vehicle. Standard overide breaks are bordering on being inadequate for the set up you describe too. Edited October 5, 2006 by billfisher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger_shark Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 (edited) 80 Series? The 3 blokes I know with them have all dropped gearboxes after 80K. We have a 100 Series Turbo Diesel, perfect for towing. Explorers are too light anyhow. If I was prepared to spend that much on a tow car i would of bought a TD patrol....but each to his own. Im not trying to start an argument of "my car is better tha yours", Im just trying to give some advice of what he should be using to tow his boat...BTW, i know someone who specialises in 4WD's (mechanic), and the only common problem with the 80 series is the front diff...not that expensive to fix anyway... And your comment about saying the explorers are too light is not true, but I wouldnt go near them anyway... Edited October 5, 2006 by tiger_shark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netic Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Thought i would add my bit in, I had an VY SS and was towing a 19ft fibreglass Cruisecraft bowrider around for 6 months. I would imagine the thing weighed around 1500kgs. In 6 months i replace the diff centre once and also did some good damage to my gearbox which cost me $900 to fix. I would recommend towing a boat that big with a commodore. I now tow my boat with the commy but it is only a 475 alum so i imgine it only weighs around 700-800kg with the engine and trailer included. You also got to take into account the people in the car which could add another 200Kg+ with just 3 adults Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger_shark Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 I would recommend towing a boat that big with a commodore. I now tow my boat with the commy but it is only a 475 alum so i imgine it only weighs around 700-800kg with the engine and trailer included. Would...or wouldn't???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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