transport cross country of Ty

[Hal]

Here's my problem (as it pertains to this message board anyway). I have a Typhoon half way across the country that's avail 4 sale. It's on a trailer (good), I have a mini van that could haul it (better) but my Previa owners manual says that if the trailer/contents weigh more than 1000 lb's, the trailer must have brakes; the trailer has no brakes (not good). Granted, I could probably baby it, be careful, etc and manage w/o trailer brakes but, I'd rather err on the side of safety (just hate it when 1000 lb's of hauled lead ballast gets a mind of its own).
Looked into flying to the boat and renting a heavier tow vehicle but NO rental companies have any cars with hitches. Even looked into U-Hauls, but only U Haul trailers work on U-Haul trucks (special lighting harnesses). Over the road guys charge an arm and your tiller so that's not an option. Anybody have a brillant suggestion?? Trailer brakes don't install in 10 minutes do they?



ficadoor@aol.com

[Ken Cave]

I have hauled an ODay Mariner (a nineteen foot sailboat fully loaded and with a 4 horsepower outboard) all over the west coast with a mini truck (Ford Courier) and a Landcruiser-without a bit of problems-except going up hill with the Ford-like down to second gear!

If you are careful, you shouldn't have any problems. Just be sure to down shift when going down steep grades and use the transmission to brake the trailer.

Ken Cave



bcaver@whidbey.net

[sloopjohnl]

rent the uhaul and splice their harness to the trailer lights after you get to the boat. should not be that difficult, you are only talking three wires - brakes and turn signals. many people go that route especially those who only tow twice a year to launch abd retrieve.

Here's my problem (as it pertains to this message board anyway). I have a Typhoon half way across the country that's avail 4 sale. It's on a trailer (good), I have a mini van that could haul it (better) but my Previa owners manual says that if the trailer/contents weigh more than 1000 lb's, the trailer must have brakes; the trailer has no brakes (not good). Granted, I could probably baby it, be careful, etc and manage w/o trailer brakes but, I'd rather err on the side of safety (just hate it when 1000 lb's of hauled lead ballast gets a mind of its own).
Looked into flying to the boat and renting a heavier tow vehicle but NO rental companies have any cars with hitches. Even looked into U-Hauls, but only U Haul trailers work on U-Haul trucks (special lighting harnesses). Over the road guys charge an arm and your tiller so that's not an option. Anybody have a brillant suggestion?? Trailer brakes don't install in 10 minutes do they?

[John Hoft-March]

I too have towed a Ty with a smallish vehicle (an Audi 100 quatro). Its only a 130 hp engine but tows the boat just fine. My owner's manual also recommends trailer brakes for anything over 1,000 lbs but I've not had any problem without, though I've only towed it 10 to 100 miles at a time on fairly flat terrain here in north eastern Wisconsin. I think you should be OK as long as you're careful, take it easy, and leave plenty of stopping room.
John



john.hoft-march@appleton.org

[Roger]

Hal - I purchased my Ty in Rhode Island and pulled it to Michigan. There were some good-sized hills along the way. Trailer I used did not have brakes. I thought about pulling it with my car which has a hitch attached and a larger engine. However owner's manual said max load I could pull was 2000 lbs and Ty with trailer probably weighed litte over 2500 lbs. Given the distance and hills involved I decided not to pull it with my car not because I was afraid the engine or brakes wouldn't handle it, but talking to several dealers and auto repair shops it seemed likely I could seriously damage my transmission. Consequently I rented a Ford Ranger truck for $120 for a week, went to RI and returned to MI with no problems. I put a 2" ball on the truck bumper which had a hole for it; the truck already had a pigtail for me to plug in the brake light cable from my trailer. Including tax the truck cost me $140 but saved wear and tear on my car. Now that I have the boat in MI, I do pull it locally for short distances with my car with no problem. Roger



rosenwalds@hotmail.com

[John]

Hal, The ball on U-Haul's used to be an odd size. double check. Wiring is a snap, they have an adapter for less than $12.00. Brakes can be added to your trailer at any local builder for $100 to $200. They just swap the axles. A controller is another $160+/-. Worth every penny if you are going to tow this more then twice a year. As always, never compromise safety for $$$$.
Good luck, John



johnnyd@sydcom.net