When we brought Big Duck home to SC from Lake Mead -- over 2,000 miles, we averaged 10 mpg pulling with a full sized Ford Van w/ V10 (6.8l) motor. We never went over 55mph.
Even after towing various trailers over 60,000 miles w/ over 100,000 miles on the van, I still have the original brake pads all around. Much of the need to stop depends on the need to go fast. I haven't had the Duck on a scale, but I'm guessing wet on the trailer she's about 9,000 lbs. She's exceptionally well behaved behind the van even without the weight distributing hitch or anti sway (that's the way we brought her home). I don't expect to go 70 mph uphill for miles over the mountain passes - I stay in the right lane, put her at about 3,000 rpm and take whatever speed she offers.
So far, we've splashed Big Duck at 7 different ramps...never a traction problem, especially considering all that tongue weight on the back end of the van. For me, the overhead of a 4X4 just doesn't make sense, especially considering the Trailer Assist I have with my Boat US membership - they'll send a truck if I ever have trouble at the ramp. We do need a floating dock at the ramp because my wife is handicapped and can't help...I splash and recover solo.
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| Lake Keowee - SC |
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| St Johns River - Deland FL |
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| Lake Murray - SC |
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| Lake Jocassee - SC. I can't do this one without help. |
Update:
ReplyDeleteI weighed Big Duck on her trailer on the 4,000+ mile round trip to Lake Powell. The boat/trailer came in at 12,000 lbs, 1,200 of that was tongue weight.
http://72land-n-sea.blogspot.com/2012/09/houseboat-2000-miles-to-lake-powell.html
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