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  Hauling 15-foot Whaler on Trailer with SAAB?

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Author Topic:   Hauling 15-foot Whaler on Trailer with SAAB?
Bertramp posted 09-19-2003 03:36 PM ET (US)   Profile for Bertramp   Send Email to Bertramp  
Would you trailer a 15 from Fla. to N.Y. using a 4 cyl. Saab as a tow car?
Toad2001 posted 09-19-2003 03:58 PM ET (US)     Profile for Toad2001  Send Email to Toad2001     
Yes-particularly if its a 5 spd with ABS.
ShrimpBurrito posted 09-19-2003 03:58 PM ET (US)     Profile for ShrimpBurrito  Send Email to ShrimpBurrito     
I pulled my 15' Super Sport to a scale once, and it weighs ~1550 lbs with seats, engine, fuel, oil, trailer, and a bunch of gear under the seats. I stay within 75% of the car manufacturer's towing limit, especially for long tows. Thus, I would only tow it if the Saab's tow rating was at least 2000 lbs, and I'd stay out of overdrive. Even then, you'd definitely know it's back there.

Note that tow weight is typically part of the gross payload weight, so if you're taking people and gear, you'll have to consider that too.

Florida15 posted 09-19-2003 04:35 PM ET (US)     Profile for Florida15  Send Email to Florida15     
It surprises me that your 15' weighed that much. I have never weighed mine but I believe the boat itself weighs around 550, the engine would weigh around 250 and the trailer couldn't weigh more than 250. That totals 1,050.
Ten gallons of gas would be another 80 approximately. Did you have 420 lbs of gear under the seat ?
4whaler posted 09-19-2003 04:41 PM ET (US)     Profile for 4whaler  Send Email to 4whaler     
I used to pull my first 15-ft 1978 SPORT down to Florida and back from Ft. Gordon, GA with a Mazda 626 5 speed: no problems. Only time I ever had [problems] was getting it to come up some slippery ramps and usually one or two folks on the trailer or trunk or pushing solved that.
ShrimpBurrito posted 09-19-2003 05:39 PM ET (US)     Profile for ShrimpBurrito  Send Email to ShrimpBurrito     
Florida15 -

I'd say the trailer might weigh a little more, but you're right on with the bare hull at 550, engine at 250, and fuel (at 6 lbs/gal) at about 60. Even with the trailer at 300 lbs, that totals to 1160. With the battery (50 lbs) and VRO tank and oil (10 lbs), that makes 1220. I might have 30-40 lbs of crap under the seats, and then the rest of the 290 lbs comes from stainless rails, a wood console, wood seats, wood bow locker cover, bimini top, steering system, anchor and anchor line, 2 paddles, etc. It adds up quick.

jimh posted 09-20-2003 07:26 AM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
Yes--As long as it were your SAAB, I would not be too concerned about towing 1,500 miles. :-)

In general, vehicles with uni-body construction (no frame), front wheel drive, short wheelbase, and four cylinder engines are not the first choice for serious towing.

Towing imposes quite an additional load on any vehicle, and you will soon find out how well your engine is in tune, how much capacity your cooling system has, and how fade-resistant your brakes are.

If your route to Florida requires ascending any long grades at high altitudes, you will also discover a great deal about your transmission and your engine.

If driven at moderate speeds and on flat terrain, you will probably be able to tow the modest load of a 15-foot Whaler on a trailer without too much trouble.

JohnJ80 posted 09-20-2003 08:30 PM ET (US)     Profile for JohnJ80  Send Email to JohnJ80     
Having owned Saabs (several) and boats, I don't think I would tow something that heavy. It will feel light in the front end. Also, Saab engines are more a performance engine than they are a power engine.

Also, with all my Saabs, they seemed to have issues with the cooling system. This could really be exacerbated with towing.

I did tow Hobie cats with them and had no problems, but that - including trailer is probably less than 750lbs.

J.

jscott posted 09-20-2003 09:12 PM ET (US)     Profile for jscott  Send Email to jscott     
I don't know about a Saab- Used to like them-
I tow a 78 BW13foot4inch Super Sport with a VW.
I tow from NJ to NH 400 Miles about-Every year.
for 3 years this past summer.. no problem- but
It's a turbo Diesel Jetta. 4cyl- I can do 90 with
the boat in tow fully loaded- 1000 pounds plus !
Every thing goes in the boat. Heavy stuff to the
stern- lighter stuff to the bow...
Go for it- how much more can a 15 footer be in weight ?
Bigshot posted 09-20-2003 11:27 PM ET (US)     Profile for Bigshot  Send Email to Bigshot     
I had a 1986 900 5spd....just a 900, no turbo, no S model, 8 valves/cyl and a freakin DOG. I towed my 15' everywhere with it. Could hardly tell it was back there. Should not be a problem and if a VW or any other 4cyl FWD can do it, a Saab can. My father bought his 1st Saab in 1958, he had 5 after that but now a die hard Mercedes fan......great cars.
SuburbanBoy posted 09-22-2003 12:08 AM ET (US)     Profile for SuburbanBoy  Send Email to SuburbanBoy     
I have towed my 15 many miles with my 4-cylinder Honda Odyssey. It has over 125,000 miles. No towing related problems. I would expect your Saab to be similar. Don't exceed 55 mph, and if it seems to be lugging, drop it out of OD or top gear. Main point, take your time.

sub

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