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Author Topic:   Towing Montauk with a Class I hitch

nordeng posted 08-06-2008 04:20 PM ET (US)
I need to tow my 17 year old Montauk with a new car now that my SUV died. My question is will a Class I hitch cut it? The tow vehicle will be an Audi Allroad and I'm not concerned about power or the ramp - my issue is when I looked at the Class I hitch I ordered, it seems like it attaches to some part of the bumper support and the bottom of the spare tire well. This spare tire well is pretty flimsy and I'd like to know from anyone if this is going to work out. It says a 200 lb tongue weight is ok, but is it? There also doesn't seem to be any place for the safety chains. Thanks.
Estero posted 08-06-2008 04:39 PM ET (US)
A Class I hitch is rated to 2000 pounds GTW, so depending on your setup your Montauk will be pushing that upper limit. It would depend on the nature of your towing- if you're going two miles at 30 mph to get to the ramp, it would probably serve you fine, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable with one at highway speeds. I pull my 1982 Montauk with a similar vehicle (Toyota RAV4 V6) with a Class II hitch and it does OK, but it sure feels different than with my old F150. If you routinely tow long distances at high speed, the Class II option is the better bet.
Tim
Casco Bay Outrage posted 08-06-2008 05:10 PM ET (US)
Attaching a hitch to a vehicle with uni-body construction is a different exercise than a body on frame SUV. With a frame, a class II or III hitch attaches to the main frame.
Since you may be close to the limit of the tow rating, I would recommend weighing the boat/trailer/engine at a public scale. I would also suggest getting an accurate reading of your tongue weight.
There is a general recommendation not to exceed 80% of your towing rating. Adding trailer brakes will increase your safety margin.
Also check to see you have a transmission fluid cooler. If not, suggest you have on installed.
While you do not necessarily need an SUV, you should take care to ensure you are rigged up properly.
In looking at the Draw Tite website, I selected a 2005 A4 allroad (my guess) and I see this hitch. Note the loops for the chains.
http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/products/Receiver_Hitch,CT11164
I am not sure a class II is offered for your vehicle since it would exceed the maximum towing rating.
Hal Watkins posted 08-06-2008 08:47 PM ET (US)
I recently weighed my 2006 Montauk on a MN state certified scale. Weigh was 2360#s...6 gal fuel, 12# anchor, jackets, cushions, boat motor, trailer. I had been pulling it with a Subaru Outback 4 cylider, 5 speed with a class 2 hitch. Subaru rated at 2000#s. Mileage went from 25 to 15 when pulling. Probably pulled it 5000 miles with no problems.
I just aquired a 4.0 Ford Explorer and it does a fantastic job pulling and stopping. Mileage went from 20 to 15 when pulling. Just my experience, Hal of Waseca, MN
deepwater posted 08-07-2008 10:02 AM ET (US)
360lb of the max rated limit is not much crowded yes but not by much ,, I'm sure the absolute max would be closer to 3 grand that's said an experienced tower could move 2300lb all day and not have a worry
Tohsgib posted 08-09-2008 10:56 AM ET (US)
You'll be fine. My father used to tow our Revenge on a class 1 back in the 70's.
fishgutz posted 08-09-2008 11:22 AM ET (US)
You'll be fine. I used to tow a wagon behind my bike with some twine back in the 70's.
nordeng, don't you think there is a reason things are rated the way they are? Follow the rating guidelines.
If you have to question it, there is your answer. Don't do it.
Tohsgib posted 08-09-2008 12:16 PM ET (US)
That was a stupid analogy.
A Montauk should not have a 200lb tongue weight and that is the only data we have received so far. My Montuak came in just shy of 2k loaded up.
fishgutz posted 08-09-2008 03:21 PM ET (US)
nordeng, find out why towing isn't recommended with that vehicle, as per Audi. Or is it.
macfam posted 08-10-2008 07:50 AM ET (US)
Our first Boston Whaler Nauset (1964) with a 70hp Merc was towed by my 1976 Plymouth (Mitsubishi)Arrow with a 2.0 liter 4-banger and 5-speed manual.
When you follow the rig on the highway, you couldn't even see the car.
Crossing the Cape Cod Canal (Bourne Bridge) it wouldn't do over 30 mph.
In 1985 we graduated to a Chevy Caprice Classic with a 4.3 liter 6 cyl.
All had class 1 hitches. Never a problem.
fishgutz posted 08-10-2008 12:41 PM ET (US)
Don't exceed the published limits of the hitch. That is unlawful and will be used against you if you have an accident. Also I would seriously find out why towing is NOT recommended for your vehicle and what the legal ramifications are if you do tow and get in an accident.
Also consider what will happen if there is any malfunction or a blowout. Unless you've experienced a bad blowout at freeway speeds you don't know what can happen especially if you have a week hitch or a week tow vehicle. I had a blowout with a 2000 pound trailer towing with a full size Chevy truck. I actually saw the tire blow in my sideview mirror. It was pretty scary. Glad I wasn't overloaded or under equipped. What a scary mess.
Safety first. Always safety first.
People who exceed the limits of their equipment are idiots and asking for trouble.
And if you ever get stopped by a sheriff who hasn't met his quota for the month, he will love to escort you to the scales and waste a ton of your time if you are close to your limits. It happened to a friend of mine. He wasn't overloaded but the sheriff thought he might be. The sheriff was well within his rights. Even though in the long run the sheriff was wrong my friend agreed it was a good stop.

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Author	Topic: Towing Montauk with a Class I hitch
nordeng	posted 08-06-2008 04:20 PM ET (US) I need to tow my 17 year old Montauk with a new car now that my SUV died. My question is will a Class I hitch cut it? The tow vehicle will be an Audi Allroad and I'm not concerned about power or the ramp - my issue is when I looked at the Class I hitch I ordered, it seems like it attaches to some part of the bumper support and the bottom of the spare tire well. This spare tire well is pretty flimsy and I'd like to know from anyone if this is going to work out. It says a 200 lb tongue weight is ok, but is it? There also doesn't seem to be any place for the safety chains. Thanks.
Estero	posted 08-06-2008 04:39 PM ET (US) A Class I hitch is rated to 2000 pounds GTW, so depending on your setup your Montauk will be pushing that upper limit. It would depend on the nature of your towing- if you're going two miles at 30 mph to get to the ramp, it would probably serve you fine, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable with one at highway speeds. I pull my 1982 Montauk with a similar vehicle (Toyota RAV4 V6) with a Class II hitch and it does OK, but it sure feels different than with my old F150. If you routinely tow long distances at high speed, the Class II option is the better bet. Tim
Casco Bay Outrage	posted 08-06-2008 05:10 PM ET (US) Attaching a hitch to a vehicle with uni-body construction is a different exercise than a body on frame SUV. With a frame, a class II or III hitch attaches to the main frame. Since you may be close to the limit of the tow rating, I would recommend weighing the boat/trailer/engine at a public scale. I would also suggest getting an accurate reading of your tongue weight. There is a general recommendation not to exceed 80% of your towing rating. Adding trailer brakes will increase your safety margin. Also check to see you have a transmission fluid cooler. If not, suggest you have on installed. While you do not necessarily need an SUV, you should take care to ensure you are rigged up properly. In looking at the Draw Tite website, I selected a 2005 A4 allroad (my guess) and I see this hitch. Note the loops for the chains. http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/products/Receiver_Hitch,CT11164 I am not sure a class II is offered for your vehicle since it would exceed the maximum towing rating.
Hal Watkins	posted 08-06-2008 08:47 PM ET (US) I recently weighed my 2006 Montauk on a MN state certified scale. Weigh was 2360#s...6 gal fuel, 12# anchor, jackets, cushions, boat motor, trailer. I had been pulling it with a Subaru Outback 4 cylider, 5 speed with a class 2 hitch. Subaru rated at 2000#s. Mileage went from 25 to 15 when pulling. Probably pulled it 5000 miles with no problems. I just aquired a 4.0 Ford Explorer and it does a fantastic job pulling and stopping. Mileage went from 20 to 15 when pulling. Just my experience, Hal of Waseca, MN
deepwater	posted 08-07-2008 10:02 AM ET (US) 360lb of the max rated limit is not much crowded yes but not by much ,, I'm sure the absolute max would be closer to 3 grand that's said an experienced tower could move 2300lb all day and not have a worry
Tohsgib	posted 08-09-2008 10:56 AM ET (US) You'll be fine. My father used to tow our Revenge on a class 1 back in the 70's.
fishgutz	posted 08-09-2008 11:22 AM ET (US) You'll be fine. I used to tow a wagon behind my bike with some twine back in the 70's. nordeng, don't you think there is a reason things are rated the way they are? Follow the rating guidelines. If you have to question it, there is your answer. Don't do it.
Tohsgib	posted 08-09-2008 12:16 PM ET (US) That was a stupid analogy. A Montauk should not have a 200lb tongue weight and that is the only data we have received so far. My Montuak came in just shy of 2k loaded up.
fishgutz	posted 08-09-2008 03:21 PM ET (US) nordeng, find out why towing isn't recommended with that vehicle, as per Audi. Or is it.
macfam	posted 08-10-2008 07:50 AM ET (US) Our first Boston Whaler Nauset (1964) with a 70hp Merc was towed by my 1976 Plymouth (Mitsubishi)Arrow with a 2.0 liter 4-banger and 5-speed manual. When you follow the rig on the highway, you couldn't even see the car. Crossing the Cape Cod Canal (Bourne Bridge) it wouldn't do over 30 mph. In 1985 we graduated to a Chevy Caprice Classic with a 4.3 liter 6 cyl. All had class 1 hitches. Never a problem.
fishgutz	posted 08-10-2008 12:41 PM ET (US) Don't exceed the published limits of the hitch. That is unlawful and will be used against you if you have an accident. Also I would seriously find out why towing is NOT recommended for your vehicle and what the legal ramifications are if you do tow and get in an accident. Also consider what will happen if there is any malfunction or a blowout. Unless you've experienced a bad blowout at freeway speeds you don't know what can happen especially if you have a week hitch or a week tow vehicle. I had a blowout with a 2000 pound trailer towing with a full size Chevy truck. I actually saw the tire blow in my sideview mirror. It was pretty scary. Glad I wasn't overloaded or under equipped. What a scary mess. Safety first. Always safety first. People who exceed the limits of their equipment are idiots and asking for trouble. And if you ever get stopped by a sheriff who hasn't met his quota for the month, he will love to escort you to the scales and waste a ton of your time if you are close to your limits. It happened to a friend of mine. He wasn't overloaded but the sheriff thought he might be. The sheriff was well within his rights. Even though in the long run the sheriff was wrong my friend agreed it was a good stop.