[Rhodes22-list] evaluating the used boat

[john Belanger]

chet
  i was surprised to learn in a discussion on car talk that automatic transmissions are actually better for towing than manuals. send an email to npr car talk. i'm sure they would be able to tell you why auto's better. and if you tell them how much the boat and trailer weigh, tell you whether your vehicle can safely handle the load. may want to look into an oil cooler if you're going any distance. i don't own one yet but i've sailed a friends  84 r22 with 10-15 knot winds. nice ride. good luck.

Chet Orton <chet.orton at yahoo.com> wrote:
  John,

I've observed that vehicles which are available with either automatic or standard transmission have higher rated towing capacities for the automatic. Since the brakes and engine and such are the same, I've always assumed that the difference was that when starting from a dead stop, a torque converter slips more and acts like a lower gear. But a clutch slips more and just heats up and wears out. So, I'm OK exceeding the manual transmission rating a bit as long as I keep it within the automatic's rating, with the understanding that it will impact my clutch.

Chet

----- Original Message ----
From: John Lock 
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list 
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 3:54:49 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] evaluating the used boat


At 12:26 PM 10/19/2006 -0700, Chet Orton wrote:
>Thanks. I hadn't considered extra weight beyond the boat's 
>displacement. My truck has a small 6 and the rated towing capacity 
>is 3500 with a manual trans, 5000 with an automatic. I have a manual 
>4WD. The hitch I installed is rated at 5000, so I don't think it 
>will fail. It's not very hilly around here so I think it'll be 
>alright, barely. I'll probably just need to replace the clutch 
>sooner. I can drop it into 4WD Low for crawling up/down boat ramps.

The rated towing capacity is not just a measure of how much the 
vehicle will pull. It also takes into account stopping power and 
handling issues. If you exceed that rating you get into the "tail 
wagging the dog" issue discussed here previously. You may also find 
you have brake problems (overheating) if used heavily. Be careful!

Cheers!

John

"Catastrophe: a prize for the cat with the nicest buns." 

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