towing tips.
 

I am thinking of purchasing a 1988 26 foot chris craft stinger I am wondering if I can safely tow this with a 1997 chevy 1500 Z71 5.7. I am guesing the boat weight is abot 5500 and the trailer is aroung 2000. I am guessing, I don't really know It is a double axle aluminum trailer. Any advice will help Thank you

Re: towing tips.
 

We didn't talk you out of that boat yet? Ha.

I pulled my 1987 260 stinger from Milwaukee to Toledo with a 5.0 Chevy (GMC) 1500.

My insurance company would have fought a claim... but I took it easy and no problems. It is a risk though...

I can't answer the safety question, and the Chicago Skyway bridge almost did me in, but I made it. And amazingly, I didn't break the truck.

Re: towing tips.
 

Actually,

I'm glad to hear that you are going to buy it.
It gives me hope that someone will buy mine, since obviously there is a market.

Re: towing tips.
 

I think you will be fine . This boat NEEDS a 2 axel trailer for sure ! Make sure your truck tires and trailer tires are in good shape and set at maximum air pressure as stated ON THE TIRE . Make sure the trailer brakes WORK ! Joe

Re: towing tips.
 

That setup would be o.k. Thats about what mine weighs and I tow it all over with my 1500 tahoe. Only problem for me is braking with out any trailer brakes, so you may want to look into that.

Re: towing tips.
 

A big part of it is gettign the boat in the right place on the trailer to get the truck loaded properly . This will elimimate sway (which will kill ya !)

You do need to think about that "LEGAL" aspect if the load is over the gross rating of the truck . Thats another issue ....

Re: towing tips.
 

I still havent totally decided to purchase the boat but everthing you said that was going wrong with yours I checked out sunday and it seemed fine. Engines were clean as a whistle. No spider webbing in the fiberglass. Bottom is totally clean. I guess I am asking about towing now because I am still looking for a reason not to buy it. We are down to $1200.500

Re: towing tips.
 

Oh yea it has trailer brakes too.

Re: towing tips.
 

Maybe that glass crew was gone by 1988? Serious... it was a limited time that the hull layups were crap. Maybe that was like 86-87, because Dave S loves his '85.

I wish I had gotten mine for 12.5.

I would really like it if it hadn't been for the problems. Love the lines, the shape, and the ride. Smooth ride. Even in Lake Erie snot.

Re: towing tips.
 

I just hope I can tow it. I can leave it at the river but when we go to cumberland or norris it is about 4.5 hours.

Re: towing tips.
 

The 4l60e will be fine just don't tow hard in OD, and a bigger trans cooler won't hurt.

Re: towing tips.
 

The nice thing about towing my 26 foot stinger is that it gives the boat a chance to go faster than 50mph.

Re: towing tips.
 

This one will actually run about 63

Re: towing tips.
 

Must have big blocks.

Re: towing tips.
 

No just small blocks. But the owner says they were rebuilt 150 hours agaio. Mild cams and aftermarket intakes. This is also on his spedo not GPS.

Re: towing tips.
 

ahhh... speedo.
That explains it.
Don't want to be negative... seems like I slammed these boats pretty hard...

You will probably see about 55 on a gps if it's trimmed out right and everything else is ok. (Clean hull, not a full tank).

Re: towing tips.
 

They arent a fast hull, but they do ride really nice in crappy water don't they.

Re: towing tips.
 

yep.

Only reason I own one.

Two words: Lake Erie.

Re: towing tips.
 

I Have A Question We Just Bought A Topgun With A Manning Poker Run Edition Trailer. I'm Looking To Buying A 01 Dodge 2500 Diesel Extended Cab Short Bed .my Question To Yall Is Do Yall Think It Would Make A Difference Short Bed Compared To Long Bed? Thanks For Your Advise In Advance

Donz Jr Mike

Re: towing tips.
 

In a panic steer the longer wheelbase is gonna be way stabler, and if your using fifth wheel you need the slider hitch with the shortbed, so when manuvering you slide the wheel back to keep the trailer from hitting the cab.

Re: towing tips.
 

True that...
But backing while turning, the shorter wheelbase will help.

Re: towing tips.
 

I always wanted a Jeep with a front hitch for backing boats around in a small area.

On the highway though, length rules.

Re: towing tips.
 

thanks guys that made me decide on my choice

donz jr mike