Does towing wreck your vehicle?

[David G]

Bit of a Poll really.

In our Diving Club we have two RIBS and an inflatable.

We have a 5.4 Tornado with a 90Hp Optimax on a twinaxle braked trailer plated at around 1200Kg.

We have a 5.5 Humber (not sure which model) with a 90Hp Optimax on a single axle braked trailer plated at around 1300Kg.

We have a Bombard C5 (I think it is) with 40Hp on an unbraked trailer.

If appropriate towing vehicles and towing 'style' are employed does it wreck the towing vehicle?

Should we be recompensing those that tow in lieu of extra wear and tear as well as fuel used to tow?

Just a straw poll really!

Thanks in advance for any input

[Nos4r2]

Bit more tyre wear and brake wear, but it doesn't wreck the vehicle.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Bit more tyre wear and brake wear, but it doesn't wreck the vehicle.

agreed .... and yes you would expect the tow vehicle to use more than its normal mpg for fuel .. I'll have a stab at about 25-30 % more

[Poly]

Depending on your launch/recovery sites, technique and how close the trailers are to the limit you might find it accelerates clutch wear...

...but if the person sells on to the next unsuspecting owner they probably don't experience any loss, or if it fails the cost of replacing the clutch is probably more than you are prepared to cough up!

[Mollers]

Only if you drive the vehicle into the sea until the boat floats off of the trailer. If you reverse in and not let the nasty salty stuff near the shiney alloys, all will be dandy for years. :-)

[Peter_C]

Where and how much weight you tow dictates the wear on the towing vehicle. In the mountains a vehicle will get trashed. If the vehicle is at or near it's maximum capacity it will also take a beating. If it is towing at 50% capacity on fairly flat ground the wear is next to nothing. Of course how you drive while towing also dictates wear.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Where and how much weight you tow dictates the wear on the towing vehicle. In the mountains a vehicle will get trashed. If the vehicle is at or near it's maximum capacity it will also take a beating. If it is towing at 50% capacity on fairly flat ground the wear is next to nothing. Of course how you drive while towing also dictates wear.

Absolutely correct in the last sentence. If the vehicle is driven with care and consideration, there is little reason why any additional wear should occur due to towing. Ribs really aren't that heavy, I tow a. 3500kg gtw mini digger, my 7m feels like its not there by comparison.

[David G]

So what we are saying here is that if the all up weight is within the recommended limits for your vehicle and you drive sensibly there should not be any extra wear and tear.......
however if you try to drive the same as if nothing was hooked up behind you might experience some 'issues'! ???

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by David G

So what we are saying here is that if the all up weight is within the recommended limits for your vehicle and you drive sensibly there should not be any extra wear and tear.......
however if you try to drive the same as if nothing was hooked up behind you might experience some 'issues'! ???

I think you were hoping for a post you maybe didnt get .. no .. all pretty much said yes .. more wear and tear and extra fuel .. but it wont 'wreck' your vehicle as in your original post .. Kinda obvious when you put extra weight on any vehicle ?

[Harrys Game]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

I think you were hoping for a post you maybe didnt get .. no .. all pretty much said yes .. more wear and tear and extra fuel .. but it wont 'wreck' your vehicle as in your original post .. Kinda obvious when you put extra weight on any vehicle ?

Absolutely spot on, Regards Jim.

[Rokraider]

Will the same vehicle be carrying people and diving gear, for example bottles as well as towing the RIB?

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Rokraider

Will the same vehicle be carrying people and diving gear, for example bottles as well as towing the RIB?

From my own point of view, just towing a boat is fine, add a full car of people, associated kit and the boat, then it's safe to say the rear springs can take a battering. Don't ask me how I know.

[David G]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

I think you were hoping for a post you maybe didnt get .. no .. all pretty much said yes .. more wear and tear and extra fuel .. but it wont 'wreck' your vehicle as in your original post .. Kinda obvious when you put extra weight on any vehicle ?

Hi,
No, not at all.

I know that you will use extra fuel and wear your brakes etc.

Maybe I wasn't clear enough

If someone says to me "I'm never going to tow because it wrecks my clutch on the slipway, it wrecks my brakes on the trip etc etc" then should I believe them or suggest to them that either they are driving badly or have an inadequate vehicle?

Of course towing is going to accelerate consumable use.

As far as filling the car with dive and boat kit, this does happen but if we remain within the MAM 'wrecking' shouldn't occur............correct?

It is the 'wrecking' statement I am after confirmation/denial of.

Sorry if this wasn't clear!

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by David G

If someone says to me "I'm never going to tow because it wrecks my clutch on the slipway, it wrecks my brakes on the trip etc etc" then should I believe them or suggest to them that either they are driving badly or have an inadequate vehicle?

Well, given that when towing a 7.8m my clutch is usually fully out sub-1000 RPM and I barely use the brakes I'll let you draw your own conclusion.

Originally Posted by David G

Of course towing is going to accelerate consumable use.

As far as filling the car with dive and boat kit, this does happen but if we remain within the MAM 'wrecking' shouldn't occur............correct?

It is the 'wrecking' statement I am after confirmation/denial of.

Sorry if this wasn't clear!

'Wrecking' or 'accelerated wear of the whole vehicle'?
Most people for example don't often use anything apart from the drivers seat, don't lug cylinders into the boot, put wet kit in their car et cetera.
Prolonged use like that is going to mess a vehicle up cosmetically for a start and to plenty, the vehicle is then 'wrecked'.

[bingosucks]

just for interest i have a megane 1.9 diesel estate

on a trip to warsash 150 miles

no boat 58mpg
with boat 48mpg

on an avon sr4 i do tend to drive fairly slow much to the wifeys displeasure lol

[Poly]

I think your problem is you have a different definition of wreck than the person you are talking to. He means "will add unnecessary wear and tear to my pride and joy" and you are hearing "will result in terminal failure".

[two stroke mick]

year 1999 e 200 automatic merc without boat 29 mpg with boat circe 15 mpg (valiant dr 490)

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

year 1999 e 200 automatic merc without boat 29 mpg with boat circe 15 mpg (valiant dr 490)

Maybe 'coz it's a bit of a gutless old fart that struggles to pull itself about without a boat on the back?

[David G]

Originally Posted by Poly

I think your problem is you have a different definition of wreck than the person you are talking to. He means "will add unnecessary wear and tear to my pride and joy" and you are hearing "will result in terminal failure".

Yes, you are probably correct here

Currently we re-imburse them for ALL the fuel they use towing despite the fact that they were going anyway.

Some people think this is enough re-imbursement others think they should get more as it adds time to their trip and 'wrecks' their vehicles............

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by David G

Yes, you are probably correct here

Currently we re-imburse them for ALL the fuel they use towing despite the fact that they were going anyway.

Some people think this is enough re-imbursement others think they should get more as it adds time to their trip and 'wrecks' their vehicles............

So, if they didn't/weren't allowed to tow the boat, they'd have to chip in for the fuel?