Do I need a towing package.....

[Sid Packard]

for a row boat?

Continuing on with our fishing obsession, I'm contemplating the purchase of a 14' row boat and trailer. The manual for my 2006 Honda Odyssey talks about needing tranny and power steering coolers installed, and lists the towing capacity as 3,500 pounds. Do I really need the coolers to tow a boat and trailer that might weigh 500 pounds altogether, especially since I probably won't be going more than an hour away, and that very seldom? TIA.

Sid

PS. What's the difference between riding around with 1,500 pounds of passengers and luggage, or 450 pounds of driver/passenger and 500 pounds of boat/trailer? Is there one?

[TAJ45]

Answer to first Q is No, imho. Not enough wgt. Now the second comparison has also to do with wind drag and added friction of rolling components. That is a definite factor/added load on engine.

I have a 6x14 utility trlr with mesh gate. It probably weighs 600#. Can feel it when the gate is on, therefore up position, going down the road at 50. Fuel mileage reflects it and it was a healthy 4.3 V6. I just had a hard time believing that the gate would make a noticeable difference, being mfrd of expanded metal and having healthy diamond shaped holes in it, but it surely did.

One other point, most manuals of 4sp auto trans w/OD recommend using 3rd or locking out OD - if you have that option. Once again, probably not needed for your light duty application, but have heard of some burning out the OD band, but don't know what they were towing or how fast and if it was hammering in and out of OD and they ignored it.

Now, having a tranny cooler installed just ain't too bad of an idea if $$ is not a problem. ALL trannies last longer the cooler they run. That is one of the first things a rebuild shop does down here for a tranny R&R. That and a mild "shift kit", to keep things moving into the next gear faster instead of the mushy slide that most have now. Just like $$ in the bank for both owners, shop and vehicle. Not a trans mech, but my observations.

[charlie sterner]

I'm assuming you'll be getting an aluminum boat here?

I have a 16' jon boat and 25 hp motor. Towed it for years with my 2 door explorer. You'll definitely notice it's there with your Honda. It'll bounce and wiggle and you might notice a little difference in your shift pattern, but a 14' boat just won't require a towing package.

Now, if you get into the heavier fiberglass constructed boats with floor and compartments loaded to the gills, you'd definitely notice it more. Still, I wouldn't worry about it unless you were going with say an 18 footer with a total weight of 2000 lbs or more.

Charlie

[Fuzz]

-MPG and bumps and bounces are assured, I like over engineered stuff so I'm happy w/ my Jeeps extra stuff. If you can put it on affordably, enjoy the piece of mind that extra margin of mental cush gives you!

My 2 Cents... (again, & yes, I must be close to a dollar by now... :D )

Hehehehehehehe!:D

[Dave H]

Have seen a couple of boats come off their trailers on Interstates..now all those were powered as I recall however a chain from the trailer to the bow eye will keep your boat on board IF rear heavy and a winch line or other tiedown fasteners fail at speed.

Probably no issue with a heavy glass boat but after I saw a couple bounce off the highway at speed I was a believer in a safety chain..

Course these guys won't tell you however your first boat is usually a STARTER. I second the advice on trans cooler if not overly expensive..a 26' footer with a couple of big Merc's would probably strain your current ride.

Have fun with your boat.

[Sid Packard]

Thank you, gentlemen. Yes Charlie, it's an aluminum boat.

[Doug Roberts]

Where are you going to mount the rifle rest on a boat? I know Matt isn't going out anywhere without one of those LRPVs.

[bcp]

"Where are you going to mount the rifle rest on a boat?"

Coast Guard has it figured out.

http://www.funny-potato.com/images/boats/boats.jpg