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I am retiring in 7 months and am trying to get my ducks in a row. I have a 246 sf World Cat/130 Hondas. I keep it in the water in the Chesapeake Bay in the Annapolis vacinity. I live near there also. I plan to move it to 4-5 different locations during the year, depending on where the bite is, and leaving it sitting on the trailer for a month or two. EX. Ocean City in November. CBBT in December-January, etc. I DO NOT HAVE A TOW VEHICLE. My wife has a 2003 ls grand marquis. I have a 2003 Santa Fe.
So, I am trying to decide on how to handle the towing. Way I see it I have 3 choices.
1. Rent from Hertz or like org and pay $200-300 each time I moved it. Once at the location I would have to have someone with a tow vehicle launch/pull it for me. I know/fish with a number of guys that have such a vehicle. Again, I would only rent to move it maybe less than 1/2 dozen times. The times that I fish it would be with someone with a tow vehicle.
2. Keep our vehicles and buy an old, big old tow vehicle and hope that it does not break down a lot. I really don't want to do this.
3.Sell the grand marq and put that $ towards a suv big enough to tow it. Ex. gmc/tahoe, ford/expedition. I think the total tow setup would be about 8,000 lbs. Would have to buy one a couple of yrs old(with low mileage), in the $20-25K range. Not spending $50K for a vehicle.
I am leaning towards #3, especially when I throw in another factor.
We plan to drive to different parts of the country when I retire, to see the country. I see us going a month at a time, maybe 4-5 times a year. Just driving west/north/south, etc. And I think (don't know yet) that a suv (loaded tahoe) would be much more comfortable than her Grand Marq. It has low, bench seats and I think the higher buckets seats would be easier on my back.
Now, if we do #3 and get a suv, I would want to get one that will get the best mileage that it can, but still be able to tow the boat a few times. (don't want diesel, don't want a truck).
My initial research shows that the 2007 yukon danali might get around 20 mpg. We could wait 2 yrs and then get it between $20-30K, maybe.
So, any suggestions on what vehicle to get would also be appreciated.
As far as the 07 GMC economy ratings, they are way off. My aunt just purchased a 07 escalade which if im not mistaken has the same engine as the denali and her sticker rated it at 20mpg and sh gets 12mpg. Thats under very subtle, florida driving conditions. Her 2004 escalade ESV got 14mpg. The new Dodge Durangos which are statistically larger then GM and ford full sizes get about 17-18 mpg with the MDS Hemi.(Multi Displacement System 4 cylinder mode) Thats real world numbers, because i think they are rated at like 21mpg. The durango has a 9,000 pound towing capacity.
Double check the rental agreement. Most companies like Avis, Hertz, etc have specific clauses that do not allow towing.
I did just this after flying down, renting an Expedition and towed a boat from Miami to Tampa then flew home and arranged transport of the boat back to MA. That was about 8 years ago and now that I'm older and have more to lose, I would not do it again.
You'll find renting does not work because they prohibit towing except with U-haul type trucks. it is a pain anyway because you have to park your vehicle at the renting point and return their vehicle to the same place. The new trend is to price the rental reasonably but stick it to you for the insurance.
A strange sounding choice, but actually a very useful vehicle is a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The tow ratings for the V-8 should work with you Glacier Bay and they have the advantage of being 4 wheel drive. They also have an enclosed storage area for carrying gear and have four doors. Also, if you do decide to see more of the country, they can be flat towed behind a motor home. The 1999's have cooling problems. The 2000 through 2004 are decent and the 2005s got revised suspension that makes them ride better.
Keep your eyes open. We got a very nice Ford Excursion 7.3 PSD with full tow package with less than 150K on it for a little over 12K. Excellent tow vehicle and a 3rd "car" which takes 9 passangers with luggage plus tows the boat....
It sounds like you plan to always keep your rig wet so why not simple have the spouse or friend meet you at the new dock after you motor down the bay from the last Marina....
I just flew to Fl. to get a boat I just bought. Rented a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder, 6000 GVW towing capacity, 6 cylinder, I towed my new 28.5 ft cc w/T-225 4-strokes to the Keys and back no problen from west coast. I have used Hertz to to the same thing via a one was tow. I was never told I couldn't tow anything and didn't see it in the agreement. I am fully insured for any vehicle I tow thru my local insurance policy when traveling. Of course I drove carefully and there were no incidents this time.
I just flew to Fl. to get a boat I just bought. Rented a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder, 6000 GVW towing capacity, 6 cylinder, I towed my new 28.5 ft cc w/T-225 4-strokes to the Keys and back no problen from west coast. I have used Hertz to to the same thing via a one was tow. I was never told I couldn't tow anything and didn't see it in the agreement. I am fully insured for any vehicle I tow thru my local insurance policy when traveling. Of course I drove carefully and there were no incidents this time.
I've never seen a hitch on a rental car/suv . . . Did you install your own hitch too?
if you are gonna keep it just go and get a dodge megacab w/ cummins instead of your grand marquis. get 2 wheel drive, it will tow whatever you want and you can drive it cross country with plenty of room for you guys inside while getting 20mpg with the diesel. you should be able to get one like this for under 30k brand new
I just flew to Fl. to get a boat I just bought. Rented a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder, 6000 GVW towing capacity, 6 cylinder, I towed my new 28.5 ft cc w/T-225 4-strokes to the Keys and back no problen from west coast. I have used Hertz to to the same thing via a one was tow. I was never told I couldn't tow anything and didn't see it in the agreement. I am fully insured for any vehicle I tow thru my local insurance policy when traveling. Of course I drove carefully and there were no incidents this time.
Ditto, that's bascally what I did and the vehicle was prerigged. The only issue is if you have a problem (accident) and are in violation of the rental agreement (which is a signed contract) the insurance company can refuse payment, no matter who you insure with since you were doing something that was specifically stated not to do in the binding agreement. I'm related to 3 lawyers (not proud of it) and after hearing how anything can be litigated, the accident while towing in breach of contract would be a lawyers goldmine, not matter who insured you. There's too much to lose.
If you do not do much running around when you get there ,go big block SUV gas with a tow package.. Buy your own on ebay or elsewhere. Around town limited travel will not cost much more, and you can be semi (no pun) top dog.
People are afraid of gas prices so 2 to 5 year old truucks and SUVs with big motors are in the tank. Retired people do not have to commute, and according to my dad (an authority on everything old... people and vehicles included) a vehicle can last 15 years with low mileage and upkeep.
You do not rack up the miles as you did with a family and job.
Highway mileage may be better than a small block towing when you are towing a big load (as you plan), and you will be happy with the power.
Go 4x4 only if you get snow 2 months or more a year or if you launch on slippery ramps.
Good tires , brakes, trailer brakes and a trans cooler for summer hauling are a must.
Go diesel if you will haul lots. Overcome your distaste,the clatter makes you believe you are truly driving. You will feel like a trucker on the road. You feel a bit superior. I have 12 vehicles, with one diesel. I know. Mileage loss 50% less than gas on tow.
For hauling , torque and capacity is (are) King.
Low axle ratio and big torque lets you win the drag race to Wallmart too. (Chevy and Ford cheap oil changes there also,)
Happy retirement and tight lines.
may have already been said (didnt read all the thread), but the big suv will surely be the best bet for towing and for travel (amazing how quick they fill up with stuff).
we bought a new 3/4 ton suburban for just the same task as you. gas power with the 4.?L engine. the 350 or whatever size. not the 454. it has everything, except the navigation package, including towing package. we tow about the same weight as you--with our rig loaded. we've got almost 50K in 2 years, and about 20 of that is towing. its been a perfect vehicle so far, with not problem one.
i think we paid around 48k? something like that. realistic economy is around 16/17 everyday, and maybe a little higher on the highway--just dont get much over 75mph or it'll suck it down. towing we try to get around 9. depending on speed/conditions we might get as low as 8, or as high as 10 over a long trip. we dont have 4wd, because it actually lowers towing rating, and certainly raises insurance. we've never ever needed it for any ramp we've used in 7 different states. we dont travel in snow.
the vehicle is big and comfortable and has plenty of room, and power to do what we do, which is not far from what you do. but, if i had my druthers, i'd have the same vehicle with a desel.
Seems to me that renting 6+ times per year would be a pain. Even assuming you can rent a vehicle where towing is permitted and that you can rent it one-way....what are you going to do for transportation once you get where your going? Basically, you will have to take one of your own vehicles anyway so you and your wife will have to travel separately (that wouldn't go over too well in my house). The pick-ups and drop offs will also be a hassle....you may have a long way to drive to drop off/pick-up (and you'll need a second vehicle to go with you). And, as you note, launching / retrieving may be an issue...though I suppose you might be able to do that with the rental vehicle. If it were me, I'd go with the SUV. But, before I did that, I would look into some of those boat transportation services. I have no idea what they cost (most defenitely more than renting but maybe less than buying a vehicle....and the convenience factor is worth something)...you might be able to get marina-to-marina service.
I think your idea of a truck truck is crazy... I have a ram 1500 with the hemi... The mpg is fine on the hwy around 19 and city is around 13 but you use regular gas and I got a brand new one for 24k.. SLT fully loaded. You will be surprised at the ride comfort. To rent one 6-10 times a year is a lot and you have to rely on yoru friends to put yoru boat in teh water once your there...
I just flew to Fl. to get a boat I just bought. Rented a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder, 6000 GVW towing capacity, 6 cylinder, I towed my new 28.5 ft cc w/T-225 4-strokes to the Keys and back no problen from west coast. I have used Hertz to to the same thing via a one was tow. I was never told I couldn't tow anything and didn't see it in the agreement. I am fully insured for any vehicle I tow thru my local insurance policy when traveling. Of course I drove carefully and there were no incidents this time.
I've never seen a hitch on a rental car/suv . . . Did you install your own hitch too?
The new style Nissan Pathfinders, 2005 - present, come standard with the hitch.
I would go with a previous suggestion....find a nice, used diesel Excursion. Tows beautifully, great mileage while towing or not and you'll not find a better vehicle to take on a trip. I towed my 24' Albemarle with my F250 (same as excursion) and there is NO WAY IN THE WORLD I would've towed that boat with anything smaller.
Anyone RENT Tow Vehicle to Relocate Boat?? 
