I just returned to Fargo, ND with a new boat which I picked up in Inglewood
at the factory. Towed it back with a '95 Lumina APV w/3.8 multiport FI.
Could have maintained 50MPH+ on the steepest grades had I pushed it. Route
was I40 to Albuquerque, I25 to I94, just south of Sheridan Wyoming. If you
look on a topo map you'll see that grades out of LA basin, into Flagstaff,
between NM and CO are quite steep. I encountered quite a bit of wind and
ice from Northern NM through Wy. We were comfortable and never feared being
blown off the road. The lumina is by no means a big heavy hauler but was
more than adequate for the job. I believe most any vehicle with a 6
cylinder would do fine towing a WWP-19. Shorter wheelbases may have more
wind problems than longer ones. Just slow down as conditions deteriorate.
Brakes in good condition are a must, but the P19 only weighed half of what
the Lumina is rated for so although I noticed that it took more effort to
stop, I was not riding the edge of braking ability.
Doug
-----Original Message-----
From: Ted Duke [mailto:tedduke@usa.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 1999 5:10 PM
To: West Wight Potter List
Subject: Re: Pulling a P19
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Bill,
Bet my comments will get a real argument going!
First, I have nothing against little cars, used to drive VW's, VW
busses, a Toyota, a Subabu etc.
But for towing I prefer something, and for longer distances I prefer
something more comfortable, which I find for ME is a larger truck. I
did a lot of looking around and decided on a Ford F150. Looked at a 6
cylinder, but decided the small V8 was the ticket. I like towing my P19
with it because you don't know it's back there until you start up a
mountain and it will maintain 55 or better on anything I have traversed,
(steep hills and small mountains, Interstate grades) in Virginia and up
to NY on I-81.
If you are towing locally I think a smaller vehicle would do nicely.
For longer distances I would recommend a large pickup.......
...............I am sure there will be disagreement:
as some are content to tow with a Rennault CV. Ever drive one? Now
there was a vehicle. <BG>
Best wishes and good towing!
Ted Duke
WWPs19 #626
Mountains of Virginia
Bill Blohm wrote:
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> I got kicked off the list when our machines went into move mode
> over the Christmas breaks and only just now got caught up enough
> to dare re-join the Potter mailing lists.
>
> I'm looking at obtaining an older Toyota Land Cruiser, the two-door
> J40(?) type with the straight 6 engine. I'm wondering what others
> on this list might consider the minimum sized vehicle for towing a
> P-19, including over high mountains. I'm not worried about going
> 65 mph over the Rockies, I'll happily drop down to 45 mph if need
> be, but I don't want to drop below that if I can, and I don't want
> the engine struggling at maximum output to maintain that speed.
>
> >From what I've read here and there, mostly looking at towing
> capacities, a 6 cylinder is the minimum I want. I'm also wondering
> about wind hitting the boat and the vehicle being heavy enough to
> contain the side pressure on the boat and not be blown out of
> control.
>
> Any comments welcome. (I know I'll get them anyway, might as well
> invite them! :-)
>
> Bill B.
> P-19 #454, "Dream Catcher"
> Nampa, ID