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View Full Version : What's The Furthest You've Towed or Would Tow



Clamcakes
01-15-2014, 02:39 PM
Lake Powell has some serious discounts on houseboats this summer and I'm seriously thinking about a trip there summer and pulling my boat there. Here's the dilemma, I'm in Dallas and the trip would be about 1000 miles.

Summer of 2011 I pulled the boat to Lake Ouachita in Arkansas which was about 320 miles with no problems or issues.
(actually hit a submerged 'rock bar' in the lake and did 7k in damage to the boat)

What's the furthest anybody has pulled their boat?

zabooda
01-15-2014, 02:45 PM
I would pull to Lake Powell with no thought and it is still on my bucket list. I go down there (Moab) with my dirt bike and it is like riding or boating through the Grand Canyon. It makes other places look lame. I've done a 500 mile round tripper before but I usually stay within 300 miles round trip. Just have that spare tire. You got a chance to go and I would recommend doing it.

chawk610
01-15-2014, 03:01 PM
Furthest I have pulled was Lake Livingston... not far but was hilly and an a$$ kicker on gas milage. I would pull as far as I needed to for the right situation!

Clamcakes
01-15-2014, 03:19 PM
I'm pulling with a 2011 4-runner. When I pulled to Ouachita I averaged about 17MPG on the hwy. So its going to be a hefty gas bill getting there. The alternative is renting a skiboat there at a cost of $600 a day. We're planning on a 6 day trip so 3600 additional!! F' That!!

KG's Supra24
01-15-2014, 03:22 PM
Pulled 600'ish miles when I purchased my boat. Did the same trip the next year when Dusty bought his.

Are boat rentals available at Powell? I know it's not the same as having your own boat there but cost might start approaching break even when towing that many miles.

KG's Supra24
01-15-2014, 03:24 PM
Posted at the same time ....

Whoa on the boat rental cost! Perhaps they would cut a deal for an extended rental?

17mpg pulling a boat is impressive.

Clamcakes
01-15-2014, 03:33 PM
And its not really a wakeboard boat. In the picture provided it looks just like a standard skiboat. 3600 extra to rent a boat aint gonna happen for me. At least with my own boat, I know how to drive it, I got my stereo all setup, ballast, etc

My boat has the Z5 rack so I pulled the entire rack off when I towed and I think that helped a lot with my MPG.

My concerns with pulling that far are the obvious, flat tires, hubs.

http://www.lakepowell.com/powerboats-jetskis.aspx

irish-racing
01-15-2014, 03:36 PM
I would love to go to Lake Powell and take my boat BUT it is 1,300 miles one way for me.... So yeah no. This summer we are going to Dale Hollow which is about 315 miles. That I can tolerate. For $600 a day I'd say screw it and pull my boat there.

kevkev
01-15-2014, 03:57 PM
We go to lake powell almost every year. I have not pulled my boat there yet, but I will be this year. I will be heading to wahweap marina and launching and then cruising up the lake 92 miles to bullfrog marina to meet up with the family. It's going to be a lot of travel time but I am always up for an adventure. :)

New Guy
01-15-2014, 04:19 PM
We did 600+ two years ago when we went to the ozarks for brostock. We didn't even have the slightest hickup other that 10mpg in the truck.

SandM pulled his Tige from Idaho to Wisconsin and I believe that was a 1500 mile trip. Scott time to chime in!

drb59
01-15-2014, 04:29 PM
I pulled my boat 850 miles from Calgary to interior of B.C. and back each year. This was a trip through the Rocky Mountains and the temperatures were around 90 F. Just don't be in a rush and make sure you have good tires on your trailer.

mmandley
01-15-2014, 04:32 PM
Just pulled the Mojo from OR to Phoenix. Apx 1300 one way.
Then Phoenix to Powell, Powel back to Phoenix, and then Phoenix back to OR.

In the F350 averaged around 12mpg. I think the fuel bill was some here around 800 each way.

Only thing i would caution you about Powell is it can get real windy. We had the Mojo double anchored and it bent 1 anchor as it pulled it out. I was lucky to see our boat floating past the house boat. I had to make a swim for it. Man thats the farthest I have ever swam in 1 shot. Luckly the second anhor was dragging slowing it down.

Another thing I would be carefull in the LSV with its lower nose, you have a lot of Cruise <Tour> boats throwing 4ft high rollers that will give you a hard time. I was extreamly thankfull I had the Mojo and not the LSV on the lake when we when in Sept.

wolff supra21v
01-15-2014, 04:53 PM
I took my boat out to lake Powell in 2009 we did a 3300 mile two week round trip. We took my supra 21v, 2 Honda jet ski, and 4 Honda quads. Of course we put all this on one trailer. So we had one tow vehicle and everyone else flew out and met us there.
It broke down as the following.
3 day's traveling
1 day at the Grand Canyon
6 days on lake Powell with house boats
4 days riding quads

It was a trip we went from
Brighton, Illinois to
Flagstaff Arizona to
Grand Canyon to
Page Arizona to
Phoenix Arizona back to
Brighton IL

I would do this again in a heartbeat. And my wife is even talking in two years when the kids are a little bigger doing it again. This has been the best vacation I ever been on. But I was sure beat when we got back home. (I think I needed a vacation after my vacation).
We spent two day on the San Jan River arm and that was some of the best wakeboarding and surfing we did all trip. We start at Page and went north and the furthest north we went was San Juan River arm. Next time we want to start at the north end and go south.


This year we are planning on going to Lake Lanier Ga. This trip I plan on using the regular boat trailer.
We make a 600 mile round trip about every summer. I got a 2007 boat and trailer and have had 1 set of bearing go bad and it happen 1 mile from the house. I also change he oil in my hubs every year.

if you are on facebook here is my album from the trip
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.wolff.75/media_set?set=a.1160913468747.2025936.1405129174&type=3

mikenehrkorn
01-15-2014, 05:14 PM
Now that's one impressive trailer!!

irish-racing
01-15-2014, 05:38 PM
wolf that is one hell of a set up. That looks like a blast. I would do that in a heartbeat.

Buckeye LSV
01-15-2014, 05:40 PM
LOVE THAT TRAILER!!
Up until we got our place @ Cumberland we would make the 600 mile round trip about every other weekend Memorial Day to Labor Day. Never left the boat in KY because we would use it on the other weekends and some weekday evenings at home.

KG's Supra24
01-15-2014, 05:42 PM
I remember seeing that trailer pic a couple years ago. Awesome! And it's being pulled by a dmax :D

wolff supra21v
01-15-2014, 05:46 PM
That all stock Dmax Avarage 11 mpg running 75 to 80 mph on that trip.
Cannot complain one bit.
The bad part was we had a about $4000.00 fuel bill for the two weeks of playing.

moombadaze
01-15-2014, 06:56 PM
Dang, love that trailer and the abilility to bring it all


we tow one way 400-500 each sumer last 10 summers or so

Buckeye LSV
01-15-2014, 07:00 PM
$4k ouch!!! But well spent!!
Getting to see the countryside and new places with that fully loaded arsenal on a trailer with family/friends would be priceless in my book.

Sharpshooter
01-15-2014, 07:44 PM
I would love to go to Lake Powell and take my boat BUT it is 1,300 miles one way for me.... So yeah no. This summer we are going to Dale Hollow which is about 315 miles. That I can tolerate. For $600 a day I'd say screw it and pull my boat there.

We been going to Dale Hollow the past 5 years, we will be up there Labor Day weekend on a houseboat out of sunset marina.


2013 Moomba LSV

996scott
01-15-2014, 08:23 PM
The furthest we ever towed was about 800 miles each way, Bay Area-Lake Powell. Now living in Salt Lake we get down to Lake Powell 2-3 times a year. Really is a great place especially with a houseboat. I would do it if I were you and I would bring my boat, not rent one. The ones they have for rentals are pretty beat up.

BensonWdby
01-16-2014, 12:56 AM
A couple years ago we were in Ambergris Cay in Belize at Tranquility Bay. Carlos - the manager - originally moved donw there to run a waterski school, but it did not pan out. He towed his Nautique from somewhere in Canada all the way to Belize. Thats got to be 3000 miles easy.

moombahighrider
01-16-2014, 01:03 AM
I go to Powell 3-4 times every summer. I would pull your boat, no question. The rental boats are Baja pos's and are not nice at all. Coming from my LSV, I would be sooooo disappointed with those boats, especially at that price. As mike mentioned, it can get windy, but it's all about your situation. We mostly camp at halls crossing (on land) every night so the wind is less of an issue. When we houseboat it, we always tie one end off to the back of the houseboat, to ensure we don't loose the boat overnight. That always depends on your nightly beach situation, but I don't enjoy the swim that mike did. I have dealt with that enough myself. The time spent there is always amazing and well worth it. Take it on. Have fun!

viking
01-16-2014, 10:08 AM
pulled the outback out to Brainerd, MN approx $800mi one way 2 summers ago on the single axle. No issues at all. Spent 2 weeks in a rented house on pelican lake. I wouldn't hesitate to pull it twice as far as long as the stay warrants it. I wouldn't do it for 2 days of boating. But for a week or 2 - any day!

Wax
01-16-2014, 10:18 AM
pulled the outback out to Brainerd, MN approx $800mi one way 2 summers ago on the single axle. No issues at all. Spent 2 weeks in a rented house on pelican lake. I wouldn't hesitate to pull it twice as far as long as the stay warrants it. I wouldn't do it for 2 days of boating. But for a week or 2 - any day!

Bought my boat and met the guy in Indiana, was bout 650 miles round trip. Single axle and no issues at all; thankfully my axle waited to break months later while it was just sitting there doing nothing at my house.

tarheelskier
01-16-2014, 10:54 AM
That trailer is awesome, I bet you get some looks at the boat ramp! :)

Clamcakes
01-16-2014, 10:57 AM
I think I'm going to go ahead and reserve the trip for early summer. When we went to Ouachita I used a 4 man tube rope to pull the LSV behind the houseboat. What have you guys used that have towed their boat behind the houseboat?

wolff supra21v
01-16-2014, 11:57 AM
When we went I had three tube ropes (at least I thought good and heavy ones) we rented two house boats and pulled the ski boat behind one and the two jet ski behind the other. I bought a new tube rope and had two old ones the new one was suppose to be for the boat but somehow one of the old ones got tied to the boat. It was about a 5 year old rope. It broke along the way. It got wrapped around the Supra's prop and it was a pain in the ass get it of the prop and we were only pulling it about 15 mph. I always have a good knife and we had to cut it off the prop could not get it to unwrap. I would say a newer rope is always better than one a couple years old.

Clamcakes
01-16-2014, 03:34 PM
I think i'll scoop up an additional 4 man tube rope for backup ....just in case.

irish-racing
01-16-2014, 05:51 PM
We been going to Dale Hollow the past 5 years, we will be up there Labor Day weekend on a houseboat out of sunset marina.


2013 Moomba LSV

We are doing a short weekend trip May 2-4 and getting a houseboat out of East Port called The Black Pearl
http://www.eastport.info/houseboat/starship1/

Should be a good time. Then later this summer we are going again. My buddy has a house boat there so we should be there probably a week.

Clamcakes
01-16-2014, 06:50 PM
For the people who have rented a houseboat for an extended period 5-7 days. Did you have any issue with running low on gas on the houseboat? We're looking at a 7 day trip with a 46ft (just 4 of us). Now I realize that your 'burn rate' will depend on several variables. Such as using the houseboat to travel around, running the generator etc.

Our plan is to move the houseboat a few times and camp out at a few different places. Possibly spend 2 nights per campsite. Try our best and conserve the gas for the generator and run during the day.

Main question I have is did you have to go back and refuel the houseboat mid trip? Another thing I noticed on the boat it only has a 8 cubic ft fridge. So I see having to goto the marina every couple days with the skiboat to scoop up ice for the ice chests.

mmandley
01-16-2014, 07:11 PM
For the people who have rented a houseboat for an extended period 5-7 days. Did you have any issue with running low on gas on the houseboat? We're looking at a 7 day trip with a 46ft (just 4 of us). Now I realize that your 'burn rate' will depend on several variables. Such as using the houseboat to travel around, running the generator etc.

Our plan is to move the houseboat a few times and camp out at a few different places. Possibly spend 2 nights per campsite. Try our best and conserve the gas for the generator and run during the day.

Main question I have is did you have to go back and refuel the houseboat mid trip? Another thing I noticed on the boat it only has a 8 cubic ft fridge. So I see having to goto the marina every couple days with the skiboat to scoop up ice for the ice chests.

That sounds about the size of ours. We had it 5 days 4 nights.

I was extremely surprised at how little fuel the generator used. It was very fuel efficient. We ran it mostly in the evening, Id say axp 4-6 hours a day and used about 10 gallons total. If i knew it was running that efficiently I would have ran it more.

2 things they told us, 1 you need to run the gen 4-5 hours per day. 2 you have to leave the Docking lights on all night. The all night docking lights seem to use more power then anything LOL.

We didn't put a lot of time on the main engine, we had twin 90hp outboards. They also were pretty decent on fuel. I think we spent about 50 bucks on fuel.

The marina will tell you to stop at every fuel station on your route.

As for the fridge, ours was pretty close to a full size unit and ran on propane. We had 2 fairly large propane tanks on the houseboat.

The only issue we actually had was the Grey water tank filled up and backed up into the shower. I was furious as this was only on the 3rd day and showers were very short.

Black water tank was no issue.

I think the last time the houseboat was rented the grey water tank wasn't drained. They said the Sinks, shower, goto the grey water and if need be can be dumped into the lake but i didn't want to do that in fear of contaminating the water around the house boat. We did have an outside shower and that got used the last night and day on the lake.

I personally did not like driving the houseboat at all. It was pretty windy and those dam things don't turn to well. I got it off the dock, to our camp location. Drove it back to the fuel station on the last day. Then I had them drive it back into the dock with all the other house boats. I'll stick to my Mojo LOL

Sharpshooter
01-16-2014, 09:39 PM
We have been going to Dale Hollow lake for 5 years now,you can plan on the generator burning about 1 gallon an hour


2013 Moomba LSV

Cigars n scotch
01-16-2014, 10:27 PM
Lived in NJ, drove out to Utah to buy my 21V and hauled it back. It was about 2,200 miles for that one way tow. Just moved to SC last July and towed it about 600 miles.

wolff supra21v
01-17-2014, 09:28 AM
We had two 4 stroke motors on our house boat they just switch the year or two before and all the fuel data was based of the two strokes and we ran the generator 3 or 4 hours a night. they told us not to pass up a gas station but we when we filled up in the middle of the lake we did not need to stop for the house boat that is.

The other thing to check is if your house boat does not have a tank for toy fuel or do you have to carry 5 gallon gas cans and each house boat had a limit of 5 gas cans per boat when we went. we had two house boats 50 gallons does not go far if you use your wake boat and two jet skis if used a lot. (it was a good thing we had 16 family and friends on the crew that understood the harder you play the more money you spend and was not scared to throw in their share plus some more.)

we had two boat so we put 5 cans on each house boat and I put an extra 8 cans in my wake boat. we cruised a 1/2 mile away from the marina and than loaded them on the house boat.

jon

yearround
01-20-2014, 02:20 PM
I did not look to see where you were headed, Bullfrog or Wahweep, but, as I think Scott said, do not rent the bullforg rental boats. they are commonly referred to as bullforg beaters. we rented one in January one time when we went for a fun day trip, it used about 12 gal/hr and would not pull me up to ski with only 2 ppl in the boat. was not even worth the wakeboard ride.

i would definately tow my boat. i have towed from denver to lake powell, to bear lake ut, etc, in a long trip for about 2000 miles. no issues, took the Z5 off for the long haul, left it on for less than 100 miles.

Mike hit the HB fuel use pretty well. my experience is that the houseboat main engines do fine and probably do not need to refuel for the week trip. We typically put 15+ hours on the HB traveling spot to spot. usually carry 200+ gallons on board for the toys. grey water/black water is different, stop at any on water dump station and dump. we don't use the shower on the HB cuz i don't want to clean any more than i have to. you are on vacation on the water. why shower?


also towed the LSV behind the HB. depending on the HB, finding the sweet spot to pull the boat, we used several lengths of rope so the towed boat rode best. sometimes it was a short 50' tube rope, even used 2 tube ropes putting the boat out to 100+ feet.

yes, wind happens, be prepared every time you tie up, or leave the HB for a day trip. it might not blow where you are while you are out, but your HB camp may get blown out.

glad to offer any other thoughts on the lake if you like
todd

Clamcakes
01-27-2014, 09:21 PM
Been watching Lake Powell vids out on youtube. Can't wait to get out there. Looked at current fuel prices at the marinas. Anywhere between 4.86 to 5.35 gallon for 87 octane!!!!

mmandley
01-28-2014, 01:14 PM
Been watching Lake Powell vids out on youtube. Can't wait to get out there. Looked at current fuel prices at the marinas. Anywhere between 4.86 to 5.35 gallon for 87 octane!!!!

You Texans live in the land of Cheap Gas.

Even at the normal Gas Station in town you Texans pay a lot less. Our cheapest Fuel in our area seems to be about 3.20. Its routine to see 5 a gallon at Marinas here. I was actually pleasantly surprised to see 4.50 a gallon at Powell in Sept.

navajake
01-28-2014, 01:40 PM
900 miles in one day - Annacortes, Washington to Menlo Park, CA in 17 hours, single driver. Virtually no stops - just for fuel and to-go fast food.

Boonejeepin
01-28-2014, 02:14 PM
1040 miles with the Moomba.

3000 miles with the old Sea Ray.

Clamcakes
01-29-2014, 04:16 PM
Regular gas is 3.08 here in D/FW area. Gas on the surrounding lakes here usually run about .50 to .60 more a gallon at the marinas. So seeing a $2 markup at Lake Powell marinas was shocking!!

Ian Brantford
01-29-2014, 04:44 PM
You guys are spoiled with your cheap fuel! It's been the equivalent of around $5/gallon or more here in Canada for years. It's probably closer to $6+ at marinas.

I have a solution to stop worrying about the price of fuel at my local marina. I pre-pay into a cash account, $500 at a time. Then I never see the bill at the time of filling up. Neither do my friends. It's better this way.

So, yes, I've taken the Blue Pill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE7PKRjrid4

zabooda
01-29-2014, 04:45 PM
Considering where lake Powell is located, I surprised you see any gas at all.

mmandley
01-29-2014, 06:48 PM
The gas in the general area of Powell is pricy too. I want to say the local station with Diesel was over 4 a gallon.

Thing about Powell is that its 2 hours from any real civilization LOL.

moombahighrider
02-16-2014, 09:29 AM
The gas in the general area of Powell is pricy too. I want to say the local station with Diesel was over 4 a gallon.

Thing about Powell is that its 2 hours from any real civilization LOL.

This is the case in this whole area. I live four hours drive from bullfrog/ halls crossing end of Powell and diesel is over $4/ gallon from my local station all the way there. It sucks to say it but you just have to get used to it.

motosno963
02-16-2014, 12:56 PM
780 miles one way..from my home in KY to my now home in NY. I also had a dirtbike and a 4 wheeler in the bed. lets just also say that wrapping didnt last long on the thruway..

Clamcakes
01-14-2015, 06:46 PM
I haven't been on the forum in a while and forgot about this post. Our trip the past summer to Lake Powell was frustrating/ridiculous/nightmarish and spectacular in no particular order. But back to my post on how far have you towed. Let's just say, towing from Dallas to Page Arizona was an absolute beating with my 2011 Toyota 4-Runner. Once we got to Amarillo we had a headwind the entire way to Page. I averaged about 13MPG and spent close to $650 round trip in gas. Another $400 for the Moomba and $350 for the houseboat (refunded to us because of the generator issues we had on board).

aapwayneo2001
01-14-2015, 10:07 PM
Just did 1200 miles one way from OK to NC

That Guy
01-14-2015, 11:14 PM
We go 320 miles each way every summer to Lake Cumberland. No issues.

rdlangston13
01-15-2015, 08:58 AM
I haven't been on the forum in a while and forgot about this post. Our trip the past summer to Lake Powell was frustrating/ridiculous/nightmarish and spectacular in no particular order. But back to my post on how far have you towed. Let's just say, towing from Dallas to Page Arizona was an absolute beating with my 2011 Toyota 4-Runner. Once we got to Amarillo we had a headwind the entire way to Page. I averaged about 13MPG and spent close to $650 round trip in gas. Another $400 for the Moomba and $350 for the houseboat (refunded to us because of the generator issues we had on board).

13 MPG towing is REALLY good! especially with a head wind!

New Guy
01-15-2015, 11:36 AM
I would have killed for 13mpg. We pulled 1200 miles roundtrip down to the Ozarks for Brostock one year in my Tahoe averaging 8 MPG when gas was around $4.00 a gallon.

Clamcakes
01-15-2015, 03:38 PM
Paid $5.15/gallon at Danglng Rope marina when we went to Rainbow Bridge. That was a painful fill-up

Sinjun
01-15-2015, 07:05 PM
I used to tow my off shore boat down to destin fl. For fishing in the gulf. That was around 700 miles round trip.17mpg while towing is great, my truck doesn't get that on its own, and when I towed the off shore boat I got like 8 mpg.

Badfoot
01-15-2015, 08:17 PM
I once towed my previous boat to Greers Ferry Lake, AR from VA 2,100 miles round trip. I know, pretty stupid. Almost ashamed to admit it.

wolff supra21v
01-16-2015, 09:47 AM
I like the skinny pedal on the right so when I two with my gas truck I am happy to see above 9 or 10 mpg and with my diesel 14 mpg. but I catch myself running 70 plus pulling the boat all the time.