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Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
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Author:  DougT01 [ Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
I couldn't find any threads answering this question.
I'll be towing my 17' Freedom 1100 miles to Florida this month.
Should I tow with tank full (24 gal) or try to run out the gas?

My thought is to keep the tank full so it doesn't take up moisture and fuel tank is relatively safe in an accident.
Also, maybe a half or quarter tank would slash around more.

Any opinions?

Thanks,
Doug
Author:  TFD2001 [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 6:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
No longer than you'll be that way, moisture generation is of little to no concern in my opinion. Less fuel, means less weight to haul, which means an easier ride for the trailer/tow vehicle. My opinion, is to haul it as empty as you can get it, if half full is as empty as you can get it, without wasting gas, then haul it half full. When I haul, I try to time my fuel, for my trip, so I'm about as empty as I can get it, without impacting my fun before or after the trip..
Author:  alex8q4 [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 6:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
I agree, keep your boat as light as possible.

That also means it is recommended you don't travel with extra weight in the boat such as bags and coolers.
Author:  rpengr [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 6:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
In general, lighter is better. But in the case of a 17ft Freedom with 24gal tank (145 lbs full) it really doesn't matter. Don't worry about the sloshing of a partially full tank. The tanks have baffles in them that keeps the sloshing from being a problem.

If you do carry any bags or coolers in the boat, try to distribute their weight so that their C.G. is slightly in front of your axel.
Author:  DougT01 [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 7:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
Thanks much guys.
I am planning an outing this week, so I won't top off the tank afterwards.
I do pack a few things in the boat and I'll place them up front, forward of the axle.


Best regards,
Doug
Author:  alex8q4 [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 7:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
rpengr wrote:
In general, lighter is better. But in the case of a 17ft Freedom with 24gal tank (145 lbs full) it really doesn't matter. Don't worry about the sloshing of a partially full tank. The tanks have baffles in them that keeps the sloshing from being a problem.

If you do carry any bags or coolers in the boat, try to distribute their weight so that their C.G. is slightly in front of your axel.



Smaller boat, smaller fuel tank, smaller axles, smaller bearings. Just saying, 1100 miles is a long ride.
Author:  DougT01 [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 8:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
Yep, it's a long haul but I pulled it home without any issues at all last Spring.
I've have new tires, spindles, bearings, springs and rollers on the trailer.

I was always leary of 13" wheels until I pulled my little Jayco 16' travel trailer 9,000 miles out West and back. Not a problem if everything is in good repair.

I run 60 mph all the way. Retired, so I don't get in a hurry :-)

Doug
Author:  Paul I. [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 10:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
rpengr wrote:
In general, lighter is better. But in the case of a 17ft Freedom with 24gal tank (145 lbs full) it really doesn't matter. Don't worry about the sloshing of a partially full tank. The tanks have baffles in them that keeps the sloshing from being a problem.

If you do carry any bags or coolers in the boat, try to distribute their weight so that their C.G. is slightly in front of your axel.



Yep!
Author:  alex8q4 [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
DougT01 wrote:
Yep, it's a long haul but I pulled it home without any issues at all last Spring.
I've have new tires, spindles, bearings, springs and rollers on the trailer.

I was always leary of 13" wheels until I pulled my little Jayco 16' travel trailer 9,000 miles out West and back. Not a problem if everything is in good repair.

I run 60 mph all the way. Retired, so I don't get in a hurry :-)

Doug



9,000 miles... That's a long haul for sure! Most private trailers won't see that in a life time.
Author:  tennja [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
I typically tow empty so there is less weight to tow and better fuel economy. Especially it is a long distance. Locally I tend to tow full or nearly full as I like to get gas ahead of time so as not to waste time getting on the water. Unfortunately I like the way the boat tows when it is full or nearly full. It tracks better.



DougT01 wrote:
Thanks much guys.
I am planning an outing this week,


Where/when are you going? My wife and I are planning on hitting the Ohio river on Thursday.
Author:  DougT01 [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 7:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
We're looking ast Thursday as well.
I sent you a PM with contact info.

Doug
Author:  TX H210SS [ Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I Tow 1100 miles With Tank Low or Full?
Weight and sloshing is no problem....24 gallons is one medium size woman. A 50 gallon woman creates issues with both weight and sloshing though.
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