1998 Chevy Blazer Pulling a 262 CaptivaSS

[oldjeep]

Re: 1998 Chevy Blazer Pulling a 262 CaptivaSS

People are forgetting he is driving TWO MILES. Wagging the dog and stopping distances aren't much of an issue when you are doing 10 MPH tops, with the 4 way flashers on...

Common sense... He isn't driving 75 mph down interstate with this. Treat it like a slow moving agricultural vehicle, take your time, and be cautious. Sometimes people get scared of their own shadow.

(disclaimer, grew up on a farm, towed everything imaginable with pretty much every imaginable vehicle. Zero incidents. Tons of experience towing. Its 90% operator, 10% tow vehicle.)

True enough, and once or twice it would likely be fine taking it easy. Every weekend with other people around, probabally not a great idea. (also agree on the operator issue - drove commercially for a while hauling helicopters and tankers for a crop duster, and tons of my personal stuff)

 

[boxer156]

Re: 1998 Chevy Blazer Pulling a 262 CaptivaSS

Well you guys scared the sh!t out of me, so we just decided to trade the car in for a Expedition......when we thought about everything, we just decided to eat the costs of decreased gas mileage for the reliability (and safety) of a tow vehicle that can handle the boat.

With that being said, I will start a pay-pal account for my gas bill for all of you insistent that my blazer could not haul the boat, LOL!!

Thanks for all your replies!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1998 Chevy Blazer Pulling a 262 CaptivaSS

Gas mileage probably won't be too different. the 4.3L engine is not that efficient. The 5.3L in my Silverado gets better gas mileage than the Blazer with the 4.3L.

 

[cimy3]

Re: 1998 Chevy Blazer Pulling a 262 CaptivaSS

The question that hasn't been asked is.....is it legal? What will be the cost of the fines if pulled over?

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 1998 Chevy Blazer Pulling a 262 CaptivaSS

Well you guys scared the sh!t out of me, so we just decided to trade the car in for a Expedition......when we thought about everything, we just decided to eat the costs of decreased gas mileage for the reliability (and safety) of a tow vehicle that can handle the boat.

With that being said, I will start a pay-pal account for my gas bill for all of you insistent that my blazer could not haul the boat, LOL!!

Thanks for all your replies!

Sorry Boxer but you happened to ask the most debated question in this section, I think you made the right choice, moving up to an expedition is a much better option for a 26' boat, yes it will cost more in gas but lets be honest, your gas bill on the boat will make you cry harder then the expedition's will! On another note if you purchased a used expedition I would start looking for airbags to help the expedition out your boat is still gonna make it squat a bit...

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1998 Chevy Blazer Pulling a 262 CaptivaSS

I would sooooooo rather you be scared sitting at your computer than in the middle of a craptastrophie.... You made a good decision..... The expedition has a tow capacity from 8100 lbs to 9200 lbs depending on the year..... You will still have a heavy load and you need to be careful but you have a vehicle suited for it.... A couple things.... make certain that the parking brake on the truck works top notch..... that boat has a lot of weight to hang on the park pawl in the tranny.... Also even for the short distance I would highly suggest getting that the trailer brakes need to work properly..... Most importantly..... drive easy for gas mileage.... you are gonna need all you can get to feed that boat LOL congrats and ENJOY

 

[boxer156]

Re: 1998 Chevy Blazer Pulling a 262 CaptivaSS

Thanks guys.....I am a safety-freak, so I take every precaution I can!!! I will probably have my wife sit in the drivers seat to hold the brake (in addition to the park break) while I trailer the boat back on.