I am interested in getting a trailer sailer early next year, but am thinking of getting a new (secondhand) car....
Any thoughts on what can pull what?
I know its an open question as to what kind of boat... but am thinking 16 to 20 foot tops..... so general question and general answers most appreciated, thank you.
falcon or holden could tow a 20ft trailer sailer.There is a goodwebsite trailersailer.com.au or tscom.org that are worth searching on.
K Dog, i can trailer my 20ft red witch with a clapped out old volvo with now a worry in the world, and the witch has a massive heavy fixed keel, like sleek said any holden commodore of ford falcon would tow a trailer sailer trailer no worries.
By the way my Red Witch is for sale if your keen. see the for sale section, its real cheap and i have just spent a fair bit of money on it too.
Thanks heaps gentlemen for your answers.
Nate83 - I'm over in VIC, but haven't ruled out a Red Witch, heard very good things about them.
Hiya Dog,
I have owned both a Careel 18 and a Careel 22 over many years and miles and have never had a problem towing... but then my tow vehicle is a big 4WD so I wouldn't expect any... 
Cisco is right. You need to think about the weight of the boat PLUS trailer. Main thing is do not exceed the manufacturers towing specs. Don't even come close because once you throw on outboard, fuel, water, assorted crud, etc, etc, you'll find you've added a few hundred kilos. The trailer will need brakes.
That said, I know a lot of Careel owners and they use a variety of cars from the 4WDs (like me) through the Falcodores down to one old guy who has towed his Careel 18 behind his Mitsubishi Sigma for decades without a problem (he just doesn't go fast).
ANything turbo diesel if you want to tow. Really depends on how much mulah you want to spend but Im sure you can pick up an old Nissan Patrol for under 10k that would do the job. My 3.0 diesel hilux has no probs towing at all. Honestly you cant go past the bottom end torque of a Diesel!!!
If you want a light boat (so that you can get away with a smaller car) then maybe consider the i550? Its a relatively new design so you won't find one second hand but the build process doesn't look to difficult and you would end up with a really fun and modern boat at the end of the process.
www.i550.org
i towed my schooner behind a cmmodore wagon and it was a doddle, better fuel economy cos i slowed to 100.
now have a 100series Landcruiser and you forget there is a 31" boat behind you.
freind has a 3l nissan patrol to tow his caravan .POS. IMHO.
I once attached a snatch strap under my boat trailer to his rig to help him up a gravelly hill. I didnt even use low range or diff lock or power button
ah yes , that would be my 372" boat. oops.
weighs in at 380kg without ballast, trailer is 660kg, camping gear for seven say 400kg
Our Subaru Outback has always proven useful - depending on the model (2.5L or 3L), they have a tow capacity of up to 1800kg. Plus, the all wheel drive works a treat when trying to control a trailer at high speeds or just for extra grip on a slippery boat ramp!
And... you're not stuck with a big diesel truck to drive around town in..they're also bloody comfortable!
..my two cents..
I tow a Sonata 6 with my 1993 NC Ford Fairlane tow car no problems.
My Fairlane has the high power 6cyl motor and no self adjusting suspension though.
The Fairlanes, especially the 90's ones have a Limited Slip Differential standard, which I found better than traction control fitted to newer non-LSD sedans (like my BA XR6). I have never had traction problem, even at low tides.
Any of the Fairlanes should be ok, and I find them much better than the SWB Falcons or Commodores.
You can get V8's pretty cheap, but make sure the self leveling suspension is working properly, and a decent trans cooler and heavy duty tow bar etc are fitted (standard Fairlane bars are 1200kg).
Prices, anywhere from about $2000 to about $15000 to a BA/F Fairlane - when they were discontinued.
Anything much bigger that 21ft, while can be towed by a sedan, would probably be better following a 4WD.
