Those who tow their 42
 

Looking hard at 42' lightning, I will not be leaving it in the water, for those who tow, how bad is in dragging in driveways, gas stations etc?.."..

There have been threads on this same subject before. The biggest problem is you need to have your route pretty well planned. My trailer from the ball to the end of the drives is 48'. Now add in the tow vehicle. Right hand turns need to be big sweeping ones or forget about it. Gas stations are obviously tough to get in and out of. Even the ramp areas can be tough. Maybe not to launch the boat, but to park the truck and trailer. Last, don't forget it is also a bit tougher on the nerves towing a rig that size. Makes for a long day. That being said I wouldn't change a thing.

It's actually very hard.....if ur a woman. Lol

.....

I personally wouldn't own a 42 unless you have a lift/slip to park at the end of the day... it's a PITA to tow , It would ruin boating for me ... my .02

We towed this new one from LOTO to Kentucky. Had to stop for fuel once - truck stops are your friend. We've only had it out once since, but it hasn't been bad so far towing to / from shop and home for tinkering.

Planning your trip in advance is advisable - fuel stops are most important, in my opinion. As soon as you think you can make it another 50 miles, you'll end up having to stop at the only fuel stop in town that you won't fit in.

So far gas stations my main concern. Have not dragged trailer at good boat ramps and I don't use any other kind. ONCE I had to unhook to refuel the truck. It wasn't THAT bad...

It all depends on where you live. I've towed 45' -ish overall boats all over.
Above comments are correct in that the truck stops are your friend, particularly the RV lanes which have gas pumps.
Pilot/Flying J, and the like are top notch.

The bigger multi-purpose gas stations like Wawa and Sheetz actually suck, even though their footprint is large. They are not designed for trailers usually. They are designed to get motorists in to fuel, park, buy stuff inside, and get the hell out. I have better luck often at smaller stations that have pumps that parallel the road. If you can tuck up close to the pump, you can usually grab the hose from the opposite side of the pump, and run both of them at the same time.

Trailer dragging is more dependent on trailer design. Aluminum bolt together trailers usually sit a bit higher; BUT their cross members and adjustable bunk supports/mounts hang down low. Sometimes you can lop these off to create clearance. The aluminum and steel welded trailers that have more of a "cradle" system of bunks, usually sit lower overall, but do not have the components that hang down low.
Regardless, you want to be on 16" wheels with 235/85/16 (typical LT size used for bigger boat trailers) to keep the height up, and have lots of trailer tire sidewall for when you do have to rub or hop curbs (slowly.)

The worst ramp I have ever used is the Miami Outboard Club, between Southbeach and Downtown, off the causeway. It has a HORRIBLE acute angle at the top of the ramp; so much so that you have to back just about any tandem or bigger trailer over the crest at a 45* angle, and then straighten the trailer as you get closer to the water. Keep this trick in mind when needed; same as when you are taking low slung cars over speedbumps or garage aprons.

I tow mine with a f-350 and it rides nice. A 100' driveway helps, but I still run over the grass in the backing turn into the drive (blind side).

My GVWR combo is over 26,000 lbs. You will need a class A CDL if the trailer GVWR is over 10,000 lbs., which it is/ or over 26k combo. Not too hard to get. You will also need to stay on truck routes (state roads) hauling because of the length of the combo. The intersections are designed for big rig turns. Take it down a road not designed for that rig and you will get stuck at an intersection because you don't have the clearance, and face a possible state/federally mandated arrest if you do not have a CDL.

It helps to put a wireless camera on the back to see what's going on behind you. If you have hauled a smaller boat you are already ahead and know the routine. It's just a little longer and you need to make wider turns to clear the wheels and side of the boat.

Unless it's a truck stop, and they have 91 or higher octane, don't even think about trying to fuel up on land. Boat on trailer, sans drive guard, with crew cab chassis is over 65'.

One more thing to think about if you are putting it into a building is that you will need a 9' tall door to clear the windshield with the boat on the trailer.

I don't even know she is back there
Towing and getting into gas stations in no problem (yes even the Wawa's and Sheetz) , nor is towing around town
The longer the trailer the easier it is to back up, the nicer it tows as well
I sell trailers for my business, so towing large is nothing for me
All depends on how good of driver you are
and as far as the previous post you DO NOT need a Class A CDL to drive them, you are not a commercial driver

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^^^ That gooseneck MYCO is really the way to go, nice set-up!

A lot of this is subjective. You live in a completely different area than the OP. AND you tow for a living, vs. a weekend warrior. AND you have a much larger investment in your trailer than the average person. AND a Sheetz or Wawa at 7:30AM is completely different than 3:30AM.

All I'm saying is: YMMV. (your mileage may vary)

gooseneck would be the way to go with that length!

I trailered my 405 from Jackson, MS to Pickwick, TN about 250 miles. Would never do it again, I have always used a commercial driver after that. But hey I'm a wuss.

Whether or not it's a commercial vehicle is not relevant, at least in IL. Laws may vary from state to state but in IL Mike38Scarab is correct, you cannot legally drive a vehicle with a GVWR in excess of 16K lbs or tow a trailer with a GVWR greater than 10K lbs with a class D license, which is what you are issued to drive a car. The laws are very clear and can be found at https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/p...s/dsd_x142.pdf.. In fact the back of your IL class D driver license specifically states the maximum GVWR is 16K lbs. It's not hard to get the correct classification and is way less expensive than the fines. The only exception (besides being a farmer or firefighter) would be to have RV plates on the trailer and truck. I'm not interested in debating whether or not my 42' Fountain is an RV with a State Trooper so I took the test and got a class A license, which covers a GVWR in excess of 26K lbs and trailer GVWR of greater than 10K lbs. Just because you've been "towing for years without an issue" doesn't make it legal. And, I'm just not that lucky...

GF?

I pulled mine from Stl to Loto quite a bit, and from Cleveland to Loto. Didn't bother me a bit, but I drive semi and heavy haul. It would all depend on your experience.

If you are referring to weekend and day boating then it will be a chore every time you wan to go out. Plus you will need ppl with you that have dock/ramp smarts. 42' is a big load to be hauling to & from the ramp every time you want to enjoy it. I would look for a lift in a marina or get yourself a hydro hoist. Just my opinion.

Nothing to it. Take your time and it will be second nature before you know it. A friend of mine bought a big camper a couple years ago and was scared to death to tow it so I took him out early on a few Sunday mornings when traffic was light and now he does just fine with it.

It's all about the trailer. If it's on a good trailer with good brakes, it's not too big of a deal. If you're not going to do it often or haven't pulled 30' plus in the past, your going to hate it.

I hauled a 42 on a Tandem Dually Myco all over the country for a couple years. We didn't worry about a thing except a low fuel situation in the wrong area.

Keep in mind, a 42' Fountain fits on a trailer that measures 38' from bow stop to the rear of the trailer bunks. Sorry, Couldn't help it.

Just go ahead and tow it. Don't waste your money on an expensive trailer made from metal, forget the brakes, lights are a luxury, suspension unnecessary, forget the tie downs and you only need to drop a clevis pin loosely through a 1" hole for a hitch.

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RR

I won't argue with you that you need a different class of DRIVERS LIC, you do in PA also, but try and go the DMV and get one they don't know WTF you are talking about I will argue with anyone and that includes the State Police that you need a Class A CDL to haul your personal boat around no matter what it weighs, I know the laws since I am a CDL driver and do this for my business, there is a big difference of a different class drivers lic vs a Commercial drivers lic, and what that requires of the driver
You wanna know the true laws go ask the Federal DOT guys at a weigh station not the State Police they interpret the law they way they want and the local police as well
The RV business would go out of business if everyone needed CDL's, that 80 year old grand pa and grand ma isn't getting under a 33,000 GVWR bus and doing a pre trip inspection !!!!!!

Personally I don't get the it's too big to tow b.i.t.c.h I hear on here all the time.

What a bunch of phukin Sally's

I used to haul my 13000 on the trailer parasail boat daily that drafted almost 4 feet with a single inboard diesel driving a large wheel hanging 2 feet under it with a half ton van.

Hauled the thing back and forth on 400 mile round trips numerous times with nothing but surge brakes running 70 down I-75.

You guys are hauling barely over that weight with 1 ton diesels or better with boats sitting 2 feet lower on the trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes.

Back of the line Susan. Learn how to haul a boat, that's right you can't ,because you don't have a Pair Jolene.

And I much rather back up a 50 foot triple axle up a dark steep drive than my little Chitty 16 foot sailboat trailer that you can't see and swings from side to side with the twitch of the wheel.

Phukin Cheryl's

Did any of you grow up with a dad ? Or did your mother teach you how to drive?

Phukin pathetic

Hey uncle Rico w ur half ton Van.....if coach would of put u in....u would of won state.

Hey Superman, you forgot one line so I added it for you. :)

You guys probably learned how to back up a trailer from your Gay Uncle because your dad left your mom because you were such a little cry baby because he took your training wheels off your bike when you were 5.

And I drove a van so I could Have sex with your sister in the back of it , because Rumor was she didn't lay down in pickups.

Now get back on your tricycle Margret

Hey I only did that when I was dreaming, tripping balls on NyQuil.

And we didn't ask for any of your Guff from the other side of the world Kaitlynn

Wow, this thread got entertaining.

Buncha Phukin Elizabeth's on here.

They don't want to tow anything over 20 foot with anything but a 3500 series on a clear dry day because they are afraid they might soil their pink panties otherwise.

I know a 1 ton Duramaxxs pulls a old resin bucket 38 top gun like its not even behind you.

So unless your towing a 47 apache with triples or a big cat on a tilt trailer, what's the problem?

This is likely 'cuz he spent the winter in Michigan... where we know how to drive in the snow on chit roads!

[QUOTE=tommymonza;4549196]Personally I don't get the it's too big to tow b.i.t.c.h I hear on here all the time.

What a bunch of phukin Sally's

I used to haul my 13000 on the trailer parasail boat daily that drafted almost 4 feet with a single inboard diesel driving a large wheel hanging 2 feet under it with a half ton van. Half ton pickups are no where close to what they used to be. I learned to drive the 'ol mans '68 F100 that had a 300 cu in straight 6 & 4-speed manual trans. Loaded it with corn, hay, fertilizer for the city folks gardens (that means cow chit) or whatever til the bumper was damn near dragging the ground & it never broke or failed. Crossed the scale at the local grain elevator with just over 2400# of chop once - couldn't do that with any half ton pick up today.

Hauled the thing back and forth on 400 mile round trips numerous times with nothing but surge brakes running 70 down I

1973 our 26 Monza arrived at the door from Miami behind a 1956 Chevy 1/2 ton 3 on the tree. Delivery guy said he had no brakes since Tennessee. , just downshifted and let the trailer surge brakes kick in to stop.

When Men were Men

Now go back to your closet and try that other dress on Linda.

Well boys and girls, this has turned into a nice chat. FYI I do have my class A and thought I was just asking a few of who do pull bigger boats your opinion, thx to those of you with constructive input. My main concern was dragging ass or high center the damn thing on a driveway or ramp, but did not see that anybody talked of it.

Get your tongue weight correct along with setting up your ride height so it's level, don't overload the trailer, keep good tires on it and roll on

Your dragging question is tough to answer. Tongue height does enter into the equation. With that said we have a ramp in our area that goes from flat to a very steep angle in an almost knife like fashion......not rounded over at all. Anything over about a 35' will hit. What happens is the tires go over ok, but about half way down it does drag. As the truck gets closer you gain height again and it's ok. We all use it because every other aspect of the ramp, dock, and parking is excellent. They are talking about rounding it over which will fix it. It's the only ramp I have ever had an issue with.

Install 4-link Adjustable Kelderman Air Ride....problem solved.

I did speak to that; see my earlier post.

I've never gotten STUCK at a ramp crest due to high centering, but I have dragged.
It all depends on each individual setup. Heck, it may vary on the same ramp if you are full of fuel in the morning and empty at night.

Do you have a lifted truck?
If so, do you wear flat-bill hats? Because dudes with lifted trucks that wear flat-bill hats usually have this ridiculous squat setup:

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IF, it looks like you are going to scrape and get hung up at a ramp; the best thing to be prepared with is an adjustable drawbar stored in the back of the truck. It will take a couple minutes, but swap out the drawbar to the adjustable one at it's highest setting.
(I don't recommend adjustable tow bars for towing these kind of loads, full time; and ESPECIALLY not with a surge brake system--too much stress on the components & too many failure points.)

I also run adjustable rear airbags on my trucks that I tow with. That should net you at least 1-2" when you fully inflate as well.

I pull mine to several poker runs a year 6+ hours one way. My wife pulls it back usually because we also switch out drivers for the boat, and I end up not driving the boat Saturday which means I'm hung over on Sunday. Yes, I said my wife pulls it.
I sleep most of the way home so it isn't that bad. I do have a 3500 and a roadrunner trailer that works, but still....

Basically look in front of you and in your mirrors. If you think you are about to hit something, stop doing that:)

I also keep my boat at a marina that has a very steep ramp. It was designed for launching airplanes. I drag there, but it is the only place. It is much easier to just use a different ramp.