Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

I'm looking hard for a Cigarette Cafe Racer or Top Gun, I plan to keep it on a trailer and am wondering about the feasibility of this. I have a new Silverado 2500HD w/ Duramax, I'm thinking I shouldn't have a problem with the tow, but am I undertaking too much with dropping it in on the ramp, etc? Just want to make sure I'm not making a mistake and I'll have no big surprises. I dont want to put it on a dry rack because of the cost in Miami, I can several roughly $5000 per year by doing the trailer thing. Opinions please.

Thanks!

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

Seems ok to me. You will need a few upgrades to the hitch and maybe add airbags to the rear springs.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

You'll be fine. I have a Top Gun and tow it with a 2500 CrewCab Duramax.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

You should be fine. We trailered our 38 PQ before we bought our 42x. It should take the road easily with a 2500!!! Good luck!

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

you'll be fine...I trailer my Gun to and from races with a F250 PSD Crewcab 4 x 4....you relly need a 4x4 for some of the ramps, though.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

You will have no problem. I do it every weekend with a 2500 454 suburban and i'm towing a 38 flatdeck, much heavier than a gun :rolleyes: As far as launching, the bigger the better. I can launch mine by myself faster than most can do their little runabouts. Normally my 12 year old son handles the boat at the dock by himself, however I worry about his attention span when he acts cool around the girls.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

You'll be fine with a 3/4-ton diesel as long as it's a 4X4 with a true class 5 hitch. Airbags in the rear are nice to have, but not necessary.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

Its not a 4x4, they didn't have any, but the 2500 HD's are built on as a 1 ton instead of 3/4, only difference is the dually rear, thus towing is actually higher with a 2500 by a few hundred lbs.

How badly do I need the 4x4?

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

Like others have said you won't have any problem pulling a Gun with the 2500HD

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

just be careful with those slippery ramps without 4X4

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

You're in Miami I assume....?
Haulover will be no problem if you have the posi/locker rear axle. The inside two ramps are the flattest.
79th street isn't too bad, but it'll get you if its wet...

Keep two long rolls of carpet in the back of the truck...

Plenty of truck. I have the same in 4x4, but rarely use 4wd..
No bags needed, especially if you have a typical Florida aluminum trailer..like a South Florida Trailer or Loadmaster. They have long tongues. MYCOs tend to be a bit shorter, with more tongue weight.

OK, truck is good.
Now let's see what boats you've been looking at. :drink:

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

The truck would probably pull it fine. Since you're looking for a Cafe or a TG, I'm assuming you're looking at older models. NADA shows the weight of a Cafe from 9,600-10,500 and a TG at 9,500(for a newer TS) or 10,500-11,000. Add gas and the trailer and you'll be well over the 12k towing limit. It will probably pull it, but if you get in an accident, expect problems from your insurance company (and anyone else's who might be involved in it).

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

Can't decide between the two , I know the Gun is better when the water gets nasty, but the Cafe will be a bit faster with equal power and a bit less to feed, store, etc. I realize the real difference between the two is only 25 inches. There are obviously way more Gun's on the market. I'm looking to $80k or less so my options are limited and makes the Cafe's more attractive price wise. I've had boats before but in the low 20 foot range, so I'm wondering if 38 feet is too much for my first twin screw? Help me out here I'm trying to gather all the info I can to make the best decision.

Thanks,
Mike

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

We tow our Gun w/ a Crewcab dually duramax. No probs. A friend of ours towed his Cafe and now his top gun w/a standard (non dually or diesel) 2500 chevy w/out problems. You'll be fine.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

Towing a cafe with a 2500 2wd should not be a problem... I use 3500 2wd and havent been stuck yet. But I pick my ramps.

BTW I have a cafe in the OSO classifieds and I'm over in Ft Myers if you'd like to see it.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

I have towed my 38 with a dually for a while. Just make sure you get an aluminum trailer with good brakes. Your truck should do the job. If you are looking for a TS gun I have one listed here. It is in Fort Lauderdale.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

Dan B, shoot me an email with some more info about your boat.

Thanks,

[email protected]

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

I pull my 38 with a 2500HD 4x4 Duramax and only use the 4x4 if the ramp is wet. I also have a 2500 Suburban and never need the 4x4 because of the weight distrabution. You might need to put some weight in the back but you should be fine. I have a friend with a Cafe in LOTO and it takes the rough stuff very well. Good luck on your choice. :D




Rich.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

i dont sugest it but i used to ramp my 37` aronow with a short bed straight cab half ton it will do it. i have a new ford f350 and i ramped a customers 2005 48` fountain express on our con-o-lift. these trucks can do alot more than you think

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

I am looking for a picture of my Buddy pulling his 05' Tiger with the same truck. No one once of trouble, it pulls like it has a 25 footer behind it!!!!

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

Mike, I went from 25 single to 34 twin screw. It is my opinion that the 34 is 2-3x's easier to drive and dock than the 25. I can put the boat exactly where I want it almost everytime on the first try and I don't have a lot of boat driving experience. I wouldn't be afraid at all of 35-38 feet.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

Then ya shoulda got a 41 Saber,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
:D :D :D
Don't worry about the class 5 hitch as you won't be insurance-legal for towing with the 2500 GMC anyway. Even my 2000 Ford F350 dually isn't legal to pull my 38 flat-deck due to the weight that Russ mentioned.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

Keep in mind the tow rating limit is the limit of the hitch set by the manufacturer of the hitch, not the tow limitation of the vehicle, if you increase the strength of the hitch or change the system, i.e. 5th wheel or gooseneck you can safely tow more than 12,000lbs. Again, the weak link here is the hitch.

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

That's been hashed out many times here....and I think every time we all agree that it's a "gray area" at best!! :cool: :D :drink: :evilb:

Re: Trailerability of Cafe Racer or Top Gun?
 

Mike

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