largest boat for HASSLE FREE long distance towing ?
11-11-2018, 04:00 PM
#11
Registered
Just as important, maybe even more is the trailer you are pulling. There is a reason certain manufacturers cost as much as they do. The strength of the rails, size of tires and Brakes all play into how well the trailer pulls.
Trailer Flex and Braking are easily the 2 biggest factors. Electric over hydrolich is 1000% easier to pull than surge.
Trailer Flex and Braking are easily the 2 biggest factors. Electric over hydrolich is 1000% easier to pull than surge.
11-11-2018, 04:51 PM
#12
Registered
All depends on the truck. If its you DD youre giving up usability the bigger you go. A 1/2 ton that would make a nice DD could comfortably go to the 8-10k range on a good trailer.
A SRW Diesel will give up some ride comfort to a 1/2 ton but is still as useable and parkable otherwise. Maybe 10-13k towing.
Beyond that youre talking duallys and then medium dutys. If you can afford it and have space for extra vehicles, great. For me, Im in the market for an extended cab diesel.
A SRW Diesel will give up some ride comfort to a 1/2 ton but is still as useable and parkable otherwise. Maybe 10-13k towing.
Beyond that youre talking duallys and then medium dutys. If you can afford it and have space for extra vehicles, great. For me, Im in the market for an extended cab diesel.
11-11-2018, 05:04 PM
#13
Registered
As far as towing, my ~40 trailer is challenging. Id towed normal boats up to 23 for years and was quite comfortable with those. There werent many places I couldnt get in and out of.
The 40 trailer requires more forethought. You can pretty much treat it like a big rig. So that limits where youll be stopping and fueling up and eating etc.
Also: ramps. Youve got to ask ahead about which ones to use. The break over angle mine can handle is very shallow.
I have a nice triple axle with about 9-10k on it. Tows great, youve just got to think and plan ahead more than just hooking up your 20 boat to the SUV and heading to any lake with a ramp. Good luck.
The 40 trailer requires more forethought. You can pretty much treat it like a big rig. So that limits where youll be stopping and fueling up and eating etc.
Also: ramps. Youve got to ask ahead about which ones to use. The break over angle mine can handle is very shallow.
I have a nice triple axle with about 9-10k on it. Tows great, youve just got to think and plan ahead more than just hooking up your 20 boat to the SUV and heading to any lake with a ramp. Good luck.
11-11-2018, 07:12 PM
#15
Registered
Ive towed our 43 Donzi all over, but thats more long than big.
This past summer my wife and I took delivery of a new Monterey 335 Sport Yacht. We enjoy traveling to different lakes and areas, and wanted the largest cruiser for this purpose. I wanted to keep the beam under 11 so the 1010 was perfect. Id easily go up to 113 or so now.
I had Myco custom build a 10 wide trailer in order to get the boat as low as possible. I take the radar and pedestal off, and am at 136 exactly. I made it so it goes on/ comes off in about 1-2 minutes.
This summer we towed it 4,200 miles to various places and had a blast. Definitely very happy with the setup and its pretty stress free. I have a truck GPS that I have 14 height programmed in so it routes me where I can go. Tow it with a 2018 Ford F450 which is also my DD.
This past summer my wife and I took delivery of a new Monterey 335 Sport Yacht. We enjoy traveling to different lakes and areas, and wanted the largest cruiser for this purpose. I wanted to keep the beam under 11 so the 1010 was perfect. Id easily go up to 113 or so now.
I had Myco custom build a 10 wide trailer in order to get the boat as low as possible. I take the radar and pedestal off, and am at 136 exactly. I made it so it goes on/ comes off in about 1-2 minutes.
This summer we towed it 4,200 miles to various places and had a blast. Definitely very happy with the setup and its pretty stress free. I have a truck GPS that I have 14 height programmed in so it routes me where I can go. Tow it with a 2018 Ford F450 which is also my DD.
11-12-2018, 07:58 AM
#17
Registered
Bingo!
I am always shocked at some of the trailers I see.
From people w/no straps (I dont need em??), to no trailer brakes, no spare etc.
When I pulled my lil 25 home from Philli the seller thought I was a sissy for wanting a spare tire and straps for the boat!
My favorite though is the high dollar boats on a trailer w/bunks that stop 3 short of the transom and the bunks hanging off the end of the trailer frame by 3+.
Yikes.
I am always shocked at some of the trailers I see.
From people w/no straps (I dont need em??), to no trailer brakes, no spare etc.
When I pulled my lil 25 home from Philli the seller thought I was a sissy for wanting a spare tire and straps for the boat!
My favorite though is the high dollar boats on a trailer w/bunks that stop 3 short of the transom and the bunks hanging off the end of the trailer frame by 3+.
Yikes.
Just as important, maybe even more is the trailer you are pulling. There is a reason certain manufacturers cost as much as they do. The strength of the rails, size of tires and Brakes all play into how well the trailer pulls.
Trailer Flex and Braking are easily the 2 biggest factors. Electric over hydrolich is 1000% easier to pull than surge.
Trailer Flex and Braking are easily the 2 biggest factors. Electric over hydrolich is 1000% easier to pull than surge.
11-12-2018, 08:09 AM
#18
Registered
Wow!
Well Done sir. Your forethought and engineering is repaying you well.
Excellent.
Great point about break over point.
I once watched a 30 Searay drag a 2 whd 1/2 ton down a ramp, driven by an elderly guy, w/his adult son on the bow of the boat (!!), as it headed for an alum fishing boat tied at dock, full of people while the red neck owner walked beside the skidding truck, screaming through the window at the driver!
I pointed out to said red neck, that he might want to get the crew out of his boat!
I then stood guard over the driver until the police showed up.
What a disaster!
Well Done sir. Your forethought and engineering is repaying you well.
Excellent.
Great point about break over point.
I once watched a 30 Searay drag a 2 whd 1/2 ton down a ramp, driven by an elderly guy, w/his adult son on the bow of the boat (!!), as it headed for an alum fishing boat tied at dock, full of people while the red neck owner walked beside the skidding truck, screaming through the window at the driver!
I pointed out to said red neck, that he might want to get the crew out of his boat!
I then stood guard over the driver until the police showed up.
What a disaster!
Ive towed our 43 Donzi all over, but thats more long than big.
This past summer my wife and I took delivery of a new Monterey 335 Sport Yacht. We enjoy traveling to different lakes and areas, and wanted the largest cruiser for this purpose. I wanted to keep the beam under 11 so the 1010 was perfect. Id easily go up to 113 or so now.
I had Myco custom build a 10 wide trailer in order to get the boat as low as possible. I take the radar and pedestal off, and am at 136 exactly. I made it so it goes on/ comes off in about 1-2 minutes.
This summer we towed it 4,200 miles to various places and had a blast. Definitely very happy with the setup and its pretty stress free. I have a truck GPS that I have 14 height programmed in so it routes me where I can go. Tow it with a 2018 Ford F450 which is also my DD.
This past summer my wife and I took delivery of a new Monterey 335 Sport Yacht. We enjoy traveling to different lakes and areas, and wanted the largest cruiser for this purpose. I wanted to keep the beam under 11 so the 1010 was perfect. Id easily go up to 113 or so now.
I had Myco custom build a 10 wide trailer in order to get the boat as low as possible. I take the radar and pedestal off, and am at 136 exactly. I made it so it goes on/ comes off in about 1-2 minutes.
This summer we towed it 4,200 miles to various places and had a blast. Definitely very happy with the setup and its pretty stress free. I have a truck GPS that I have 14 height programmed in so it routes me where I can go. Tow it with a 2018 Ford F450 which is also my DD.
Last edited by Twin O/B Sonic; 11-12-2018 at 08:12 AM.
11-12-2018, 09:44 AM
#20
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
First off, good luck and most important, buy the best boat that suites what you want to do!
There have been a bunch of good thoughts and ideas already said here. I regularly trailer from Florida to NJ (twice a year) and tend to cover good chunks of Florida in the winter and the NE in the summer. I started with a 29' kryptonite in 2003 and got my 38' Donzi in 2008. I also own a heavy construction company and move very large pieces of equipment. Now to help answer your question.
There have been a bunch of good thoughts and ideas already said here. I regularly trailer from Florida to NJ (twice a year) and tend to cover good chunks of Florida in the winter and the NE in the summer. I started with a 29' kryptonite in 2003 and got my 38' Donzi in 2008. I also own a heavy construction company and move very large pieces of equipment. Now to help answer your question.
- Boat - The three biggest factors are width, height, and weight. - A V-Bottom under 9' to 9'6" wide can pretty much go anywhere without permits (legal limit is technically 8'-6" but I have never seen any of my friends have issues with an Outerlimits or similar) Height on the trailer is next. Radar arches and the like can bring your overall height to well over 10' and you have to start considering low bridges, branches, etc. especially on side roads. (Legal height is 13-6") Last is weight and that is the biggest factor for the correct trailer and tow vehicle. Length is something you learn and get used to and is not as important until you start getting into the 40'+ range because then you are looking at not only length issues (turning, parking, etc.) - now you get into much larger tow vehicles, possible over length permits, etc.
- Trailer - Don't go cheap on the trailer. This is holding one of your largest investments and a good trailer will make all the difference in the world on the road. Make sure the tires and axles are over rated and you are not near the weight limits of the trailer.
- Truck - I am a firm believer in dual rear wheels (3500/350/450/550) for towing anything over 30'. Unless you use the truck everyday and tow occasionally, nothing tows like a dually. Make sure the combined weight (boat, trailer, equipment, fuel, etc.) does not exceed or even come close to exceeding the manufacturers ratings. My boat is very light for 38' (9000# dry) and with an aluminum trailer, boat supplies/equipment, fuel, etc., my combined trailer weight is roughly 14,000#.
Last edited by Tom A.; 11-12-2018 at 09:48 AM.
