Trailering 400 SS
 

I am trying to put together a deal on trading my '08 310 SS with trailer for a '06 400 SS. Not sure if it will happen but the gap is narrowing. I've always trailered boats and the 310 SS has been quite managable, though it is just from slip to slip, as I boat in two different areas. I do not launch everytime I go out! I am undecided about a trailer for a 400 SS. I know some guys do it, but it sounds quite challenging. So I am leaning towards no trailer and having the marina do the transporting when needed (probably involves about 30-35 hours of marina transport time a year as the two boating destinations are about 300 miles apart). If you trailer a 400 SS, I would be curious to know how challenging it has been for you to do on an occasional basis. The permit question is no problem here in Wisc., I already have one for six months.

What do you have for a tow vehicle? The 400SS is huge

the 400SS is probably close to 19K pounds which is about 10K more than the 310SS.

My tow vehicle is not sufficient, it is GMC 2500 HD Crew, single rear wheel base. I am thinking we will hold off on the trailer, as we would probably need to invest in an F350 dually as well. Great point.

No F350 is going to be able to tackle that job!

Also keep in mind the 11 ft beam is wide especially if you are on any two lane roads.....

Agreed.....My F350 Dually would not be up to that task.

I was also wondering about the beam...............

F350 dually would work with a gooseneck though, would it not?

My 400SS weighs just over 21,000 lbs dry on my Myco aluminum trailer...............figure it would probably be around 24k on a steel trailer and add another 1500 + lbs if full of fuel. I tow it with a crew cab F550 Ford and that tows it fine. I also own an F350 crew cab dually and I don't think I'd try to tow the boat with that truck unless it was some type of emergency situation like getting it off the highway after a break down. My trailer is a conventional tag style and when loaded with the boat it has 17,800 lbs on the trailer axles and just a bit over 3200 lbs on the tongue. My F550 has a full air ride rear suspension that is self leveling and has no problem with the tongue wieght. I don't imagine the F350 would handle the tongue weight very well. I also have a 25,000 lb tow / 5000 lb tongue wieght capacity 3" reciever style hitch designed for a medium duty truck. I know guys tow this much on 2" and 2.5" recievers but they are still not rated for that kind of weight. A gooseneck or 5th wheel trailer is really a better choice for towing one of these boats..........especially if you try it with an F350..............but even then the brakes on the F350 are marginal. Also my F350 is a 2WD with the 4:30 gears and the "tow boss" option (the biggest F350 tow rating available) and even it only has I think an 18k tow rating so insurance may be an issue if you ever had an accident towing with a 350?

Second thing to consider is that most states require a CDL for anything over 26k GVW combined wieght. An F350 with a trailer capable of carrying a 400SS will not only have a combined GVW over 26K but will also actually wiegh more than 26k at the scales. Not sure if this applies in you state? Again also a possible insurance issue?

As far as actual towing I don't find it bad at all but I also tow large boats around as part of my business so I'm probably biased. If you're not used to towing overwide loads it can be intimidating. It will take up the whole lane on most roads. You'll need to be aware of other trucks passing you and move over as needed. Be especially careful around large rental trucks, moving, and contruction cube vans............... sometimes they are less experienced and aware drivers. Construction zones, overhanging road signs, and bridge abutments can also be a challenge. Don't go 70 MPH and give yourself plenty of room to react and slow down as needed. When towing something like this you'll find that you have to stay alert the whole time and be very aware of what's around you. It can wear you out if you're not used to it.

I have to take down the light mast and radar dome to get mine down to 13' 5" sitting on my trailer. The light mast is easy but the radar is a pain to remove. There is a company that makes a hinge mount to allow the dome to swing down and that would probably make life easier.

Hope this helps, good luck with it.

Thanks, Pat

:eek:

Now that's a serious tow rig!!! Any pictures of the F550 with boat attached?

I think I have a couple pictures from when I first picked the boat up but not sure how to post them here? It's an '02 crew cab 4x4 7.3L with a pick up bed conversion so it looks pretty much like an older version of the newer '08 thru '10 F-450 pickup. The boat and trailer do make the F550 look small :)

BTW, forgot to mention it in the other post but I think a 2009 or 2010 F-450 pick up would be a good choice as a readily available tow vehicle capable of towing a 400SS that would also make a comfortable daily driver. An '08 would also work but they seem to be the ones that had more problems as far as the 6.4L trucks.

Thanks, Pat

OK, I won't be trailering anytime soon. Thanks for the great perpestive. We have a deal inked as of this afternoon, subject to a few things. Not going to worry about trailering now. What are reasonable rates to pay for transport? There is 300-390 miles each way for transport between ports. Any recommendations for companies in northern Wisconsin?

2~3 bucks a mile long distance... thats a ballpark, you ca find cheaper and more expensive

double trouble, where do you boat? Superior and Lk Michigan?

Just wondering.

Good luck with the purchase. The 400SS is a sweat ride

Instead of investing $ 60,000 in a truck why not have a professional hauler do it if the trailering is so only 300 miles. Thats about $ 1,000 a year at 3/mile. Besides they have the right equipment. A trailer for that boat is going to be costly.

Wannabe

You're making the right choice here. What about the marina towing you mentioned? If that fell through, call Reliable Transport. Tom Abrams is an offshore racer and OSO member.

Shipyard marine in Wisconsin is capable of towing a boat such as yours.

Big Tow
 

Nice! Thanks for the pic Pat

I think I would want the F650 or the Freightliner P2 to tow that boat. It's always good to have more truck than you need...

Indeed...

I'm onboard with the idea that if some is good..........more is better.............and too much is just right.......... and a Frieghtliner or F650 would be nice but the F550 really does tow it with no problems at all. That picture is a bit decieving because of the angle. The boat looks like the Queen Mary being towed by a Ford Ranger in that picture but it's really not that bad. I have another from that same parking lot taken from the front and it makes the boat look like a 353 Fastech behind the truck. There's really no drama, never feels like too much load for the truck at all and at 21k lbs it's well within the limits of what the truck is capable of. Even the '08 thru '10 F450's have a 24k tow rating right from the factory I'm pretty sure and they are pretty much the same truck with just a little less rear spring.

I agree..have done the same.. slow and steady, never in a hurry, and watch out for the other guy that cuts out in front of you..mostly the senior citizens that have nothing to do but are always in a hurry..:grinser010:

I made the deal on the 400 SS and, yes, sweet ride! I'll keep her at Quarterdeck (Door County) until mid August and then Shipyard Marine will transport her to Bayfield, WI for me. The trailer/truck scenario looks feasible but quite costly. I'll see how hiring out the transport works for us for awhile. Great boat for us so far and Shipyard has been taking care of things for us. Looking forward to taking some trips over to Michigan in a couple weeks or so.

"...mostly the senior citizens that have nothing to do but are always in a hurry".


Like me. :lolhit: