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Trailering Big Boats

chunkytrout

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chunkytrout Proficient

chunkytrout

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So a 21 foot bayliner cuddy has been made available to me. It's my buddy's boat that I've drooled over for a couple of years and after he's done a bunch of work to it, he's decided he want's to downsize.

Anyway, beyond where to put it I'm a little concerned about trailering. This boat will goto Burntside, Vermillion, Rainy, and Superior. It has a tandem axle older Shorelander bunk/roller. My truck is an 89F250 2WD camper special with a 351EFI V8. The truck is outfitted with BIG hitch set-up. Anyone see any problems here or have any advice? I don't want to get this boat only to find out I can't trailer it safely. Thanks!

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Valv Grand Master

Valv

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I am sure your truck will be fine, just take it easy, it's not a huge boat, but it's not small neither. Be sure trailer tires have correct max pressure, and don't try to speed too much, a 55mph max speed will be plenty, maybe 60mph, but not much more.

Check your tranny and try not to make it shift too much, if you can install an extra transmission oil cooler it will save it from blowing up earlier.

You know...the truck is a Ford...you can't expect much, but if it made it so far it is a good truck... grin.gif

Keep distance from vehicles ahead, and be prepared to get a large gas bill... wink.gif

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Surface Tension Grand Master

Surface Tension

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Chunk, you'll have to fill me more about the boat later.

Lets start with your truck. Its plenty big enough to handle that boat. A tranny cooler would be in order but your truck may already have one because its a Camper Special. Hows your shocks, you don't want your truck pitching and rolling while pulling big loads. When ever you pull a tandem axle trailer you have to adjust trailer to truck height with a proper hitch. In most cases you'll be looking at a step down hitch. What your looking for is a level trailer with both axles carrying its share of the load. Proper tire pressure on your truck and trailer is important for best handling and to keep the heat down. Test the trailer brakes and see if both sides are working. Both electric and surge trailer brakes have a brake away for when the unspeakable happens. Be sure every thing is there. With an older trailer I'd inspect the safety chains along with their mounting bolts to be sure they're up to the job. Again its an older trailer so I'd take a close look at the hitch and see how it fits on the ball and make any adjustments. Even though it may not be your boat and trailer I'd go through the bearing. Clean, inspect and replace any bearing, races and seals that need replacing.

Pulling, take the truck out of overdrive and use slow gradual starts to get up to speed. Same goes for stops. Give yourself plenty of time and distance. If you have electric brakes you can adjust them. Experiment with them in a safe place on your own terms using different levels of fast stops to familiarize yourself with how the trailer and truck react.

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chunkytrout Proficient

chunkytrout

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You guys are killing me! I've already had the pleasure of a 60mph TTF (total trailer failure) hence me posting this. It's just a tall heavy boat and I could do without another TTF.

BTW, bet that guy in the above picture was glad he didn't skimp on his hitch purchase.

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Fisher Dave Mentor

Fisher Dave

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The only thing I'm going to add to the great info you already have is..

Be absolutely POSITIVE your rear brakes are working properly on your truck... there is nothing like finding out your rear brakes arent working when your in that emergency quick stop.. you will get pushed along like a ski.

This happened to me on one of my trucks pulling a 3000 lb trailer(without trailer brakes).. I had to slam on the brakes for a traffic jam that was invisible due to a curve... later brake inspection.. the pads were perfect and everything looked great.. my wheel cylinders were froze.. what a nice way to find out.

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