Towing Capacity

I'm just thinking big picture. Most states require loads wider than 8'-6" to be permitted when traveling over public roadways.

I'd hate to go thru the trouble n' expense of a new truck rig, and have a rookie cop, having a bad day, "write" you at mile 4.5 for the ubiquitous blown trailer taillight bulb. . . and an unpermitted load.

There's a bit more to towing a big boat than a big truck - better to think it all the way thru, than 'mostly'!

food for thought.
 
quote:
Originally posted by 32carv

It's a 2006 Monterey 298ss with 9.5' beam. 2014 Tri-axle trailer with surge brakes.
Jim

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Not a big fan of surge brakes. Electro hydraulic if you are going light on the tow vehicle. That way the trailer brakes first and you have good braking going down the ramp. It is an easy conversion.
 
I agree with Greg about the brakes on a trailer, but where I boat (salt water) no matter the brake system, it goes real bad real quick. Yes most states have a 8'6" towing rule, but I would not get crazy if the boat is a tad wider, doubt the policeman would know.
 
10,000# is not much. I sure would not buy a truck just to haul that twice a year. Commercial hauler used to move my 32' Albin twice a year using a 2500 gasser. Boat alone is over 13,000#. Hydraulic trailer much heavier than a float on. Road speed low. Terrain hilly. Boatyard tractor used to haul it up the ramp. Did this method many times.

Assume your trip is short & no highway used. For hauling out I'd get help doubling up trucks to get up the ramp. Double up on launch too. As far as hauling goes pick a quiet road time. Very early in the morning or dinner time. I have a 3500 DRW diesel. My 5th wheel trailer weighs in at over 13,000 loaded for travel. We typically do over 10,000 towing miles a year. For that type of towing the serious truck is needed. For what you propose, not so much.
 
Kurt,
It makes me soooo crazy when people get 19 mph on a 7.3 diesel. I get an average of 12.5 NOT towing. I have a 2000 E350 extended van with 7.3 and 4.10 rear end and stock exhaust. What do you do to get such great mileage??
 
Your overdrive must have a problem Charlie. I have even got as high as 22 mpg unloaded, on the highway. 3.73 axle though. You really don't need a 4.10
 
Easy, Blake worked on my truck! :-)

2001 7.3 Excursion. I was running in "60hp boost econo mode" with my tuner ("DP"). Axle is C-1 (3.73). I get 17 around town, 8 when towing my 30x10 foot power cat - 9,500lbs with trailer), and 19.5 highway when pushing it (I think I could get into the 20s if I kept it under 65mph). 4" exhaust, stock tire size, upgraded turbo.
 
The last boat I towed was a 1999 24' Chris Craft express, using my 2003 Dodge (hemi) Ram 2500. Boat weighed 6000+ loaded, and the trailer another (approx) 1700, so call it about 8,000 lbs total. My tow was 15 miles, a couple of times a year. The truck handled it okay, but I needed to be very vigilant. Panic stops are a no-no even with good trailer brakes. There were definitely occasions when I could feel the tail wagging the dog, and that's where you can get into a bunch of trouble very quickly. I would NOT tow that boat with less than a 3/4 ton truck, and a long wheelbase model would be my preference.

Keep the tows short and your speed down. One thing I learned is that other drivers will do ANYTHING to avoid being behind you. Morons would pass and cut right in front of me to exit the highway.

Unless you have a real need for a big-ass truck that's a royal pita to hump around in normal driving, I'd hire a transporter for the twice a year tow. I was actually glad to get rid of mine when I moved to a boat that I felt was too big to launch and retrieve myself (27 Four Winns Vista). I dumped that monster asap :-)

My .02
 
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