In the market for a tow vehicle

SeaHare

I ended up having to work today so wasnt able to make the 5 hr drive there. Gonna be going super early tmrw morn (sat) to check em out. Still not sure which one will work best for me, ill have to decide when i see em. Ill probably just take the one thats in the best shape, Hopefully Al will jump in before i go.

Black_Diamond

I know here in MI to tow a 342 you have to get a permit (too wide).  I bet you could find someone with a hydraulic trailer that could haul it for a few hundred each way, depending how far they have to go.  At least all the risk is on them  

Black_Diamond

RY: they load by a sling crane around here, the hyd bunk trailers have to be adjusted to every boat, so I highly doubt they'd back it in the water, especially with the hydraulics $$$.

Michael T

My 2013 310 was driven right onto the dealership's trailer - an adjustable hydraulic unit and taken away. I said to the driver I guess a guy would have to have a trailer like this to move this boat. He said no, as long as the trailer had the pads set up correctly. He did say that the hydraulic "lowering" feature of the trailer made it a lot easier to get the boat on, othewise the trailer driver would have to make sure there was enough slope to the ramp. MT

Michael T

Great look back at the history Al! MT

frodo13056

As I mentioned before, if you have any experience towing any boat, the fundamentals for towing a larger boat are the same as towing smaller boats, there really is very little difference except height, weight, width, length. I put the 320 on the trailer with no assistance and launch with no assistance - just take your time! As already mentioned, if your tires are more than 4-5 years old, start looking for new tires ASAP- UV rays from the sun break down rubber pretty quickly and tires that show no tread wear but have been left in the sun year round and are 4-5 years old could easily have sidewall failure and as already mentioned, you really don't want to deal with a shredded tire on the road. I carry around a 2 1/2 ton floor jack, multiple size wood blocks, lug nut wrench, gloves, etc. in the event I shred a tire. I learned the hard way that it's very hard to change a shredded tire unless you are prepared. I also carry 2 spare tire/ rims just in case. Also, those same wood blocks and floor jack make it much easier to hook / unhook the trailer from my truck. Good luck!

Dream_Inn

Very interesting comments Al.  I guess my old 310 did travels on that trailer as well.

RY, lots of those hydraulic trailers in our area & yes, they get dunked in our brackish water.

I'd love to have seen my 400 drive onto a trailer!

:-O

 

 

Dream_Inn

I couldn't imagine a setup that was 72' long!  That is the length of a full semi with trailer!  I will say it was impressive when I had her hauled down to MD, needing both front and rear escorts.  There is something to be said about a truck that can pull 10+tons out of the water!  Thanks Al for the insight!

SeaHare

Got the trailer home on sat. drove 700 miles round trip. I took the blue one. The black wide body was cool but in horrible shape. Owen tossed in a winch stand he had, not sure yet if it will work. Im gonna replace the wood bunks and carpet, also need to get fenders. Overall, not a bad deal... Out of everything, the only thing that really pis*ed me off was a toll near the skyway in Chicago that took me for $21

TikiHut2

$21 will be chicken feed compared to what you'll be doing to get that rascal up to running condition. Congrats, take your time, don't cut corners (pun intended )  and have fun. Mike

Black_Diamond

Someone took the Skyway..$$ toll there. iPass can cut it almost in half if drive there much

BoatAway

Alswagg said:

12' wide tripple axle Fifth wheel style trailer.  Roughly 5k lbs hitch weight. 

DAYUM!

SeaHare

[URL=http://s991.photobucket.com/user/smitteez/media/IMG_4304_zps568de5ea.jpg.html][IMG]http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/smitteez/IMG_4304_zps568de5ea.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

SeaHare

[URL=http://s991.photobucket.com/user/smitteez/media/IMG_4304_zps568de5ea.jpg.html][IMG]http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/smitteez/IMG_4304_zps568de5ea.jpg[/IMG][/URL]