260 and Caddy

H

hybrid_eg

New Member
Jul 25, 2016
2
SoCal
Boat Info
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I'm new to boating and plan on getting a 260 Sundancer. From the research I've done boat+trailer+gear will easily hit 8500lbs.

I plan on storing the 260 at a dry dock next to the harbor so I would only tow from dry dock to launch. Is this something that 2015 Escalade could do without destroying the truck? I believe the caddy is rather at 8500gw towing capacity. Perhaps upgrade the hitch in the rear? Or is my entire idea just past stupid and safe?

Tks for all the feedback in advance!
 
First and foremost, Welcome aboard!!!

You'll be fine as is. It's distance more than anything that will tear your vehicle up. You do not say what year everything is. That said, I would rebuild the trailer bearings and brakes and seriously consider oil bathed bearings in order to establish a baseline for your your running gear. Rinse everything thoroughly after each outing. Keep a tight eye on the tires if the boat / trailer is to be on black top, consider the heat and sun on your tires. It could be as simple as rolling the rig on a piece of scrap carpet to putting it on jacks. Cover the sidewalls. That's from an RV Buddy.

Again, welcome! Great choice for your boat!
 
Welcome aboard! We love ours! If you are looking at 2005 and above, you will be 10k+ in weight. 2004 and down, knock off 1k. You should be fine either way. Just watch a steep, wet ramp when pulling out.

Hope you enjoy! Be sure to read the 260 Sundancer Threads.

Bennett
 
dpmulvey said:
Keep a tight eye on the tires if the boat / trailer is to be on black top, consider the heat and sun on your tires. It could be as simple as rolling the rig on a piece of scrap carpet to putting it on jacks. Cover the sidewalls. That's from an RV Buddy.
Click to expand...

when I was trailering boats I used tire covers like these to keep the sun's UV rays off the tires when the trailer was not being used.....worked very well and easy to install....just wrap them around the tires....lots of places to buy them.....

found this to be a lot easier than taking the wheels off the trailer and storing them inside during long periods of storage.....

cliff

shopping
 
Thanks guys!! We are looking forward it!

As for the 260, I'm looking at everything between year 2006-2013. I was afraid it would be in 10K range or right around there, but nonetheless good to know Caddy could still do it from the parking lot to launch ramp as I don't want to buy a rig only for this.. (I don't plan on taking it to a lake so sitting at harbor dry dock 10 mins from our house is perfect, without getting raped for a slip). I was told of course to get a matching weight ball and hitch and should be good to go.

Thanks for the feedback on the trailer, i'll definitely look at the condition and rebuilt as necessary along with ensuring when stored everything is covered, trailer tries and the boat.. I have not looked into any Boat covers but is there such a thing for a large boat like this?
 
hybrid_eg said:
Thanks guys!! We are looking forward it!

As for the 260, I'm looking at everything between year 2006-2013. I was afraid it would be in 10K range or right around there, but nonetheless good to know Caddy could still do it from the parking lot to launch ramp as I don't want to buy a rig only for this.. (I don't plan on taking it to a lake so sitting at harbor dry dock 10 mins from our house is perfect, without getting raped for a slip). I was told of course to get a matching weight ball and hitch and should be good to go.

Thanks for the feedback on the trailer, i'll definitely look at the condition and rebuilt as necessary along with ensuring when stored everything is covered, trailer tries and the boat.. I have not looked into any Boat covers but is there such a thing for a large boat like this?
Click to expand...

Yes-called a cockpit cover. Snaps at the base of the windshield on the front and has elastic pulls at the transom.

Bennett
 
I towed our 260da with my 2003 avalanche. It did it okay, but I also had 2500 Springs in the rear. Hard on brakes and could tell it was back there. Yes, 10,000 lbs when you're all said and done. I wouldn't do it if your escalade doesn't have fwd. BTW, if I was only hauling from the lot to the ramp (and the truck wasn't literally falling apart) I would have kept towing with it. Since we started towing longer distances I wanted a proper vehicle so I got the Ram 2500.

BTW, I have a near mint 260da with new trailer, camper enclosure, new bottom paint, genny, AC, etc cetera I'll sell ya. I'll even throw in the hitch ball you'll need to tow it.
 
importmonkey said:
BTW, I have a near mint 260da with new trailer, camper enclosure, new bottom paint, genny, AC, etc cetera I'll sell ya. I'll even throw in the hitch ball you'll need to tow it.
Click to expand...

now that would be a long transfer haul from Maryland to California.....:smt119.......


cliff
 
Last edited:
I'm curious, did you find a 260? Take Import Monkey up on his offer? 260 coast-to-coast? We have a 2008 260 that we tow with a 2005 Chevy Tahoe (with the small V8 and just rear wheel drive). It has the towing package and aside from a couple of slick ramps at low tide, it does great. It's a towing machine. It's just over as far as what I think it's rated for but the trick is, we tow it with a 3-axle Load Rite with hydraulic disc brakes on each tire. The trailer is a little overkill (a 2 axle trailer would do) but having the extra axle provides extra stability for long hauls. Also keep in mind, the trailer can tack on some pounds to your towing weight.

Sea Ray makes a great boat and a 260 is a fantastic cruiser. Hope you enjoy.

Dean
 
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