Actual Weight - 280 Sundancer

R

Rigg315

New Member
Mar 5, 2007
8
Lake Mead
Boat Info
200
Engines
4.3LX
Just curious if anyone can guess with some accuracy, or knows the actual weight of a 2004 280 Sundancer with the following:

- Twin V6's, alpha one's
- genny
- 1/2 tank of fuel
- triple axle trailer

Just trying to find out the actual realistic "towing weight". For those of you that do tow this boat, what do you tow it with?

Thanks for your feedback!
 
Rigg315,

The boat weighs about 8,000, and a steel trailer will weigh 2500 - 3500. Then you need to figure fuel, gear, water, etc.

The boat is very trailerable, but you will need a 3/4 or 1 ton truck from one of the Big 3. I would very highly recommend going diesel.
 
The boat weighs 8500 pounds stock with the single engine and no options. The 496 engine with Bravo 3 outdrive weighs 1179 pounds. Each 4.3 Alpha One weighs 857 pounds (x2 = 1714 – 1179 = 535). So, now your boat weighs 9035 pounds. Add the genny at around 300 pounds and it pops up to 9335. Add some misc options (+150) and now we are at 9485. Add half water (28+6=34 gallons x 8.33 = 283.22 pounds / 2 (half) = 141.61) and now we are at 9626.61 pounds. Add half fuel (100 gallons x 6.5 (depending on grade and quality and time of year (range is 5.8-6.5) = 650 pound / 2 (half) = 325) and now we are at 9951.61 pounds. Add an EZ Loader galvanized triple axle steel roller trailer (like mine) at ~2650 pounds and you are at 12601 pounds. My boat on the trailer at the scales one time as I remember was just over 13K pounds and I had the single engine but with all options, full fuel, full water, no sewage but lots of gear. I pulled my boat effortlessly with a 1996 Ford F350 quad cab 4x4 with the 7.3L diesel engine and 5 speed manual transmission.

Bottom line, expect about 13K pounds for your setup. Time to buy one of those new Ford F450 SuperDuty’s that can pull over 20K pounds!

Cheers,

Marq
 
Wow.......that is a reality check! Thanks Marq! I was hoping for a max 11k lb. total weight, but I guess I was dreaming. 12,500 is getting up there.

I wonder what the tongue weight would be? Do you use weight distributing bars/hitch?

I guess I have to get that Dually Diesel that I have always wanted. I don't think my 98 K3500 454ci could handle that. I tow a tow hauler, that when loaded is 10k lbs., but 12,500 is HEAVY for a tongue trailer.

Someday I'll own a 280 Sundancer!
 
I ran my tongue weight at 10% or about 1200 to 1300 pounds.

My F350 is not a dually but I have helper springs and 12 ply tires. I don't use bars.

I bet your Chevy would be fine if properly equipped.

My setup tracked perfect and felt very confident on the road.

Marq
 
I have the new 3/4 ton megacab with cummins and have towed short distance 15miles and longer out on highway for 150 miles. The rear suspension does just fine with out the "bars" but if you really want a comfortable and safe ride get the bars and 2 sway controls unless they are built in. It is such a nice feeling. I know many wold shy away from pushing your weight but I pull big weight at work (backhoes and such) and as long as you truck and trailer have a good braking system and enough power then it falls upon your own ability and experious. Remember this is not a license to take a chance but a comment on the after market stuff to help stabilize your load. Nothing is worth an accident. :thumbsup:
 
13,792

2006 280DA
Twin 4.3's Alpha 1
genset
all options
full fuel
full water
empty holding tank
full fridge
full cooler
filled with the normal spare parts, props, filters, etc.

and of course all of the stuff for the weekend... clothes, toothbrushes(cause they're heavy), etc. :smt001

The 8,500 spec from SR website (per what I was told by SR techs) is a stock config no optional items, dry weight. As Marqbloq mentioned by the time you get done adding it up.... all of the optional items, twins, genset, fuel, water, stuff, etc. The weight adds up. I pull with a cummins diesel as well.... I am sure you could get it moving with the gas ..... but I would hate to see how fast the fuel is used up :smt001 The challenge is usually not getting it going... rather getting it stopped..... ensure you have a very good braking system on the trailer. I have hydraulic/electric disc brakes on all three axles.... with a controller in the cab. This setup seems to work very well.

I also upgraded the undersized receiver/hitch ball mount and ball. The stock receiver on the Dodge (Class IV) seems to be the same regardless of model 1500, 2500, 3500. I upgraded to a 15k capacity putnam hitch (Class V), ball mount, and ball. I do not use weight distributing system as I found no need for it. Like Marqbloq's past 280 we run about 10% tongue weight on ours as well. The rear end of the diesel Dodge's is nice and stiff... and handles the weight just fine. I have the 4.10 gears in the truck... purrrr along at 55 mph at 1500 RPM right in the cummins sweet spot for torque. While the truck will pull faster I do not ride above 55.... this much weight behind you is no joke.... as the load now outweighs the truck. I take my sweet time at 55 MPH and arrive safely.

You dont mention your location... but here in California you need a $90 a year permit and you have to carry a up to date list of restrictions... fly the "Oversized Load" banners front of the truck and back of the boat.... along with orange flags..... the reason for oversized load... is the boat is wider than the vehicle code allows (8'6") without a permit. They dont inspect the rig at all... they just want your $90. Good ol Caltrans!!! :grin:
 
Jeremy:

Your year truck did not allow a Jake. In 06 you can get the Jake. Would you add a Jake if you had the chance? I am just drooling at the moment but just in case...
 
We pull a 2005 280, twins, genny, ac/heat, plenty of junk, with a 2004 Diesel Excursion or 2002 diesel F350 (not dually) on an magictilt trailer. They both pull pretty good, we only pull far (100+ miles) a couple times a year as we are in a wet slip the rest of the year. We have pulled it with a F350 diesel dually and it was a little nicer! I guess may be an excuse to trade to the dually. Stopping is definitely the bigger issue!
 
Thanks everyone for all the feedback! I definitely have a good idea on the trailer weight of my future boat.
 
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