Another 240DA towing question...

[tubthumper]

Greetings CSR (first post). I am currently looking at a 1998 Searay 240 which has a published dry weight of 4,300 lbs. This seems rather low to me and I am wondering what a realistic towed weight would be with her sitting on an aluminum trailer. Currently have a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 that can tow 7,500 (would be 8,500 if I had the shorter axle ratio.) I realize that you have to account for oil (20lbs?), gas (360lbs), water (88lbs), options (has the fridge 60lbs?), miscellaneous stuff (300lbs), also has a 383 mag MPI w/ bravo III (200 extra pounds?), and trailer (1,200 lbs): my estimate is 6,500 pounds on the trailer ready to go. Does anyone have any actual weights for 1996-1999 Searay 240's? Thanks for any and all comments!

 

[wjamwhitis]

I tow my 1987 268 Weekender which is suppose to have a weight of 5475 with my 2004 gmc Sierra 1500 2 wheel drive, but I do have the tow package with the 3.73 axle and locking differential. It tows fine, but I only tow it twice a year about 50 miles.

 

[Nehalennia]

I tow my 260DA with a 2500 HD Chev Silverado 6.0L. I would use anything lighter. Your 1500 will certainly tow it but will it stop it? Your boat is much lighter (1600) than mine, but your vehicle also has a much lower tow rating. Just my $.02.

 

[GJarrett]

I used to own a '93 230DA which is listed at 4,300lbs dry weight and just acquired a '99 240DA which is listed at the exact same weight. I can tell you flat out that the 240 is a lot bigger than the 230 was; I do not know how SeaRay could list them at the same weight like they do. After I bought the 240 I had her weighed on a truck scale on the way home. I am estimating her weight because it was a combined weight with my tow vehicle and a 1,050lb trailer; but with 1/8 tank fuel, no water, three batteries and one or two hundred pounds of stuff onboard she weighed about 5,300lbs. True dry weight is probably closer to 4,800-5,000lbs not 4,300. I'd say your ballpark estimate of 6,500lbs including trailer is probably very close to actual.

 

[tubthumper]

Thanks for all the replies! I certainly wish that I had a 3/4 ton to tow with...although I wouldn't be buying a 24' cruiser if that was the case! I am considering this model and year because it is one of the few mid-cabin cruisers that should fit in my towing capacity. I also plan to address the stopping issue by installing brand new braking system with 4 Stainless Steel discs. GJarret, thanks for the figures they seem to confirm what I was thinking! Anybody else own a 1996-1999 240DA with weights from a vehicle scale?

 

[duckmnn]

I tow a 96' 270 tri aluminum trailer.I use my 00' Z71 1500. I wouldn't go cross country ,but it does fine for a few times a year. My only fear is dipping.I put truck in 4 low to assesst in backing down ramp. As I have no brakes on trailer in reverse.