First long trip...

[C-Town Sundeck]

I'm getting ready to take a trip from Charleston SC to Lake Gaston NC to spend a week with family at a lake rental. I'm going to trailer my NEW 260 Sundeck for the first time that far. I have a 2010 F150 FX4 and plan on using it to tote my pride and joy!

I'm getting a little nervous as the end of June and lake week nears... do I have enough truck, enough hitch, do I cover the boat, do I use transom savers, etc...

I'm a very conservative driver, meaning I plan on leaving early and going no more than 55 on the relatively flat 5 hour trip. Any pearls of wisdom?

Thanks...

 

[dev6315]

With having a new boat, I assume you have a new trailer. It should be more than road worthy. Double check your bearings, triple check your straps and make sure your safety chains are cris-crossed. Make sure the trailer sits nice and level when hooked to the truck.
When I trailer long distances, I tend not to cover the boat. Unless you have a perfectly fitting very tight trailer cover, any slack will flap and cause tears in the cover or damage the gel coat. Cockpit covers are ok, they are tight fitting enough I believe.
I don’t use a transom saver, however I do use the trailer clips for the hydraulic rams of the outdrive. In case of a fluid failure, the drive won’t drop and drag on the ground.
You didn’t say how much your boat weighed. However I know from experience that the new F150 is a very capable tow vehicle. A class 5 hitch is the best way to go. I wouldn’t try it with any engine smaller than the 5.4 V8 though. Take it nice and easy and you should have no problems. I wouldn’t trade trailer boating for anything. A little thought and double checking is never under rated. Let us know how it goes.
:thumbsup:

 

[sabell]

Hey C-Town Sundeck! Will see you at the lake! As long as you don't use the same driving techniques I've seen you use on a certain '88 Mercury Capris...you should be good. On my tow...I plan on using the same driving techniques as my ride in a certain '91 Nissan Pathfinder!

 

[C-Town Sundeck]

... good info, 2007 240! BTW... turn your hitch ball over on your receiver to even out the load and don't let some dork pull your rig out of the Potomac again!!! Gaston or bust!!