New to Trailering

[brilo82013]

2011 200 Sundeck and plan to tow with 2023 Jeep Gladiator Sport in FL. We've kept our boat at a marina since we purchased and now looking to trailer. I've never towed anything and don't know where to start... What size, type, style of trailer do I buy? I've searched the website and have not found much information. Where is the best place to start?

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Contact Myco or All American down your way to get a trailer built for your boat. That's first. Then once you get a trailer, grab a buddy that is experienced and spend some time in an empty parking lot to find out how it reacts to steering and backing. Initially steer from the bottom of the steering wheel to get you backing up correctly.

Now, I'm not sure how decent the Gladiator will be for towing. Luckily you're in Florida (flat).

I see you're in Bradenton (I lived there for about 10 years) and you're close to the Sarasota boat ramp. I suggest you take some time and check it out without your boat and watch. You'll learn a lot. Both the good and the bad.

 

[FootballFan]

The golden rule of trailering I was taught.

The challenge is not pulling --- the challenge is when you want to slow down or stop.

 

[brilo82013]

Contact Myco or All American down your way to get a trailer built for your boat. That's first. Then once you get a trailer, grab a buddy that is experienced and spend some time in an empty parking lot to find out how it reacts to steering and backing. Initially steer from the bottom of the steering wheel to get you backing up correctly.

Now, I'm not sure how decent the Gladiator will be for towing. Luckily you're in Florida (flat).

I see you're in Bradenton (I lived there for about 10 years) and you're close to the Sarasota boat ramp. I suggest you take some time and check it out without your boat and watch. You'll learn a lot. Both the good and the bad.

Great advice! Thank you

 

[hughespat57]

Sea Ray spec
Dry weights 3500
40 gal fuel 300
Gear figure 700 approximately
Trailer ? 1500
GTW about 6000lbs
(persons and gear max is 1400)

Jeep says you can tow 7650lbs
So you should be legal/safe

If getting it built for you consider Electric over hydraulic brakes. Much better then standard surge braking. EOH brakes also work when backing down ramps where surge brakes do nothing while backing.

 

[slomaro]

Different Jeep, but I tow with a Grand Cherokee. +1000 for either EOH or straight electric brakes. My 220 OV is on a newer Loadmaster twin axle with electric brakes (about 6000 lbs) way better than surge brakes! I'd highly recommend Loadmaster, but if you're in Salt water an aluminum trailer is probably a better option.

 

[copb8tx]

2011 200 Sundeck and plan to tow with 2023 Jeep Gladiator Sport in FL. We've kept our boat at a marina since we purchased and now looking to trailer. I've never towed anything and don't know where to start... What size, type, style of trailer do I buy? I've searched the website and have not found much information. Where is the best place to start?

It should go without saying that you want an aluminum trailer in your environment. When I first brought a trailerable boat to FL it was on a beautiful pristine color-matched steel trailer. I was very diligent in rinsing it off thoroughly after ever dip in saltwater. It still deteriorated much faster than I would've ever imagined.

Funny about the Gladiator. I had a wild hair while in FL last time that I could possibly combine my practical tow vehicle, F150, with our fun car, 2-dr JK, into a best of both worlds Gladiator, saving insurance, maintenance, etc. I went online to my boat specific forum asking for an opinion. Boy, I got it! Many had done the same with very marginal results. Several stated that the chassis was up to snuff if used in limited doses on flat land, but the 3.6 Pentastar V6 was way underpowered for any serious highway driving. This was even more true if you've upgraded to bigger wheels/tires.

Granted my boat probably weighs 1500lbs more than yours, but it's something to consider.