Question about trailer

[FuzzDaddy]

Hello everyone!

I'm looking to purchase a 2009 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck. Unfortunately it does not come with a trailer. Can someone tell me if this Load Rite trailer will work please?Here are the specs...
2002 Load Rite Boat Trailer. Galvanized. GVWR 5950. Previously garage stored. Surge brakes. Measures 20' from the bow roller to stern roller. I have attached some pics of it.
Thank you very much for your time
Corey

 

[Thornton69]

IMO, it would depend on your intended use. The length of the reach in this part of the world would be a pita unless you don't mind getting your feet wet. The axels also look light if you want to haul your boat loaded with gear. The weight of your tow vehicle could also be a concern with surge breaks if backing down steeper ramps.

 

[Juliery]

Get a heavier trailer. The boat is 4300 dry so add fuel, water and your gear puts it at 5000, say. The trailer, itself weighs over 1000 pounds so you're over capacity. Always allow a 10% margin on your trailer GVWR so look at about 7500 pound capacity.

 

[FuzzDaddy]

Thank you for the information. I really appreciate it. I'll keep looking or wait for a boat that comes with the trailer.

 

[FuzzDaddy]

I forgot to ask. I only use the trailer to bring my bot home for the winter and then back to the marina. I don't launch with it. Do I need a roller trailer or is a bunk trailer ok?

 

[FuzzDaddy]

I'm a little confused what my tow limit is on my 2015 ford f150 3.5L V6. Here are the specs. Would this be ok to tow a 240 Sundeck? Thank you!
Corey

 

[FuzzDaddy]

Here are the specs of the truck and the boat

 

[Juliery]

I'm a little confused what my tow limit is on my 2015 ford f150 3.5L V6. Here are the specs. Would this be ok to tow a 240 Sundeck? Thank you!
Corey

According to Ford your tow capacity with an adequate hitch is 12,200 Your boat and trailer is well under that but you will not want to tow through any mountains ( which you will not be doing).

 

[Juliery]

I forgot to ask. I only use the trailer to bring my bot home for the winter and then back to the marina. I don't launch with it. Do I need a roller trailer or is a bunk trailer ok?

Either / or. You find fans for both. I have bunks. My boat floats off the trailer.

 

[Thornton69]

I would not be too concerned with using that trailer with your truck if only towing with it a couple times a year. It is approaching the limit though. Not sure where your located but does not appear to be Florida in the pic. If it has to support a frame and possible snow load in the off season, as they do up here, then it too should be considered.

 

[FuzzDaddy]

Hi everyone,
Thank you for the reply's! I really appreciate it. I couldn't find anything in my truck manual about towing. I live in New Jersey. Most of my towing will be flat. I have towed my 230 bow rider no problem but my f150 truck struggles up hill with the V6. My buddy has a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 hemi V8 and I never even feel the boat being towed uphill. Big difference. But it's good to know the few times a year I'll tow the 240 I'll be ok. Now I'm in a pinch to find a trailer because the 240 I found for sale doesn't have one.
Not a easy task to find one. That's why I asked if it should be a bunk or roller trailer. I tried eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook market place. I thought any 2 axel trailer would do but I learned I need to watch the weight. I hope I find something before the boat sells!
Thank you for tour time!
Corey

 

[FuzzDaddy]

I would not be too concerned with using that trailer with your truck if only towing with it a couple times a year. It is approaching the limit though. Not sure where your located but does not appear to be Florida in the pic. If it has to support a frame and possible snow load in the off season, as they do up here, then it too should be considered.

Are you referring to my original post that this trailer would be ok? I thought it I needed a heavier weight trailer...

2002 Load Rite Boat Trailer. Galvanized. GVWR 5950. Previously garage stored. Surge brakes. Measures 20' from the bow roller to stern roller.

 

[blaster]

I wouldn’t recommend a roller trailer. Bunks give much better support, especially if the boat will be sitting on the trailer all winter.

Make sure the trailer is long enough to balance the center of gravity. A 20’ trailer won’t cut it for a 24’+ boat.

 

[FuzzDaddy]

I wouldn’t recommend a roller trailer. Bunks give much better support, especially if the boat will be sitting on the trailer all winter.

Make sure the trailer is long enough to balance the center of gravity. A 20’ trailer won’t cut it for a 24’+ boat.

yes the boat will be on the trailer all winter. I'll look for a bunk trailer and I'm assuming they should be cheaper. Any specific length trailer I should look for?

 

[blaster]

Get a trailer which will support the Hull all the way to the stern. You don’t want the heaviest part of the boat hanging off the back of the trailer unsupported.

 

[boatman37]

I prefer a bunk trailer. You will be pushing the limits with that trailer and most likely over. But your F150 should have no trouble towing that boat and whatever trailer you end up with. I have a 2016 Venture VATB7225 which has a GVWR of 8525lbs (payload of 7225lbs). My boat with a full tank of fuel and as it sits in the water (anchor, all ropes, life jackets, etc) weighs 7700lbsb so I'm a little over. After 3 years no issues but if I plan to tow further then a trailer upgrade will be in place.

My thoughts are if you like the boat then buy it then look for a proper trailer later if you have the ability to pull it and block it for the winter

 

[Lazy Daze]

As noted above, bunks or rollers... each have pros and cons, but as long as both are of decent quality, it really just comes down to personal preference. Both will fully support the hull equally well.

GVWR is the weight the trailer is rated for INCLUDING the weight of the trailer. Steel or aluminum will determine what the CARRYING CAPACITY is based on a 6K GVWR. However, this one is not enough. Go to Sea Ray's website and look at the dry weight of the boat. Then add for a full tank of gas, batteries, full tank of water and any other option this boat has over and above standard. Add 300lbs for "gear" for good measure. Now you know the minimum carrying capacity that you want to look for.

Don't forget to make sure to have brakes on both axles.

FYI... trailering is not so much about power, but EVERYTHING to do with braking and stability.

 

[boatman37]

yes the boat will be on the trailer all winter. I'll look for a bunk trailer and I'm assuming they should be cheaper. Any specific length trailer I should look for?

They typically measure trailers by measuring from the bow eye to the transom. Get that measurement from your boat. But most trailer manufacturers will state a boat length. Here is a link to Venture trailers and you can see that my trailer says 25-26' boat length.
Some of the better brand trailers are Load Master and Venture
https://www.venturetrailers.com/trailers/aluminum-trailer/

https://www.loadmasterboattrailer.com/trailers/powerboat-trailers/

 

[boatman37]

Yes, some states require brakes on all axles so make sure what your state requires and even if they don't require it I'd still prefer brakes on all axles. My last boat had a tri-axle trailer but only had brakes on 2 of them.

And as was stated, GVWR is the total weight of the trailer and boat. In my case the boat is about 7700lbs and the trailer is 1300lbs so I need a trailer with a GVWR of at least 9000lbs.

I would look at a ballpark number of your boats listed dry weight and add 1000lbs. That should give you a little cushion and be safe. The best thing to do is go to a CAT scale (most truck stops have them) and weigh the boat and trailer then unhook the trailer and re-weigh just the truck. That will give you an exact number for the boat and trailer as well as tongue weight.

 

[FuzzDaddy]

Awesome, just awesome... thanks for the clarification and explanation!
Everyone here rocks!!!