Selecting the Right Trailer

G

Good Timin

New Member
Dec 15, 2006
26
Newbie here, hoping to take the plunge on a like-new 2004 260 Sundancer this afternoon.

Gonna want to buy a trailer and getting several different suggestions from dealers. What do you guys use? The dry weight for this boat is 6200 but the generator and spoiler, etc. will add some significant lbs. I hope to go with an aluminum tandum axil rated at 8,200 and weighing about 850 (the Magic Tilt TALS2882 is one that I am considering).

Glad to find this board and am looking forward to being part of the community.
 
We have a triple axle MagicTilt 30ft 13,000# for our 2005 280. It pulls it nicely! Make sure you have plenty of truck (see recent tow vehicle post).

We love to trailer as you can visit many different places and have some nice 3-5 day weekends!! It was a must for us, even though we keep our boat at a marina, trailering is the ticket to visit someplace new! Enjoy!
 
Just got a quote on a new 260 and MM quoted the TML28110 as the trailer for it. Said they went up when they started adding the arch, gen, etc to the 260DA.
Hope this help.
 
8200 lbs does not seem like enough trailer to me. Dry weight is 6200 lbs in the glossy sales broucher. That is probably a dream number which is way low of actual dry weight. Now add in the gen set, fuel, water, and all the stuff you have to have. You only have 2000 lbs of spare capacity.

Searay's website lists the 2007 260 at 7500 pounds dry(I will use 6200 as you state?) plus 84 gallon fuel (504 pounds), water 28 gallons (224 pounds) holding tank 28 gallons (224 pounds, plus generator (?), plus stuff (?). The total is 7152 plus gen set and stuff. Stuff is a scientific term that can really pack on the pounds. You have a cushion of a little over a 1000lbs without the gen set and stuff, that is cutting it too close for comfort.

If the deal is not done yet have the dealer scale the boat and trailer before you buy. Verify that weight ticket with your eyes. Have it in the contract if the trailer is not big enough a higher capcity trailer is to be provied.

DOT frowns on dealers selling trailers that are not strong enough for the load. The excuse that the customer signed is not an excuse with DOT as the dealer is the knowaledgable party. A friend got stuck with a trailer that was under rated for his boating needs (not a Searay). The dealer refused to correct the mistake until DOT payed a visit.

Have a great day,

Paul

OH ME is correct in advising you to consider your tow vehicle also.
 
Good Timin,

Welcome to the board!

You may want to take a look at this post, it talks about a similar sitution. In it I itemized a list of things that add to the dry weight. You should probably do the same for your boat. Make sure you allow for full fuel and water, as you may want to haul it that way.

Don't go too light on your trailer. Get a good solid trailer that makes the boat and trailer solid behind your tow rig.
 
We have a diesel 4x4 Excursion and a diesel 4x4 F350 which we can pull the boat with either. We do need an oversize load permit which is required from the state. It is minimal cost (~$150 year) and easy to get (fax form to state).

We towed a 240 DA for years on dual axle and it seems with the triple axle the 280 is not a whole lot different. You do have to realize that there is a lot back there to stop! We do not tow everyday because we keep her at the marina. We do haul out to clean the bottom, change lakes, or sometimes to get gas if we are completely empty. It will save us around $100 per tank if we haul out! :thumbsup: We need to do it more!!!
 
We have a diesel 4x4 Excursion and a diesel 4x4 F350 which we can pull the boat with either. We do need an oversize load permit which is required from the state. It is minimal cost (~$150 year) and easy to get (fax form to state).

We towed a 240 DA for years on dual axle and it seems with the triple axle the 280 is not a whole lot different. You do have to realize that there is a lot back there to stop! We do not tow everyday because we keep her at the marina. We do haul out to clean the bottom, change lakes, or sometimes to get gas if we are completely empty. It will save us around $100 per tank if we haul out! :thumbsup: We need to do it more!!!
 
Good Timin,

If you can find a solid twin-axle trailer I would recommend staying away from the tripple-axle. The 3 axles are very hard on the wheel bearings of the trailer! Also, unless you absolutely need to save weight, I'd probably also stay away from an aluminum trailer. The frame flex that every trailer experiences is very tough on aluminum. A friend of mine cracked a cross member right at a weld on his aluminum trailer. Not sure if this was an isolated case, but it sure ruined his day. Also, when launching his twin-axle aluminum trailer his 4 wheels provided enough flotation to allow the trailer to "drift" sideways in a perpendicular current one can experience launching at the local rivers. Sure makes retrieving the boat "fun"!
Lastly, whatever you do, stay away from drum brakes!!

Good luck and enjoy your boat!
 
Here is the scientific version of stuff: Battery #2 and 3, ice, cooler, water toys, fishing gear, rubber boat, clothes for the first, second, third .... mates, FOOD, drinks, tool kit, spare prop, bathroom gear, kitchen gear, towels, and a host of other things I can't even think of. A spare tire is nice, so is an electric winch or manual wench(The latter can be carried on the trailer, but it's not advised!).

As for the "dry" weight, it's just that. It was dry in the mold and they weighed it! Actually, I think they take the lowest weight of the first few built. That's assuming standard engine and Alpha drive. The larger engines and bravo drives add weight along with all the options inside like microwave, pillows, toilet, arch, generator, batteries, anchor, chain and rode, bumpers, anchor roller, canvas, ladder, lines, ..... I'd say that 2,000 pound cushion disappears quickly. Just make sure you empty the water from the bilge each time you pull it from the water!!
 
Sundancer said:
Here is the scientific version of stuff: Battery h, generator, batteries, anchor, chain and rode, bumpers, anchor roller, canvas, ladder, lines, ..... I'd say that 2,000 pound cushion disappears quickly. Just make sure you empty the water from the bilge each time you pull it from the water!!
Click to expand...

Great way to explain stuff :thumbsup: :lol: :thumbsup: But you forgot the Magma Grill, Power Inverter, etc. :thumbsup:
 
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