frome
New Member
This is my first post! :thumbsup:
Anyway, I've just bought my first boat: a 2002 Sea Ray 176 with only 118hrs on it. I'm very excited. Taking the testdrive/sail next monday and assuming it's good, payment in full and delivery later that day. Then it becomes my problem which leads to my question:
It's got the original Shoreland'r trailer that came with the boat new, but it doesn't have brakes, surge or otherwise. I'll be using a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport (2WD) to tow it. My truck does not have ABS (only came with the 4WD versions), disc in front, drum rear. Per the manual, the GVWR is 5K lbs., and the max towing capacity is 5K lbs. - with brakes. On a trailer without brakes it says max = 1500lbs. The boat weighs in at 2100lbs., and I figure another 400-500lbs for the trailer. With the 5K max, no problems - but then this trailer doesn't have brakes. I went in to the dealer earlier today (who so far has been very helpful and a great guy) and he told me that most of these smaller trailers didn't have brakes, and then he asked me where I'd be taking it. My (truthful) answer was lakes & rivers within a 1 hour radius of where I live, as there's plenty. No crossing real mountains, although US 101 on the OR coast does have it's gradual ups & downs/twists & turns. He said not to worry about it, as adding brakes to the trailer would run me in the ~$600-700 range, and that I should try driving it around town, etc. and only come back and spend the extra if I really felt I need them. He pointed out that it's the same frame, the same engine, the same tranny, and suggested that Mitsubishi was just covering their butt by downgrading the capacity. If I have to slam on the brakes in an emergency, I'm screwed regardless of whether I have brakes on the trailer or not. This is a salesman who lives on his commission telling me I really don't have to spend the cash - which is rare.
So after rambling along and giving you what's probably far too much info, I'd like to know what everyone thinks: is he right? Should I not worry about it? Or am I being a dangerous fool by not having them? I'm very much a "safety first" kind of guy, especially when it comes to my family and my investments. I'm no speed demon when it comes to driving without a trailer, and I'll probably be even a little slower with it. I'd really rather not put them on if they're unnecessary - there's enough other costs that seem to keep ramping up (no pun intended) on equipment, etc. as it is.
So please, help a newbie out if you can. Thanks.
Anyway, I've just bought my first boat: a 2002 Sea Ray 176 with only 118hrs on it. I'm very excited. Taking the testdrive/sail next monday and assuming it's good, payment in full and delivery later that day. Then it becomes my problem which leads to my question:
It's got the original Shoreland'r trailer that came with the boat new, but it doesn't have brakes, surge or otherwise. I'll be using a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport (2WD) to tow it. My truck does not have ABS (only came with the 4WD versions), disc in front, drum rear. Per the manual, the GVWR is 5K lbs., and the max towing capacity is 5K lbs. - with brakes. On a trailer without brakes it says max = 1500lbs. The boat weighs in at 2100lbs., and I figure another 400-500lbs for the trailer. With the 5K max, no problems - but then this trailer doesn't have brakes. I went in to the dealer earlier today (who so far has been very helpful and a great guy) and he told me that most of these smaller trailers didn't have brakes, and then he asked me where I'd be taking it. My (truthful) answer was lakes & rivers within a 1 hour radius of where I live, as there's plenty. No crossing real mountains, although US 101 on the OR coast does have it's gradual ups & downs/twists & turns. He said not to worry about it, as adding brakes to the trailer would run me in the ~$600-700 range, and that I should try driving it around town, etc. and only come back and spend the extra if I really felt I need them. He pointed out that it's the same frame, the same engine, the same tranny, and suggested that Mitsubishi was just covering their butt by downgrading the capacity. If I have to slam on the brakes in an emergency, I'm screwed regardless of whether I have brakes on the trailer or not. This is a salesman who lives on his commission telling me I really don't have to spend the cash - which is rare.
So after rambling along and giving you what's probably far too much info, I'd like to know what everyone thinks: is he right? Should I not worry about it? Or am I being a dangerous fool by not having them? I'm very much a "safety first" kind of guy, especially when it comes to my family and my investments. I'm no speed demon when it comes to driving without a trailer, and I'll probably be even a little slower with it. I'd really rather not put them on if they're unnecessary - there's enough other costs that seem to keep ramping up (no pun intended) on equipment, etc. as it is.
So please, help a newbie out if you can. Thanks.
