Trailering a 260DA?

[Tail Chaser 661]

Towing in FL is as easy as it gets. Totally flat, and easy driving/traffic conditions. Kind of like driving in Nebraska.
Put the new super 1/2 ton into some good size hills with there small block and you couldn't trade it in fast enough.
Unless your happy climbing hills at a slow rate of speed.
Personally I don't want somebody knocking my drive into the V berth when i'm pulling 5 mile grades and the traffics moving 80 mph. Tundra seems to have some strong brakes and frame. Toyota claimed 400 lbs tq I believe with there 5.7. Thats what the old 460ci ford put out. Plenty of power everywhere but the mtns.

 

[stevea661]

Towing in FL is as easy as it gets. Totally flat, and easy driving/traffic conditions. Kind of like driving in Nebraska.
Put the new super 1/2 ton into some good size hills with there small block and you couldn't trade it in fast enough.
Unless your happy climbing hills at a slow rate of speed.
Personally I don't want somebody knocking my drive into the V berth when i'm pulling 5 mile grades and the traffics moving 80 mph. Tundra seems to have some strong brakes and frame. Toyota claimed 400 lbs tq I believe with there 5.7. Thats what the old 460ci ford put out. Plenty of power everywhere but the mtns.

So as I was pulling the boat home on the 405 to the 14 with the dodge up the grade, at 60, I kind of forgot it was there, :thumbsup:

 

[Nacho Boat]

Towing in FL is as easy as it gets. Totally flat, and easy driving/traffic conditions. Kind of like driving in Nebraska.
Put the new super 1/2 ton into some good size hills with there small block and you couldn't trade it in fast enough.
Unless your happy climbing hills at a slow rate of speed.
Personally I don't want somebody knocking my drive into the V berth when i'm pulling 5 mile grades and the traffics moving 80 mph. Tundra seems to have some strong brakes and frame. Toyota claimed 400 lbs tq I believe with there 5.7. Thats what the old 460ci ford put out. Plenty of power everywhere but the mtns.

Like I said before, everyone has to evaluate what they going to tow and how they are going to use it! This obviously means adapting your rig to your geography and expected useage.

Even with my Ford F-350, I wouldn't want to tow my boat through the mountains.

You may think towing in Florida is easy, but try pulling your load several hours in the Floriday heat! And yes, we have some pretty bad traffic in Florida (try towing through Tampa during Friday evening rush hour....)

BTW - It's not the engine size that would concern me with Mountain Towing....It's the Brakes!!!!!

Going slow is a bummer, being unable to stop.....YIKES!!!!:wow::wow::wow:

 

[fosacci]

Just a thought that no body has suggested yet, but why not buy a 240 Sundancer? We have almost the same truck (05 Yukon XL) and a 240 Sundancer. It pulls it so well, I forget its back there sometimes and we always trailer it. Just a thought.....good luck brother.

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Like I said before, everyone has to evaluate what they going to tow and how they are going to use it! This obviously means adapting your rig to your geography and expected useage.

Even with my Ford F-350, I wouldn't want to tow my boat through the mountains.

You may think towing in Florida is easy, but try pulling your load several hours in the Floriday heat! And yes, we have some pretty bad traffic in Florida (try towing through Tampa during Friday evening rush hour....)

BTW - It's not the engine size that would concern me with Mountain Towing....It's the Brakes!!!!!

Going slow is a bummer, being unable to stop.....YIKES!!!!:wow::wow::wow:

I use to work for Watkins Motor lines out of Lakeland FL. Pulled twin trls all over Tampa, Miami, 48 states. FL is #2 of easy driving. Nebraska #1. Where I live is top 3 of most difficult. :smt021
Its kind of interesting. The long downhill grades with surge brakes and engine braking I very seldom have to even touch the brakes, actually have to get back on to the throttle.
I get some brake fade coming to a complete stop from speed in a hurry. A trl brake upgrade will cure that. With a electric brake in cab controller I could set it to stop with almost all trl brakes if I wanted. Installing some slotted front rotors on the tow vehicle cures the brakes also. An 18 wheeler grossed out at 80K wont stop either.

steve,
Nice to be able to motor along at 60 mph on the grades.
Pulling the Grapevine must be interesting, Mixing it up with the 18 wheelers being stuck in the right two lanes pulling a trl in Calif. Picking up my fuel tanks Tuesday :thumbsup: Meeting him on the Calhoun Pass. He is on the way to the Vegas/Reno offroad race :smt001

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

This thread started with a simple question. Again, towing this load with the proper 1/2 ton is certainly NOT STUPID, unsafe, illegal, immoral, or improper.

I towed a very similiar set up with Nissan Titan for two seasons, and towed it about different 30 times, putting about 5,000 towing miles on my Titan. It never overheated, never blew a tire, and always ran perfectly (I never had any mechanical issues with the truck).

So, when I towed this boat with a Titan- was I good or just lucky???:huh:

Again, making sure that your vehicle and trailer is set up properly and has the proper load on the tongue is just as important as the vehicle that is towing it.

You don't need to buy a diesel to tow a 260. The 1/2 tons today are capable of towing more than 1/2 tons from 10 years ago - and....not all 1/2 tons are the same. You must decide if your vehicle can tow it properly and safely.

I was not bashing any CSR members. Statement was more of be careful of advertising hype. I'm sure we see all the same TV commercials. WOW! If I buy a new Toyota Tundra, I can pull a 10k trl up a steep grade and drive through fire at the same time. I wonder why the fire dept is not using these for putting out Forest fires :smt017

 

[matthewmiller01]

Just a thought that no body has suggested yet, but why not buy a 240 Sundancer? We have almost the same truck (05 Yukon XL) and a 240 Sundancer. It pulls it so well, I forget its back there sometimes and we always trailer it. Just a thought.....good luck brother.

No generator option.

 

[chuck1]

No generator option.

If that is the only reason, just have one added for $3-5K or so.

 

[matthewmiller01]

If that is the only reason, just have one added for $3-5K or so.

Is there room? The only ones (240s) I have seen so far (been concentrating on 260s for this reason), don't have enough room forward of the engine. The forward bulkhead of the engine compartment is the aft bulfhead of the mid-berth area. On the 260s, the generator sits on a shelf there and the forward bulkhead of the engine compartment is a foot or two forward. :huh:

 

[Lazy Daze]

The genny would sit on one side or the other of the engine.

Or, you could use one of the Honda 2000 portable generators - they're about $1,000. Of course, this sit topsides when you're using it.

Cabin room inside the 260 is noticeably larger than the 240. Also, not even sure what the 240 is going to be like for 2010. Will it be the 240? Will it be the 230? Don't know, yet.

 

[matthewmiller01]

The genny would sit on one side or the other of the engine.

Or, you could use one of the Honda 2000 portable generators - they're about $1,000. Of course, this sit topsides when you're using it.

Cabin room inside the 260 is noticeably larger than the 240. Also, not even sure what the 240 is going to be like for 2010. Will it be the 240? Will it be the 230? Don't know, yet.

Does anyone have a factory generator on their 240? I would like to see a pic of how the engine compartment is laid out. There is a brand new leftover 2007 that my dealer has, and IIRC, it does not have any room for it. The batteries and holding tank were on one side and the water heater was on the other.

Has anyone added an aftermarket generator to a 240? If so, please chime in with ~cost and any other remarks about it.

I have been looking into the portable generator option in another thread. I don't believe I want to go that route.

I know for 2009, the 230, 240, and 250 do not offer the generator as a factory option. Like you said, who knows what 2010 will bring. Supposedly, there are going to be some big changes with the lineup (models going away).

 

[chuck1]

Check out this thread
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22472

I know papgator24 http://clubsearay.com/forum/member.php?u=932
has one.

There used to be an active user in the lake lanier area that was restoring a 340. His company installed them. I had him look at installing a small generator in a 290 I was looking at.

 

[Nehalennia]

Does anyone have a factory generator on their 240? I would like to see a pic of how the engine compartment is laid out. There is a brand new leftover 2007 that my dealer has, and IIRC, it does not have any room for it. The batteries and holding tank were on one side and the water heater was on the other.

Has anyone added an aftermarket generator to a 240? If so, please chime in with ~cost and any other remarks about it.

I have been looking into the portable generator option in another thread. I don't believe I want to go that route.

I know for 2009, the 230, 240, and 250 do not offer the generator as a factory option. Like you said, who knows what 2010 will bring. Supposedly, there are going to be some big changes with the lineup (models going away).

Are you thinking new now or used boat?
I'd seriously reconsider the 260DA over the 240DA. I really have been happy that we opted to go for the used 260DA over a new(at the time '06) 240DA we had been looking at. The little bit of extra room here and there is what really I've found to be nice. Upgrading your tow vehicle is a good option for either boat. I know it may be a slight expense, but I looked for a straight accross trade for my Suburban, for a less featured truck. I'm happy with that because I'd rather have the bigger boat.

Just food for thought.

 

[ggiametta]

Guys, I'm not saying this to anger anyone or step on any toes. But, a half-ton vehicle is not up to the task of SAFELY pulling 10,000lbs. It's not just about "can it pull the weight?" A 3/4 ton has a bigger tranny, brakes, heavier tires, heavier rear end, usually a better frame. Also, trying to stop fast and swerving at the same time will be a bad experience in a half-ton. It just is not safe for the vehicle occupants and other motorists to pull that kind of weight with a half-ton. Regardless of what the trucks rating is.

I'd be curious to know how many people with a half-ton are observing not only their engine temp gauge, but also transmission gauge and EGT and what numbers you see. But again, what the weight is doing to the tow vehicle is only a small part of the equation. The big part is how unsafe it becomes in an emergency maneuver.

I just towed my new 2008 260 DA from Peter's Marine (Allentown, PA)to upstate NY with a 250 Super Duty, it made it OK but was pushing it all the way. A 350 probably would have been perfect.

 

[stevea661]

I use to work for Watkins Motor lines out of Lakeland FL. Pulled twin trls all over Tampa, Miami, 48 states. FL is #2 of easy driving. Nebraska #1. Where I live is top 3 of most difficult. :smt021
Its kind of interesting. The long downhill grades with surge brakes and engine braking I very seldom have to even touch the brakes, actually have to get back on to the throttle.
I get some brake fade coming to a complete stop from speed in a hurry. A trl brake upgrade will cure that. With a electric brake in cab controller I could set it to stop with almost all trl brakes if I wanted. Installing some slotted front rotors on the tow vehicle cures the brakes also. An 18 wheeler grossed out at 80K wont stop either.

steve,
Nice to be able to motor along at 60 mph on the grades.
Pulling the Grapevine must be interesting, Mixing it up with the 18 wheelers being stuck in the right two lanes pulling a trl in Calif. Picking up my fuel tanks Tuesday :thumbsup: Meeting him on the Calhoun Pass. He is on the way to the Vegas/Reno offroad race :smt001

Good deal, sounds like the boat coming along. The 3500 dodge pulls really well. The only problem I have is that the suspension is real stiff and when I hit a section of freeway that has those bouncey ripple joints, I have to slow down. Every thing just bounces, with or without towing. It's not so bad with the 32' travel trailer, it has a weight distributing hitch. I don't thing that would work with surge brakes. Oh well, got all winter to put on electric breaks. It's only time and money:smt043

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Good deal, sounds like the boat coming along. The 3500 dodge pulls really well. The only problem I have is that the suspension is real stiff and when I hit a section of freeway that has those bouncey ripple joints, I have to slow down. Every thing just bounces, with or without towing. It's not so bad with the 32' travel trailer, it has a weight distributing hitch. I don't thing that would work with surge brakes. Oh well, got all winter to put on electric breaks. It's only time and money:smt043

I could be wrong, But I think a weight distributing hitch may be hard on a trl. The receiver/hitch ball is a pivot point when the suspension compresses absorbing some of the road shock.
The distributing hitch locks that truck and Trl in as one solid unit. Just a theory anyway. :huh: Need to check the factory 5k receiver for cracks where it bolts to the frame. Accurate trls in Newhall pointed that out. 400.00 for a 10K receiver. Our roads are so bad the 1/4" channel steel for my bow roller was starting to bend down. :wow: I'm surprised I don't have stress cracks in that area. Boat pulled a little easier without the engine/drive. Still would have been a tough pull using a 1/2 ton or rice burner. :smt043 Tanks came out nice. They were suppose to have a epoxy coating on them :smt009 Another day lost :smt101

 

[matthewmiller01]

Are you thinking new now or used boat?
I'd seriously reconsider the 260DA over the 240DA. I really have been happy that we opted to go for the used 260DA over a new(at the time '06) 240DA we had been looking at. The little bit of extra room here and there is what really I've found to be nice. Upgrading your tow vehicle is a good option for either boat. I know it may be a slight expense, but I looked for a straight accross trade for my Suburban, for a less featured truck. I'm happy with that because I'd rather have the bigger boat.

Just food for thought.

Not specifically looking new or used. If the deal wsa right, I'd pick either one. There is a leftover new 2008 260 at the dealer that I really like, but have this issue with the weight and towing. They also have a leftover new 2007 240 (no gen, no air [but could be added-or just get a carry-on]). I have also been looking at used. The pre-2005 260s are 1700 lbs lighter than the current years models, so I have really been looking there as far as used. I could likely tow that one safely with the upgrades to the truck that I am considering.

 

[tdappleman]

I just towed my new 2008 260 DA from Peter's Marine (Allentown, PA)to upstate NY with a 250 Super Duty, it made it OK but was pushing it all the way. A 350 probably would have been perfect.

Wondering how you would define "pushing" and what model F250 you have? A shorter wheelbase truck (standard car/short bed) will certainly handle loads differently than say a crew cab/long bed. You'll want to make sure you have your tires up to the correct pressure. An F250 can either have D or E range tires depending on year/model - a D will typically be at between 50-65 psi cold and E's are usually 80psi cold.

 

[Nehalennia]

Not specifically looking new or used. If the deal wsa right, I'd pick either one. There is a leftover new 2008 260 at the dealer that I really like, but have this issue with the weight and towing. They also have a leftover new 2007 240 (no gen, no air [but could be added-or just get a carry-on]). I have also been looking at used. The pre-2005 260s are 1700 lbs lighter than the current years models, so I have really been looking there as far as used. I could likely tow that one safely with the upgrades to the truck that I am considering.

Yeah, I think you'd be well served finding a nice '99-'04. The weight and the space over the 240's is pretty good if you take a close look.

Either way best of luck.

 

[brian2001ss]

Great post guys. I will be considering a 260 or 270 in the next couple years and would like your opinions on a few trailer questions. I own a 2004 2500 Dodge Cummins 4x4 quad cab with a full size bed.

1. I tow a Camaro in a 24ft enclosed trailer (electric brake)and with the sway bars and load levelers, you hardly even know its back there. How much different will it be to trailer a newer 260 on a tri axle?
2. How difficult is it to launch and retrieve the 260 on a trailer that size?
3. With the newer 260's, do you need a wide load permit?
4. Do you guys stop in at weigh stations?
5. Is my current truck enough to safely tow a boat of this size? I know you guys have mentioned 3/4 ton, but I could always trade in for a 3500. Oh, and trust me, the ride in my 2500 Cummins is rough with the 24, but you get use to it at 75mph.

Thanks guys