Trailering a 300SD?

[WayneT]

Trailering a 300DA?

My first post, pls be gentle :smt001

I'm looking closely at a 2004 300DA with very low fresh water usage, about 30hrs on the engines (they are asking 80K). My plan would be to trailer the boat to my home, about a 200mi trip. I realize I'll need oversize permits and such, but more importantly I'm wondering what manner of truck will tow this monster? My Kubota tractor will easily haul it, but of course the trip would take a few months.

The boat comes with and is sitting on a 3 axle hitch trailer. I'm estimating the load comes to somewhere around 15K lbs, 12K dry boat, 2.5K trailer, and .5K misc. My neighbor has offered to tow it with his Chev HD2500 which has the big diesel and Allison. He pulls around a large 4 horse trailer rig which comes in at about 13-14K.

What think ye DA trailering experts?

 

[berth control]

I normally think that people over react and get a much bigger tow vehicle than needed, but in this case I think your neighbor's truck is about as small as you can go. It would do it, but make sure the trailer brakes are working well. If not, that is too big of a load to tow. If this is a one time trip, then I would not hesitate to pull that boat with that truck. On a regular basis though, you will need an even bigger vehicle. If you plan on keeping that boat in the water somewhere (which you should) than you will only be pulling it once in a while, and maybe can buy the neighbor some beers!

 

[Morpheus]

Unless I missed something, SD = Sundeck I believe you are looking at a Sundancer which would be DA

 

[fc3]

A friend had a 35' Sonic that weighed somewhat less than the weight of the boat you are discussing. His GMC 3500 towed it well enough, but the boat would sometimes push the rear end around a bit. He traded to a GMC 3500 with dual rear wheels and it's fine even with the new 38 footer. Duramax / Allison is a good power train. Towed that boat back and forth to Florida a few times with reasonable fuel burn and plenty of power.

 

[Sundancer]

I think he meant DA for Sundancer as well.

People think were nuts because we tow ours everywhere. We go to the San Juans, Montana and a variety of lakes in our area. I can't imagine being stuck in one of them for a whole season. Our boat is 11 feet wide and 30 feet long without the bow pulpit or swim platform. If you are comfortable trailering and don't mind trying to take out signs, telephone poles, trees or other vehicles on the road then by all means trailer it! It's not any tougher to unload or load than our 250 DA was. I can buy fuel away from the marina and load and work on it at home. Permits and traveling during the holiday weekends are the only downfall. During the holidays, I just have to leave a little earlier and come home a little later! :grin:

 

[Quint4]

I have the same truck and it will pull it fine. Trailer tires good? Bearings greased? Adequate jack and good spare? Good Brakes on trailer? Lights on trailer working and compatible with tow vehicle connection?

 

[WayneT]

My apologies for the mis-acronym - it is a Sundancer. Thx all for the responses.

Sundancer - what do you use to haul yours around?

I live about 35mi from our preferred launch ramp near Huntington Beach CA. Flat, nearly all freeway. Two options as I see it, store the 300 at home or at a storage facility adjacent to the ramp area. Wet slip is too expensive in this area. For the storage option, do you guys think my current truck, 03 Tundra 4x4, would be adequate to launch and recover the 300?

2nd part, if I store at home, would a 2500HD 4x4 equivalent be adequate for trailering the 300 to the ramp? Or should I be thinking 3500/F350?

 

[390pi]

The 2500HD would do it- you would need to make sure the hitch is up to it. (The factory hitches are somewhat weak; I replaced mine right away) Of course, I am assuming your buddy's horse trailer is a 5th wheel.

I'm thinking your tongue weight would be around 1200# or so. Double check the specs on the hitch.

I do not think the Tundra has the braking power and curb weight for that size of boat for any distance.

Also, you will need an overwide permit from CalTrans. It is $90/annually.

I'm agree with the other guys here: it is nice to have the ability to go whereever you want with the boat, especially in Calif.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Single rear wheel truck will be fine, but I would certainly suggest a dually. The back end is much more stable.

Tundra - just for moving it around the marina, correct? Put it in 4 lo and see what it does. 4 lo should give you the power, but I'm sure that back end is going to squat down all the way onto the bump stops. At that point, it's going to start lifting the front wheels off the ground. How much? Won't know till you try. At the bare minimum you'll lose some front wheel traction. Now you'll only have one rear wheel supplying power.

Take it slow and try it. If you're slow and careful, the worst thing that'll happen is you have to back the boat off the trailer. When you first put the boat on the trailer (and before you start pulling out) go lift up on your front bumper with a buddy.

 

[Zorba]

The Duramax Alli combo will tow it fine. That is what i pull my boat with. The Tundra may pull it, but good luck getting it to do anything else. Plus you will need a new transmission in a month or two, along with new brakes and rotors, change your oil every trip because it will run hot, etc., etc.,. Use your buddy's truck or buy yourself a diesel.

 

[berth control]

Single rear wheel truck will be fine, but I would certainly suggest a dually. The back end is much more stable.

:thumbsup:

Your Tundra will launch and recover the boat, but much like the single rear wheel truck, it will be at or above it's max capabilities. You could do that if it's being stored near the marina, but I would spend plenty of time looking around for the right marina that is priced right.

I was looking to do what you are thinking but ended up getting a cheaper slip and would NEVER go back to dry storage. Keep in mind, it will take about 15 to 30 minutes to launch the boat and then prob. longer to retrieve it - and that's not a fun 15 to 30 minutes. I would look at slips that are 30 minutes farther from your prefered launch spot, maybe you can find a cheap one.

 

[WayneT]

Thx again everyone - a great site.

The storage area is immediately adjacent to the marina/ramps, less than a football field. If I pull the string on this, I'll test the Tundra as suggested first. Can upgrade the truck if necessary, its only money right? If I go with a 2500HD or equiv, that gives me the option to store at home and take it other places (very desirable).

I'll look around for a wet slip, but that creates a whole set of new challenges I suspect.

Do you guys think 80K for a 300DA with very low hrs in near new condition is reasonable? I assume I'll want to have a survey done - how best to find a reliable surveyer?