Will 8'6" trailer haul an 11' boat?

MonacoMike

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2009
14,721
Indiana lakes and Lake Michigan
Boat Info
2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
Engines
85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
I have a 15k tri-axle and want to know if a 88 300 DA would ride ok on that trailer. I'm guessing the weight to be in the 11k range by rounding up from the SR dry weights. (My 270 weighs 2k more than dry weight on scales.) The trailer has plenty of length. I know about permit needs and towing, I am just am asking if trailer is wide enough to provide needed stability for a 400 mile trip.

Thanks, MM
 
Yup - it can work. Like mentioned above, just make sure it's properly adjusted.
 
Also make sure the boat doesn't set on the wheel fenders, but I suppose that one is pretty obvious! 8'6" is standard issue - even for larger boats. We have a 15K I-beam that we use for big boats - it's 8'6". You may or may not have to adjust the axles for good tongue weight.
 
Also check to see when you load the boat that the running gear is not touching anything, nor that the thru-hull covers are resting on a bunk.
 
I have a 15k tri-axle and want to know if a 88 300 DA would ride ok on that trailer. I'm guessing the weight to be in the 11k range by rounding up from the SR dry weights. (My 270 weighs 2k more than dry weight on scales.) The trailer has plenty of length. I know about permit needs and towing, I am just am asking if trailer is wide enough to provide needed stability for a 400 mile trip.

Thanks, MM

Sounds like plenty of trailer for your boat, if its in good shape. Good working brakes are imperative with boats of this size, as is a sturdy bow chock to keep any forward motion of the load from starting. Straps are NOT meant to keep the boat from moving forward under emergency braking - the bow chock is!

If the boat has factory sling marks on it, find the mid point between them. Generally speaking, this midpoint on the boat should be forward of the forwardmost axle for the best balanced ride. If unsure at your first test load, err on the side of too far forward - as its far safer than too far rearward. Test your first load by observing tongue weight, the truck should squat 3-4 inches from unloaded height. 750# - 1000# should be transferred onto the tow vehicle for a boat/trailer combo of this size. You can easily verify this at a scale that gives you axle splits, like a CAT Scale at a truckstop. Compare to the tow vehicle, empty.

Don't forget two heavy straps at the transom - from a cleat or from eyehooks in the transom, straight down to the trailer frame. At the bow, a single 6K# rachet strap can be routed from the trailer, up over the bow through both port and stern bow cleats at a forward angle. Protect any contact point of strap to gelcoat with carpet squares, fuzzy side to gelcoat.

The purpose of this angled strap is to keep the bow from rising up out of the bow chock, in the case of emergency braking. If there is a bow eye hook, you can also use another short rachet strap to pull downward, drawing the bow firmly into the bow chock. The rear straps only keep the boat from 'rolling' out of the trailer, in the case of an accident - they aren't intended to stop forward motion.

Good luck!
 
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