Trailering a large cruiser

[ray486290]

We currently have a Sea Ray 260 that we haul with an F-350 or Excursion. We've been looking into purchasing a much larger cruiser, +30'. We want something we can comfortably spend longer durations on at a time. Our current one gets very small very fast...lol. The main concern would be trailering it home from the east coast, then twice a year after that. We have a slip for summer months. We recently purchased an F-550 that we would be hauling it with. My overall question is what cut off should I keep in mind as "too big to haul". I've looked into commercial hauling, but it's simply not worth it for the distance, I'd rather have something I can bring home myself with my F-550. I'm also aware that I'll have to buy a trailer separate as most large cruisers do not come with one. I'm also aware of the oversize permit requirements. I've been in touch with an agency that will, for a reasonable fee, compile all the permits needed along my predetermined route, as well as notify me of construction etc that could hinder me. I've hauled heavy loads plenty of times in the past, the F-550 wasn't bought just to haul this boat. We haul often. But never a boat this large. I'm asking for advice from those who haul large cruiser. Helpful tips are welcome. Any advice on trailer setup? I've seen fifth wheel/gooseneck boat trailers, but they seem to be uncommon. What are the pros and cons of that vs a bumper pull? Another question is tongue weight. I've noticed a lot of boats tend to be fairly balanced on the trailer, not offering much for tongue weight. My 260 is like that. We actually had the axles slid back quite a bit to transfer more weight forward. I assume they do that to allow people to haul them with smaller trucks, but without much tongue weight it can be a pain on the highway, even dangerous. I have a large water tank that I can strap down on the flatbed to add ballast weight on the rear axle, and yes, I know that will add to my GCVWR limit.

Anyone who has hauled, or does haul a large cruiser that has any advice, I would appreciate it.

Thank you for your time,
Rick

Sea Ray 260
F-550 Flatbed diesel
F-350 Dually diesel
Excursion V10

 

[smokeonthewater]

In all honesty NOBODY here can answer your question about what size to cut off.... The answer is based completely on your abilities and what you can get permitted for the route you want to take... you need to look into requirements for each state you plan to travel IE what widths or heights require pilot cars.... Do you need to pay the power company to come out and lift power lines for you to pass.... Also how much prep work do you have to, are you willing to, do to the boat to move it? remove a flying bridge? props n rudders? ... You will quite possibly need to have a custom trailer built for anything in a cruiser much over 28-30 feet.

Transporters use special adjustable trailers, often hydraulic, that are way too expensive to be dedicated to one boat



As for tongue weight... the "balanced" trailers you speak of are quite frankly nothing but WRONG... there is absolutely no good reason to set up a trailer without proper tongue weight and "ballast" on the flatbed will do absolutely NOTHING to correct the condition... most likely would actually make it worse... the weight absolutely must be on the trailer as it has to do with inertia on the front vs the aft of the trailer and the dynamics of the trailer.... the effect on the tow vehicle is incidental.


I reqularly tow my 10k lb 28' boat 33' OAL and 11' wide.... I have done multiple 1000+ mile trips and have not bothered with permits for it.... thus far I have had no issues but I COULD get my hand slapped hard at any time.... If it was any bigger I would certainly get the permits....

You do not HAVE to hire a 3rd party agency to get your permits, You can simply call the permit office in each state and they will work with you directly on routing and requirements.... You do not always get to choose your own routs... sometimes states will specify what roads you may take.

 

[redneck joe]

^^^^^^nothing to add from there but why do you need to haul?



oh and welcome to the forum

 

[joetheis]

I think the "end up size", will be what state laws are reguarding width.
I BELIEVE anything over 8' wide has to have special permits case and follow cars.
They can build a special trailer to haul anything-anywhere..... if you got the coin!
As for pulling it.....
If the trailer has GOOD working brakes, the sky is the limit!
Might want to consider a tractor (minus the trailer).
Them before you plop that kinda coin down, ask yourself "what am I gonna do with the Ford 550 AFTER I get the toy to it's water or bed"?
I had a small problem like that, my "toy hauler" sits 99% of the time, cuz it's a gas hawg, bought it JUST to haul the boat 500 miles a year.
Sometimes parking your hauler isn't the best thing for it.................
Just my thoughts.
Joe
take any advice I give with a can of beer er 2!

 

[GA_Boater]

This is gonna be more questions than answers.

How far is the twice a year trip to the water? From Wyoming to where? Have you considered storing the boat off-season at the marina where you slip her? No permits needed or follow cars for that. Hire a transport company to get the boat from the east coast for a one time charge and you won't need to buy a trailer that sits in the yard or where ever with tires going bad in the sun, rusting away and annual registration/tax costs for two trips a year. My coupla pennies.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... As for Size,.... 102",...... 8, 1/2' is standard federal highway legal width,...

Up to 10', with a permit ain't bad, 10' to 12' gets complicated, 12' to 14' requires escorts, 'n the whole shebang,....

For Height, 13'6" is legal, up to 14' ain't much of an issue, higher than that, you need walkin' escorts with poles to lift wires over the load,...

I'd suggest a 5th wheel hydraulic adjustable wagon to haul it on,.....

 

[smokeonthewater]

I've never had any problem getting permits for 12' and never needed pilot cars at that width.... after 12' they get expensive and start getting closer to pilot car territory... BTW many if not all states require CERTIFIED pilot cars... not just your buddy blocking for you... power lines depend on routes ... generally not an issue on the interstate tho bridges can be and can push you off the interstate and into power line territory.... specific local needs researched... Most up to 40' can be broken down enough to be under legal height ... at some point it becomes more feasible to move by water but I don't think the OP is trying to go that big.

Disclaimer: It's been close to 10 years since I had to get a wide load permit and I haven't done so in all states.... ABSOLUTELY contact the authorities in EVERY state you plan to travel... ALSO understand that a permit IN NO WAY absolves you of liability... If you strike a bridge it can cost you a HUGE amount of money..... Just the cost of the state hiring an engineering firm to determine that your flimsy fiberglass radar arch didn't damage the steel and concrete bridge built in 1921 could easily exceed your liability insurance.

Also keep in mind, that there ARE bridges lower than 14' There is one in Tiffin Ohio that if I remember right was less than 10 feet... maybe less than 9 feet... been a loooong time since I was there.

A commercial motor carriers atlas available in any truck stop is an absolute must for planning routes.

 

[aerobat]

trailering a +30ft cruiser through several states is a nicely winter forum diskussion i guess. nobody will dismantle powerlines for you as a private person. boats that size have usually a permanent harbour.

best regards

 

[smokeonthewater]

Generally the power lines aren't "dismantled" they are lifted... using long poles and or bucket trucks the sag in the middle is simply lifted enough to allow the load to pass under...... Private person makes no difference.... a private person's money is just as good as any other entity's money..... Generally to have power lines lifted you are looking at a couple hundred $ to a couple thousand $ depending on how many people and trucks are required.