First time trailering help!

[kodoz]

Hello,
I'm looking a getting an 18-21 foot jet boat. i've read the manual an all the canned info on trailering, but am still feeling stupid about what i can reasonably pull and what hitches and stuff i need.

Truck: 1999 Tacoma V6 4WD, rated to pull 5000 lbs
Boat/trailer: undecided, but 18-21 foot aluminum jet, under 3500 lbs
Will this truck handle something in this range without unreasonable wear on the engine, brakes, and transmission?

What i think i need: class III hitch, installing a no-drill type myself
Antisway bar...is it necessary?

The drop ball is something i need to figure out after i have the trailer picked out, right?

what else do i need? any other advice?
thanks

 

[JB]

Re: First time trailering help!

Howdy, Kodoz.

Welcome to iboats.

Your Toyota should handle the towing chore well. If it is rated for 5,000 it should have the towing package . . .transmission cooler, correct diff ratios, larger battery. . . already installed.

A Class III receiver hitch sounds right. Sway bar not essential, but not a bad idea.

Be sure that your trailer has: Surge disk brakes, reverse lockout for the brakes, dual safety chains and submersible lighting.

Strap style winch is a lot better than a cable winch. The winch eye on the boat should seat below the bow stop so that it will prevent the boat from sliding far enough for'd to hurt your truck in an emergency stop or collision..

Good luck.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: First time trailering help!

JB covered it, except for a long enough tongue, the distance between the truck and bow stop, so you can lower the tailgate, without droping the trailer.

 

[kodoz]

Re: First time trailering help!

thanks guys. much appreciated.

 

[Chart]

Re: First time trailering help!

You'll want anywhere from 5-15% of the trailer's weight on the ball of your hitch. Easist way to determine is to use a truck stop weigh scales, where each axle of the truck and all the trailer axles are weighed independly. You'll have to then drop your trailer and run the truck over by itself for a "re-weigh". By doing some math you can find how much tongue weight you have. Rule of thumb, more is better than less.

 

[DJ]

Re: First time trailering help!

That truck does not handle tongue weight very well.

Hook up the boat and see. Basically, you are looking for a level plane between the tow vehicle and the trailer.

If you don't have that, there are many options to help your rear springs.