Towing a boat with 9ft beam...

[apw30534]

Wife and I are shopping for another boat. Looking at 2007-2009 Chaparral 256 and 276SSX's.

The 256 is fine @ 102"... but we have found a couple 276's that are similar in price. Unfortunately the 276 has a 9ft beam and I have zero interest in dealing with permit hauling.
Wife is wigged-out about the possibility of me towing it without an oversize permit. I'm fine with "chancing it" and have been towing for 35+ years... so this is just a walk in the park for me.
One of the 276's we are looking at is 6 hours away... and a nice 256 is 20hrs away.

Do I drive the 20 hours for the 256 ? or take my chances with the 276 being 6" oversize ?
Once we have it home... we are only 8 minutes from boat ramps... and will likely keep it in a slip at the marina anyway.

Im on the fence.
We are talking $55-60k boats here and Id rather have more boat for the same money... but by the same token... there's less potential LE hassle on the road with the 102" wide boat... but more potential for mechanical issues towing 20+ hours instead of 6 hours.

 

[briangcc]

I've often been told that the local LEO's won't know the difference between 8'6" and 9' wide...or be that obvious that they'll pull you over. I'd be more concerned with height than anything.

That being said, I wouldn't personally risk it cause with my luck, I'll be that guy constantly donating to the Police Department's charity ball....if you get my drift...

 

[racerone]

Likely easier to plead forgiveness that get permits for more than 1 state.-----Check the regulations in your state.

 

[airshot]

State Hwy Patrol neighbor says 102" is a federal width so state only controls length. Would be a big gamble...what woyld it cost to have a company bring it to you?? Not cheap I know, but what would the fine cost if you get caught??

 

[apw30534]

Just bought a 256SSX.
Crisis averted.
Picking it up next weekend.

 

[Cbr1000dude]

Just bought a 256SSX.
Crisis averted.
Picking it up next weekend.

 

[Cbr1000dude]

I would be more concerned with a tire blow out in this heat unless the tires are brand new. A double axle trailer puts a lot of weight on one tire in some situations. I just had two tires on the same side blow out within a few miles on what I thought were ok tires only 3 years old. They were 10 ply, now I have new 12 ply which is the highest rated 15 inch rim tire that will fit. Even so, each tire is rated for 2800 pounds if memory serves me. An 8000 pound boat plus trailer and whatever else is on board can be 10,000 pounds or more.

 

[airshot]

I would be more concerned with a tire blow out in this heat unless the tires are brand new. A double axle trailer puts a lot of weight on one tire in some situations. I just had two tires on the same side blow out within a few miles on what I thought were ok tires only 3 years old. They were 10 ply, now I have new 12 ply which is the highest rated 15 inch rim tire that will fit. Even so, each tire is rated for 2800 pounds if memory serves me. An 8000 pound boat plus trailer and whatever else is on board can be 10,000 pounds or more.

Classic reason as to why tandem axle trailers need extra care when setting up hitch height to get a balance of weight between front and rear axles. I have witnessed numerous ocassions where excessive weight was on either front or back and caused excess load on the tires!! Many dont take the time to adjust towing height and cause there own tire problems.

 

[dingbat]

Classic reason as to why tandem axle trailers need extra care when setting up hitch height to get a balance of weight between front and rear axles. I have witnessed numerous ocassions where excessive weight was on either front or back and caused excess load on the tires!!

I have not found TA trailers (spring) to be sensitive to setup in the least bit. Weight distribution is handled by the equalizer assemblies.

Torsion axles (I’ve had two) can be a bit more particular to setup but not overly.

Half the time Mrs. Dingbat forgets to change the drawbar when pulling the horse trailer. Uses the one for the boat that is 4” higher. Been going on for close to 20 years now

 

[Bondo]

Just bought a 256SSX.
Crisis averted.
Picking it up next weekend.

Ayuh,..... Good for you, Hope it turns out to be a Great boat for ya,.....

For the sake of the topic, I've hauled 10'ers, 'n the most width is fairly high up, outa line of sight for most folks, includin' the cops,.....
12' is really "Noticeable", 'n you will get pulled over,....
I wouldn't think twice 'bout hookin' onto 9', 'n flyin' cross country, myself,....

 

[airshot]

Ayuh,..... Good for you, Hope it turns out to be a Great boat for ya,.....

For the sake of the topic, I've hauled 10'ers, 'n the most width is fairly high up, outa line of sight for most folks, includin' the cops,.....
12' is really "Noticeable", 'n you will get pulled over,....
I wouldn't think twice 'bout hookin' onto 9', 'n flyin' cross country, myself,....

Probably true if you stay away from turnpike and toll roads, those folks are on the lookout for wide loads, as it adds to their pocket book !!

 

[tpenfield]

Just bought a 256SSX.
Crisis averted.
Picking it up next weekend.

Congrats on the new boat.

For future considerations, I would not be overly concerned about towing a wider boat, if you decide to go bigger in the future. It depends on how often you tow and what you are comfortable with.

If you tow a lot, you can always get an annual permit. If you are towing a distance, then things get a bit more tricky if multiple states are on your route.

I know folks who have towed 10' wide boats over 1,000 miles and not had any issues regarding permits ( i.e. not having any ).

I tow my nearly 11' wide boat locally about 1 mile. I will probably get a day permit for peace of mind, since I go on a state road for that 1 mile.

 

[apw30534]

We got home with the boat on Saturday afternoon.
Towed it from LOTO Missouri to Dawsonville, GA. 755miles and 12+ hours.
I made sure to over-prep for the trip by adding a set of Firestone adjustable airbags in the rear of my Tundra and had several hitch inserts available for correct tongue height. Ended up using the 6" drop hitch. (truck is lifted)
The trailer was a pleasant surprise. It's a 2015 EZ Loader with 4-wheel disc brakes, E-rated 15" tires and oil-bath bearings. WAY overbuilt trailer and probably the nicest one I've owned sofar. It towed like a dream.
Biggest issue was the VP DPS outdrive would not raise high enough to be at a comfortable level. Couldn't even get up my driveway without makeshift ramps.
Came to find out there were 3" spacer blocks INSIDE the trim rams to limit up-travel.
The swim platform had a ton of clearance so I cut the spacers down to 1".
This gave me significantly more travel (add'l 2" stroke) with plenty of room to spare. No clearance issues no rubbing, no contact anywhere. Not sure why the cylinders were so terribly limited in the first place. I can only assume it was an oversight by the guy assembling them when new.
Either way... the boat goes up and down my driveway without ramps or issue now. All is well that ends well.

 

[tpenfield]

Congrats . . . now you'll be ready for a 307 SSX in a few years.

 

[apw30534]

Congrats . . . now you'll be ready for a 307 SSX in a few years.

That will give me an excuse to buy a new dually. lol