How big of a boat can I trailer?

Question

I'm wondering how big of a boat I can conceivably trailer if I have the power to do so with my truck. I'm looking at cruisers and notice that once you get a beam greater than 8'-6" you typically are not trailering and getting a slip somewhere. YET, I'm finding boats on yachtworld.com that have a 10' beam that are pictured on a tri-axle trailer. I'm confused.

Answer 1

a beam of 8feet 6inches allows you to tow without a special permit in most places. These boats are considered "trailerable" for this reason. Other boats have wider beams and are still trailerable, but, in most cases you need a permit to do so. With that said, many boats are on trailers with a wode beam going to storage, etc without the proper permits. However, if you take it on a toll road, they will report you at the toll booths.

Without knowing what truck you have, you need to look at the manual and find the tow rating. You will hear different opnions from different people depending on their interest in the matter. The boat salesman will tell you you have no problems with towing your truck.

The towing is not the issue, it is the stopping that is the issue. Usually, 80% of the truck tow rating is recommended, Also, get good brakes in the trailer. They have suege brakies and electric disk brakes. If you are close to the tow rating, get a trailer with electric disk brakes on all axels and have the electric controller installed in the truck.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

An 8.5 foot wide trailer is of legal width in all states without a special permit. Some states have wider regulations. (They are posted in the back of the Rand McNally road atlas). If you are wider than a state's non permit width, it doesn't necessarily mean you can't trailer it, It may be a fairly simple permit to get. However, depending on the state, the trailer, and other factors, you may have ceritain regulations and restrictions such as possibly a sign, second vehicle, certain road and bridge restrictions, etc. There may also be different licensing requirements. Check into this ahead of time so you know if it's something you are able and willing to do. I'm not sure of this process, but I'm sure the department of motor vehicles at your county courthouse can get you pointed in the right direction.

Also realize that some boat trailers are "Yard Trailers": They are designed to launch and retrieve a boat as well as store in the the marina's boat yard. These trailers are not designed for road towing.

I've towed many smaller trailers - (such as 22-foot sailboat or canoe trailers) with ease, but when I towed my first 26-foot sailboat half way across the country which had a trailer&boat weight of close to 10,000 lbs, it was an experience I personally don't care to repeat.

Though not directly related to your question, here's some more thoughts that may be helpful:

Towability is more than just the width and boat weight to vehicle rating. Trailer design, braking system , overall size, the boat's attachment to trailer, hilly terrain, wind, the kind of roads you will be on all affect how easy (and safe) it will be to tow. Another thing I learned is that most boat ramps are not designed to launch wide, deeper draft boats.

If sailing in various locations is not important to you, you may find that paying for a slip or hard storage is cheaper and involves less headaches than buying and maintaining a trailer and tow vehicle.

Insurance can also be an issue for a trailer that size. I found my car insurance company wouldn't insure it saying it should be covered under the boat insurance company. My boat insurance company gave me the opposite story. Boat US is one company that at least used to offer towing insurance, but I found even that fairly limited in coverage.

Hope this helps.

- Dave

Answer 4

1/2 ton Trucks have around a 5500lb =6200lb
3/4 ton Tr are 7000lb =8500lb
1 ton Tr are 9500 = 9900lb
Over 24' 6500lbs an your truck is not a 4x4 you might have to have it lowed by a lift as your truck might have problems at the ramp.Seen some get the boat on the trailer an the whole rig went swimming>So be safe. The 10' beam doesn't make a difference as i have pulled them.They don't usually stop you but check the state your in. Just slow down going threw toll booths.The triple axle is nice for loads but a pain when turning an backing up, An pulls hard. Myself i like a 10,000 2 axle for around a 28'er 16' wheels rather than 10,500. 3 axles 15' wheels.Hope this helps.If your going to leave it in the water look for a self bailing boat as the pumps are a pain in a lot of rain.

Answer 5

Pretty much any average sized boat is trailerable a standard pickup with a v8 and some with v6 motors. The thing you need to do is look in your manual and make sure that the vehicle has the towing capacity. It should be listed in the book. Now honestly, if you are looking for a boat that large, I would go with a minimum of an f-250 or a chevy 2500 pickup truck. When I see the boats requiring a tri-axle, I usually see them being pulled by a dually pickup. Don't forget stopping power. Brakes are just as important when towing as the engine is. What's the point of being able to pull something you can't stop.

Answer 6

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RE:
How big of a boat can I trailer?
I'm wondering how big of a boat I can conceivably trailer if I have the power to do so with my truck. I'm looking at cruisers and notice that once you get a beam greater than 8'-6" you typically are not trailering and getting a slip somewhere. YET, I'm finding boats on...

Answer 7

Your not going to be pulling this boat all over, if it's bigger then 8.6 your going to take it to a slip in the spring and leave it there, maybe if your on the big water like we are (Huron) you can go from one port to the other without trailering the boat, use the water.
If you can afford a boat this size and afford to use it, then have it stored for the winter, then you won't have to worry about a trailer.

Answer 8

If the boat has a beam width or actually over all trailer width of more than 102" (8'6"), you need over width permits to pull it down a public highway.

Answer 9

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A range rover 4.0 V8 / auto/manual or 2.5l diesel can pull 3500kg on a braked trailer. This weight includes the weight of the trailer.

Answer 10

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