trailering a 208 or 228

[tf78933]

I am looking for my first Grady White. I need something I can trailer 5-20 miles. I have a GMC Yukon. How trailerable are these two boats? I really like the 232, but I think it is way too wide for trailering every weekend. I would think the 2 feet difference shouldn't be noticeable between the 208 and 228 when trailering

I've towed trailers, pop up campers, flats boats and racecars, so I'm not afraid to tow, but this would something different. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[jtsailjt]

I've got a 208 and it tows just fine behind my toyota tacoma, which is a lot smaller than your Yukon. I used to have a Formula 242, which is a pretty heavy, 24' boat much like the Grady's are and I had no problem towing that with an old Bronco that had a V8 in it. Of course both trailers had surge brakes. You're an experienced driver with towing experience so I don't think you'd have any problem with either of them, and the Yukon is certainly up to the task, especially if it's equipped with the towing package to keep the oil cool. Before I got my Tacoma, I used to tow my Grady behind my Sierra (350V8) half ton pickup with the towing package and found I didn't even need to use the towing selector that changes the transmission shift points to give more power. The one exception might be when backing/maneuvering in tight spots, when you add up the length of your Yukon plus the trailer for a 22' boat, it's looongish, but nothing that someone with a little towing experience can't take into account and do just fine with. Enjoy whichever boat you want to have most, I really don't see towing being a big issue for you.

 

[gwwannabe]

Your Yukon will handle all of the models you mentioned just fine. I towed my 204c with a Ranger 4x4 pickup and we tow my Gulfstream with my neighbors Suburban. It handles the Gulfstream beautifully. Since it's 9' 3" wide, we should pull permits but we haven't yet. Probably will when we make some longer tows later on.

The only differences between your experience and towing these boats might be greater weight and length but definitely getting the bearings and brakes wet each time you launch and retrieve so there is more maintenance required, especially if you're in salt water.

There are also some launch ramp protocols to be observed - namely get in and get out of there quickly if there are people waiting. If you have prep work to do, do it before you back down the ramp. Same on retrieval - get the boat on the trailer and move out of the way. Do all the securing for travel in the parking lot.

Gary 93 Gulfstream

 

[Parthery]

You don't say what year your Yukon is, or whether it has the 5.3 or 6.0 engine, but you should be fine with either a 208 or 228.

My 226 weighed 6600 lbs with a half tank of fuel and not too much gear in it. I had it weighed at a scale, so this is GVW - including the weight of the trailer. My 208 weighed around 5300 lbs or so, including the weight of the trailer. I towed the 226 at highway speeds all over the SE USA, and other than it being thirsty (7-8 mpg at 65-70 mph), both the Tahoe with the 5.3 and the Yukon with the 6.0 never missed a beat.

Weight does make a difference. I'm back from a long weekend down on the Gulf coast and we pulled the 180 behind our '08 Tahoe (5.3 / 3.42 rear end). At cruising speeds (70 or so) we averaged 11.1 mpg for the entire trip. Of course, the 180 fully loaded is in the 3000 lb range.

 

[JiminGA]

We tow our 228 with a Tahoe with the 5.3. NO problem at all although you know it's there behind you. I tow typically 200 miles or so each way either to Hilton Head, SC or to Destin (well not now ) It gets 9.5 to 10 mpg and I tow at 65 mph.

One suggestion, try to not tow long distances fully fueled - it add HUNDREDS of lbs. to your tow weight. We fill 'er up once we get to our destination.

 

[capt chris]

Jim,
I know what you're saying is technically correct about the weight of the fuel, but my 225 tows much better full than empty. It tracks better, bounces less, and sways less full than empty. I really prefer the handling when it's full and I tow it with a crew cab Sierra 1500 4X4 5.3L V-8 w/ towing pkg. It may be that my trailer is sprung a little too heavy and the extra weight helps dampen it out some.

 

[JiminGA]

Chris, I suspect we have different suspensions on our trailers as you said. My 228 trailers "rock solid" whether full on fuel or near-empty. I DO see a difference though in how we do on steep grades and how often the Tahoo downshifts.

Also full fuel on our 228 is 148 gals (main + aux) = 900 lbs. That's why we TRY to trailer NOT full on long trips.

 

[capt chris]

Jim,
I suspect you're right. I only hold 96 gallons and have a dual axle trailer with leaf springs not torsion axles.

 

[magicalbill]

All good advice from the pro's here.

I will add this...Make sure your trailer is overbuilt for whichever boat you choose. I let my dealers spec and make the arrangements for my previous trailers and was sorry each time.
They underbuilt them so as to make the total price attractive. I suppose if I was only trailering short distances they would've been fine, but I go all over and paid for it many times over in premature failures of bearings, bent axles, broken welds, etc.
My current 232 Gulfstream has a custom trailer that is properly sized for the boat, and it trailers great and is stable.

Even though you only plan to trailer 5-20 miles, the future is always in question. Equip the trailer right and it'll protect your Grady. it's worth it..

 

[Parthery]

Both my 226 and 228 sat on 7000 GVW trailers...which gave me a net carrying capacity of around 5900 lbs or so. It was the perfect size.

My 208 sat on a 6000 GVW trailer...5200 capacity.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

We trailered our 228 from the Smokies to the Florida Keys. I have a Tundra with the 5.8 liter motor with Toyotas tow package and 6 speed tranny with automatic/electronic manual control. Our trailer was specked by Lockwood and I love hate it. Love the torsion axels, but Magic Trail seems to undersize them. I like to trailer dry and fill up at the destination. The 228 tows well and sometimes on local trips we pull it with our 4 Runner which has a V8.