What do you tow your boat with?

[Shannon C.]

2500 Cummins 30 Marlin, working on trailer brakes now.

 

[Pighunter]

Yeah, it's awesome. Spending money like a crazy person has the upside everything just works (for a while). My trailer does not have bearing buddies, it's all sealed, they say get it inspected after 5 years. So no greasing them.

leeccoll, those high side rails/bunks you have on your trailer, mine doesn't have those, what are they for? I'm guessing to center the boat on the trailer?

I bought a set of those with a curb side ladder for my last boat/trailer they work great for loading the boat. I haven't needed them with my 228 yet.

 

[Fowl Hooked]

Denali HD with the 6.6 Duramax hauling my 265 with disc brakes on all 3 axles driven by an integrated electric over hydraulic controller, starts and stops great.

 

[leeccoll]

Yeah, it's awesome. Spending money like a crazy person has the upside everything just works (for a while). My trailer does not have bearing buddies, it's all sealed, they say get it inspected after 5 years. So no greasing them.

leeccoll, those high side rails/bunks you have on your trailer, mine doesn't have those, what are they for? I'm guessing to center the boat on the trailer?

Correct,

When I load at Pyramid Lake near Reno, it is not just weird winds to contend with. I used to toss heavy spoons off the shoreline bank before I had my 228. I would let the lure hit the bottom and then start my retrieve. Some days the current was so strong, the line would be 45 degrees to where it hit the water, so you can imagine having to fight that as well as strong sideways wind loading your boat.

As much as I have been less than ecstatic about a few things with the new trailer, it DOES load like a breeze, and the side bunks keep it from blowing off the trailer. Like Pighunter, I have steps on one side which come in handy getting on and off. I think the option was like $400 bucks from Pacific, so that was money well spent for me.

 

[Captain TJ]

i use this guy

Seems like a solid choice. LOL

 

[Captain TJ]

I just spent $2200 having my 8 year old trailer brakes and bearings rebuilt including a new surge. Wow I didn't know a boat trailer could stop so nice.

Good trailer brakes really do make all the difference.

 

[Bloodweiser]

Seems like a solid choice. LOL

Yep I’m like the Grinch

 

[Divajean]

Correct,

When I load at Pyramid Lake near Reno, it is not just weird winds to contend with. I used to toss heavy spoons off the shoreline bank before I had my 228. I would let the lure hit the bottom and then start my retrieve. Some days the current was so strong, the line would be 45 degrees to where it hit the water, so you can imagine having to fight that as well as strong sideways wind loading your boat.

As much as I have been less than ecstatic about a few things with the new trailer, it DOES load like a breeze, and the side bunks keep it from blowing off the trailer. Like Pighunter, I have steps on one side which come in handy getting on and off. I think the option was like $400 bucks from Pacific, so that was money well spent for me.

View attachment 15758

Good trailer brakes really do make all the difference.

I two tw2wi12 f350,previous boat owner removed surge and cut brake lines,I have drums on one axle,when I straighten this mess out should I do both axles and are drums ok,mostly freshwater but I plan on a few coastal runs,I'm

Good trailer brakes really do make all the difference.

I just spent $2200 having my 8 year old trailer brakes and bearings rebuilt including a new surge. Wow I didn't know a boat trailer could stop so nice.

Previous owners removed my surge, I'm towing with 2012 f350, when straighten this mess out should I brake both axles, only single axle brake now and should I change to disc,mostly freshwater but I want to do a few

Here's my actual truck and boat. Slightly different angle but looking pretty similar. I guess my truck was destined to tow a Grady. LOL

View attachment 15733

2012 f350.....trailer has no brakes, gonna fix em this winter

Yep I’m like the Grinch

 

[wrxhoon]

Guess I'll be the first odd duck out as I don't have a pickup. I use a Toyota Land Cruiser.

I'm the second ....200 series Landcruiser 4.5 TTD, the tow vehicle of choice in Australia. As she arrived from Jacksonville

 

[Pighunter]

I two tw2wi12 f350,previous boat owner removed surge and cut brake lines,I have drums on one axle,when I straighten this mess out should I do both axles and are drums ok,mostly freshwater but I plan on a few coastal runs,I'm


Previous owners removed my surge, I'm towing with 2012 f350, when straighten this mess out should I brake both axles, only single axle brake now and should I change to disc,mostly freshwater but I want to do a few

2012 f350.....trailer has no brakes, gonna fix em this winter

I would replace the drums with disc brakes. I did it with my last pacific trailer, not a hard job. Easy to order all the parts and not a hard job. I think I just payed around $400 for a new surge but if you need it you need it.

 

[jasgator5220]

I tow my 257 Advance with a Sierra 1500 w/ the 6.2L.

 

[Pighunter]

I tow my 228 with a 2000 F350 7,3 powerstroke diesel with 220,000 miles (I keep saying I'll replace it when it dies but it won't). Picture to follow.

 

[Captain TJ]

I would replace the drums with disc brakes. I did it with my last pacific trailer, not a hard job. Easy to order all the parts and not a hard job. I think I just payed around $400 for a new surge but if you need it you need it.

I agree with Pighunter, switch to disc brakes on as many axles as you can afford. Be sure to order a new master cylinder designed for the disc brakes you're installing. After 3 or 4 trips one axle of disc will stop better than 2 of drums because drums get out of adjustment easily and quickly. Inspections and maintenance are also easier on disc but be sure to add a reverse lockout. They are cheap and will keep the trailer brakes from locking every time you have to back up any incline. You won't regret this upgrade and if you're already having to replace much of the drum system it won't be much more money but a huge difference in how it tows. Good luck

 

[Captain TJ]

BTW, I'm loving all the pictures and seeing how different everyones set up is.

 

[Topjimmy]

I am the real Odd Duck out I tow my 192 with a Lexus RX350.........I only tow it 1 mile twice a year back and forth to my house the rest of the summer it sits in front of my house at my dock never bothered taking a pic but I will this Fall

 

[dainlaroche]

Grady White 209 behind 2013 Dodge Durango, V6, Factory Tow Package

 

[JAdams1]

2017 Tacoma with tow package, rated for 6,700 lbs.

 

[family affair]

Many people didn't believe me when I would tell them my truck only had a 2.7 and would haul a 248 easily including in the mountains, but it does.
The 3.5 accelerates better at highway speeds and gets great mpg if I run 91+ octane.
2016 2.7

2018 3.5


BTW, I trailer with my fender out so everyone will think I'm a newb and stay the hell out of my way!

 

[Legend]

Now I'm jealous looking at these great setups, No trailer for me a fork truck launches and pulls mine in the spring and fall. It sure would be nice to have it at home to work on it during the off season.

 

[mr_mbuna]

This worked for my old 21' Robalo but it won't work for the new 27' Grady, even though it doesn't look too disproportionate. I'm shopping for an upgrade - probably something like a 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD with the 8.1L or Duramax.