Towing a 320 sundancer

I think their confusing operators of 'Recreational Vehicle',as in RV'ing, with those of us that are just moving our toys(vehicles for recreational use) around.
 
Here are some back of the cocktail napkin calculations from my increasingly faulty memory. LOL

My trailer is about 38 feet long by itself, the boat does not fit in that dimension and hangs over about 5 feet giving me a 43 foot trailer. Don't forget the swim platform counts. If a 320 was loaded on my trailer it likely would extend back an additional foot or 2 as well as being forward on the trailer a foot or 2. My Suburban is nearly 19 feet giving me a combined 62 foot length. It was said you bought a 3500 truck but not how long it is, it is likely near 22 feet giving you 65 feet of overall length.

MM
 
Here are some back of the cocktail napkin calculations from my increasingly faulty memory. LOL

My trailer is about 38 feet long by itself, the boat does not fit in that dimension and hangs over about 5 feet giving me a 43 foot trailer. Don't forget the swim platform counts. If a 320 was loaded on my trailer it likely would extend back an additional foot or 2 as well as being forward on the trailer a foot or 2. My Suburban is nearly 19 feet giving me a combined 62 foot length. It was said you bought a 3500 truck but not how long it is, it is likely near 22 feet giving you 65 feet of overall length.

MM
You saying the last 5' of boat is hanging in the air, or just a big swimplatform? Do you have one of those tool/storage boxes on the tongue that makes it so long? My 280DA on it's trailer, swim platform to ball is 34.5'. There's a couple ramps I go to that are short on space and I have to jockey around a little to launch, it would be a real pain with a 43 footer.
 
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Here are some back of the cocktail napkin calculations from my increasingly faulty memory. LOL

My trailer is about 38 feet long by itself, the boat does not fit in that dimension and hangs over about 5 feet giving me a 43 foot trailer. Don't forget the swim platform counts. If a 320 was loaded on my trailer it likely would extend back an additional foot or 2 as well as being forward on the trailer a foot or 2. My Suburban is nearly 19 feet giving me a combined 62 foot length. It was said you bought a 3500 truck but not how long it is, it is likely near 22 feet giving you 65 feet of overall length.

MM
Well, i confirmed yesterday with The State Patrol headquarters in Madison. It does not matter if it is recreational or not, what matters is the gvwr of the trailer. I expect that quite a few folks choose to take the chance, but I am not one of them. At this point, I will persue the cdl. Wife says that we should start a transport company. I politely reminder her that come spring, all of our free time will be dedicated to boating. She asked what we were gong to do in the off season! She now has me thinking that might not be a bad idea, not many folks located in Northern Wisconsin that offer this service. I just may pass the word around this summer, hell, gas money!
 
You saying the last 5' of boat is hanging in the air, or just a big swimplatform? Do you have one of those tool/storage boxes on the tongue that makes it so long? My 280DA on it's trailer, swim platform to ball is 34.5'. There's a couple ramps I go to that are short on space and I have to jockey around a little to launch, it would be a real pain with a 43 footer.

Yes, in round numbers it is near 5' beyond the rear of the trailer. First, the trailer length can vary by the length of bunk beam overhang one has, I set the new beams so the hull sits even with the end of the beam to be fully supported. That means the transom is even with the end of the beam, then there is the 18" built-in platform, and the add-on 36" platform totaling nearly 5'.

If you look at the photos in this old thread you can see my trailer. The bow stop is all the way back so it can be sized for larger boats than mine.

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/anchor-hits-bow-roller-and-winch.45490/

MM
 
Yes, in round numbers it is near 5' beyond the rear of the trailer. First, the trailer length can vary by the length of bunk beam overhang one has, I set the new beams so the hull sits even with the end of the beam to be fully supported. That means the transom is even with the end of the beam, then there is the 18" built-in platform, and the add-on 36" platform totaling nearly 5'.

If you look at the photos in this old thread you can see my trailer. The bow stop is all the way back so it can be sized for larger boats than mine.

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/anchor-hits-bow-roller-and-winch.45490/

MM
You need to demonstrate your commitment to boating....fill that big trailer up MM.:D
 
So, I was sucessfull in passing the cdl written tests, had to schedual a doctors visit to get the Federal Medical card, went back to the dmv to get my learners permit, now wait 14 days to take the drivers test. The trailer is set for delivery to Missouri end of next week. The work on the boat to complete items identified in the survey should be done at the same time. Looking at driving down the third week of March to drag her home. Weather forcast is 10" of snow this evening.
Don't care, the days are getting longer, daylite savings right around the corner, my slip is bought and paid for, ole man winter can only fight for so long, I getting my boat...........
 
So, I was sucessfull in passing the cdl written tests, had to schedual a doctors visit to get the Federal Medical card, went back to the dmv to get my learners permit, now wait 14 days to take the drivers test. The trailer is set for delivery to Missouri end of next week. The work on the boat to complete items identified in the survey should be done at the same time. Looking at driving down the third week of March to drag her home. Weather forcast is 10" of snow this evening.
Don't care, the days are getting longer, daylite savings right around the corner, my slip is bought and paid for, ole man winter can only fight for so long, I getting my boat...........
Woohoo! Enjoy your trip! Nothing like bringing a new to you boat home!
 
Well, i confirmed yesterday with The State Patrol headquarters in Madison. It does not matter if it is recreational or not, what matters is the gvwr of the trailer. I expect that quite a few folks choose to take the chance, but I am not one of them. At this point, I will persue the cdl. Wife says that we should start a transport company. I politely reminder her that come spring, all of our free time will be dedicated to boating. She asked what we were gong to do in the off season! She now has me thinking that might not be a bad idea, not many folks located in Northern Wisconsin that offer this service. I just may pass the word around this summer, hell, gas money!
I just paid $1200 to have a 320 moved 80 miles. The next closest estimate was $1800. Definitely money to be made for somebody with the eqpt.
 
Old thread, but are there any conclusions that can be listed for allowable length of boat/trailer vs. truck w/ boat& trailer. Also what about total allowable gross weight of truck/trailer/boat and not needing CDL?

I'm looking to buy a 2014 370 Venture. 11'3" beam, apprx 15k lbs dry. I want to pull this with newer F250 Crewcab and triple axle aluminum trailer. I really liked the Venture as it looks like its about the biggest SR boat I can get and still regularly trailer myself w/ just width oversized permits (among other great boat features :). But this thread has got me more concerned now about CDL requirements. My basic online towing searches a few months back were certainly not in depth enough! Any updates would be greatly appreciated. Thx.
 
Old thread, but are there any conclusions that can be listed for allowable length of boat/trailer vs. truck w/ boat& trailer. Also what about total allowable gross weight of truck/trailer/boat and not needing CDL?

I'm looking to buy a 2014 370 Venture. 11'3" beam, apprx 15k lbs dry. I want to pull this with newer F250 Crewcab and triple axle aluminum trailer. I really liked the Venture as it looks like its about the biggest SR boat I can get and still regularly trailer myself w/ just width oversized permits (among other great boat features :). But this thread has got me more concerned now about CDL requirements. My basic online towing searches a few months back were certainly not in depth enough! Any updates would be greatly appreciated. Thx.
In my case, it all boiled down to the combined gross vehicle rating of both the truck and trailer. (GVWR)
In Wisconsin, the magic number was 26001 lbs. I can get the permits on line the day before I need them so that part is easy. 25 bucks a pop. I can also buy a yearly permit if needed. My pole barn is only 4 miles from the marina but just my luck, a state patrol looking for something to do, just about the time I decide to try towing without a permit.
Regarding the tow vehicle, you will get tons of advise regarding how so and so’s truck will pull just about anything. Hell with the right gearing, my Sears lawn mower will pull my boat! The deal is you want to do it safely and legally. Not sure where you are from but I would recommend you ask the proper departments for advise. Hell, I even spent a half hour at a weight station near by and got a education.
I don’t need to preach but utube is full of videos showing mishaps at launches where the boat
ends up pulling the truck in along with it. Pay attention to the ramp grade, condition, wet, slick with seaweed etc. not a good feeling when you are locked into 4 wheel backing down the ramp and you ain’t stopping. SLOW,SLOW,SLOW.
 
I am guessing that two more weeks for the ice to clear out of the marina. Going up next weekend to start getting the boat ready. The wife wants to be in by the 18th of May as she is running Madeline island marathon. With what I want to do before launch, not sure I will make it but going to dam sure try.
You winter store your boat in Bayfield right? When are splashing? If we are up there at the same time and you run into a need of some help, please reach out. My son lives up there with a pretty decent shop,(thanks dad), and I have been bringing tools up to my polebarn as well. I have a pretty decent machine shop and wood working shop, CNC and manual stuff. I love building boat related stuff.
 
I am guessing that two more weeks for the ice to clear out of the marina. Going up next weekend to start getting the boat ready. The wife wants to be in by the 18th of May as she is running Madeline island marathon. With what I want to do before launch, not sure I will make it but going to dam sure try.
You winter store your boat in Bayfield right? When are splashing? If we are up there at the same time and you run into a need of some help, please reach out. My son lives up there with a pretty decent shop,(thanks dad), and I have been bringing tools up to my polebarn as well. I have a pretty decent machine shop and wood working shop, CNC and manual stuff. I love building boat related stuff.
I was set up for May 4th but yesterday they said possibly as late as May 15th. Last year because of the flood damage over at Houghton and my granddaughter swimming in the Point to La Pointe I didn't leave for Houghton until Aug 8th. I'm thinking of spending more time around the islands again this summer but no definite schedule.

That's a very generous offer, thank you. I hope I don't have to take you up on it, if you know what I mean.:) I'll be watching for you.
 
I was set up for May 4th but yesterday they said possibly as late as May 15th. Last year because of the flood damage over at Houghton and my granddaughter swimming in the Point to La Pointe I didn't leave for Houghton until Aug 8th. I'm thinking of spending more time around the islands again this summer but no definite schedule.

That's a very generous offer, thank you. I hope I don't have to take you up on it, if you know what I mean.:) I'll be watching for you.
So do you have a slip in the Bayfield marina? What is your boat name? Will keep an eye out for you.
 
Maybe I'll see you both up there this Summer as well.
 
Maybe I'll see you both up there this Summer as well.
Absolutely! The marina we are in is Washburn. Lots of transient slips to be had. We do quite a few day trips to the islands depending on the weather. We overnight on Stockton quite a bit as well.
 
Absolutely! The marina we are in is Washburn. Lots of transient slips to be had. We do quite a few day trips to the islands depending on the weather. We overnight on Stockton quite a bit as well.

I'm in Corny during the week of the 4th of July, early August & during Labor Day weekend. I rent a slip from the Tillman's at the Corny Marina.

We spend a lot of time at Islands & I fish right off of Squaw & Bark Point.

edit: My photo is in Lighthouse Bay on Sand Island.
 

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