bunk trailer for 290 SS

[Starboardtack]

Is anyone using a trailer for their 290 SS? Looking to purchase one and trying to narrow the search down. Bunk trailers are my only interest. Thanks in advance!

 

[TN_Ryan]

I use a bunk trailer for my 2006 290 DA. Bought it brand new from Venture back in December. Well priced and works great...I upgraded to electric over hydraulic. Which I HIGHLY recommend. Makes stopping a breeze, and much more confident and safe. Plus you have brakes in reverse on the trailer.

 

[Starboardtack]

Thanks, Looks like a perfect setup!

 

[HawkX66]

Boy that looks familiar. Just picked up the same trailer from a member here last night. I already upgraded the tail lights to LED this morning.

 

[SilkRod]

I use a bunk trailer for my 2006 290 DA. Bought it brand new from Venture back in December. Well priced and works great...I upgraded to electric over hydraulic. Which I HIGHLY recommend. Makes stopping a breeze, and much more confident and safe. Plus you have brakes in reverse on the trailer. View attachment 89308

Hey TN-Ryan.....What type of Ford are you using to pull your Sundance 290? Is that an HD? I drive a 2015 GMC 1500 Sierra 4WD with Towing Mode and Electric Brake Controls.....however, the Sea Ray Broker is saying that's not enough truck to pull a Sundancer 260. Any thoughts?

 

[TN_Ryan]

Hey TN-Ryan.....What type of Ford are you using to pull your Sundance 290? Is that an HD? I drive a 2015 GMC 1500 Sierra 4WD with Towing Mode and Electric Brake Controls.....however, the Sea Ray Broker is saying that's not enough truck to pull a Sundancer 260. Any thoughts?

There is our 290 behind our old truck. A 2016 F150 4X4 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. I had air helper bags on that truck and she did tow it fine. Had plenty of power...but ultimately I didn’t like how 13k lbs felt behind a 5500lb truck. The roads here in East TN are narrow and twisty on top of bumpy. So we sold that truck and picked up the F250 4X4 Superduty Diesel. It has a ridiculous amount of power, but also handles the weight of the boat so much better. The F150 had a 11k lb tow rating. So I wouldn’t have upgraded trucks if I had a 260 Sundancer. But depending on your tow limit on your GMC it should be fine. I see a lot of guys towing the 260’s with 150/1500 size trucks. Especially considering the new age 1/2 ton trucks tow more then the old 350/3500 of 10 years ago. If it were me...I’d try it and see what you think. You can always upgrade trucks at a later date if you aren’t comfortable with the setup.

 

[TN_Ryan]

Boy that looks familiar. Just picked up the same trailer from a member here last night. I already upgraded the tail lights to LED this morning.View attachment 89329

Nice! What are planning on putting on that trailer??

 

[SilkRod]

View attachment 89350

There is our 290 behind our old truck. A 2016 F150 4X4 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. I had air helper bags on that truck and she did tow it fine. Had plenty of power...but ultimately I didn’t like how 13k lbs felt behind a 5500lb truck. The roads here in East TN are narrow and twisty on top of bumpy. So we sold that truck and picked up the F250 4X4 Superduty Diesel. It has a ridiculous amount of power, but also handles the weight of the boat so much better. The F150 had a 11k lb tow rating. So I wouldn’t have upgraded trucks if I had a 260 Sundancer. But depending on your tow limit on your GMC it should be fine. I see a lot of guys towing the 260’s with 150/1500 size trucks. Especially considering the new age 1/2 ton trucks tow more then the old 350/3500 of 10 years ago. If it were me...I’d try it and see what you think. You can always upgrade trucks at a later date if you aren’t comfortable with the setup.

That is a beautiful setup. I can't wait to find me the perfect 260. Living here in Texas, I'm looking for one with both A/C and a generator. I pretty much want it to be fully loaded.
The tow capacity of my GMC is 9500lbs. The dry weight of a 260 is 7500lbs plus trailer weight.

 

[TN_Ryan]

Thanks!

I can tell you that my triple axle 33’ aluminum trailer weighs in at 2000 lbs. So a tandem would be sufficient for you. So lighter and easier on tires LoL

BTW...we bought our 290 from Lewisville TX back in December.

 

[HawkX66]

Nice! What are planning on putting on that trailer??

Thank you sir! I picked up a Sundancer 290DA a few weeks ago. I didn't like the idea of leaving it at a boatyard. Control freak... It'll also be easier for me to do any maintenance it needs at home. I wish I still had my 05 F350 diesel to tow it lol

 

[TN_Ryan]

Thank you sir! I picked up a Sundancer 290DA a few weeks ago. I didn't like the idea of leaving it at a boatyard. Control freak... It'll also be easier for me to do any maintenance it needs at home. I wish I still had my 05 F350 diesel to tow it lol

View attachment 89371

Very nice! Yes having the ability to take it to your house and work on it at your leisure at the comfort of your own home is very nice!

 

[HawkX66]

Very nice! Yes having the ability to take it to your house and work on it at your leisure at the comfort of your own home is very nice!

Now I'm feeling much better lol

 

[SilkRod]

Now I'm feeling much better lol

View attachment 89391

So HawkX66, what is the total weight of your boat and trailer? Also, what's that you're pulling it with?

 

[HawkX66]

Boat is 8,500 and the trailer is 1,800. I'm pulling it with a 17 Expy EL Platinum with the tow package. 3.5L Ecoboost. I'm a little overweight, but all three axles have disc brakes. It stops beautifully... I can honestly say there wasn't a single pucker factor situation today. I was never searching for more towing power which surprised me. 780 lbs on the hitch. I ordered an adapter so I can use my Fastway e2 load leveler that I use for my 24' enclosed car trailer.

 

[SilkRod]

Boat is 8,500 and the trailer is 1,800. I'm pulling it with a 17 Expy EL Platinum with the tow package. 3.5L Ecoboost. I'm a little overweight, but all three axles have disc brakes. It stops beautifully... I can honestly say there wasn't a single pucker factor situation today. I was never searching for more towing power which surprised me. 780 lbs on the hitch. I ordered an adapter so I can use my Fastway e2 load leveler that I use for my 24' enclosed car trailer.

Between you and TN-Ryan, I am feeling a lot more comfortable about pulling a Sundancer 260 with my 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. Thanks for the info.

 

[HawkX66]

Just be careful about being too comfortable. It's some serious weight. The right tires inflated properly on both your truck and trailer as well as functioning adequate trailer brakes and you should be good to go. Just take it easy... I'm adding my load leveler and sway control bar to my trailer for a little added comfort.

 

[hughespat57]

Another plus one on the electric over hydraulic
I to like the boat at my house for easy evening work and no marina worries

But sorry I love my roller trailer

 

[CKL]

I use a bunk trailer for my 2006 290 DA. Bought it brand new from Venture back in December. Well priced and works great...I upgraded to electric over hydraulic. Which I HIGHLY recommend. Makes stopping a breeze, and much more confident and safe. Plus you have brakes in reverse on the trailer. View attachment 89308

Good looking rig. I have a 2008 290 DA and am looking for a trailer. Did you purchase model VATB-12625? Curious whether you would change anything if you were to purchase another?

 

[HawkX66]

Good looking rig. I have a 2008 290 DA and am looking for a trailer. Did you purchase model VATB-12625? Curious whether you would change anything if you were to purchase another?

That's the same trailer I bought from a member here a couple of weeks ago. It was only 7 mos. old, so basically brand new. One surprise for me was a completely corroded taillight bulb holder. I changed to LED the morning after I bought it. Here are a couple of other additions I added to mine.

-Electric jack. Fulton 2,500 lb
-Pole tongue adapter for a weight distribution hitch. Equalizer.
-Electric winch. Sherpa Grunter.

It makes the tongue more than a little busy, but I think I'll be thanking myself in the long run.

 

[CKL]

That's the same trailer I bought from a member here a couple of weeks ago. It was only 7 mos. old, so basically brand new. One surprise for me was a completely corroded taillight bulb holder. I changed to LED the morning after I bought it. Here are a couple of other additions I added to mine.

-Electric jack. Fulton 2,500 lb
-Pole tongue adapter for a weight distribution hitch. Equalizer.
-Electric winch. Sherpa Grunter.

It makes the tongue more than a little busy, but I think I'll be thanking myself in the long run.

View attachment 90629

View attachment 90625


View attachment 90623

Great modifications, I have been thinking an electric winch and jack would be great to have. I am also going to add a ladder to whatever trailer I get. I had a local welding shop put one on my old 260 trailer and I was able to easily launch/retrieve solo.