The right tow vehicle

[Lazy Daze]

Lazy Daze, Question: what does the SR dry weight mean/include? I was told it was the base boat. In other words on a boat that has twins vs the base single engine you should add for another engine and drive weight.

That's correct. Although, sometimes they will list the dry weight for both single and twins - but it should specify.

Dry weight also means without oil or batteries. If A/C or a genny was an option, then that should be added in as well. On some boats the arch or spoiler is an option. Basically, dry weight is just that - "dry" without any options.

 

[berth control]

Archive's says my boat weighs 6,272 lbs dry.
Last time I pulled it over the scales with no water in the tanks and some luggage it was 10,500 lbs on the trailer.

If you click on the "forums" tab at the top, the second picture from the right is the same boat as mine being launched with a two wheel drive half ton pickup. I'm not saying it's ideal, but it kind of shoots a hole in the "you need an F-450 dually" argument.

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

Lots of good information here. Thanks all. The dry weight on my boat is 9250. Add the more weight for the 5.0's over the 4.3's, genset, and misc and I'd say 10000lb is my new "dry weight". Not including fuel and gear. Add another 2.7lbs for each gallon of gas and gear and I'd say I'm around 10500 if I have the tanks rather empty until I get close to the ramp. Add 2500lbs for the trailer and 13000lb seems like a decent yet maybe slightly conservative load number. For as little as I plan to tow I would think a vehicle that can handle anything over 13500lb will suffice.

 

[MExcelsior]

Lots of good information here. Thanks all. The dry weight on my boat is 9250. Add the more weight for the 5.0's over the 4.3's, genset, and misc and I'd say 10000lb is my new "dry weight". Not including fuel and gear. Add another 2.7lbs for each gallon of gas and gear and I'd say I'm around 10500 if I have the tanks rather empty until I get close to the ramp. Add 2500lbs for the trailer and 13000lb seems like a decent yet maybe slightly conservative load number. For as little as I plan to tow I would think a vehicle that can handle anything over 13500lb will suffice.

Cincy, here are my numbers, and remember your boat is bigger than mine.

I took the truck and boat to be weighed at a registered scale. The boat/trailer weighed close to 13,800 pounds (Trailer = 2,700lbs) and this was before it was spring commissioned and had empty waste and water along with no personal effects....1/2 tank of gas (Total weight of truck and boat was 21,300)

I'm thinking you are going to be closer to 15,000 with steel trailer and your boat on average... if not a little more with a good supply of fuel. I'm not sure why the dry weights for the boats by Searay seem to be really low.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[ChuckW]

6.15 lbs for gas

Don't forget people in the tow vehicle and other gear in the truck.

 

[dpvandy01]

From LoadMaster

Daniel,
Thank you for your inquiry concerning a trailer quote for your Sea Ray 280 DA. We can actually build either a heavy duty tandem axle or triaxle trailer for your boat. It depends on your wants or if you plan on towing extra weight in your boat. Here are the factors we take into account to determine the correct trailer.

Your length is 28'6". However, it is 31' 1" with swim and pulpit. For trailer purposes, we use 30' (transom to bow pulpit) as the length of the boat. For carry capacity:

Boat dry weight with standard I/O engine 8,000lbs
batteries/anchors/buoys, etc. 300lbs
100 gal fuel @ 6.19lb/gal 619lbs
80 gal water/waste @8lb/gal 640lbs
Subtotal 9,559lbs

This does include full fuel, water, waste, but doesn't take into account cabin or deck gear, generator (if applicable), etc. A heavy duty tandem can carry up to 10,673lbs and sells for $5,270. The triaxle can carry up to 13,727lbs. and sells for $5815. Either trailer would be built specific to your boat as far as axle, bunk placement, taking water intakes, etc. into account. You choose the color scheme and can personalize either trailer with options, etc.
I've attached a spec. sheet on both trailers along with a couple of photos. Once you review this information, please feel free to call 1-800-258-6115 or e-mail loadmaster@cros.net for more information, questions, etc. Again, thank you for your interest in our trailers.


Diane D. Straw
Co-owner

 

[dpvandy01]

“Loadmaster Trailer Company, LTD.”

2354 E. Harbor Road, Pt. Clinton, Ohio 43452 1-419-732-3434, 1-800-258-6115, Fax 1-419-732-2183
www.loadmastertrailerco.com loadmaster@cros.net



Three (3) 6,000lbs. Safe-T-Lube, Drop-Center, Submersible Axles
16,002lbs GVWR Net Carry Capacity Approximately13,727lbs.
Mig-Welded 8” Channel Steel Construction
All-Wheel Electric 12” Drum Brakes
15” Load Range "D" Goodyear Radial Tires, Silver, E-Coated Wheels
Adjustable Treated Lumber, Edges Routed, Marine-Carpeted Bunks
Structural Fenders with Anti-Skid
7,000lbs. Drop-leg Tongue Jack
Adjustable Bow Stop/Winch Stand w/Manual 2 Speed Winch, 6,000lbs., 3” Strap
20,000lbs. Locking Coupler (2 5/16” Ball)
Two Safety Cables. Break-away System with Built-in Battery Charger
Epoxy Primer, “PPG” Polyurethane Paint, Sealed with Clear-coat. Painted Pinstripes.
Sealed, Submersible Lights. All Electrical Connections Shrink-wrapped.
$5,815.00 For a 2007 Model, Excluding Delivery and/or Ohio Sales Tax
Spare Tire/Wheel = +$175, Spare Mount = +$90, All LED Lights = +$75

 

[ChuckW]

From LoadMaster

Daniel,
Thank you for your inquiry concerning a trailer quote for your Sea Ray 280 DA. We can actually build either a heavy duty tandem axle or triaxle trailer for your boat. It depends on your wants or if you plan on towing extra weight in your boat. Here are the factors we take into account to determine the correct trailer.

Your length is 28'6". However, it is 31' 1" with swim and pulpit. For trailer purposes, we use 30' (transom to bow pulpit) as the length of the boat. For carry capacity:

Boat dry weight with standard I/O engine 8,000lbs
batteries/anchors/buoys, etc. 300lbs
100 gal fuel @ 6.19lb/gal 619lbs
80 gal water/waste @8lb/gal 640lbs
Subtotal 9,559lbs

This does include full fuel, water, waste, but doesn't take into account cabin or deck gear, generator (if applicable), etc. A heavy duty tandem can carry up to 10,673lbs and sells for $5,270. The triaxle can carry up to 13,727lbs. and sells for $5815. Either trailer would be built specific to your boat as far as axle, bunk placement, taking water intakes, etc. into account. You choose the color scheme and can personalize either trailer with options, etc.
I've attached a spec. sheet on both trailers along with a couple of photos. Once you review this information, please feel free to call 1-800-258-6115 or e-mail loadmaster@cros.net for more information, questions, etc. Again, thank you for your interest in our trailers.


Diane D. Straw
Co-owner

And the weight of the trailer? So you can figure out tow vehicle limits.

 

[dpvandy01]

And the weight of the trailer? So you can figure out tow vehicle limits.

2250 lbs..

 

[MExcelsior]

Boat dry weight with standard I/O engine 8,000lbs
batteries/anchors/buoys, etc. 300lbs
100 gal fuel @ 6.19lb/gal 619lbs
80 gal water/waste @8lb/gal 640lbs
Subtotal 9,559lbs

Hi Dan, these numbers are almost exactly the numbers that was provided by Heritage for my trailer plus a little for the twins. We bought a tri-axle rated at 10,400 lb steel custom. However, it looks like the capacity of my trailer may be a little short (~600 lbs) according to the weighing. (Thank goodness for over-engineering).

Mike

 

[dpvandy01]

Hi Dan, these numbers are almost exactly the numbers that was provided by Heritage for my trailer plus a little for the twins. We bought a tri-axle rated at 10,400 lb steel custom. However, it looks like the capacity of my trailer may be a little short (~600 lbs) according to the weighing. (Thank goodness for over-engineering).

Mike

I'm very pleased with the LM trailer.. I always figured my load at 9500 + 2500 for trailer + 1000 for gear = 13k....

I bought the tri-axel by the way

 

[jitts3]

Just get a good used 3/4 ton. If you get one with an automatic transmission (Why I don't know) make sure you get a trans fluid cooler. The thru the radiator thing is not a cooler, its a heater for winter. Cools some in real hot but not very effective. The most important thing is breaks and tires. Get high weight rated tires and make sure the breaks are in order on the truck. The trailer must have them as well. I'm not going to sugest you get a diesel for two reasons, maintence costs are out of this world. Diesel fuel is almost always way more expencive then Gasoline. (this is because of us truckers like myself, Unlike me most in my industry don't vote). You don't NEED of power. The trick is to handle and stop the load. Going a little slower can be better then dragracing up a hill for thousands more. To me older and simpler is better. For example.

I tow a 6,800 lb (Empty) travel trailer with this old dinosaur. The tires have a weight carrying capacity of 2,200 lbs each. She is powered by a 360 CID prob 200hp V8 and a 4 speed manual (The only way to tow). With the travel trailer I also use a weight distribution hitch due to the high tounge weight. Now the chevy 3/4 to I have I used to tow the boat to PA from NJ when I bought her. The same applyes to that truck as well except that truck has a automatic transmission and hate reving the hell out of that big block because of the transmissions limitations.
FYI I used to regularly beat the snot out of the Blue Crew Cab. You should see her with almost 4 tons of driveway gravel in it. (15 mile from quarry to Old House)

Trucks are rated for a reason. If this truck was military it would be a 1 1/2 ton. The registered weight carryiny capacity and the dedgined weight carring capacity are two different things. They can handle most anything you throw at them. To me 3/4 and 1 ton trucks seem to have almost no limits (if common sence is used).